Sighing, he kissed her neck. No more would she have to work. Not as his wife. The only work she would do was that affiliated with running a household and watching their children.
Their children.Now that was a pleasant thought. He’d never thought about having children, mainly because he hadn’t met a woman he could love enough to bear his children.
Love was so wonderful. It made him feel so complete.
With gentle fingers, he moved the hair away from Katrina’s neck and kissed her earlobe. A soft moan rattled in her throat, and she arched against him. Even in her sleep she was desirous.
He continued trailing soft kisses across her ear, and then moving down her neck. Suddenly, he didn’t feel tired any longer. All he wanted to do was wake her and kiss her endlessly. But his conscience fought the urge, reminding him that they both needed sleep in order to arrive at her father’s in the morning. He also needed sleep so he could be alert for any danger as he brought the group to her father’s plantation.
Unfortunately, caressing her and kissing her neck was far too enjoyable to stop. He slid his hand back to her waist again, pulling her closer. She released a sigh as her hand covered his. She turned her head toward him, and he pulled back only far enough to see if she was awake. Her eyes were still closed, but her lips parted in a silent invitation.
He closed the space between their mouths and kissed her softly, placing whispers of kisses on her lips. It didn’t take long before she was moving her mouth with his. Slowly, he maneuvered her so she lay on her back while still in his arms. Looming over her, he kissed her deeper, more thoroughly. He wrapped her in his arms tighter, enjoying the way his heart beat so quickly, and feeling the rhythm of hers against his chest.
There was so much he wanted to experience with her. Not here, but after they were married. Yet the excitement rushing through him now let him know he couldn’t wait much longer to make her his wife. He hoped there was a clergyman of some kind who lived on her father’s plantation, because he wanted to marry her as soon as possible.
“Katrina, I love you,” he whispered as his heart burst with emotion.
With a moan, she turned her head, breaking the kiss. He placed his lips on her neck, not wanting to stop. Several more sighs came from her before she slowly shook her head.
“No, Felix,” she said groggily. “I—I—we can’t do this. It’s not right.”
“I know, my love,” he mumbled against her neck. “Forgive me for being anxious. We shall wait, I assure you.”
She mumbled something incoherently and rolled back on her side. He cuddled up against her like he had before and breathed deeply. Their kiss was enough to satisfy him tonight.
At least he hoped it would be.
* * * *
AHEADACHE THREATENEDto ruin Katrina’s morning.
When she awoke, Felix was cuddled next to her. At first, it had felt wonderful to have him there, but the more she thought of it and what had happened during the night, sadness seeped in her heart.
He’d confessed to loving her. All of her life she had wanted to meet the perfect man—the prince who would sweep her off her feet and take her away from the life she’d been born into. Finally, after twenty-four years, she’d met him. Only to realize she couldn’t have him.
More than anything, she’d wanted to give into her desires last night, but even in half-sleep, she knew she couldn’t allow him to continue loving her. Somehow, some way, she must let him go. Knowing his background now, she realized he needed a woman who hadn’t been a thief when she was younger. Felix needed a wife he could be proud of. Because of the mistakes Katrina had made in her life, she wasn’t the woman for him.
Now she was eager to get to her father’s house, meet him, collect her money, and leave. She couldn’t wait to get away from everything and everyone she’d met during this trip. Although tragic things had happened along the way, this was the closest thing she’d ever got to being in paradise.
And the closest she’d ever come to finding love. Her heart wouldn’t be able to take the ache of knowing she loved someone but could never be with them.
As the group packed everything, Felix had tried to kiss her a few times. She’d made excuses to why she wouldn’t allow him such liberties. Finally, they were on their way. Felix had assured her they would be at her father’s plantation in about two hours.
The time was not going fast enough.
Along the way, he kept asking her what was wrong. Her excuse was that she had a headache from all the worrying she’d done. In truth, she was not looking forward to meeting her father. She’d heard so many horror stories from her mother that Katrina didn’t want to have anything to do with him.
Strange to think that waving money in front of her face would change her mind.
Felix slowed his steps, which caused her to stop. He pointed toward a hill that thankfully, the canopy trees didn’t block.
“Do you see that?” he asked.
“Yes.”
He moved closer to her and slipped an arm around her shoulders. “We are almost to your father’s plantation. In less than an hour we’ll be there.” He grinned down at her.
Her stomach twisted. Did she really want to do this? Then again, she’d come this far. She might as well continue and verbally show her father how much she detested him. “Oh, good.”
