Danielle diligently attempted to end her affair with Cade. She reminded him they would probably be working together. She reiterated Grimaldi’s strict rule about fraternization between agents. She even tried to argue that she didn’t think Lady Daphne would approve.
None of it proved effective. Cade simply pulled her close and kissed her neck and once that started, it wasn’t much of a leap to be splendidly naked in bed with the man. There were times when Cade went above deck to see to his duties, of course, but whenever he returned to the cabin, it wasn’t long before he’d coaxed her into bed, forcing her to scream his name so he could muffle it with his hand.
It was going to end badly. Her heart would be broken and he would leave and she’d never see him again. But while she was in his arms, in his bed, it felt as if she’d been brushed by heaven. She couldn’t make herself stop. Even worse, she didn’t want to.
Three days later, Cade snuggled her against him after having just made exhaustive love to her. Her body felt limp and delicious. It also felt sensitive and tingly. And satisfied. Stroking her arm he said, “McCummins tells me we’ll be pulling into port tonight.”
She shot up to her elbow, pulling up the sheet to cover her naked breasts. “So soon?”
“Yes.”
She turned her head and a lock of dark hair fell across her shoulder. “This is it then.”
“What?”
“The end of our affair.”
“How do you know that?” He tried to pull her close and kiss her neck, but she scooted away.
“We shouldn’t get attached,” she said.
“I’m already attached.” He advanced on her.
A thrill shot through her, but that was the kind of thing all rakes said. Probably just before they walked out the door and you never saw them again.
“I know how these things work,” she informed him.
“These things?” He shook his head. “What are you talking about?”
“Love affairs. You might recall, ahem, I was no virgin.”
“Neither was I. What does that have to do with us?”
“I don’t want you to feel guilty when you… when this ends.” She cleared her throat. “I don’t want to feel guilty, either.”
“Why does guilt have to enter into it?” He pulled her close, his hand dropping between her legs, reaching for the spot he knew she would respond to. She moved her hips away.
“Grimaldi will explain his plans and either you’ll agree or you won’t, and either way, after it’s over you’ll go your own way and I’ll go mine and…”
“Do we have to discuss that right now? I only have a few more hours in bed with you. Can’t we just… have fun?”
“I think it’s best if we cut it off now.”
“We made love not half an hour ago.”
“Yes, and it was enjoyable.”
“Enjoyable? I nearly smothered you with a pillow to keep you from screaming my name. Twice. I have scratch marks down my back that make me look like I’ve been mauled by a she-tiger. I—”
She’d never been so glad she wasn’t a blusher. “As I said, it was enjoyable. But I think it’s time to be reasonable.”
“Reasonable?” He groaned. “That’s Grimaldi talking, not you.”
“It’s all been quite a lark, as the English say.” She slid out of the bed and gathered her clothing. “But it can’t happen again.”
Cade grabbed the clock on the table next to the bed and flung it against the far wall where it smashed into a hundred pieces.
***
