He made a soft, rough sound and cupped her breasts in his palms. “Perfect,” he whispered, his breath hot and moist in her ear. “You fit my hands perfectly.”
She let her head fall back against his shoulder and closed her eyes, sighing as he leisurely fondled her chest. Some dim part of her brain was stunned by her actions, horrified by her behavior, but she ignored the pangs of her conscience. They were meaningless in the wake of Talon’s burning touch.
When she didn’t think she could stand the pleasure any longer, he turned her in his arms and lowered his head, feathering his lips against hers. “I can’t stay away from you,” he breathed and kissed her again.
This time his mouth moved hungrily, demanding entrance. Her lips parted, and then his tongue touched hers, coaxing her into a sweet, wild dance. His gentle fingertips plucked her breasts in the same mind- numbing rhythm.
She twined her fingers in his soft, black hair and pulled him closer, needing to touch him, too. He moaned and bore her down to the mattress, insinuating his lower body between her thighs. Something hard and foreign pressed against her. He thrust his hips against hers, the action so primitive and searing it took her breath away.
Startled, she shied back.
She knew of the differences between men and women from illicit reading and Betsy’s giggling descriptions, but she’d never expected such heat and steely strength. She was suddenly frightened, both of him and the way he made her feel.
He rolled away, his chiseled features drawn with passion. “You’re driving me crazy, Kate. I’ve never wanted a woman the way I want you.”
She stared at him, her heart still thundering in her chest. Her gaze dropped again to his lap, to the massive ridge of flesh that strained against the front of his breeches. It was a shocking sight, but once her fear ebbed, it pleased her immensely. For too long, she’d thought herself incapable of inspiring desire in any man.
“You’re not ready for this.” He cursed and rolled off the bed. “I should leave.”
She wanted to tell him to stay, but her emotions were so frayed, so brittle with exhaustion and despair, she didn’t trust herself. “Yes,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “That’s probably for the best.”
He nodded once abruptly and left her alone in the prison her cabin had become.
* * * * *
Talon shut Kate’s door with exaggerated care then leaned against it, his pulse roaring in his ears. God, what the hell was wrong with him?
He’d had her in the palm of his hand. Literally. She’d been ripe for his seduction. There might never be a better time, and yet some maverick streak of honor kept popping up, preventing him from doing what he must.
“You’re a fool.”
Daniel’s voice flayed Talon’s already tightly strung nerves to the breaking point. He lifted his head, meeting his brother’s gaze across the narrow room. Shit. The bastard was still awake. “Leave me alone.”
Daniel pulled himself to a sitting position and gave Talon a slow, appraising look. “Why are you putting yourself through this? You obviously want her. Look at you, standing there with your cock hard as a rock. It would solve all of our problems if you’d just go back in there and let nature take its course.”
Never in his life had another man commented on the state of his penis. Anger and humiliation surged through him, burning away his lust. He lunged forward, grasping Daniel’s throat and pinning him to the hull. “Give me one more reason,” he whispered. “You don’t know how bad I want to hurt you.”
Daniel didn’t resist; he merely hung from Talon’s hands, his face turning red with the strain. Disgusted with himself, with the impossibility of the whole situation, Talon released him.
For a moment, the only sound to be heard was Daniel’s gasping attempts to regain his breath. Talon clenched and unclenched his fists, staring out the small porthole.
“You’re so predictable.” When Daniel spoke, his voice was choked and low. “Father must be enjoying this immensely. You’re playing right into his hands, and you don’t even realize it.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Talon itched to put his hands around his brother’s throat once more, but he restrained himself, determined not to let the bloody bastard make him lose his temper again.
“My wife is the kind of woman a man like you can’t resist. Innocence is unholy temptation to a man who’s never known it, isn’t it? You already burn for her. It’s just a matter of time.”
Talon shook his head in disbelief, angry and unwilling to admit the truth. “Why don’t you just do the job yourself, man? Close your eyes and think of England. Christ, do whatever you have to do, just get the bloody thing done and leave me out of it.”
Daniel gave a bitter laugh. “It’s not that simple. Nothing ever is when my father’s involved.” He met Talon’s furious gaze with a twisted smile. “Enough of this talk about women. I don’t suppose you’ve brought anything to make this trip more bearable? I’ll pay you well.”
Talon grimaced, realizing his brother was talking about opium, or perhaps something even worse. He had the sallow, wasted look of a man addicted to the stuff. “Looks like I’m not the only one who’s in for a miserable trip.”
Daniel raised an imaginary glass, smiling for the first time with real humor. “Aren’t you glad your father turned out to be an earl instead of some sailor on shore leave?”
“Go to hell.” Talon couldn’t help remembering Daniel’s pale little face, peering at him from the top of the stairs on that fateful, long ago day when he’d tried to convince the earl to take him in. Daniel had witnessed his weakest moment, and he doubted he’d ever forgive him for that.
Daniel sighed and turned away. “I’m already there.”
