Page 64 of Mardon

“I mean it, Mardon. I’m grateful for everything you’ve done, and I want to prove it to you.”

“Really,” he said playfully, thinking of all the ways he’d like her to show her gratitude. He pulled her closer, letting his hands skim down her back, settling on her bottom. “I can think of a few ways, but mayhap we’ll have to lock the door in the cabin this time.” He squeezed her bottom, getting excited by the thought.

“Mardon, not in front of everyone,” she whispered, reaching up and kissing him again.

“Lady Emmaline, we are waitin’ for ye,” shouted Nairnie.

“We’ll have to continue this later,” she said, winking and turning and heading away.

“Mardon, you really need to get a biscuit before they’re all gone.” Aaron walked up with three biscuits piled atop each other. “This batch is even better than the last one Grandmother made.”

“Aaron, get back here with all those biscuits,” yelled Nairnie from the galley.

“I think I’ll eat these up in the lookout basket,” said Aaron. “Oh, what did Emmaline say when you told her she couldn’t stay?”

“I didn’t tell her. But I will.”

Aaron’s eyes roamed down to Mardon’s waist and he groaned. “Like hell you will. Now put on some clothes, Mardon, because your lie is showing.” He reached up for the lines and scurried up to the lookout basket with his biscuits.

Mardon looked down to see the bulge under his braies and groaned as well. This was going to be harder than he thought to let Emmaline go.

* * *

Emmaline returned to the cabin after helping Nairnie clean up from the meal. She walked in to find Mardon swinging in the cloth hammock, his arms behind his head. One leg hung lazily over the side.

“Mardon,” she said, smiling, liking the way the light from the window lit up his strong chest.

“Come in, Emmaline. And be sure to lock the door behind you. I don’t want us to be disturbed.”

“But it’s not even night yet,” she told him.

“It doesn’t matter.” He hopped out of the hammock, standing before her in just his braies. “I’ve been looking forward to spending some time alone with you.”

She slowly closed the door and locked it, feeling her heart beating furiously in her chest. “Don’t you have . . . captain-type things to attend to?”

“I have men covering for me. I’m all yours until the morning.” He lit a candle on the wooden table. She noticed that he had taken down the empty frame from the painting. In its place, he’d hung a fishing net with shells in it. On each side were the naked mermaid busts that jutted out from the wall.

“I like your new decorations.”

“I hope the naked mermaids don’t bother you.”

“Nay. As long as they’re not me, I’m fine.”

He picked up a decanter of wine and poured it into two glasses. “Join me,” he said, sounding sexy and seductive. His blue eyes were mesmerizing as they interlocked with her gaze. He picked up a goblet in each hand and slowly came toward her. “I hope you like heather wine. I only drink this on special occasions.” He stopped in front of her and held out a goblet. She took it, looking down into the cup.

“I don’t know. I’ve never had it before,” she admitted. “What does it taste like?”

“It taste refreshing like mint, yet exotic like heather. A little spicy yet sweet . . . just like you.” He took a sip, his eyes never leaving her. “If you’d like, you can taste it on my tongue.” He leaned forward and kissed her deeply, his tongue slipping in between her lips.

“Mmmm,” she moaned, liking the way he tasted, not even caring about the wine.

“Give me that,” he said, taking her goblet and putting them both down on the table. He turned back to her and his eyes drank her in. “Take off your clothes, Emmaline.”

“Don’t you mean, take off Ramble’s clothes?” she asked with a giggle.

“Oh, hell, don’t mention my cabin boy. Not now.” He walked over and undid her belt, throwing it to the floor. “You look sexy, no matter whose clothes you are wearing,” he whispered in her ear. She could feel his soft breath against her cheek, combined with the slight roughness of the stubble on his face.

He trailed kisses down her neck, causing her eyes to close and her head to fall back. Then he fell to his knees, lifting her tunic, pulling down her hose. He reached out and kissed her stomach.