“Oh, I love it. It’s so pretty. And the food is delicious,” she said. Sure, she could point out some places she’d visited, but did his mother really care?
She crossed her legs and a dark gleam touched her hazel eyes. “What brought you here, Amaya?”
“Your son.”
Cordelia exhaled. “Obviously, my dear. But you’re a young woman who seems to be smart. What could you be expecting from Theo when he’s committed to someone else?”
Unofficially committed. The question sent Amaya’s pulse skittering. She swallowed hard, hoping to extract the courage to answer. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and looked at his mother quietly. She couldn’t tell her about the virgin auction or about how they’d met. But if she lied, she’d open a different can of worms—more like a box of poisonous snakes.
“I wish I had a smart answer to give you,” Amaya said at last. “You’re a strong woman who raised two great sons, so I’m sure you appreciate the direct approach. Truth is, I happen to really care for your son. Even though I know about his situation.”
“Your honesty is refreshing. I’m not sure you know, but there’s a lot at stake for my family if he marries Talia.”
“You’re his mother. With all due respect, don’t you think he should choose?” Amaya said. A second later, regret thickened her throat. Her palms got clammy, panic twisted inside her gut.
“He is—by making the right choice,” Cordelia said in a steady but determined tone. She clutched her pearl necklace, then quickly unclutched. Was she nervous too? “I hope when the time comes, you won’t be in the way. If you truly care for him, do what’s best for Theo and his family. The people he cares for.”
Amaya looked at her square in the eye, her heart pulsing in her ears. “I will,” she said in a determined voice, making a promise to his mother and herself. A promise that would cost her her own happiness. A promise she couldn’t take back.
…
Theo undid his tie. He called Amaya’s name, but didn’t hear her reply as he made his way through the foyer and into the living area.
For the past three days, she’d been amazingly supportive. She’d asked about his father, offered help, but always waited for his lead.
His father, thankfully, had just been released from the hospital. Theo tossed his briefcase across the sofa. His mother hadn’t mentioned Amaya even once, even after having met her at the hospital and seen her in passing during another day when Amaya accompanied Theo.
He’d expected her to meddle, to annoy him, and hell, maybe even be rude to Amaya. But no, his mother acted like a true lady and had been polite though distant. He scratched his chin. What the hell did her uncharacteristic aloofness mean? Did she see Amaya not as a real threat, so she didn’t bother?
“Amaya?” Theo called, raising his voice. Shit, she was the biggest threat he could ever imagine.
They hadn’t had sex in almost three days, and yet her support and companionship showed him the great partner she could be.
When he neared the staircase, a path of small-lit candles grabbed his attention. He bit back a smile, and anticipation thrummed in his blood. He removed his shirt, tossing it across the room. He enjoyed the new routine of having his housekeeper leave early so they enjoyed dinner together—a meal that often Amaya prepared.
He unzipped his pants, pulling them down until his briefs were the only thing he wore.
When he entered his bedroom, the trail of candles rounded his bed where Amaya sat. Wearing a pirate hat and the same sexy thigh-high boots she had on at Seth’s party, and nothing else.
“Ahoy, mate,” she purred.
“Ahoy.” He basked in the perfect image of Amaya on his bed, the seductive smile on her lips. God. His cock hardened, his balls heaving with a lust he couldn’t contain. “An old nautical superstition didn’t allow women on merchant or military vessels. Sailors believed women meant bad luck and would anger the gods.”
“Really? How silly.”
“I agree. Having you like this, in my bed, is all the luck I need.” And he was far from angry.
He walked up to her, and she lifted her hand in protest. “No clothes are allowed in this ship.”
“By all means…who am I to defy the captain?”
He got rid of his boxers, his dick springing free against his stomach. She scooted to the edge of the bed, gesturing for him to come near, and within a second, she reached for his cock. An immeasurable amount of blood rushed from his brain to his cock.
“Good job, matey. Now it’s time for me to check out your sword. Make sure it’s in good shape.”
Lord…did she want to kill him? She took him in her mouth, showing him she’d learned so much since the first time she’d done it. She took him halfway between her lips, while her hand clenched around the rest, pumping him up and down.
He thrust his fingers into her hair as heat radiated from his chest, drilling every part of him. She undulated her hips, letting a moan slip from her lips. Damn her, she enjoyed this as much as he did.
