Touch Me

He shook his head. In many ways, Thea acted like any other English lady he had ever met, but she wasn't. She was unique. His mother required a maid to help her dress, shop, and do all sorts of things Thea was accustomed to doing for herself.

"Very well. I will swear the first mate and captain to secrecy. That will help in the investigation as well. We needn't tip our hand to the villain."

Her head bobbed up and down in agreement. "Just so. Let him think he is safe from detection. Perhaps then he'll try again, and next time I'll be ready for him."

Bloody hell. "He isn't going to try again because you aren't going to be alone again."

"Not at night, no, but during the daytime it would be just the thing. We will lure him out of hiding and nab him."

Is this what she meant by discussing strategy? Setting herself up as bait?

He stalked over to the bed and leaned over her with one thought on his mind, to put a stop to her nonsensical notion. "No."

Her lips parted, but she didn't argue as he had expected.

Instead, her brilliant blue gaze became fixed on his lips as if mesmerized. Her eyes glazed over with desire, and all thought of the argument fled his mind. He wanted her lips and he took them, the desire that had been building in him since he first met her exploding in a sudden conflagration of need.

Thea locked her arms behind his neck, and returned Drake's voracious kiss with all the enthusiasm at her disposal. Thrilled at the feel of his mouth on her own, she savored each sensation. His mouth tasted incredible, unlike anything she had ever experienced, and she wanted to go on tasting it forever.

She tunneled her fingers into his dark hair and relished the feel of the silky strands against her fingers. She could not remember touching another person's hair, could not remember a time when she had wanted to, but this intimacy with Drake felt so right and so very, very good. His tongue probed her mouth with expert thrusts that sent shivering awareness below her waist. She could no more help rocking against him than she could stifle the involuntary moans emanating from her.

He groaned, the sound coming from deep in his throat. Suddenly her nightgown ripped and she felt the night air against her breast. She shivered with both longing and cold, but the chill did not last long as he cupped her breast in one hot hand.

Moaning, she pushed herself against his palm. It felt wonderful.

He tore his lips from hers. "You like that, don't you?" He tugged on her nipple between his thumb and forefinger.

"It's heavenly. Don't you dare stop!"

He laughed, the sound strained. "Bloody hell, Thea, you aren't like any other woman I have ever known."

Cold fingers of dread snuffed her rising desire. What did he mean? "Do I disgust you with my forwardness?"

He pulled away from her until their eyes met. Gripping her chin, he forced her to maintain eye contact. "You delight me."

"But you have ignored me for days."

A harsh laugh escaped him. "I have tried to save you from myself."

"You're worried about my reputation, aren't you?" She knew it.

"Aren't you?"

She shrugged. "Not really. But it occurs to me that you may feel that you have compromised me one way and another."

He looked down at her exposed breast and the dark, masculine fingers resting against it and then back up at her face. She felt her cheeks heat.

"It may have escaped your notice, but I have compromised you."

She shook her head as far as his restraining hand would allow. "Oh no, you haven't. No one need know about this."

"I know about it."

"Well, yes, but no one else need be the wiser."

"Everyone on the bloody ship already thinks I'm sharing your bed."

"This is about that conversation I overheard between you and Lady Boyle isn't it?"