Raven shuddered. She would never suffer a tragic love as her mother had. No man would ever render her senseless, without a will of her own.
Still, passion of the flesh didn’t always result in passion of the heart…
As if sensing her inner turmoil, Kell slipped his hand beneath the covers, resting his palm lightly on her breast. “Since we are tied together as man and wife, we might as well indulge ourselves.”
His warm, erotic touch distracted her, preventing her from forming a coherent reply.
“You enjoy my lovemaking, vixen,” he added in a low tone. “Your response a moment ago very clearly proved that.” He smiled knowingly. “Not many women are as responsive as you are. Your body craves my touch.” As if to prove his point, he brushed her peaked nipple with his thumb, making her arch involuntarily.
She did crave his touch, Raven thought in desperation, perhaps too much. And his brazen lovemaking…Trapped in his dark gaze, she stared back at him. It had thrilled her to have Kell take her like he had, as her pirate lover would have.
She swallowed against the dryness in her throat, struggling to break the hold Kell’s eyes had upon her. Was it possible, what he was suggesting? Could they engage in purely carnal relations without physical intimacy blossoming into anything deeper? Could she indulge in a passionate affair with her convenient husband without losing her heart?
Perhaps so…
But there were other considerations as well.
“What of the possible consequences?” she asked. “What about children?”
His features darkened in a frown. “What about them?”
“I don’t want to bring a child into this world without a father to love him, to care for him…”
“There are means of preventing pregnancy. We failed to take precautions tonight, but that can be remedied.”
Raven frowned as well, remembering how Kell had withdrawn from her body on their wedding night. “You are not interested in having children?”
“I’m not anxious to, no.”
She couldn’t read his impassive expression. “Not even to gain an heir? You wouldn’t want one someday?”
“Sean is my legal heir. That is enough for me.”
Raven stiffened at the mention of his brother and hastened to change the subject. “I know from the journal how to prevent pregnancy, but I have no idea how to obtain the necessary means.”
“Leave it to me,” Kell said brusquely before his tone softened. “Meanwhile…”
With slow deliberation, he pulled the covers from her grasp and reached down to stroke her inner thigh. His burning touch made her body clench with longing.
“There is still the matter of satisfying my sexual needs…” he murmured, his voice warm and rough like velvet. “And your own.”
Raven drew a steadying breath, vainly fighting the rush of desire that flooded over her. She wanted Kell to satisfy her. Desperately wanted him…
As his mouth slowly descended toward hers, she shut her eyes, ignoring the warning voices in her head. Surely she could manage a sexual relationship without tumbling into the quagmire of love.
Her chief goal would be to keep her heart safe, she vowed silently, trying to convince herself. She would never surrender her heart to this man…
Then the thought fled her mind as his scorching mouth met hers, and with a sensual shudder, she gave herself up to his caresses.
Chapter Fifteen
Raven woke disoriented. The crackling fire looked familiar, however, as did the masculine bedchamber. She was alone, she realized, lying naked in Kell’s bed at the gaming house. The same bed wh
ere she’d spent her abduction.
Heat flooded her entire body as she recalled the mindless passion between them last night. She’d behaved just as wantonly as her first time in Kell’s arms, only last night she hadn’t had the excuse of being drugged.
Flushing, Raven sat up and saw her ruined gown draped over a chair along with her other garments. When she climbed from the bed in order to dress, she found herself wincing at the unaccustomed aches and twinges from too much sensual indulgence.