To Seduce a Bride (Courtship Wars 3)

She couldn’t respond; her throat was suddenly too dry.

His fingers threaded in her hair, arranging the tresses to his satisfaction, so that they flowed over her shoulders.

“I intend to show you what our marriage could be like,” he murmured. “How pleasurable it could be.”

He stood there waiting for her decision, his golden gaze intimate, knowing, caring. The ache of longing spread to Lily’s chest. She had known Heath had an ulterior motive for bringing her here. She also knew she shouldn’t dare make love to him again. Fanny was right; she had to end their intimacy before she did something so foolish as fall in love. Heath was becoming more irresistible each day, and the danger had only increased the moment he brought her on board the ship to show her his amazing gift.

Fighting her desire, Lily took a step back. “I don’t think it would be wise of me to let you.”

He stepped closer. “When have you ever let wisdom dictate your actions? You want me, Lily. Just as I want you.”

That was certainly true. She needed only to look at Heath and her body responded. Already moisture had pooled between her thighs.

And then he kissed her and she forgot to breathe. Lily pressed her own hands against his chest, struggling for willpower, yet his arousal tempted her, vanquishing the voices of reason clamoring in the back of her mind.

Perhaps she could have him once more, Lily told herself. Just one last time. And then never again…

As if sensing her struggle, Heath tightened his embrace, his lips claiming and wooing. Giving a small sigh of defeat, Lily returned his kiss helplessly.

For a time, he seemed satisfied with her response, but after another few moments he broke off and began silently to undress her. His fingers expertly unfastened the hooks of her gown and removed it and her undergarments-her corset and chemise, her slippers and stockings-until she was bared completely to his gaze.

“It always amazes me, how beautiful you are,” he said, his voice low and husky.

Lily felt herself flushing with warmth at his intent perusal, and she was glad when Heath finally began to shed his own clothing.

When at last he was naked, she drank in the beauty of his finely honed, athletic body. His rigid manhood jutted out from his loins, the length of him proud and hard. Lily felt her own loins clench painfully.

When she met his wantonly beautiful gaze, a tangible desire shimmered between them, filling the very air.

Heath’s eyes had darkened, she saw as he moved toward her and stopped barely a few inches away. Her heart thudded erratically, beating a wild pulse in her throat. With his body so very close, she could feel the heat of him.

He drew a line down the silky hollow between her breasts, then feathered the tips with the backs of his fingers, making her gasp at the sparks he kindled in her so effortlessly.

“Feel how hard your nipples have grown.”

She couldn’t help but feel it. Her nipples had instantly tightened, betraying her arousal, while her breasts felt heavy and swollen.

But she wanted to touch him, too. Lily reached up to caress Heath’s chest. His skin was hot and smooth, the sinewed muscles rippling beneath her fingertips. Then he took over again, gathering her against him until her breasts nestled against the broad wall of his chest, her stomach against his hard flat one. The warm, velvet pressure of his erection sent a rush of hunger through her, kindling a heavy ache deep in her lower body.

Her breath faltering, Lily made no protest when Heath lifted her up and set her on the table facing him. And she yielded willingly when he laid her back upon the surface.

The map was beneath her, and the parchment felt cool and rough against her skin. Yet Heath’s gaze was hot and very male as he surveyed her nakedness.

Nervously Lily wet her lips. She was lying there wantonly exposed to his brazen scrutiny. The heat of his gaze as he looked at her made her heart race wildly-and so did his warning:

“I mean to arouse you, Lily. I’ll make you so frantic with pleasure, you can’t bear it.”

He started with his

hands. Stepping between her parted legs, he reached up to cup her breasts, molding their softness, teasing the nipples that had pebbled into jutting peaks.

Lily sighed at the sweet spasm of desire that arrowed down to her loins, deep in her center. When his hands moved over her body, his palms skimming lightly, she found herself arching against his caresses, seeking more of the delicious pleasure he was arousing in her. Everywhere he touched, her skin seemed to burn.

She was restless and feverish by the time Heath brought his mouth down to hers. His tongue delved deep inside, exploring, while his hands stimulated her breasts, gently kneading, his thumbs stroking the sensitive buds.

His taste, his scent, his touch filled her senses. Lily trembled at the feel of him…the eroticism of his kisses, the warmth and strength of his hands…the hard length of his body pinning her to the table…the thick rod of his straining arousal teasing her throbbing, feminine warmth.

She gave a helpless moan as an aching tightness coiled inside her. All she could think about was how Heath’s splendid arousal would fill her.