Lord, but he was handsome. Too handsome. Handsome as Lucifer himself and just as dangerous.
“Are you listening, Catherine?”
His voice was strong and even in tone just like his hold on her. His hand held her firmly, the forceful pressure evenly distributed, not hurting her, but reminding her of her capture. CCatherine responded with a nod, too fearful to speak.
“Now for your first lesson, Catherine.” He paused a moment, stared down at her and then lowered his face to hers with each word spoken. “I never make a request twice. I’m always obeyed the first time.”
His lips were suspended a mere breath away from hers waiting. He intended for her to demonstrate the kiss Ben and she had supposedly shared. He had no intention of repeating himself and this she would understand if she had learned her lesson. She had learned her lesson, all right. She had learned it was best to keep quiet upon entering his bed and not ask any stupid questions.
Now she had to kiss him. Kiss him as she had convinced him Ben had kissed her. Gentle. A gentle kiss should be easy to give. She could close her eyes, pretend it was Ben, and give him a simple kiss.
He breathed not a word; he just hovered over her waiting.
She lifted her head a fraction preparing to hastily deposit a kiss on his lips when her senses were assaulted. He smelled of the sea, fresh and salty and temptingly lickable. His long hair hung down around his face, tickling her bare shoulders, and the warmth of his flesh penetrated her cotton shift until his heat actually caused the shivers to race through her.
Without thought or reason she slowly lifted her head and captured his frowning lips. Gently, almost worshipfully she brushed across them, testing, feeling their velvet smoothness.
She instantly became addicted and drew her lips back and forth, slowly, sensually, and succulently. Wanting to savor more of his exotic taste, her small tongue sneaked out and stole a hasty lick of his lips. Her sigh confirmed her satisfaction.
Lucian hadn’t expected this slow and tortuous assault on his senses. His passion flared like a roaring fire. Heat cursed through his veins, his blood boiled, his body soared to life.
He had intended to teach her a lesson and she had taught him one. She had taught him just how erotic a gentle kiss could be. If he didn’t bring a halt to it soon, he’d find himself added to her string of lovers and his plans for revenge destroyed.
He snatched his mouth away from hers, released her arms, and jumped from the bed, grabbing his clothes as he walked toward the door. Without a word, and stark naked, he stormed out of the cabin, slamming the door behind him.
Catherine collected her rapid breath while she rubbed her tingling lips with her fingers. She hadn’t expected to feel so highly sensitive, so completely alive.
She felt edgy, highly agitated, and her eyes immediately looked to the closed door. Had she overstepped her boundaries and teetered on the threshold of unbridled passion? Had she actually lost control of her emotions? Had she wanted Captain Lucifer to kiss her?
Catherine shivered at the disturbing thought and pulled the sheet up to her neck. Searching for a sensible reason for her odd actions she decided after several minutes of deliberation that sleepiness had been the culprit that had caused her momentary lack of control.
She would need to be more vigilant, more aware of her predicament, and tread wisely. But most of all she had better make certain that she never, ever, kissed Captain Lucifer again.
Chapter Ten
“She needs some sunshine,” Santos insisted, standing beside Lucian on the quarterdeck of the ship.
Lucian appeared not to have heard. His eyes were focused on the endless sea, his hands clasped behind his back, and his legs spread just enough distance to allow him a steady stance.
Santos persisted, “I said she —”
I heard you the first time,” he said curtly.
“Then give me an answer.”
Only Santos was allowed to speak to him with such bluntness and he had paid a high price for that privilege. “You didn’t ask a question.”
“Don’t play games with me, Lucian. You know what I’m suggesting. You’re annoyed with yourself so you punish others with your black mood.”
“I have a right to my moods,” he snapped.
“You have a right to feel the pain of the past, but you should have the wisdom to bury it.”
Lucian turned his head to look down at Santos. His eyes snapped with fury, though he contained his hostility when he responded. “Your tongue is sharp today, Santos. Beware.”
“I speak the truth, my friend,” he said with a sad smile.
Lucian shut his eyes against a look he had become all too familiar with. He had seen that expression many times over the last few years and every time he had, it had been when Santos had shared Lucian’s pain and sorrow. Let me be today, Santos. I have much on my mind.”