The Buccaneer(70)

He released her, stripped off his shirt, tossing it to the floor, and sent her a nasty sensual smile as he advanced on her. "I don't want to talk."

Catherine scrambled backward. "We must," she pleaded, her outstretched hand warding him off.

He laughed at her puny defense and caught her small wrist in his large hand. "No."

His response reverberated with finality, sending a shiver to ripple all the way down to the tips of her toes.

She saw his intention in his eyes. They smoldered with desire. In seconds she would be beneath his powerful body and all would be lost.

She searched for the words that would halt his actions, her thoughts tumbling for choices. Her answer surfaced and escaped her lips with the speed of a fired arrow, surprising herself. "Do you intend to seek your revenge?"

He released her wrist.

She hurried to draw the cover around her.

He didn't stop her. He turned away, walking to stand by the row of windows and staring out at the endless sea.

She debated repeating the question. If he found it too difficult to respond then perhaps she had her answer.

"Catherine, come here," he summoned gently.

She dropped the cover and stepped from the bed, retrieving his shirt from the floor and slipping into it as she crossed the room to him, the thought of denying his request never having entering her head.

His hand stretched out at her approach and she reached for it, hooking her fingers with his.

He drew her in front of him and tucked her back against his chest, wrapping his arms around her waist. He spoke with concern and Catherine listened intently to his every word.

"Last night when I discovered you were a virgin, my only thought was of you. Your fears, your concerns, your needs. And I would be remiss if I failed to mention my own desire. I wanted you. My need for you overwhelmed me, consumed me, entrapped me. There was nothing I wouldn't give to have you. And I gave it." He paused.

She waited sensing he hadn't finished.

"Look at the sea, Catherine. It's vast and endless, going on and on and on. Sometimes it feels as though it has no beginning and no end."

He paused again and Catherine clearly understood that he gathered his thoughts as she often did. She studied the sea as he suggested and a bittersweet feeling washed over her.

"Day after day I would watch the never-ending sea. I cursed it. I spit on it. I hated it. The dark waters became my nemesis. It surrounded me keeping me captive, never letting go, and constantly reminding me I was a prisoner.

"Then miraculously the sea granted me what I most desired, my freedom. But those years of tormenting hell still lingered and I promised myself I would have my revenge."

Catherine went rigid. He would tell her now. He would make his plans clear.

His arms hugged her more closely and he spoke with a gentle strength. "Last night I gave that revenge no thought. No consideration. Only you and I existed."

She took a breath to speak.

He squeezed her. "Let me finish," he urged, and continued. "I have known many women and enjoyed their talents, but I have never experienced the all-consuming pleasure I did with you last night. I strongly suspect, angel, that you robbed me of my soul."

She said not a word, but fought back the tears, for he had robbed her as well. Only he had robbed her of her heart.

"We need time. Time to make sense of this situation. Time to learn more about each other. Time to share more intimate moments. Time to decide the future."

And time for him to heal and forgive, she thought, slipping her hands over his arms.

"Let me love you. Come to Heaven with me, angel, and let me show you paradise."

He turned her in his arms, lifted her chin, and stole a kiss.

She breathlessly and hopelessly surrendered. All thoughts vanished except —

Time. She had only so much time to prove her father's innocence and heal Lucian's heart to love again.

o0o



Hours later Catherine lay in Lucian's arms yawning.

"I tired you, madam?" he asked with concern.

"You pleased me, sir." She laughed and rubbed her cheek against his chest. "Most wonderfully."

His tone turned serious and his hand ceased caressing her backside. "Has my insatiable appetite left you tender?"

Catherine thought of the slight soreness between her legs and recalled the delightfully wicked things he had done to her to cause it and smiled.

"Madam, I'll have an answer." He attempted to sound stern, but Catherine heard his concern.

"A minor discomfort," she said.

He turned her on her back and loomed over her. His long hair fell over his shoulders to rest on her breasts. "I'm sorry, angel, I never meant to cause you any suffering. I just couldn't seem to get my fill of you. The more I tasted, the more I thirsted."