The Buccaneer(79)

"And I know the perfect spot where I can teach you," he said, reeling her slowly toward him. "The beach is private, the water warm and clear. It's a perfect little paradise for lovers."

"Swimming lessons," she corrected with a catch to her breath. "You will give me swimming lessons."

He leaned down and took her lips, separating them with his tongue slowly before slipping inside to tease and tantalize.

"I want to give you more, so much more," he whispered between erotic kisses. "Will you let me give you more, angel?"

He didn't wait for an answer. He tore his mouth from hers, grabbed her hand, and hurried down the veranda steps with her in tow.





Chapter Twenty-one



"Strip?" Catherine repeated, watching while Lucian cast off each of his garments and tossed them to the sand.

He was gorgeous. And once he peeled those breeches off she would be hard-pressed to keep her hands off him.

She spoke sternly. "You promised to teach me how to swim."

He discarded his breeches.

Catherine captured the traitorous moan that rushed to escape her lips. She intended to learn to swim first, later they could roll playfully in the sand.

Lucian walked up to her, reaching for her sarong. "Aye, madam, I did. And you can't learn to swim properly fully clothed."

His fingers deftly plucked the end of the sarong from where it sat tucked just above Catherine's left breast and began to unwrap her.

A ripple of sensual pleasure attacked her lower belly. "Is this a good idea, Lucian?"

He wore a teasing grin. "Most definitely. Living on an island surrounded by water, one should definitely learn to swim."

She caught his hand, preventing him from releasing her sarong. "That's not what I meant and you know it."

His strength was no match for her, he let fall the last layer of her sarong, her hand seeming to assist him. His eyes appreciatively followed his hand as he cupped her breast and tenderly squeezed her full flesh.

His one whispered word promised heaven on earth, "Later."

Her body shivered in anticipation.

He laughed, grabbed her hand, and ran with her toward the rolling waves gently rushing to shore.

Catherine tugged at his hand, halting him as the water rushed up encircling her ankles. "Wait," she cried fearfully.

He stopped, turned, and swung her up into his arms, carrying her the rest of the way into the warm clear water until he stood waist high in it.

"Lucian?" she protested loudly, and locked her arms around his neck.

"Hush, angel, I'll allow no harm to come to you." He kissed her forehead and slowly lowered them both until the water covered nearly up to their necks.

She stiffened as the warm water engulfed her naked flesh. She had not thought that her lesson would begin with her bare skinned and immersed in the sea, in Lucian's arms.

"Relax," his voice soothed. "You'll be swimming in no time."

She had her doubts. "Are you certain this is the proper way to learn how to swim?"

"Proper?" He paused and studied her before claiming her lips demandingly. Hot and heavy, his tongue assaulted her and she surrendered. When she finally lay limp in his arms, he spoke. "I never do anything proper."

That he didn't have to tell Catherine. She was well aware of his penchant for impropriety.

"Now for your first lesson," he said with a sense of impatience.

She smiled with satisfaction. He was as hot and bothered as she.

"You must learn to breathe through your nose correctly in order to swim. It is important since there may be times you find yourself submerged longer than usual."

Catherine objected. "I have no plans of submerging myself for any great periods of time."

"Fine. But you will learn anyway."

Catherine meant to protest. Lucian stopped her.

"I am the instructor, you are the pupil. We will do things my way."

His tone left no room for argument. He meant to be obeyed and he would brook no interference. She assumed silence and attentiveness was the best course of action at the moment.

"Now," he began again, expecting and receiving no objections from Catherine. "Breathe down through your nose like this." He demonstrated, his nostrils flaring as he expelled the air. "Try it."

She did and smiled, pleased by her success.

"Good," he praised. "Now you're going to breathe exactly that way as we dip our heads beneath the water."

"No!" she protested loudly, and anchored her arms more tightly around his neck.

"Yes," he corrected her and submerged them both.

Catherine barely had time to inhale as he had ordered and shut her eyes before she felt the sea swallow her whole.

He surfaced them quickly.