Chapter Eight #2
Evan nodded. “As humans, we need other people around us, I think.” Silence brewed between them for a bit.
“There is something about being on the open ocean that still manages to fascinate me or captivate me. Perhaps it’s the sense of adventure and mystery that is perpetually around or heading into the unknown.
” He gave into a frown. “On the other hand, there is not the contentment there, the routine, with the exception of my crew, and neither am I in the same place for a long time so can’t put down roots. ”
“Is that something you are interested in? Staying in one place?”
“I don’t know. Before my father died, I can honestly say it wasn’t; I love the sea too much, adore being on this ship with my crew, but now? With these other responsibilities staring me in the face? With the fight ahead to have them?” He shook his head. “I simply don’t know.”
“Understandable. I felt much the same way when I embarked on the lifestyle that I lead.”
“Perhaps we are both running from something we refuse to name, for in doing that, it would be all too real, and it’s frightening.” Was that exactly what she was doing?
“You have grown wise from your time on the sea, Evan.”
The way she uttered his Christan name sent shivers of desire down his spine.
But he didn’t touch her; not yet, couldn’t trust himself that it would end at just that.
“Every port we pulled into, especially throughout the Caribbean, taught me to see life beyond that of a society gentleman and a duke’s son.
I learned that everyone is not the same and neither is their walk through this life, and that I should help where I can with the privilege that I’ve been given. ”
“That is a lovely perspective. I know you’ll do wonderful things when you gain your title.” She danced her fingertips along the side of his neck, and awareness pushed over his skin. “Did your crew know who you truly were?”
“No. I kept it a secret.” Evan shrugged. “I didn’t want to be treated differently.”
“Fair enough.” Then she moved a bit away from him, and he mourned that connection. “I’d imagine men would be wary about a duke’s son walking among them. They wouldn’t be as honest as they might have been.”
“Exactly.” As he ran the fingers of one hand through the recently trimmed locks, he had to admit the hair felt better. “What about you? How do you spend your time each day?”
The shadows returned to her eyes. “I keep a daily schedule, see men three times a week but only after they can give me confirmation that they have recently seen a doctor regarding their health. And if I feel threatened, I have the right to cancel our appointments and refuse to see them again.”
“I’m glad you are protecting yourself.”
“Women like me need to do everything for ourselves,” she said with a shrug, and in a very nonchalant way of speaking.
“Other days are spent with charities or causes. I like to keep busy, so I also visit with a few friends. No one knows what I do for my living, and I work hard to make certain that remains a mystery.”
He frowned as he prowled toward her location. “You’ve told no one over these years?”
A faint blush stained her cheeks. “Not until recently. A few days ago, I mentioned to my best friend about it during our monthly tea.”
That was interesting. “What did she say?”
“She told me it was scandalous and that I needed to get out into society so that I could meet someone to wed. Because she is married and has children, she believes that is the only function of people within society. But then, she is a duke’s daughter, so things are…
different in her world than they are in mine. ”
“Who is her father?”
“He’s dead now, and her brother holds the Foxcroft title.”
“Ah, he is one of my friends at the club.” It was odd how many ways he and Hannah were connected.
“Why does everyone believe other people’s lives would suddenly be better if they wed?
It seems that far too many unions present other problems. I’d rather be miserable by myself than with someone else. ”
“I know what you mean.” As she watched him, she nodded. “I think they mean well and just assume everyone will be happy if matched.”
“Perhaps…” Yet that didn’t make sense. “To be honest, I don’t know if I’ve ever been happy… unless it is watching the moon in the sky reflect on the dark ocean. It’s one of my favorite things. When I see that, I can believe in magic.”
And love.
“Frankly I’m jealous of that.” Again, she drifted across the room toward the bowed windows behind the head of the bed.
Because the weather these days was fickle, it was raining again, so foot traffic on the docks was minimal, but he couldn’t take his gaze from her form in his shirt.
“You see, I’ve never been anywhere outside of England, and I would love to get away. Sometimes my thoughts are too heavy…”
“Unfortunately, I know what you mean.” He came up behind her.
“Hannah…” When he reeled her into his arms, he turned her about, and when she faced him and her chin trembled, he claimed her lips with his.
When he pulled slightly away, he murmured, “Why do you tempt me so?” Then he put his hands beneath her buttocks, lifted her slightly upward, and maneuvered her to the table, where he planted her arse on top of it.
Maps, books, charts, nautical instruments scattered in all directions, and some tumbled to the decking, but he didn’t care. “You are like a fire in my blood.”
“I can relate to that, for I’ve often wondered why I go slightly mad each time you are around.” If she hadn’t tugged on his cravat, he might have been able to walk away, but she did, and she gazed at him with hunger in her eyes.
It was the beginning of the end. Uttering a soft curse, Evan shoved up the tails of the fine lawn shirt and took her full breasts in his hands. When she shuddered and braced her hands on the table, he kissed her again, manipulated her nipples into hard buds with the pads of his thumbs.
“Oh…” The moan she uttered sent interest shivering through his shaft. “Evan…”
And he continued to bedevil her as if it were his only mission in life.
Temporarily, his intention to claim his title back from his half-brother fell out of his mind, for she distracted him that much.
“Tell me you’ll suspend your courtesan business.
” God, he wanted her again. In fact, he wanted to spend hours, days, weeks with her in his bed, forgetting the world.
Everything seemed not quite so horrid when he was in her company, but he had far too many things to worry about and attend to than thinking about being carnally satisfied.
Didn’t he?
The fact of the matter was that ten years ago, he’d learned every secret of her body, and now he wished to reacquaint himself with those secrets.
“I…” Desire still clouded the gray depths of her eyes, but she didn’t bid him nay. “I would need a good reason and a guarantee that my life will remain stable.”
Fair enough. “Reason enough is that you’re mine, Anna. I had the first claim on you, was the first man to bed you; I taught you everything you know about bed sport and pleasure.” There was a certain amount of smug pride in his voice that he didn’t try to hide.
She softly snorted while holding his gaze. “You think that entitles you to sole access to me?”
“Yes.” So saying, he lightly pinched her nipples, rolled them from root to tip until she squirmed on the table. “I did tell you I would keep you, no matter the price.”
“Fine,” she said in a breathless voice. “I’ll stop for as long as you are in Town, but you’ll need to take responsibility of my expenses. I don’t come cheap.”
“And neither should you. You are worth far more than coin and a one-off toss in the hay. Put it in a contract if you wish, and I’ll sign it, but I want exclusive access to you for whatever reason I wish. You’ll want for nothing.”
“Thank you for that consideration. I’ll have my man-of-affairs work on it tomorrow.”
“Good.” Then he leaned over her, still bedeviling her nipples. “Do you pleasure yourself when being bedded doesn’t satisfy you or make you forget whatever it is in your past that you’re running from?”
It was a guess. Was he correct? And if it was, would she eventually talk to him about it?
The shadows returned to her eyes, but she nodded. “I do. At times, it is much easier to give myself the release than perform or put on an act for the men paying.”
“Ah, then perhaps you haven’t met the right man.
” With a grin and a racing pulse, Evan couldn’t help but roll those bright pink nipples while she writhed from the teasing.
As he gave each bud a sharp pinch, she nearly went out of her mind with apparent bliss if her arching back was any indication.
Seeing her clearly as a woman in the throes of passion on his table was heady stuff indeed.
How long had it been since a man had truly pleasured her or perhaps connected to her on that visceral level? Either way, he lost himself for the next few minutes by seeing how close to the edge he could bring her merely by working over those gorgeous breasts.
Eventually, her breath came in pants. A flush stained her face and upper chest, evident even in the dim illumination. She trembled and shifted her position on the table. “Touch me, Evan.” Her head lolled onto a shoulder. “I need more.”
How could he refuse?
“At any point you can beg off.” How far would she let him go?
Then he slipped his hands beneath her buttocks, lifted her body slightly upward so that she lay on her back, and seconds later, he buried his face between her splayed thighs.
Dear God, the sweet taste of her made him remember their previous times together.
“Buckthorne!” She bucked when he licked her flesh.