Page 10 of A Lord in Want of a Wife (Daring Debutantes #2)

Her breath caught. He was so close, and no one could see them past the crates even if they opened the door.

She knew she shouldn’t be here, alone and trapped behind crates with him.

But for the first time in her life, she didn’t feel fear.

She knew she ought to. She didn’t truly know him that well.

But he had protected her and had shown her respect.

How dangerous could he be?

She lifted her head. His fingers felt wonderful as he stroked her cheek. Her breath caught, her lips tingled and she wanted such things. Dangerous things for a girl like her, and yet, she couldn’t stop herself.

So when he leaned down to take her mouth with his, she welcomed his kiss. She stretched up to him and let his tongue tease against her lips and teeth.

She knew what to do. She knew he would press his tongue into her mouth, and they would dance that way. But he took his time. He nipped at her lips while his fingers caressed down her jaw and neck.

She gasped at the feel of his fingers on her flesh. She was not in restrictive English clothing but rough sailor’s garb. Her breasts were bound, but the shirt over her bindings was loose. His fingers found the ridge of her collarbone and teased the skin just above her bindings.

Her head dropped back as she gasped for air. She had to steady herself with one hand on the wall, and all through that, he was stroking her neck and the opening above her breasts. His caress was gentle. Tantalizing, even. And when she opened her eyes, she saw such hunger in his.

‘What do you know about kissing?’ he asked as his fingers toyed with the top of her binding. She didn’t even remember her shirt falling open, but she realised that the tie at the top had come undone. And since the shirt was so much larger than her, it gaped above her breasts.

‘I have been kissed,’ she said.

His gaze shot to hers. ‘Willingly?’

She nodded.

‘Anything else?’ he asked.

She didn’t know how to answer, so he showed her. His hand brushed down over the cloth binding, rubbing her breast and her tight nipple. She gasped as she swayed on her knees. He caught her around the waist, then angled her such that his fingers kept brushing across her breast.

‘Have you ever felt that before?’

Not like that before. Not with her body pulsing with every stroke. Oh, the feelings he gave her.

‘Lucy, has anyone touched you like this before?’

She swallowed, her mind dizzy with want.

‘Yes.’ Then she looked into his eyes. ‘But then I made him stop. I know this is wrong, but I was so lonely. Grace was sailing, and…’ How could she explain that the boy had helped her, and she’d been lost. But even then, she knew she could not continue. Pregnancy would be a disaster.

‘You stopped him?’

She forced herself to grab hold of his wrist and push his hand away. Pregnancy now would be a worse disaster. ‘We cannot do more,’ she said, though the words had to be forced out.

He nodded as if he approved. Then that sparkle entered his gaze. ‘But we can share a kiss, yes? That is not so bad a thing?’

It was a wonderful thing. And they had already touched lips, but he meant more. He meant…

Oh! His hands returned to her face, brushing the hair from her cheek.

She let go of the wall and wrapped her hands around his upper arms, feeling the muscles there.

He didn’t need to angle her face. She lifted up for him.

And when he pressed his mouth to hers, she opened for him. She wanted to give him everything.

His tongue invaded with a thrust, and she met him, matched him, and surrendered to him.

They kissed for a very long time. She learned from him the joy of quick domination and slow surrender.

She let him lean her back against the wall as he showered her face with kisses.

And she thrilled to the way he gave her one last kiss and then couldn’t stop himself from giving her another and another.

It was magical. And when he asked her to release the bindings around her breasts, he respected her answer when she said no.

‘I am weak for you,’ she confessed. ‘But I will not risk everything for you. I will not be that foolish.’

He dropped his forehead to hers, breathing deeply as he held her. And then he whispered words she never thought to hear.

‘I will speak to your father tonight.’

‘About what?’

‘About marriage.’ Then he pressed a kiss to her hands. It was slow and reverent, thrilling her to the bone before he raised his head and regarded her with serious eyes. There was a question there, but she did not understand what it meant.

‘Why do you look at me like that?’

‘Do you know what a dowry is?’ he asked.

She nodded. ‘Coin that goes with a woman to her husband. It makes her more valuable.’

‘I need coin, Lucy. A great deal. Do you know how much is in your dowry?’

She shook her head. ‘Some, I think. Sale of these spices will fill it.’

He nodded. ‘You showed me the money you hope will come from that sale.’

She nodded. ‘This ship has carried spices before. From that, I guessed—’

‘It is not enough,’ he said quickly. ‘I need there to be more money in your dowry. It is for my sisters and my family.’ His expression sobered. ‘Do you know what I am saying?’

That she was not valuable enough alone. It made sense. She was a half child and he was an important person in his country. He needed more to balance the scales when they married.

‘I can make you coin. Show you where to put your money so that it returns a good profit.’

His expression was mocking, but she did not think he was laughing at her. ‘It takes money to make more money, and I have nothing.’ He stroked his thumb across her cheek and the caress sent sweet tingles throughout her body.

She swayed forwards then, wanting his kiss, wanting everything she’d denied him not five minutes before. He stopped her, holding her away from him.

‘I will speak with your father tonight,’ he said, then he maneuvered out of his bed. He was careful with the door, opening it slowly before winking at her. ‘Come to dinner in a nice dress.’ Then he was gone.