Page 102 of Barbarous

Daphne seemed to be having a difficult time finding the right words.

“Borrowed,” she gasped, her voice sounding like somebody else’s.

He laughed softly, the sound arrowing from her breast to her sex. “Do you wish me to take my time or do you want your pleasure now?”

She kept her eyes closed, trying to give his question the consideration it deserved. On the one side there was—

His hand slid down her stomach toward the top of her thighs. When he reached his destination he cupped her through the fine cotton, holding her in his grasp, his clever fingers motionless. “Tell me what you want. I’m yours to command—you have enslaved me, Daphne.”

She thrilled at his words, her hips shaking with need. “I want my pleasure now.” Her voice shook and her face flamed and the last word was a choked whisper.

His lips curved against the thin skin of her temple. “As you wish, my love.” He took her earlobe between his teeth, nipping and sucking while his hand inched up the front of her gown with agonizing slowness, until the hem passed over her private curls.

His finger brushed the seam of her tightly clenched thighs. “Open your legs for me, Daphne.” The muscles of her thighs jumped and twitched as she spread them. His clever finger grazed her lips from her bud to her entrance, stroking her more firmly with each sweep, until he parted her.

Daphne shivered and clenched her jaws at the moans threatening to escape.

He slid a finger inside her and Daphne bucked against his hand.

His thumb sought the most sensitive spot on her body and began circling while he probed, gently pumping until she could hear the wet sounds of her arousal. He slid a second finger to join the first, his thrusts deeper and less controlled while his relentless thumb worked her until excruciating pleasure overwhelmed all thought and released her from her body.

“That’s right, my beautiful darling. Give yourself to me,” Hugh whispered as she clenched and convulsed around him, his fingers teasing a second even more acute explosion, the alternating surges of raw sensation robbing her of all thought.

Daphne was vaguely aware of Hugh settling beside her and covering her cooling, sweat-slicked body. She struggled to open her eyes but they were weighted by pleasure and all she could do was make a low noise of contentment.

He slid an arm around her and stroked her, his rhythmic motions hypnotic. Daphne burrowed into him, careful of the bandage across his chest and lowered her mouth over his heart, strong and steady, beating for her.

“I love you, Hugh.” The words were simple and yet the most complex any human could ever say to another.

“Mmmm, sweetheart, how I have waited to hear those words from your sweet lips.” His voice was husky. “I love you, Daphne.”

Daphne slid her arms around the muscular column of his neck. “I was so afraid for you tonight, Hugh. I died a thousand times watching you—fearing for your life.” She bit her lip, her eyes blurring with tears. “I know I agreed in London that I could live with you taking voyages on the Ghost, doing what you love, but—”

“Daphne.” Hugh rolled onto his back and pulled her with him, positioning her on his hips and looking up at her, smiling tenderly. “I promise, my love, no more sword fighting.”

She blinked away her tears. “No?”

“No. As for voyages on the Ghost? I find suddenly that I’m no longer interested in going out to sea and looking for trouble.”

Daphne was dizzy with relief. “Do you mean it? Are you quite certain? I don’t wish to force such a decision on you. I wouldn’t like it if—”

“Shhh, sweetheart. You aren’t making me do anything I don’t wish to do.” He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and kissed the palm of her hand. “I’m terribly sorry you had to become a part of my sordid past. You must have been terrified to find yourself in Calitain’s hands.”

“I was terrified at first, but as the day dragged on I was too exhausted to be scared.” She shook her head. “That man is three-quarters insane. He did not hurt me; he saved that for Malcolm. He ranted and raved endlessly. How do you think he met Malcolm?”

Hugh shrugged. “Many Englishmen see no harm in profiting from smuggling, and that leads some to engage in the slave trade, which is more lucrative than any other contraband. I wouldn’t be surprised if Malcolm knew somebody who’d done business with Calitain in the past and couldn’t resist the return such a venture promised.”

“I’m so sorry, Hugh.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Sorry? Why? What have you done?

“I believe it was Malcolm who tampered with your saddle, or caused it to be done. I think he was mad enough to think I would marry him and feared you might somehow interfere. If I had told you about his blackmailing, perhaps none of this ever would have happened. It is because of me that your life has been threatened at least twice.”

As usual, Hugh surprised her. He laughed.

“What could you possibly find amusing in that?”

He set his hands on her hips, and his eyes flickered over her as he smiled, the look softening the hard planes of his face. “I’m sorry, I should not laugh. But one of the things you must know about your husband-to-be is that he has a very odd sense of humor.”