Part 25 (1/2)

”Nothing. Forget it.”

”What torments you, Simon?” she asked boldly. Something briefly flickered in his eyes, and then he hid it behind a more carnal gaze.

He pressed her back onto the bed, his warm body covering hers. ”Not getting enough of you torments me.” He gave her a long, luscious kiss that warmed her blood.

”Cherie, whatever time we have together, we will enjoy each other...extensively; yet I won't do anything to complicate our situation. This is an interlude of bliss. It cannot be more. You are a n.o.ble.”

”n.o.bility means nothing.”

”You are wrong. It means everything. But enough of this.” He kissed her again, his tongue giving hers slow, swirling caresses. Gently, he stroked the curve of her breast and murmured, ”If your father were alive, he'd have me hanged from the tallest branch for doing what I've done to you in this bed. For touching his n.o.ble daughter with my common hands.”

”I love what you've done to me in this bed.” She would never regret it.

He smiled. ”And I love doing it to you, far too much.” He gave her neck a love bite. She sucked in a sharp breath. He dipped his head and sucked her tender nipple into his mouth. Closing her eyes, she moaned and wrapped her arms around him.

Time. It was what she needed in order to impress upon him that he was making too much of their different social cla.s.s.

But was there enough time left?

Chapter Nineteen.

Simon entered his home the next morning. He looked up the stairs and smiled. The thought of Angelica up there in his bed quickened his heart.

Hoping she was still fast asleep, he began to climb the stairs. Not wis.h.i.+ng to look like a madman taking the stairs two at a time at full speed, he forced himself not to be transparent about his eagerness to see her. Even if he didn't race, his mind did. Ideas of how to wake her ran through his thoughts and thickened his c.o.c.k.

He couldn't stop his grin.

Reluctantly, he'd left her in deep slumber to attend an early meeting with Jules and some of the other men. However, Simon had found it impossible to concentrate on the mill's construction while memories of last night still hummed through his mind and body. Walking out of the hut on the opposite side of the island, he ignored Jules's knowing grin, as well as the hidden smiles Simon sensed from the others. Smiles they wouldn't dare to show.

He was no stranger to a night of carnal pleasures, but he'd never had a night like last eve.

Never had he known such soul-satisfying s.e.x before.

They'd made love twice on his bed before they rose to dine on the food a.s.sunta had set out for them. Her sweet smiles from across the table had touched him, while her sensual green eyes and enticing pink mouth had beguiled him. He'd barely allowed her to eat her meal when he'd reached his breaking point and had lowered himself to his knees before her chair. He'd pulled open her dressing gown, aroused her to a fiery pitch and, with her legs wrapped around his waist, buried the entire length of his ravenous c.o.c.k into her sweet s.e.x.

Later, together with him in his tub, adorably shy at the notion of bathing together, she had nonetheless allowed him the pleasure of was.h.i.+ng every appealing curve and dip on her body. He'd teased and aroused her until the water had become a cool contrast against their heated bodies. They had barely made it to the bed when she had welcomed him inside her with a tender eagerness that was uniquely hers.

Simon reached the last step.

He should have been exhausted this morning, but instead he felt exhilarated. And he wanted her again.

He strode purposefully toward his chambers.

Last night, he'd told her about his past when he'd always been tightlipped about offering women personal information in bed. It was wrong to do so for many reasons, not the least of which was that it left a false impression-that there was more than just a physical connection. But there was something about her that inspired the desire to confide in her-a level of intimacy that was new to him.

And he was determined to blame his slip and his present eagerness on the knee-buckling desire he had for his moonlight angel.

With a smile, he opened his chamber door.

A garment hit him in the face.

He heard female gasps. Pulling the article off his head, he found a.s.sunta, Marta, and Suzette staring at him, horrified.

Suzette, who stood closest to him, was the first to find her voice and begin apologizing. Marta and a.s.sunta, standing near his bed, quickly followed suit. The three women were speaking at the same time. He'd no idea what they were saying, catching partial phrases here and there.

”...I tossed the dress to Suzette-”

”-trying to clean up...”

Looking around his chamber, he was struck speechless. His bed was empty. Angelica was gone. But her presence filled his room.

In fact, her things were everywhere.

Gowns were tossed on his bed, on chairs, on the floor. Undergarments were sprinkled in here and there. Shoes, no pair together, were also scattered all over the rugs. It was as though the entire contents of the trunk he'd ordered moved into his room were at the moment emptied all over it.

”What... Where is Angelica?” he asked, surprised over the condition of his once personal s.p.a.ce.

”She left for the schoolhouse, Captain,” Suzette answered.

Marta stepped forward. ”She was in a great hurry this morning, running a bit late for school. We couldn't find some of her things...”

He looked at Marta, utterly baffled. Couldn't find her things? They were all over the room.

a.s.sunta spoke up. ”She couldn't locate the matching garments a lady needs, Captain,” she explained matter-of-factly.

He blinked. ”I see.” He had no idea what she was talking about. Scanning his room, he gazed at the chaos before him. Was this some female morning ritual he was simply unaware of?

He stepped farther into his room. His boot caught on something on the floor. Looking down, he recognized it as the chemise she had worn last night.

The last article of clothing he'd removed from her lush form.

Still clutching a garment in one hand, he bent down and picked up the chemise with the other. Memories of her in it, slipping her out of it, filled his mind. He caressed his thumb over the chemise, enjoying the feel of it in his hand once more, when he sensed three pairs of eyes on him.

Simon looked up. The three women stared back at him with curious looks.

He cleared his throat. ”You'll have this chamber in order soon, I a.s.sume,” he said, not wis.h.i.+ng it in the least. He couldn't explain why, but he rather liked seeing her personal items tossed about his chamber.

”Of course, Captain,” a.s.sunta a.s.sured.

”Good.” His gaze swept the room once more. Her things, spread out everywhere, inspired warm emotions and renewed his desire to see her. Disappointed, he'd have to wait until midday, when school was finished, to have the opportunity.

”Is there anything else you wish, Captain?” a.s.sunta inquired.

”Hmmm?” Had she said, ”wish”? There were a lot of things he wished at that moment. They all had to do with Angelica, in his arms. An idea suddenly came to him. ”Yes, actually, there is. I wish for you to prepare a special lunch.” As he gave his instructions, Suzette and Marta smiled. By the time he was finished, they were wearing great big foolish grins.