Page 46 of Murder on the SS Leviathan
His arms came about her and there was no more thinking—only feeling, and longing, and her kissing him back. That, and his arousal, aching for what it couldn’t have.
He conjured an image of taking her hand and guiding it beneath the towel, letting her elegant fingers encircle him, showing her how to stroke back and forth. Just picturing it made his shaft leap, and her whispered gasp told him she’d noticed.
Taking a steadying breath, he broke the kiss.
She swayed, even though their arms were still about one another. With fluttering lids, as if she were emerging from her own trance, she looked up at him—and he almost surrendered then.
Her expression spoke of utter trust; of placing herself totally in his power.
All the more reason not to abuse it.
‘We have to stop.’ Clutching at the towel, he put a pace between them. ‘I can’t be kissing you, Cecile.’
She looked confused, as if unsure she’d heard him right. Only as a great flare of lightning filled the room did she gain her senses. He saw everything in her face: shock, embarrassment, hurt. And he hated himself for causing it, but how much worse would it be if he didn’t send her away?
‘You must know, I’m flesh and blood, and I’m on fire with wanting you—but not like this.’
She reached for him again, a surge of hope in her eyes, but he took another step back.
‘Later, we’ll talk. Fully clothed. Drinking tea. Eating Godamned crumpets if you like. Just not now.’
She gave a shuddering sigh, casting her eyes to the floor.
Worse for her than him, he knew—but the embarrassment would pass.
He’d thought there would be more time; to get to know one another, to persuade her that what he was offering was worth her consideration. To make her see that what he’d said before about waiting had been a load of baloney.
He wanted all of it…but he wanted to tell her that with his pants on! Meanwhile, he was digging himself into a hole. At this rate, she’d be so mortified, she’d avoid him altogether.
‘Head on back, now, Cecile.’ Keeping one hand on the towel, he passed the other through his hair. ‘I promise, we’ll talk it all through when I’ve had some sleep.’
She nodded mutely and, before he could say anything else, she was out the door.
