Page 41 of A Kiss Of Lies

Sarah felt fractured, exposed, but still safe. In a small voice she asked, “How did you know?”

He rolled back against her and held her tight. “I saw it in the wonder and surprise and delight written on your face. You don’t hide your emotions. For a man making love to a woman, that sight is irresistible. A woman can easily tell when a man is aroused, but women have been known to fake their excitement.” He rose to peer over her shoulder at her face. “Never hide your passion from me. It arouses me completely.”

She felt her face flood with heat. “When you touch me, I don’t think I could hide anything from you.” That thought doused her euphoria with ice. She had terrible secrets to hide. If he knew what she’d done—no, had been forced to do—would he still look at her with that soft light in his eyes?

He noted her mental withdrawal and misunderstood. “Don’t let your imagination frighten you. I’ll not hurt you even when I’m finally inside you.”

But he was right. The thought of him impaling her with his erection was scary. He was much larger than her husband. Her husband had hurt her.

“It won’t hurt, I promise,” he whispered in her ear as if he understood her fear. “If you are prepared properly, I will fit you easily. You felt how slick and wet I made you. There will be no pain.”

She turned to face him on the bed. She ran her hand over his burns. “Thank you.” She watched his irises darken, and her attention shifted to Christian’s loins. The thick, swollen length of his erection rose quickly again under her gaze, almost to his abdomen.

“See how your body affects me. It doesn’t mean I’m going to pounce on you. You’re not ready. But soon you’ll be begging me to pleasure you all night.” With that he rose and pulled up his trousers.

“Thank you for having the patience to help me. Not many men would take the time.” She gulped. “Most would take by force.”

His hand halted on the buttons of his trousers. “If your husband wasn’t already dead, I’d kill him as painfully as I could. No woman should ever be taken by force.”

She didn’t have any answer for his fervent declaration. For most of her life she’d been forced to do what others wanted. The freedom she was finding in her new position as a widow was ironic, given that she was a fugitive.

Once he’d finished dressing, he bent and kissed her. When she slipped her tongue into his mouth, he groaned, and the kiss deepened until he pulled back and in a shaky voice said, “You’re testing me to my limits, madam.” He stroked his hand over her hair and whispered, “There will be more of this tomorrow night. The anticipation of what I intend to do to you will only add to your pleasure.”

“I’m already heady with expectation. Tomorrow evening seems a long way away.”

He laughed. It was a glorious sound. She wished he’d laugh more.

“Then I shall have to think of something to occupy you until then. Perhaps you would care for a trip into Kingston?”

She refused to let her horror crowd her face. “Perhaps . . . although the thought of going into town in this heat, when we have at hand a white sandy beach and clear blue water, is not appealing. I’m sure Lily will agree.” The last thing Sarah wanted to do was to go exploring. What if someone recognized her?

Christian frowned. “Quite right. Lily would hate it.” He sighed and moved to the door. “Sebastian and I have business in town, so perhaps I’ll simply await your company at dinner.”

“I shall look forward to it,” she cooed, her sultry voice unrecognizable to her ears. While married, she’d done all she could not to arouse her husband’s passions. With Christian, she couldn’t help herself. She wanted him inflamed.

He opened the door and had a quick look up and down the corridor. Just before he slipped out, he promised, “I’ll wager not as much as I. Goodnight, darling. Pleasant dreams.”

Sarah sagged flat on the bed and fell into her old habit of biting her lip when worried. All thoughts of pleasure had been vanquished. How could she get Christian to leave this island as soon as possible? She had managed to put off the inevitable for at least another day, but wanting to swim wasn’t going to work every time he asked her to go into Kingston.

Sleep evaded her as she lay pondering just how she would stay hidden while in Jamaica. If she were brave enough, there was one option open to her—to keep Christian otherwise occupied.

No. She wasn’t quite ready for that.

Perhaps she could offer to paint Christian’s portrait. What with Lily’s lessons, and painting, she wouldn’t have time to leave Roaring Pavilions.

ChapterTen

It was late in the afternoon. Sarah had been alone on the beach for the last half hour. Lily had gone to have a nap; she’d been exhausted by the sun and sea. Sarah had teased Lily, saying that if she swum any more she’d turn into a mermaid.

Sarah cherished this time to herself. Her life had been a nightmare for so long that she couldn’t really absorb the dream it had now become. She smacked her palms against the fine sand. She had to rid herself of this smug satisfaction. She was still a fugitive, and as such, she would never escape the feeling of forever having to look over her shoulder and hide her true self.

Sarah hugged her knees to her chest and took in the view. If heaven existed, then Sarah thought this place must be a close second. She stretched her arms above her head and yawned. After her sleepless night, she’d taken the opportunity to doze, letting the heat from the sand comfort her.

But now she was far too hot, even under the shade of the palm tree. Clambering to her feet, she looked around. She was on her own. She peeled off her robe until she stood in only her shift. Gathering her courage, she ran squealing like a young girl into the sea. The light linen shift didn’t drag her down as she swam out further. She felt alive and free, diving under the waves and marveling at the underwater world visible in the clear water. She looked back at the shoreline and decided to swim back to shore. She didn’t wish to swim out too far, or she’d be exhausted. Sarah wanted her senses on full alert for this evening. Already the anticipation of her next foray into the world of sensual delights with Christian had her stomach churning. She was unsure if it was in anticipation or trepidation.

Lost in the images of what would occur in her bedchamber tonight, she was halfway up the beach when an ice-cold prickly sensation made her stop and lift her head. She looked up to find Sebastian standing next to her belongings, where she’d left them lying under the tree.

Her head turned to sweep her surroundings. They were alone.

---