Page 33 of Wherever My Heart Roams

"Yes, much. How long did I sleep?"

"About an hour, I'd say. I went to check with the Captain and I brought you a menu from the dining room. Are you hungry?"

"A little…but…" she grabbed his hands. "I think I’m going to be very happy here."

His eyes glittered into hers. "That's my intention, to make you happy."

She looked deep into his eyes now, "I don't understand why you wanted to marry me, but…I've decided, I'm very glad you did…And not because of all of this."

He drew her to him.

"No one's ever treated me so nicely. No one's ever given me so much. And you ask nothing of me…"

He stared into her eyes, "Before we boarded, I thought about playing poker tonight. Giving you some privacy, but my heart's not in that. I'd rather take you to dinner, and dance with you and then take you out on the deck so you can enjoy the sights. I-I wanted to be with you."

"You did?" She asked breathlessly. "You turned down a poker game?"

"Yes, amazing isn't it. All I can think about is…you."

She smiled, and tiptoed to kiss his cheek, but he turned his head and covered her lips with his own.

A burning need seemed to grow inside her, turning her insides to jelly. His lips moved persuasively against hers, and she moaned softly. His arms crushed her to him and the kiss went on forever.

Suddenly, she smiled against his lips, "Open your mouth and let me in…"

He chuckled but his eyes were on fire for her. She'd never seen a man on fire for her. It stunned, and gave her a confidence she'd never known.

The kiss became steamy, passionate, consuming. Their tongues mated over and over again, and she was drowning in his kisses. A helpless warm feeling spread through her.

He seemed to be reacting to this kiss quite differently. Because he raised up once more and looked away.

"What's wrong? Did I do something wrong?" She asked, raising up and turning his cheek toward her.

"Wrong?" He repeated, his face a puzzle. "Honey, you light a fire inside me, when you kiss me like that. With such abandon. I'm not some untried youth, Beth…I want you!" He declared. But he shook his head, "But I won't take you. Not yet! It's too soon. When I take you, I want you to be very sure that you want that."

"It's our wedding night, aren't we suppose to want each other?"

He turned to stare at her and smiled once more, "If only it were that simple."

When her upper lip pursed, he shook his head.

"Beth this is all so new to you. I don’t' want to rush you. I want our coming together to be special. I want you to be sure. With no regrets. Because, you can't turn back…right now you are still so innocent…I can't take the advantage, even though I want to, with all my heart."

She smiled, "You do?" She asked breathlessly.

"Of course I do. But I think we should wait a while. I'm doing my best not to take advantage. I want you to be in love with me, when we come together. I want you to be sure of it."

"You don't think I am?" She asked.

"I think…you need more time…" He stared deeply at her. "To be sure. And I have plenty of time Beth. I won't rush you."

"Alright, you are my husband, and I will do as you say." She nodded. "But I'll dream about it, until it really happens."

"God help me, so will I…" he chuckled softly. "So will I."

Chapter Eight

The dining room was crowded and all manner of people were eating. Women with big plumed hats, and men in suits adorned the richly set tables. They were dressed so nicely.

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