She leaned back into him. Touching him made her feel safe and alive. “I didn’t think.”
He turned her around, his face tight with worry. “For my sake, don’t take a chance like that again.”
Rachel leaned her forehead against his chest. “I will try to be more careful, Mr. Mitchell.”
He wrapped his arms around her chest. “You all right?”
“Freezing, but fine.”
His heart beat faster. “I don’t think I could live without you.”
She hugged him tighter. “Nor I you.”
He rested his chin on the top of her head. Seconds passed as they held each other.
“I’ve got just the thing to warm you up,” he said. The husky, seductive tone in his voice warmed her blood.
She could never give herself to him in marriage, but he had her heart forever. She would give what she had and pray that it was enough.
Peter hated to travel by rail. The station was crowded with hundreds of mindless people milling around with not a care that they were bumping into him. A baby’s cry pierced his brain.
Added to that, the trains were slow, often late and the seats even in this exclusive car uncomfortable. Traveling by sea, he controlled everything. On the train he felt like cattle.
He rose from the plush club chair and walked to the small bar. His gold wedding band winked in the light. He poured himself a whiskey. Glancing out the window, he tapped his ring against the
glass tumbler as he stared at the flat, barren land of southern Virginia. Farming country.
In three hours they’d be in North Carolina. There he’d catch a coach and then a boat to the coastal town.
He rolled the crystal tumbler in his hands. He thought back to the last five weeks—the sleepless nights, the tortuous images of Rachel in another man’s arms. “Rachel, you’ve put me to quite a lot of trouble.”
But soon he would find her and set things right. She would understand that she’d made a grave error running form him.
Until death us do part, my love.
He thought about ropes he’d packed in his bag, the blindfold and the small knives. “Our reunion is going to be very special. Very special indeed.”
R
achel was nervous and excited as Ben lit the lantern.
The lantern light glowed softly on her skin as Ben moved toward her. They stood facing each other in his bedroom, curtains drawn, barefoot, each silent and lost in their own thoughts. A fire crackled and hissed in the hearth.
Ben set the second lantern on the table beside the bed and looked down at Rachel. He traced her jawline with his index finger. Shivers danced down her spine. “Turn around. You’ve got to get out of that wet dress.”
She turned. “I’ve heard that story before.”
He chuckled as his fingers brushed the ends of her hair forward over her shoulder, and then fumbled with the top button. He quickly worked his
way down the row. “It’s a marvel you were able to get this dress on,” he said, chuckling.
“Years of practice.”
He peeled the fine fabric forward until her bodice hung at her waist. Cupping her bare shoulders, he kissed the back of her neck. Her heart raced.
Rachel pushed her dress to the floor, stepped out of it and faced him. Her chemise clung to her full breasts and flat belly. By rights she should have been freezing, but she was warm. Very warm.
Ben’s eyes darkened as his gaze slid to the hard peaks of her nipples. He pulled off his sweater and tossed in onto the floor beside her dress. Water droplets glistened in the thick mat of hair that tapered down over his flat belly and below his belt.
His body looked as if it had been forged from marble. A Greek god. Every sinewy muscle well defined under his taught skin. Her mouth watered at the sight of him. “You are beautiful,” she whispered.
The yearning inside her made her bold. She reached for his belt buckle and unclasped it. She unbuttoned his pants.
He grabbed her hand and kissed her fingertips. White teeth glistened in the soft light. “Ah, lass, be careful. We don’t want this adventure over before it starts.”
She nibbled her lip. “Did I do something wrong?”
“Nay.”
“Show me what you like,” she whispered.
He tugged the ribbons between her breasts and released the gauzy fabric. Without hesitating, he tugged the fabric free and let the chemise fall. She slid off her pantaloons and stepped out of them. She stood naked in front of him, but felt no shame. In fact, nothing had ever felt more right.
Ben picked her up and carried her to his bed. He laid her on the clean blankets and quickly stripped his pants off.
Seeing him fully naked, aroused, gave her pause. The full weight of what was to come hit her.
Tonight she would commit herself to this man. Once they made love there’d be no going back. She would love him forever and always.
And her love would be stronger than any vow.
The mattress sagged under his weight as he lay beside her, the gleam in his eye sure and knowing. “I don’t want you to think about him.”
Startled she met his gaze. “What?”
He tipped her chin up so that her gaze met his. “I won’t ever hurt you. It will be good between us.”
His features had softened. She could see that he cared for her. “I know that it will.”
“If you aren’t ready, we can wait,” he said softly.
And she knew that he would. “I want this. I want this more than anything.”
He smoothed her hair off her face. “You are the beauty. A gift from Neptune himself.”
She laughed. “Like a mermaid.”
He traced his finger over her flat belly. “Nay, a beautiful siren sent to tempt my soul.”
“Ah, but if you heard my singing, you might not be so tempted.”
He chuckled, but the laughter in his eyes quickly turned serious. “I’ve not been the same since I first laid eyes on you.”
“Nor I you.”
He kissed her.
Rachel melted into the kiss. Her soul opened up, savoring the taste of him. The residual emotions from today’s rescue had heightened her senses, but this kiss, this wondrous kiss, sent her soaring.
She pulled her fingertips over his broad shoulders and down his back. He moaned, deepening the kiss.
Ben rose up on his elbows. He smoothed her hair back. “Your hair is like silk,” he muttered.
He kissed the tip of her nose, her chin and the hollow of her neck. Slowly he trailed kisses down her chest until he reached her breast. He suckled her nipple until it formed a hard peak.
Rachel arched back. She couldn’t think. This was deliciously wicked, sensual. She threaded her fingers through is thick hair. Slowly her hands trailed down his back. This time she cupped his buttocks.
He kissed her again, devouring her mouth. His legs brushed hers as he brought his knee up and gently prodded her thighs open. Opening her legs, she widened the breach. His hardness settled on her moist center, his flesh pressing against her.
He cupped her face. The gleam in his eye turned voracious. “Promise me.”
It took a moment for her mind to register that he’d spoken. Her body hummed with such excitement. She longed for a release she didn’t quite understand. “Anything.”
“Marry me,” he said.
He deserved the truth from her. Yet as she stared at his dark eyes, he began to move back and forth so that his hardness rubbed against her outer flesh. Common sense fled. She needed this one night with him. “I will love you forever with my whole heart.”
Her words caught him off guard. “You
love
me.” Pride laced each word.
“More than I thought possible.” And she did.
He moved on top of her, his actions impatient as if he wished to claim her for fear she’d vanish.
Rachel craved him. She arched her back, pressing her center to his. He pushed into her slowly. Her very tight folds wrapped around him. He expelled a breath, savoring her heat.
Slowly he began to move. His kisses had sparked a fire in her that exploded into a blaze. Her body throbbed with wanting. She raised her legs and wrapped them around him, accepting all that he had to offer.
When his fingertips moved to her moist center she thought she’d go mad with wanting. He moved inside her as he stroked her. The sensations welled up like a great tidal storm. And then, without warning, her senses exploded. She tipped over an imaginary line, calling his name as she fell into a hot, satisfying pool of sensations.
Ben groaned her name. He tensed and found his release, collapsing against her.
They fell asleep together, wrapped in each other’s arms.
Ben woke before Rachel. The sun had set and shadows shrouded the room. The fire crackled in the hearth.
He rolled onto his side and stared at her profile. The light from the fire flickered on her pale skin, her aquiline nose and full, rosy lips.
She’d come alive in his arms when they’d made love. He’d seen the shock and pleasure in her eyes when he’d touched her and then brought her passion into full bloom.
Rachel moistened her lips. Her breathing was deep and even. She enjoyed the kind of rest usually felt by only those with a light heart.
He traced her nose with his fingertip. “I will cherish you forever.”
Her eyes fluttered open. She focused on him and her gaze softened. “You are staring at me.”
Ben grinned. “I will never tire of looking at you.”
She touched her mouth. “I can’t imagine what I look like when I sleep. I hope I didn’t snore.”
He lifted a brow. “Yes, you did,” he teased. “In fact, you woke me.”
Shock widened her eyes. “You’re joking! Aren’t you?” Her cheeks reddened. “I never imagined myself a snorer.”
God, but she charmed him. He couldn’t let the farce continue. “You weren’t snoring, my love.”
She sat up on her elbows. The sheet fell away from her breasts. He forgot all about teasing. “Are you quite certain?”
His arousal hardened. He traced a circle around her nipple. It grew taught. “I promise, you are a quiet angel when you sleep.”
Her soft curls grazed the top of her shoulders. “Thank heavens.”
With a groan he pulled her down to the pillow. He straddled her. “I can’t get enough of you.”
She smiled, sliding her foot along his leg. His body burned.
He kissed her, losing himself in the taste of her. He felt her arms wrap around his neck. Her breasts pressed into his chest.
“I’ll never get enough of you, either,” she whispered. She opened her legs.
This time when he drove into her, a fever pulsed in his veins. Their coupling was quick, fast and hard. And very, very satisfying.
Just past midnight, Rachel awoke. Ben was dressed and kneeling by the hearth, lacing his boots.
Rachel sat up, holding the sheet over her breasts. “Where are you going?”
He lifted his head. White teeth flashed when he met her gaze. “I’ve got the midnight-to-dawn shift tonight.”
“I don’t want you to leave.” The bed already felt cold without him.
He rose and crossed to her. “I will be back before you wake again. Then we will have all day tomorrow to enjoy ourselves.”
The idea warmed her blood. “If only we could stay in this room forever. The world outside only complicates everything.”
He cupped her face. “The world gets in the way sometimes, but what is between us is simple and pure.”
She smiled. “Simple and pure.”
“I have something for you,” he said. He opened the small drawer on the nightstand. He pulled out a tiny, black-velvet sack. He opened the drawstring and pulled out a delicate gold ring engraved with dogwood leaves. The gold glistened in the firelight.
Rachel sat straighter.
Ben took her left hand in his and placed the ring in the palm of her hand. “It belonged to my mother. It was her wedding ring.”
Rachel’s chest tightened. “Ben.”
“Rachel Davis, will you marry me?” He held the ring between his fingers.
She accepted the ring. The polished gold glittered in the firelight.
She had never felt happier. And more sad.
A heavy silence hung between them.
“It’s a simple ring,” Ben said.
“It’s a lovely ring.” For an instant she imagined the ring on her finger. She dreamed of a simple
wedding in the village chapel, of babies…and of a long life together. “I can’t accept it.” She held the ring out to him.
He stance stiffened. “Why not?”
Tears pooled in her eyes.
“Is it this village? The life by the sea? Me?”
“It’s none of those.” Her throat tightened with emotion. “There’s something I never told you.”
“About
him.
” His voice was hoarse with anger.
“Yes.”
He knelt in front of her and laid his hands on her knees. “What he did to you is the past, Rachel. It can’t touch us.”
The tenderness in his voice nearly undid her. “Yes, it can.”
He wiped a tear from her cheek. “Tell me.”
She met his gaze. “I ran away.”
“I know.”
“From my husband.”
Ben stared at her as if he hadn’t heard her right. “Husband?”
“I am still married.”
The gentleness vanished from his eyes.
It pained her to know she’d robbed him of the joy he’d felt moments ago. She lifted her chin, refusing to cry anymore. “Peter and I have been married almost a year.” She wiped a tear from her face.
“The abuse was subtle at first, but it got worse very quickly. The last day we were together he hit me so hard I lost consciousness. The next morning after he left for a business trip, I packed a bag and ran.”
“That’s why you were on the freighter.”
“Yes.”
Ben rose, his shoulders stiff. He jabbed his hands through his hair. “You should have told me.”
“At first I was afraid. And then, as I started to have feelings for you, I knew if I told you, you would look at me differently. I didn’t want to lose the connection between us.”
He shoved the ring into his pocket as if he couldn’t bear to look at it.
“Damn it, Rachel,” he muttered. “You should have told me.”
“I wanted to. But I was so afraid. Peter is a wealthy man. He’d pay dearly for my return.”
His jaw tightened, released, tightened again. “You should have trusted
me.
”
“I know.”
He strode toward the door.
“Where are you going?” she asked.
“To the light.”
“Will you be back?”
“At dawn.” He opened the door and paused. “Its
best you pack your belongings and move into town. Ida will see that you have a bed.”
Without a word, he closed the door.
Peter arrived in the small coastal town minutes past midnight. The trip had been grueling. But he would keep going. He was too close to stop now.
The coachman set the brake and tied off his reins. “Waverly, North Carolina.”
Peter looked out the window. The town was pitch-black except for lanterns burning inside the tavern. Good. He’d asked them to wait up for him. So few people knew how to follow directions these days.
The coachman tossed Peter’s bag on the dirt road.
Peter cringed at the fool’s mistreatment of his luggage. The leather bag cost more than the cretin made in a decade. However, Peter kept his temper in check. He needed information.
He climbed down from the coach. His bones ached.
The town matched LaFortune’s descriptions exactly.
He was so close to his Rachel. So close.
Rachel was numb.
She didn’t remember dressing or collecting her few belongings. A lantern in her hand, she’d
walked along the path toward the village. Ben had told her to leave in the morning, but she couldn’t bare to stay in his cottage another moment. Everything reminded her of him—his shirt draped over a chair, his scent on the sheets and his shoes lined up by the bureau.
She reached the town and walked down the sandy street toward Ida’s store. She tripped over a root and nearly stumbled.
Suddenly the tears that had been choking her throat for the last hour spilled. She sat on a crate in front of the inn. Great sobs shook her body. She stared up into the stars.
She’d lived for years without love. They’d been lonely, empty years, but never having tasted love, they had been tolerable. Now that her heart had opened, that she’d tasted true happiness, to go on without it…the loneliness stretched ahead of her as endless as the ocean.