She was certainly not neglected, not the way he paid minute attention to her every gasp and moan, and answered questions she didn’t know how to ask a few hours before. And when the enormity of what they were doing finally broke into her fevered brain and made her shy all over again, he somehow sensed it and turned her so she didn’t have to look at him, or anything. Just close her eyes and feel the waves of pleasure rippling through her, without talk or promises or worries about what came after.
That was how she came undone that time, stretching her arms up as her back pressed against his chest, his right hand pleasuring her core while his left teased her breast. He pressed soft open kisses against her neck and ear, telling her that she was a wonder, better than any fantasy he’d had of her.
“Thought about doing this to you for over a year,” he murmured, between kisses. “Never thought I’d get the chance.”
Poppy took in his words with dazed satisfaction. Her mind was hazy, still overcome with the little aftershocks of pleasure he was creating with his hands. She finally let out a little sigh as he withdrew his hand.
Then, he took her by the hips and slowly pressed her bottom against his groin. She rolled herself into the hard length of him, and got a wave of gratification when she heard him groan in response.
He used her to come that way, and she slid her hands along his sides to his hips, encouraging him. His kisses became rougher, and as he came, he bit her neck to muffle his shout. Poppy felt a wash of heat over her whole body.
He lay next to her, his hands softly skimming her curves. Touching her neck very gently, he murmured, “I didn’t mean to bite you so hard.”
“I liked it,” Poppy confessed, earning a squeeze as he held her tighter.
“Really.”
“There might be a lot of things I like,” she went on, finally turning to look at him again, “but I’ve not experienced them yet, so how would I know?”
“Poppy, I’ve got half a mind to chain you up and keep you here forever.”
“I don’t see why the chains are necessary. Do you think I’d jump overboard?”
“God I hope not.” He kissed her tenderly, and she couldn’t imagine wanting to get away from this man. Not if he was going to keep doing such delicious things to her.
There was a sharp double knock at the door. Carlos didn’t respond, and no one entered, but he sighed.
“That was Valentin, telling me that it’s time.”
“Time for what?”
“First, to get you back on shore, and then to someplace where you can be safe from all suggestions of compromise and ruin.”
“How will we manage that?” She laughed as she got up, reaching for her still-damp clothing, and finding a completely different gown folded up on the chair.
“You fell asleep for a bit,” he explained on seeing her confusion. “I happened to have some spare clothing in a chest in the hold—it’s meant to be shipped home, but I don’t think my family will mind you taking what you need.”
The soft green gown was very pretty, and Poppy got dressed quickly. She continued to think about what he’d said before, and decided, “Anyway, I truly don’t think it matters much. If I’m found out for being all wanton or whatnot, that is. I’m not gentry, and no one particularly cares about the state of my virtue.”
“Do you want to get married?”
Poppy shrugged. “Someday, perhaps. If a man ever actually offers for me, and it’s someone I actually want to spend my life with, I’ll consider it.”
He moved to block her progress. “I meant did you want to get married to me?”
“You?”
“Of course me.” He frowned at her, his dark eyes locking onto hers. “Why the hell would I ask you to marry another man?”
“Carlos, you’re not the marrying kind.”
“How do you know? Anyway, it’s the right thing to do.”
“Ugh, what a terrible reason. Look, darling, you’re remarkable in a lot of ways, and I don’t regret what we did together.”
He smiled. “Say darling again.”
“Darling.” Poppy couldn’t stop her stomach from fluttering. But she pressed on, “I do not want to exchange some vows that will shackle me for life just because you need to satisfy a sense of honor. As you’ve said before, you’ve got other commitments. So let’s simply remain…friends, I suppose. If there’s a child, we’ll deal with the matter then. Otherwise, you’re free to go.”
