Eugénie rose, quietly making her way to the opening between the bookshelves, then along the gangway to her cabin near the back of the boat. The door was open, and her maid hummed as she worked. “Marisole?”
“Yes, miss?”
“We are casting off. Would you like to watch as we leave the harbor?”
“Ahoui. That is my favorite view.” A bit of pink crept into Marisole’s cheeks, and Eugénie wondered if her maid knew what she was up to. “Thank you, miss. I’m almost finished here any way.”
The ship rocked, indicating they were free from the dock. “You’d better hurry.”
A few moments after Marisole left, Will’s footsteps echoed on the wood floor. His cabin was half-way down the gangway toward the bow. “Tidwell, leave off here and go watch the view from the deck.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Eugénie went into the gangway where Will caught her up in a hard kiss, pulling her into his cabin, then shutting the door. “God, I’ve missed you.”
“It hasn’t been that long,” she teased.
“Any time away from you is an eternity.”
She didn’t know how it was possible, but she was falling more and more in love with him.
His lips claimed hers again. Cooler air wafted around her legs as he pulled up her skirts. His already hard length rose between them. Frissons of pleasure raced through her, and she flung her arms around his neck, pressing her body into his. “Yes.”
He chuckled softly. “You don’t know what I’m going to do.”
The place between her legs ached in anticipation. Eugénie didn’t know how much longer she could stand it. “I trust you.”
“Hold on tight, and put your legs around me.”
He nibbled his way down her neck, then licked the soft spot at the base. How had she never known that was so sensitive? She wanted more. “I wish we had more time.”
“I wish you were naked,” he said in a seductive voice. “But that would be hard to explain.”
She choked on a giggle as his thumbs caressed her breasts. What she wouldn’t give to feel his fingers on her bare skin. “I wish I was too.”
She clung to him. Her back was pressed against the wall and with one hand he lifted her, then released his member. “Feel this.”
It rubbed back and forth against her most tender parts. Heat and need roiled through her. Lord, how she wanted him. “Now. Please now.”
“Soon.”
Suddenly she felt wet, and he entered her with one strong thrust. There was a twinge of pain, and Eugénie gasped. Surely he hadn’t been that deep inside her before.
“You’re sore.” His brows drew together. “I should have thought.”
“No, it’s nothing.” Already her desire for him was more than she could stand. If he stopped now she’d murder him. “I’ll be fine.”
He almost withdrew, then filled her again. Eugénie moaned. This was even better than last night. Will took her mouth, claiming her completely. The sensation of waves crashing carried her away again. She trembled as she convulsed around him, and he spilled his seed.
“Eugénie?” Her mother called.
Will placed a finger over Eugénie’s lips. He lowered her down until her feet once again touched the floor. They waited, hearts pounding together, his breathing as ragged as hers.
“Where could that girl have got to?”
As soon as Maman’s steps retreated, Eugénie let out the breath she’d been holding. “What shall I do?”
“Wewill go out as we came in. First go to your cabin.” Will opened the door and looked out. “Come. I’ll stay here so that no one can see you.”
