Frissons of pleasure raced through her, and the apex of her thighs throbbed in earnest. Oh Lord. Eugénie arched into him. “William, I want—”
“Shhh, my love. To-night, we take this slowly.” He licked and nipped at her neck. “Let me show you how much I love you.”
Suddenly, Eugénie was much too hot. She remembered just in time to keep her voice to a whisper. “I want this off.” She tugged at her nightdress. “Help me.”
“In a few moments.”
He moved over her as he raked his tongue over her breasts down to her navel, then stopped. Every nerve in her body was on edge with wanting. If he didn’t enter her soon she was going to scream. “Now?”
“Not quite yet.” He chuckled wickedly. “Have patience, my sweet.”
Eugénie spread her legs and wrapped them around Will, tugging. “I don’t want to wait.”
All she’d succeeded in doing was to pull his head and shoulders down to her already wet mons. His lips nuzzled her, and she almost cried out loud. He licked the nub nestled in her curls.
What was he doing? She gripped his head with her knees as her body sizzled. If he kept this up she would burst like a star. “I don’t think you’re supposed to . . .”
Her protest sounded weak even to her. Eugénie bit her lip, but a low moan escaped despite her effort.
“Like that, do you?”
She nodded, then remembered Will couldn’t see her. Eugénie grabbed on to the sheets as the spiraling tension in her core tightened, then clamped one hand over her mouth. Just as she reached her peak, William entered her. In two, maybe three strokes, they both tumbled over the edge together. She’d died and gone to heaven.
He chuckled. “That is why the French call it the little death.”
“La petite mort. I’ve heard the term, but did not understand it.” She sucked in a breath, thankful for the breeze through the small port window. “Now I do.”
Will rolled off Eugénie as he sucked in huge gulps of air. The small cabin’s one port-window allowed little in the way of a breeze. He stroked damp strands of hair away from her face. He wanted to cuddle her close, but it was too damned hot. What he wouldn’t give right now for crisp autumn weather and a fire. He laid his hand over her gently rounded stomach. “Can you feel how much I love you.”
“Yes.” Eugénie closed her long slender fingers around his. “I love you as well.” Her voice hitched. “I never thought to have this much joy.”
He stroked her cheek with the pad of his thumb, kissing away the tears. The thought of her crying, even with delight, unnerved him. “I never believed I’d find a woman who’d love me more than my title. If I hadn’t met you, I would have allowed my mother to pick my bride.”
“Oh no, William, you would not have done such a thing?”
“It doesn’t bear thinking of now. I can’t imagine my life without you, my love, I adore you.”
He traced her lips with a finger as she smiled. “But now, my lord, you will live under the cat’s paw.”
“So I’ve been told.” Will bent his head to kiss her when he heard the splash of something falling in the water.
“I told you not to bring your doll!” a high voice shrieked.
“You did not!” Jeanne cried.
Then there was a louder splash.
Eugénie was out of bed and yanking the door open before he could move.
“I’ll murder them,” she muttered, and ran out into the passageway.
Thank God, he hadn’t removed Eugénie’s nightgown. Will groped around and found his pantaloons and a shirt. After donning them as quickly as he could, he followed her to the deck.
“Jeanne,” Eugénie called, “do not attempt to swim, just tread water until I get there.”
One of the sailors dashed out holding a lantern. “Don’t worry, miss, I’ll get her.”
The sailor started toeing off his shoes, and Will jumped in. He broke the surface and looked around. Jeanne. Her long-sleeved nightgown floated around her. She held something in her left arm and her free arm splashed around as she struggled to keep her head above the water.. Her nightclothes were probably weighing her down. In a few strokes, Will had her.
