Page 8 of A Perilous Passion

They stopped, and she struggled to catch her breath, her heart hammering in her ears. Then, beyond the booming of the sea, came another sound. A scrabbling, sliding noise, which gradually increased in volume.

“They’re still following us,” Seabourne hissed. “Get down!”

When he threw himself on top of her and dragged her skirts up over her hips, she knew she had been entirely wrong to trust him.

Chapter Four

There was nothing Charlotte could do. Mr. Seabourne’s thighs were between hers, pushing them apart as he rocked his hips above her. His mouth fastened on hers, stealing her speech. Stealing her very breath.

She tried to tip him off, but against his superior strength, her struggles were hopeless. She went limp, fearing she’d run out of air altogether. His movements changed then, becoming more rhythmical, accompanied by a series of exaggerated grunts, which sounded more animal than human.

Then he released her mouth and rested his forehead against hers. She took in a great gulp of air and realized nothing had actually happened. Despite the intimate position of his body, he was still fully clothed, as was she, and he hadn’t intruded on her. Well, other than her mouth.

As her fevered mind tried to make sense of his shocking but essentially harmless behavior, he raised his head. And in the faint light from the cave’s mouth, she saw him wink.

That’s when it dawned on her. This wasn’t an assault. It was a ploy!

A shadow eclipsed the light, and she knew they were no longer alone in the cave. Their pursuers were watching them—she must help him make their charade look like the real thing.

Which…wasn’t easy because she had no idea what the real thing entailed. Justin had never, ever taken such bold liberties with her person.

Forcing her hands to stop shaking, she eased them out of Seabourne’s grip and ran them over his broad shoulders, down his back, and back up to tangle in his abundant dark hair.

Unexpectedly, a flame of need sprang to life in her belly. She’d felt something akin to it before when Justin kissed her, but this was of a completely different intensity—sharper, deeper.

Hotter.

A sigh shuddered out of her, and she trembled beneath Seabourne’s body, overwhelmed by the unfamiliar feeling.

“Are they gone yet?” he whispered in her ear.

The amount of daylight had increased again, so she croaked, “I think so.”

Withdrawing from her, he gave a leisurely stretch and glanced behind him to the cave’s opening. “Thank Moses. I’m so sorry I had to resort to such a ruse, Miss Allston.”

What did one say in such circumstances? The etiquette books at finishing school had not prepared her for this eventuality. “Apology…accepted,” she somehow managed.

“Believe me,” he went on, “I’d never have subjected you to such humiliation had it not been a matter of the utmost importance.”

It was almost laughable to be so politely addressed after what had just happened. This man’s body had rested against hers in places Justin had never dared look at, let alone touch. Seabourne had seen her bare legs—a sight most stringently denied to Justin—and taken liberties way beyond proper.

He helped her up, but his eyes never left the cave mouth. Apparently, her own body didn’t merit his particular notice. Which was a good thing, she told herself when she was tempted to feel slightly insulted.

But the fact that the men were somehow known to Seabourne, and weren’t out to kill her, had the relief pushing through her pique.

“Who were they?” she asked, accepting his helping hand. “Why did they panic you so?”

“I did not panic. The men who followed us may well be blockade runners, and this cave makes an excellent hiding spot for contraband. Slipping away to make love would be the most plausible excuse for us to be here. I’d be obliged if you’d stand watch by the entrance while I scout around. Try not to look too obvious.”

He’d said “make love” as if it were the most normal thing in the world. He was clearly no gentleman. Mama would be shocked if she knew what Mr. Seabourne had said—and done—to her. Charlotte was shocked.

Shocked that she’d enjoyed it so much.

She swallowed. “If they are smugglers, we shouldn’t interfere. They won’t like it.”

“Felons cannot go unpunished,” was his terse reply as he headed deeper into the cave. “Go keep watch as I asked.”

Definitely not a gentleman. Quite rude, in fact. Was it any business of his what the free traders did?