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She pressed her hands gently against his shoulders. “No, my lord,” she said quietly, “you must not move.”
He grew quiet once again, and Cassie resumed her vigil. Her eyes passed from his face to his massive chest. In his restlessness, the cover had slipped below his waist to his belly.
She looked at him, at the curling black hair that covered his chest narrowed at his waist, thickening out again below. Even in sleep, he looked magnificent. She reached out her hand and lightly touched his belly, her fingers curling about the thick black hair. His warm flesh was smooth and taut. Her fingers explored him innocently. The cover fell away, and she saw his sex lying softly against him. She felt an intense curiosity and let her fingers close tentatively over him. She lightly caressed him, not used to his softness, and ran her other hand over his thighs. She gasped in surprise as his member began to grow in her hand. Her eyes flew to his face. He was watching her. She flushed scarlet, but she continued to hold him.
“I am sorry to awaken you, my lord,” she said, her voice oddly high and breathless. “It is just that I have never, that is, I wanted to—”
“Do I please you, Cassandra
?”
“No. That is, you moved and the cover slipped. I was curious. I’ve never really looked at a naked man before.” Her eyes went inadvertently to him, straining against her fingers.
“You see the effect you have on me. No, do not move your hand, your touch gives me great pleasure.” He smiled at her, his dark eyes devoid of arrogance or amusement. “Indeed, I am sorry that I have interrupted your explorations. You have me at your mercy, my lady, for I have not the strength to show you how very much you please me.”
“I don’t wish to please you, my lord. I only wanted to to see you.”
She released him and he moaned. “Are you in pain, my lord?”
“Yes, cara, but it is not from my shoulder.”
“I have caused you pain?” she asked, bewildered.
“To give me such pleasure and then to cease it causes me great discomfort.”
“Oh.” Lightly, she laid the palm of her hand flat against his belly and felt the muscles tighten convulsively.
“Touch me again, Cassandra.” His hand closed over hers and gently guided it downward. As her fingers closed about him, he drew a deep breath.
She blurted out, “I wanted to touch you to try and understand why you make me feel as you do.”
“And do you understand?”
She was silent for a moment, and her eyes roved back to his belly. “I can scarce hold you.” As if suddenly aware of what she was doing, Cassie drew back her hand and clasped it in her lap. She shook her head, and he heard confusion in her voice. “No, not really. I only know that I much enjoy your body.”
He wanted to grin, but the pain in his shoulder curved his mouth into a grimace.
She sat forward and touched her fingertips to his forehead. “I am truly sorry that you are in pain.” She drew a deep breath. “And I am sorry that I shot you. I really did not want to, but you gave me no choice.”
To her surprise, he nodded. “Yes, you are right. I did force you to pull the trigger. I only ask, cara, that you not become a better shot.”
“Why did you not tell me that those wretched pirates were about? It is possible that I might have believed you. Instead, you acted the arrogant bastard.”
“Damnation,” he growled. At her start of surprise, he added quickly, “we will continue this conversation, Cassandra.”
A moment later, the door opened and Scargill walked into the cabin.
The earl was very much aware of the bulge under the light cover and concentrated his wits on turning his desire to ashes.
“What be it that ye’re doing, madonna?” Scargill looked at her questioningly.
“I was but seeing that his lordship is all right.”
“She tells the truth, Scargill. She is an excellent nurse, and in truth, your presence is not at all necessary.”
Scargill frowned. He peered down at his master’s smiling face and shook his head. “Ye need sleep, my lord, not conversation with the madonna. Besides, the two of ye canna be together without cutting at each other. I do not want ye angered or excited.”
The smile on the earl’s face widened into a grin. He saw Cassie flinch, her face turning red. “Very well, you old preacher, I’ll do as you bid.”
