'Not really,' he said with a boyish smile. 'But you can kiss me if you like.'
Such delicious charm, she thought, even in this extremity. How lethal his allure must be under more gracious circumstances. 'What makes you think I want to kiss you?' she asked, the merest flirtation in her tone.
'I can tell,' he said, his dark gaze amused.
'Because every woman wants to kiss you?'
'When I'm nice they do.'
'Like now.'
'You noticed.'
How could she not. He exuded joy and warmth along with a tantalizing sexuality. Not to mention that he was the most beautiful man she'd ever seen. 'Do women ever say no to you?'
'Only one,' he said with a beguiling smile. 'And I'm trying to coax her nearer right now.'
'So your record won't be spoiled.'
'So I can fuck her,' he wickedly replied.
Irrepressible desire trembled through her body, memory a powerful impulse.
'If you sit on me,' he murmured, 'I'll let you come as many times as you like.' His gaze flickered downward toward his swelling erection.
'I shouldn't want this,' she whispered, transfixed by the riveting sight.
'And I shouldn't be here, but… since I am,' he quietly noted, 'and since you are'his heated glance slowly traveled down her body'why not make the best of it.'
'I should refuse.'
'I know. So should I. Tell me how strange this is.'
'It's strange,' she quietly agreed.
'Tell me about it at closer range,' he softly suggested, his smile ravishing with promise.
Pushing away from the door, she responded to his heated smile, to his stark beauty, to the mesmerizing lure of his enormous erection. Her robe trailed across the pale Aubusson carpet as she moved from the door to the bed, a small, incipient joy beginning to warm her senses. 'Tell me this is all right,' she hesitantly murmured.
'This is very fine,' he breathed. All the rest was hellish, he thought, but even thin-skinned and moody, he recognized the rarity of emotion drawing them together. 'Come sit by me.'
When she did, she placed her hand on his thigh as if she needed solid reassurance, as if his strength could sustain them both. 'I don't want to take my robe off,' she said, her voice low, strained.
'Then don't.'
'I had to last night… because'
'I know.'
'They may be watching.'
'What's the commanding guard's name?'
'Gregory.'
'Gregory! Fucking shut the closures!' he shouted in Italian. 'The lady would like some privacy!'
The scraping sound of closing apertures indicated assent, and Hugh pleasantly murmured, 'Now we can get to know each other better.'
'He must like you.'
'Or dislike your husband. Which apparently isn't very hard from the sounds of it. Gregory and I have an understanding,' he said with a mischievous wink.
'I still don't want to take my robe off.'
'You don't trust them to shut all the peepholes?'
'One learns not to trust anyone.'
'How long have you been married?'
'Fifteen years.'
'Good God. You must have been a child. How frightening for you.'
'The marriage settlement was considerable.'
'I'm sure it was,' he cynically murmured.
For a flashing moment, the pain shone in her eyes, but as quickly it was shuttered away. 'He's often away.'
'I could protect you from him.'
She shook her head. 'You don't understand.'
'Show me the way out of here,' he quickly said, 'and I guarantee your safety.'
'I can't. He has my mother.'
His surprise showed. 'As hostage?'
'Until I return pregnant.'
'And then what?'
'He releases her.'
His gaze narrowed. 'Can you trust him to do that?'
She nodded again.
'Jesus,' he muttered on a slow exhalation of breath.
'Does your life look more pleasant now?'
'Untie me,' he abruptly ordered.
She withdrew her hand and marginally distanced herself from him, her fear apparent. 'I don't dare after last night.'
'I give you my word. I won't run.'
She contemplated him for a lengthy moment, wanting to believe there were honorable people in the world. 'Lord Crewe… what if you're lying?'
'I wouldn't do that to youto your mother,' he softly added.
His quiet addendum convinced her, as did the tenderness in his eyes. 'We both suffer if you renege,' she quietly warned.
'Don't worry. I'll take care of you.'
Her eyes glistened with tears. No one had taken care of her for a very long time. With the death of her father, her family had been left unprotected. 'Thank you,' she softly said. 'But I'm not your responsibility.'
'You are now,' he brusquely answered. 'Untie me.'
But when she released him, he put his finger to his mouth, rose from the bed, and carefully surveyed the room to see if they were being observed.
Her heart beat wildly while he moved about the large chamber, not certain he would keep his word and stay, her thoughts in such chaos, she couldn't separate joy from fear, desire from anxiety. Nor understand why she was sitting, hands clasped tightly in her lap, shivering, trembling for him.
When he'd offered to care for her, she'd blindly wanted him to, like a heedless young maiden. But harsh reality wouldn't allow such fantasies for longnot with a husband like hers. And a wave of sadness washed over her, the emptiness of her future devastating to consider.
He was walking toward her, a calmness about him, an ease, warmth and kindness in his eyes. 'It seems we're actually alone,' he lightly noted. And then he saw her forlorn eyes 'I said I wouldn't go.'
'I wasn't sure.' Her tears welled up, suddenly vulnerable to the cruel torture of hope.
'I can get us both out of here,' he said, touching her clasped hands lightly, smoothing her fingers with his, warm comfort in his touch. Bending low, he kissed her lightly on the cheek, like one might a child in reassurance, and then, sitting beside her, he gently lifted her onto his lap. 'Don't be sad,' he murmured, holding her nestled against his warm, solid chest, his hand gently stroking the curve of her back.
Overwhelmed by his kindness, her tears spilled over.
'It's going to be fine,' he soothed, thinking she was frightened and unsure. 'We'll find a way.' Tugging a portion of the sheet loose, he wiped away her tears.
'You… don't… know him,' she hiccupped.
He brushed a finger over her cheek. 'All you have to do is ride,' he softly said. 'I'll do the rest.'
Wistful hope shone in her eyes. 'You make it sound possible.'
'We'll ride out later and survey the countryside.'
