Love's Vengeance (16 page)

Turning his attention from the window, he looked about the roomy comfort of the cabin, until his eyes fell upon the large berth in the far corner and a black mood shadowed his features, settling upon him as it had often of late.

He was considered by some, a shrewd man. Taking his father’s shipping company from a means of supplying for their family comfortably, to a dominating force recognized in many parts of the world. He was never one to be satisfied or to stop moving forward in his endeavors. From expanding his enterprises to the Orient and the exotic riches that could be attained, to opening warehouse operations in the colonies at Jamestown to have a ready market, to outfitting their ships for speed, further cutting the competition. He was forever driven but never had stopped to ask himself—toward what.

His parents were unable to comprehend why he drove himself so hard. Dropping not so subtle hints that he should give up the travel end of his endeavors settle on the island—marry and furnish them with grandchildren for their golden years. They had even gone so far as to play matchmaker between himself and the daughter of good family friends. Vanessa Haines would be more than happy to wed if he would but pose the question and she was forever hoping. Little did his parents know that Vanessa had dallied with most of the male residents of the island, and he doubted that even marriage would ever stem the tide.

And although he hadn’t been above sampling her charms when the mood struck him, it was but a passing fancy for both of them and besides he had been on the sea for too many years. It was in his blood and he could find no distraction, which could hold him for more than a few weeks time. Then the sea would call to him again and he would have to go, finding all he needed in the way of feminine companionship readily at ports around the world.

He was familiar with women—all ages, temperaments and backgrounds. To him, women had always been an amusement—a means by which to satisfy his own needs and give pleasure. He could think of nothing he enjoyed more than a woman’s body—experiencing its wonders to the fullest and over the years a number had passed beneath him. More than he could name—more than he could remember.

He could possess a woman physically and leave her gasping—playing her body like a fine instrument; knowing exactly how to please, coax and cajole into ecstasy but unfortunately, his knowledge of women had never gone much further than that.

Now Desiree was playing havoc with him and for the first time in his life, he felt unsure. She made him feel as though—a young lad in love for the first time and perhaps he was. Never had he known a woman so well—to know all sides of her nature.

There was a coy, almost strategically planned naiveté about the lady. She could drive him to the brink of his endurance as he explained a game or the workings of the ship at her request. Leaving him exhausted with the effort and her giggling gleefully at his unrest. Then the next moment, she would rattle off the facts he had tried to explain, obviously having caught every detail and playing her befuddlement to the hilt, to witness his exasperation.

As with all the men on board, he found himself falling into some kind of odd brother and sister relationship with her. He had begun to catch himself watching the gentle swing of her trim hips as she flounced past on deck or becoming aroused when standing close inhaling the light scent of her perfume and would actually berate himself silently; shocked at himself for having lusty feelings toward her!

For the first time in his life, he was being forced to know a woman as a person. Charming, witty, caring, sensitive—and it was most perplexing to a man who had never considered women as more than a momentary distraction.

Desiree’s wit, intelligence, toying with him, spoke of anything but ignorance of the world and yet desire never seemed to enter into it. And the very lack of interest on her part brought home to him with gut wrenching urgency, his desperate need to possess her—which was becoming hard to deny. He had held his emotions in check, playing the gentleman, only to put her at ease to the point of—complacency. He could not, for the life of him, think of how to put an end to this torture—this
role
he had come to play in their little shipboard world. He wanted more than a brotherly position, much more.

***

At the light knock, Stephen put away his thoughts and his dark mood and rising from his desk, answered the door with a pleasant smile in place upon his lips.

“You look lovely Desiree.” He took her hand in his and ushered her into the cabin, then turned back to the door. He waited—then stuck his head out, looking down the passageway. Bridgett was nowhere in sight.

From behind him, Desiree lightly explained, “Bridgett isn’t feeling well this evening Stephen. She will not be joining us.” She said with a smile, taking a seat at the table as he turned to face her.

He stood near the still open door, uncertainty halting him in his tracks. His jaw flexed slightly and he felt sure his indecision was obvious upon his face. “Do you think you should be here—unchaperoned?” he asked quietly.

“Oh come now Stephen. We are not exactly strangers, are we? I feel at ease, why don’t you?” Desiree asked with a laugh.

In her mind this was very respectable, when remembering herself in the far from acceptable situation she had shared with Rene’ not so very long ago in his bedroom and the countless unchaperoned hours she had spent with Honore’, Antoine and others without complication.

Stephen closed the door slowly. He had wondered if she might be giving him a sign of encouragement until her innocent remark brought that idea to a dead halt. She thought of him as some kind of saint—a trusted friend. It seemed impossible to him that she could not see the hunger in his eyes but he made his way to the table and took a seat opposite her.

“Might I have a glass of wine Stephen?” she requested, intertwining her fingers and placing her hands beneath her chin.

The violet depths stirred the fires within him to the point that he had to look away, to regain control of his emotions. “Of course.” He rose stiltedly and moved to his desk.

He poured a glass of white wine for each of them, thinking to himself bitterly as he poured, “This may well be the longest night of my entire life.” He turned back to the table as his eyes devoured her beauty and he prayed silently that he had the strength of will to endure this torment.

Within minutes dinner was brought in by Ham and as he served his young captain and Desiree, his eyes met Stephen’s and he raised a brow meaningfully but Stephen ignored his speechless query, turning his attention exclusively to Desiree. Ham tried several more times to regain his gaze, unsure of how to convey his concerns. He knew Stephen only too well and he didn’t approve of his taking advantage of such a sweet young woman as this. If it were anyone but Stephen, he would not feel so apprehensive, but this young buck was chomping at the bit for the lass—hot on her tail and Ham knew what Stephen wanted, Stephen would have.

After serving each and finding no other excuse to tarry, Ham left the two alone to dine. Closing the cabin door behind him, he shook his head, mumbling to himself as he walked down the passageway, “What could Bridgett be thinking—allowing the girl to be alone with him?” he sighed heavily, letting the situation go. He could do nothing about it, anymore than he could ever control his young captain or his behavior.

***

Dinner passed without incident. The conversation was light and casual and after the dishes had been cleared away, the two sat comfortably at the table. Desiree idly ran her index finger around the rim of a fine crystal glass, regarding Stephen over the flame of the candle. She was feeling very fortunate to have this wonderful time alone with him to enjoy his company. Even a tad giddy.

“Bridgett feared me dining with you tonight. She implored me not to. She felt it would not be proper.” She confessed lifting her drink to her lips with a smile. She was feeling the effects of this second glass of wine. She was relaxed and the truth spilled out easily.

“Perhaps you should take heed of her warnings Desiree. You could find yourself in a most
improper
situation.” Stephen stated flatly without humor, tipping his head back and draining his glass of its contents.

“I don’t understand that Stephen. Explain to me why I should fear you more than I would fear any other man on board. I don’t fear you—not in the least. I feel very secure in your presence, almost as though I have known you my entire life.”

Her eyes were soft and trusting and he glanced away, unable to look into them with clear conscience. He lightly drummed the table with his fingers, his jaw flexing as his discomfort grew. He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest, looking about the room as a raging battle tore at him from within.

He was at the absolute end of his endurance. He had no wish to be adopted as her big brother. He had been teacher, counselor and court jester—and now—
now
she was asking him to explain away and deny his desire for her and he could not! Damn it he would not! It was time to remind both himself and Desiree of his true nature. His entire being cried out for him to make her his own and in that instant, his lower self squelched every emotion but the raging lust in his loins.

Passion smoldered behind the dark eyes when they came back to rest upon Desiree as she waited patiently for his reply. The change in mood did not go completely unnoticed by her. She felt the heat in his gaze and when he rose and came to stand before her, holding out his hands, she willingly placed her drink upon the table and slipped her small hands into his large ones.

Desiree sensed that he might be considering to perhaps woo her as he drew her up to stand before him and indeed as she looked up into his velvety brown eyes, his head lowered and his kiss upon her lips was as she imagined a kiss from a man might be, warm and firm. She was surprised by the thrill his lips caused throughout her entire body. Like nothing else she had ever experienced before. She decided to take advantage of this never before occurrence or opportunity and her hand reached out to touch his chest near the lapel of his suit coat and she lifted on her toes, extending the kiss even longer when he would have drawn back. She was eager to use this trusted acquaintance and safe environment to test her womanly wiles, just a bit.

When he withdrew from her, Desiree could see the surprise in his expression. She smiled, giving it her best effort at looking sophisticated and unmoved, when in reality, she felt she might swoon. She knew that she would remember Stephen Colter and that first true kiss for a very long time. His hand covered hers which still rested upon his chest and he drew down once more and his kiss this time was more forceful and his hands moved to hold her shoulders pulling her into closer contact with him. His mouth slanted across hers and slightly parted her lips, his tongue lightly invading her mouth. Desiree followed his example and her tongue lightly met his and the excitement of such an intimate contact shot heat through her body. She could feel her own pulse quickening.

Stephen was not expecting this response or consent. He was, however more than willing to oblige. Her eagerness—touching his chest in a very intimate and familiar fashion—her kiss, were all the invitation he needed. It had been a long voyage and he had never wanted a woman in all of his life, as he wanted Desiree Chandelle. His passion roared into an inferno, blazing through his brain and leaving sanity and reason in ashes left behind.

Desiree began to realize that her coy game of flirtation was becoming something all together different. She was beginning to feel she had awakened something in Stephen which was far above her level of experience or ability to control. She could feel the power in his hold and that his stance and energy changed in an instant. His next kiss became bolder still and his entire body seemed to tremble. His hands moved to her back and along her waist. Desiree could hardly catch her breath, before another kiss was added to the last. Awkwardly she pulled her lips from his and attempted to step back from his embrace but then with a swift movement he pulled her forward into his arms. Holding her about the waist, he crushed her to his chest and a hand reached behind her neck loosing her hair and sending it cascading down her back. He grasped a handful of the silken mane, pulling her head back until their eyes met and his mouth swooped down upon hers again.

He then drew back and whispered against her lips as he dropped gentle kisses there, “You shouldn’t fear me Desiree but neither should you considered me some harmless old dolt because I assure you, I am far from it.” He whispered in a husky voice, inhaling the heady fragrance of her hair. “I am a man, very much warmed and ready to accept your attentions.”

Desiree was in utter shock, realizing what she had ignited in Stephen. What had she been thinking? Enticing a man and alone with him in, what amounted to, his
bedroom
?

“Stephen wait.” She said breathlessly.

“I can’t wait any longer Desiree. Yield to me. I will be gentle with you.”

“Stephen I am afraid I have given you the wrong impression.”

“I feel your desire in your kiss. Your passion for me is every bit as strong as mine for you.”

“No!” she chirped, as he lifted her hair to his face and inhaled.

“No? Do you think this a simple ruse then? Do you have a notion of me as some sexless eunuch that you might toy with?” he asked in a low voice, his frustration showing slightly in the timber of his voice. He was thinking about all the sleepless night’s he had lay awake, never dreaming he would ever have her within his arms. And she was here now. And she would be his.

Desiree had no response for this accusation. Her mind was numb with shock.

Stephen released her hair and then reached for her hand, entwining her fingers with his own and pulling it close to his chest. “I am not a saint or monk, nor have I ever played the part of the foppish suitor. I am in the habit of having what I want and if you think me some young boy who will admire your beauty from afar—you are mistaken.”