As she had thought, the man hadnt been able to get her out of his mind. That, coupled with Dereks behavior with Juliette, rendered her decision settled.
Backing toward the door, Maria smiled. I think, my little amantes, that I will just leave you two in here and let you work it out for a bit.
She slammed and locked the heavy oaken door.
Chapter 12
Yes, sweet, shes left you unattended, and I assure you Ill take full advantage of that fact. His lips curled as he slowly moved closer to her. Unlike you, I could not be happier with our circumstances, he said in a low voice.
She couldnt believe it. Hed just satisfied his lust with one of the women next door. Hed admitted that hed come here to visit the brothelnot her. Just how many times could a man be with a woman in a single day?
Shed be damned if she would find out this way. She could just imagine him comparing her body and face to the beautiful courtesans inside the bordello. She would fall far short.
Stay away from me. Let me pass to the door.
Let you go? As easy as you please? he scoffed. I dont think so . Ive waited for a month to touch you again. He reached out and stroked a stray curl. Do you know how much Ive thought about our night together?
Before she could stop herself, she stammered, Y-you have?
Of course I have. I want you.
She came close to asking whether hed just had a good enough substitute, but she did not want him to think she was jealous. Why cant you leave me alone? I dont want this.
He surveyed her with hooded eyes. You might think you dont want this, but your body is telling me something different. He ran his hand over her breast, just a swift, fleeting brush, and heat bloomed inside her. She jerked away from him, stifling a gasp.
Damn you, Sutherland. Just leave me alone.
I cant seem to do that, he said slowly, as if he surprised himself by his admission.
Well, youll have to. Even if I were attracted to youwhich Im notI could never let down my guard with you. Were opponents. Although this race means nothing to you, it means everything to my father and me.
I know the race is important. He ran his hand through his hair. That ass, Tallywood, has the lead.
What?
I found out this morning. I know I should leave and go catch him, but for some reason, where youre concerned He trailed off before grabbing her wrist and pulling her to him. He bent down to give her a light kiss on her neck, a bare flick of his tongue that made her tremble. In fact, even though I know I should sail soon, Im still spending the rest of the afternoon in bed with you.
She couldnt stand this. Thoughts of the race, of Tallywood leading, dissipated with each of Sutherlands slight touches. She imagined what they could do together for an entire afternoon.
What kind of wanton was she? The bastard had just finished making love with someone else; yet he was kissing her a few minutes later. Hadnt she learned the first time that she was merely one woman out of a long line of many? It infuriated her because she knew, she wasnt sure how, she simply knew that she wouldnt experience the same wonder and fire with another man. Whereas he probably enjoyed those feelings every night.
She made herself remember that if she won the race, if she defeated the man holding her now, she secured her future, as well as her fathers and Chanceys. She needed to get that animosity growing between them again, because she couldnt trust herself to hold firm against him.
She backed away from him, glaring at his hand firm on her wrist. He scowled and released her.
Are you navigating your ship? she asked abruptly.
He looked nonplussed. Of course.
She swallowed, then said arrogantly, Excellent. It will be that much sweeter when I beat you.
Are you insinuating that youre directing your ship? He gave a quick, humorless laugh, then added snidely, No wonder you lost your rudder.
Her blood boiled again, fortunately this time from fury. I wont be there to clean up your careless calculations again, she taunted. Youll be lucky to get out of the harbor.
Those were rough His words lagged as his expression turned to realization, only to be replaced by one of annoyance. But his eyes never stopped showing hunger.
Your ploy wont work with me, Nicole. The fact that you have to contrive a fight tells me you want me as much as I want you.
She shook her head in weak denial. His long arm shot out to secure her again.
No thought, she just reacted.
Grasping a chair beside her, she simultaneously leapt away from him and yanked the chair between them. The spindle of the chair back caught him squarely between the legs.
His jaw clenched as his eyes slid closed, and he stood motionless as if waiting for the pain to set in. When it did, his eyes opened to a murderous glare. Just before he dropped like a rock.
Oh, my Lord! she squealed as she sank down beside him. Im so sorry . I only wanted to get away.
This only aggravated him even more. He groaned out with effort, You will pay
Nicole did not have to linger to know what he was about to say. She whirled to the door and hammered it with open palms. Immediately, the key turned in the lock.
Just before she walked out, she turned back. He was right. Shed created a fight, but she hadnt intentionally hurt him. She wanted to apologize again, but convinced herself this was just as well. Finally she said, Im not unaware of the pain youre feeling . I wouldnt have done it on purpose. She wanted to say more, but made her heart hard. Good luck with the rest of the race, Captain. You will need it.
Derek winced as he took another swig of brandy. He couldnt draw deeply because of the ache in his groin, acute even after two hours. Nicole had definitely given him something to remember her by.
When hed been able to walk steadily again, hed searched for her in Marias home. He approached the bordello, but learned that Nicole had never been allowed inside. Word must have spread about him, because the women in the brothel became openly antagonistic when he demanded to know where she was. A pack of wolves wouldnt defend its cub that fiercely.
So the little chit was navigating. Before, itd been important only to see her and finally take her as shed wanted him to in London. Now, with her arrogant taunts, he had to best her.
With halting steps, he walked across the deck to meet the Recife port official, whod just completed inspecting the ship for any exports. The rough-edged but prospering little port of Recife was unswerving in searching for and taxing goods. Derek had heard once that Maria Delgado was responsible for the ports aggressive taxing and collection initiative. Knowing her business acumen, he didnt doubt it.