Free Seduced by a Spy by Andrea Pickens Page B

to steady his footing against the pitch of the deck. They stood silent for some time, a strange harmony flowing between them as they listened to the wind sing through the rigging and the waves drum against the hull.
    Then, moved by his pensive expression, she ventured a question. “Are the Russian steppes as vast as the ocean?”
    “Yes,” he replied. “There is the same sense of freedom, of a limitless horizon, despite the trees.” He glanced upward. “And the sky—it is the same. A stretch of infinite possibilities.”
    Shannon looked thoughtfully at the constellations. “I should like to learn the art of navigating by the stars.”
    His brow winged up, mirroring the sliver of crescent moon. “Do you ever feel lost?”
    She wasn’t quite sure how to reply. The truth would expose a weakness, make her vulnerable. She could hear her fencing master’s exhortations ringing in her ears
—Non, non, non, Falconi! Never drop your guard—a skilled opponent will seize an opening, mental or physical, and drive his blade home
.
    Orlov seemed unaware of her hesitation. Before she could speak, he ran a hand through his hair and gave voice to his own answer. “Orion and Ursus Major look so sure of their position in the firmament. While I often fear I have drifted to some dark corner, far beyond the reach of any light.”
    Such melancholy musings took her completely by surprise. She knew that the man had cavalier courage and a rapier wit. But this abstract brooding was a whole new facet of his character. A man who was capable of self-doubt? He suddenly seemed more… human.
    The illusion lasted no longer than the scudding glimmer of starlight on the waves. His mouth quirked, and as he turned to light up one of the captain’s cheroots, he gave a curt laugh. “But then, I awake in the arms of some sumptuous ladybird and find I am exactly where I belong.”
    The cynicism sounded a bit forced. Rather than react with a barbed retort, she slanted another look at the heavens. “According to Greek mythology, Orion was a hunter pursued by the goddess Diana. When she accidentally killed him, she begged the gods to immortalize him in the night sky. If you follow the line of his belt, it leads to the North Star.”
    “Is that supposed to have some special significance for me?” he asked coolly. “An arctic star for an arctic soul?”
    Shannon matched his nonchalance. “Only that there are times when we all can use a guiding light.”
    He seemed lost in thought for several moments. “What of you, Shannon? You seem to march along with steadfast steps, undaunted by any obstacle in your path. It’s hard to imagine anything coming between you and your chosen destination.”
    Did she appear so certain of herself?
Feeling that the conversation was drifting into uncharted waters, she didn’t answer. There were too many dangers on which to run aground.
    To her relief, the Russian seemed content to steer clear of further questions. Leaning back, he exhaled a series of perfect smoke rings.
    “Clouds are blowing in fast from the west,” she said at last. “No doubt we are in for some rough sailing. We had better go below.”
    The smoke dissolved in the gusting wind. He drew in one more mouthful of the pungent tobacco smoke, then tossed the butt overboard. “Shelter in a storm? By all means, lead the way.”
    The deck was already heaving wildly as Orlov stumbled into their cabin. How he hated ocean voyages! On land he could cling to the illusion of having some control over his destiny.
    Shannon caught him as his knees buckled. “In your weakened condition, you ought not be on your feet, sir.”
    Her cheek grazed his, igniting his simmering frustrations. Turning, he captured her mouth in a hard, hungry kiss. “Is that an offer to warm my sheets,
golub
?” The touch of her lips sent heat spiraling through his limbs. He deepened his embrace, holding her tightly, like she was his only lifeline.
    It was as if he had broken loose of his