Free Lost Honor by Loreen Augeri Page A

toward him, her hands on her hips. “Why is that?”
    He slowly lifted his head, granting her his attention. “I remember telling you not to wear those pants and shirt.”
    “But the outfit you gave me is wet, and I didn’t bring another one with me.”
    He shrugged. “Then I guess you will have to wait until it is dry.”
    Her heart pounded. “Mr. Markham expects—”
    He stood and circled the mahogany desk to the front. “I will deal with Mr. Markham.” His voice had taken on its dark tenor again. “I will not allow you to parade yourself before the crew and tease them with your shapely, swaying rear and long legs outlined in those pants.” He swept his hand down the length of her.
    She gasped as her face heated. “I do no such thing.”
    “Oh, yes, you do, and you know it. I will not subject them to your wiles.”
    “How dare you…” Her hand shot out.
    He caught her wrist before it connected with his face.
    “Do you know the punishment for striking a captain?”
    Her face drained of color. He had made her so angry she hadn’t thought of the consequences. She pictured her back torn and bloody. She shook her head, afraid to speak.
    He yanked her against his hard chest and imprisoned her within the circle of his muscular arms. Before she had a chance to react, his hard, bruising lips attacked the softness of hers.
    Fear spun through her, and she cried out under their brutal force. The pressure eased, and his lips tantalized and beguiled, seduced instead of punished. She fell under the spell they wove. Her blood still rushed, but he no longer frightened her. A comforting warmth spread throughout, along with an intoxicating tingling.
    With one powerful arm around her waist, he pressed her tighter against him while the other hand clasped the back of her head to prevent her escape. Not that she wanted to. At the moment, she was a willing captive. His mouth slid over hers, nipping and licking. His tongue prodded her lips, urging them to part, and when she complied, he glided inside. Surging sensations overpowered her. His rough, velvet tongue explored the confines of her mouth, teeth, and gums and then flicked lightly against hers, persuading it to dance with him.
    And shyly she did. Having never been kissed, this was all new to her, and she followed his expert lead. Right into his own hot, moist mouth where she learned its intriguing contours. He smelled and tasted so good, like an ocean sprinkled with spices.
    A hand caressed and rubbed her rear. The rear he unfairly accused her of teasing the men with. His statement lacked truth. She wasn’t that type of woman. Only now she allowed him the privilege of touching it.
    In the back of her mind, she knew this was wrong and dangerous, and struggled to regain her senses while his tongue pillaged and his hand fondled. Summoning the meager resources she had left, she pulled herself together and pushed against his chest to free herself. His strength greater, Morgan took advantage of the situation for a few seconds longer and then released her.
    She stumbled back out of his reach, gasping for breath between swollen lips. Arianna stared at him and he at her, his chest rising and falling at a swift rate. Words failed her.
    Finally, he broke the silence. “You will remain in this cabin until your skirt and bodice are dry. Go to bed. You are exhausted. We will speak in the morning.” He exited the cabin.
    Dizzy with relief at his departure, confusion and tiredness muddling her thoughts, she staggered to the hammock and dropped into it.
    ****
    In the corridor, Morgan fell back against the closed door. What had he done? He hadn’t meant to kiss her.
    Oh, yes he had. He had been wanting to since the first moment he laid his eyes on her. He had thought if he permitted the urge free rein, it would flee. Men always desired what they couldn’t have.
    A bitter laugh escaped. He was mistaken. He wanted her more.
    And more of her.
    His brain spun in a swirling circle. He always