Lynna's Rogue (30 page)

             
Lynna nestled deeper into the warm security of his strong arms
,
where she felt so safe and protected. No harm could befall her as long as these powerful arms held her close. If she married Daniel tomorrow, at least she had this night to remember.

             
Joshua knew what would happen if he stayed, but wondered if she was fully cognizant of what she was requesting. “Are you asking me to stay with you, Lyn
na?”
             

             
“Yes, Joshua,” she murmured, reaching out to him. “I
cannot
be alone tonight.”

             
He needed no more encouragement than that. His strong yet gentle arms gathered her even closer as his whispered words found her ears. “
You are
safe now, Lynna,” he breathed against her hair. “No one will hurt you ever again, I swear.”

             
These arms were the only safety she needed
,
now and forever. She buried her head in his broad chest and sobbed until his words soothed her fears. Lifting her face
,
their lips met in a tender, all consuming kiss
that she prayed never to end. Forget
t
ing the pain and humiliation, she
permitted her mind to fill with the nearness of him, the smell, and feel of him.

             
As she snuggled against him, Joshua cradled
her head with his hands, and
holding he
r against his hard, lean body,
gave her one last opportunity to change her mind. “Are you certain this is what you want, Lynna?” He
did not
wa
nt her to have regrets
, or throw his actions in his face tomorrow.

             
For answer
,
she slipped her hands around his neck and drew his lips down to hers, leaving no doubt in his mind. His tongue explored every cranny of her mouth
,
lighting fires in her stomach that warmed her entire body. Her head rolled limply on the pillow as his fiery kisses trailed down her neck. Then taking her hands
,
he pulled her up and stood her to face him.

             
Joshua had waited so long to feel her soft supple body against his and had nightly dreams of allowing his hands and lips to roam at will over her creamy, delectable flesh. Yet, he must not frighten her. So
,
with Herculean effort
,
he forc
ed himself to slow down. Slipping
the t
hin nightgown over her head,
the sight of her full, satiny breasts was almost his undoing. She was so lovely, a treasure he must possess, again and again. But he vowed he
would
kill any other man who tried.

             
This revelation shocked him to the core, but he
did not
take time to ponder it as he cupped her firm, young breasts. His eyes closed blissfully as she leaned her head back, unaware of the world going on around them, aware only of each other and the intense passion they shared.

             
His hands gently kneaded the soft mounds as he watche
d the play of emotions, the doubt
that registered briefly, and then the wond
erment on her angelic face. Sitting down on the bed, he
pulled her to stand between his legs
,
banking his own desire, wanting their second time to be as perfect as the first.

             
Lynna watched with unabashed anticipation as his mouth sprinkled light kisses on the tender underside of her breast, dow
n over her flat stomach, and over the
sloping curve of her hips. The sweet torture was almost unbearable when at last his lips kissed their way back to her breast. His touch caused the fire in her stomach to shift to a throbbing ache demanding release as his tongue danced hot circles around her breast. Her body went limp as the creamy skin on her slim neck flushed and she gave vent to her rising lust.

             
Joshua glanced up, and at the sight of so much raw passion surging through her, knew he could deny himself no longer. Lifting her in his arms
,
he gently lowered her to the bed
,
permitting his eyes to travel slowly, getting his fill of her exqui
site beauty before joining her.

             
Low moans of pleasure escaped Lynna’s throat as his hot kisses traveled over her taut stomach and she was left breathless when they reached the very core of her being
, causing her to gasp and clutch handfuls of his hair
. Her body arched as his lips brought a return of the ecstasy she remembered so well, taking her over the edge and finally igniting the all
-
con
suming fire that had simmered
since the night in the cabin onboard his ship.

             
Their eyes met and Joshua gave her a knowing smile as she reached for him, desperate to feel him inside her. He lowered his body, careful not to put his entire weight on her slender frame. Then his lips found hers, washing all fear from her mind until he knew she was ready, until she opened herself body and soul to receive him, all of him.

             
Joshua held his breath as he entered her slowly, savoring her sleek, moist warmth. He wanted her so badly, but she was making him forget his purpose, which was revenge on Tobias, and that was something he would never do. Yet
,
he could place it on hold for a few hours, while satisfying his desire for the enchanting creature beneath him. Placing his hands underneath her buttocks
,
he pressed his full manhood into her silky warmth and she cried out his name. Her hips met hi
m
thrust for thrust, more urgent still until her body once again found the sweet release it so coveted and she cried with joy. As her muscles contracted around him, he knew he had succeeded in making her forget
,
as well.

             
“You are in my blood, Lynna,” he whispered huskily. “I will never get my fill of you. I want you with me now and forever.”

             
Happiness swelled within her at hi
s words. He wanted her with him
…forever? That could only mean one thing. He wanted to marry her, finally make her his wife. She would never be alone again, and she
would not
have to settle for marrying Daniel, a wonderful man, but one she
did not
love. Her heart almost burst with joy as Joshua joined her in the exquisite rapture.

             
Later that night
, with their passion sated
for the moment, Joshua held her close as moonlight filtered through the open window
,
casting a golden hue ove
r their glistening bodies. She
sighed contentedly, nestling closer to the man who had reawakened her body to the miracle of love. She felt no shame or remorse, only love. Love? The realization that she loved him
struck her like a bolt of light
ning from the heavens. She loved him! He was t
he man she had been waiting for
all along. He was a part of her and had been for the past
three years. Nothing could
separate them.

             
“Come back to Charleston with me,” he breathed as his lips caressed her bare shoulder. “I
will not
leave you here alone to suffer the abuse of a madman.”

             
Without thinking
,
she blurted, “He
will not
return tonight.”

             
“
Who will not return? Tell me, Lynna! P
lease?”

             
“I
cannot,
Joshua. Please,
do not
ask me
. I beg of you.” She turned
away from him
in shame
.

             
Why she was protecting her uncle was beyond Joshua’s scope of understanding, but he
would not
demand an answer. She had her reasons for keeping it a secret and when she was ready
,
she
would
tell him. He lifted a wisp of golden hair and twirled its softness around his finger, rubbing it against his cheek as he breathed in the fragrance of heather. He fancied he could look right through th
ose
clear blue mirrors into her soul and discover her every emotion. Her small perfect nose and soft sensuous lips together formed a face that was destined to forever haunt him.

             
He bent to kiss her, not content to just look, and once again rekindled the flame. The two lovers explored each other’s bodies most thoroughly
,
and when at last they came together as one, Lynna was stunned to find her pleasure as great as before. To her astonishment
,
the sweet bliss wrapped her body in a web of warmth and fulfillment that left her breathless and spent.

             
Joshua rolled to his back
,
pullin
g her atop him
.
“Sleep now, my love.”
Lynna buried her head against the soft fur of his chest and drifted to a contented sleep with her fingers gently entwined in his raven locks. He watched her as she slept, lightly touching the vivid bruise. A murderous fury assailed him as he thought of the great joy he would derive from paying the bastard back who had inflicted such pain on her. And he would indeed pay!

             
When he at last closed his eyes, it was not the peaceful sleep of the one he held so close, instead it was a fitful sleep. He was squandering time. He should be on the road at this very minute
,
searching for Tobias, but the desire to be with Lynna was stronger. He snuggled closer in his sleep and breathed a contented sigh.

             
Dawn was fast approachi
ng when the lovers awakened
in each other’s arms. Joshua was somewhat wary, wondering if the morning would bring with it a shift in her feelings. But his worries were for naught, for Lynna felt secure in the knowledge
that they would soon be betrothed
.
Watching him watch her for several minutes, she moistened her lips, threw one leg over his hips, and climbed
provocatively atop him
.
Joshua
held his breath as her succulent mouth lowered to his, realizing that the little minx was enjoying the power she held over him
. Her soft tongue mingled with his
,
sending delicious shivers rushing through him.
She was a fast learner, having
changed from a hesitant young girl to a woman in full bloom overnight, very much aware of her needs.

             
Joshua had felt a slight
aversion toward forward women in the past. No
t
so with Lynna. He would gladly lay passive, if possible, while she led the way. He wanted everything she had to give, and then some.

             
After a long, lingering kiss, while rubbing the tips of her breast against his chest until he thought he might go mad with desire, she moved to her side and
pulled him to face her. Joshua marveled at her
sensual behavior
as she draped her right leg over his hip and pressed her soft flesh against his firm torso, but his body surged with white hot fire when she reached her cool hand down to guide him into her warm, dewy body.
He entered her slowly, hearing her gasp as he buried deep inside her.

             
Lynna’s
hips moved in the age-old rhythm of love, carrying Josh
ua almost to the brink, but he wanted more
. Easing her onto her back, he rolled atop her to penetrate
more
fully as she moved to meet his every thrust. There was no time for words as their lips touched, carrying them to a magical place
where time did not exist
.

             
Sometime toward morning, after a brief nap, Lynna gazed
into his devilishly handsome face and winked seductively.

             
“Do you never get enough?” he inquired insolently.

             
“Do I hear complaints?” she inquired just as insol
ently, reaching to caress his neck and twirl a lock of his hair around her finger.

             
“Never, my love. And while I am both ready and willing, my body may require sustenance if I am to continue to be able through the remainder of the day and night,” he chuckled, lifting her up to sit her exactly where he wanted her.