Between Two Captains

Chapter Three - part one

“Ruin you?” Again the captain shoved a large hand through his hair.

Violette tried to ignore the dark silky texture of his locks as they sifted through his fingers. Or the way his large sideburns framed his strong cheeks and jaw.

He took a deep breath. “Miss Poole, do you realize what you’re asking? I don’t think you do.”

His wide-eyed stare was making her think that her request had disgusted him. Perhaps it had. Maman had worked with men in the theater who preferred men to women in their bed. Her heartbeat increased from pounding to thundering and heat flushed her cheeks. “Of course I realize what I’m asking. I’m not a child.” She crossed her arms in front of her, suddenly ashamed of her near nakedness. Secretly, she’d been glad that the captain was the first man to see her in her underthings. She only wished that she knew for absolute certain that she could completely trust him. Then, giving him her virginity would not only be a bargaining chip for her safety but it would also be the fulfillment of one of her life’s wishes—to give herself to a good, honorable man.

She glanced down at her shoes. “Am I so repulsive to you?” The question slipped out softly, without the force of her previous words.

She heard him sigh.

“Of course not, Miss Poole. You’re beautiful. Stunning, actually.”

Her gaze snapped to his even as the heat in her face deepened. “Do you mean that? Or are you just saying it?”

His eyes, a deep shade of chocolate, appeared to darken further. “I don’t just say anything, Miss Poole. Your mother was a great beauty and you resemble her almost exactly, except for the color of your hair.”

Huskiness tinged the gentle tone of his voice and his praise sent tingles of warmth along every inch of her skin. She found herself liking him more than was safe. “Then why did you respond that way to my request?”

He braced his elbows on his knees, a darkly troubled look straining his handsome features. “Because you deserve better than to give yourself to a man under these circumstances. You’re young and beautiful and…well…you’ve already suffered enough at the hands of men. Your introduction to…” He appeared to stumble on the words, “to…physical…relations shouldn’t happen this way, under duress.”

His words were kind and his tone sincere. Violette’s heart ached to believe him. However, one misstep and she could end up back in her father’s clutches. Worse, Richard Graves’. Graves repulsed her with his slimy touch and disgusting innuendoes.

Non. There was only one way she could leave here with the captain and know for certain he wouldn’t bring her back.

Her hand went to the laces of her chemise. She pulled them and the top portion of the silky cloth fell open, revealing all of her chest. One soft strap slipped off her shoulder, revealing the very tops of her breasts and a hint of cleavage. She stepped closer to him.

He had been looking at the floor but her movement drew his attention. He looked up. His breath caught audibly. “Miss Poole—”

Her heart pumped madly and she forced herself to breathe deeply.

The captain was sitting up now, watching her approach him. His broad chest rose and fell, pushing against his jacket. His lips were slightly parted and his dark eyes smoldered.

She sank down onto the bed next to him, inwardly shocked at the boldness her desperation gave her. “Captain, this is the only way. Only then will I know for sure I can trust you.”

His gaze roved over her exposed flesh and his breathing deepened. No, he certainly wasn’t repulsed by her. “Miss Poole—”

“You’re not married, are you?”

He shook his head. “No. But—”

“Please.” Her voice had fallen to a near whisper. She reached for his hand and brought it to her chest, pressing it against her. “Je vous en prie.” Her eyes fluttered closed and heat flushed in her skin from the warm strength of his hand. Emotions swirled inside her, not the least of which was the burning need for affection.

When she opened her eyes, he was still watching her, his dark eyes churning and smoldering. He appeared locked in an inner struggle and the terror of rejection flared in her.

Unbidden, tears sprang to her eyes and the captain’s ruggedly handsome face blurred. If he truly wanted her, wouldn’t he have already responded?

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. She released his hand, waiting for him to lift it away.

He didn’t.

Her breath caught.

His gaze remained locked with hers for a few breathtaking moments. He looked down at where his hand rested on her chest. He moved his fingertips, brushing a light touch on her flesh, just above the neckline of her chemise, then gently slid his hand up, across her collarbone. His large hand came to rest on the back of her neck, like a warm, protective cradle.

He moved closer to her, simultaneously drawing her to him with a light pressure from his hand. He raised his other hand and brushed his fingertips across her cheek.

His touch was gentle, yet gave a hint of the passion coiled inside him.

He continued his tender exploration across the seam of her lips and down her chin, to her throat, which he traced delicately.

Her skin tingled wildly from the captain’s touch and her body melted rapidly. Maman had always told her that men existed who had the power to make a woman feel like the most beautiful creature on this earth from a simple touch. She’d told Violette that she knew this to be true because Violette’s father, strangely enough, Martin Poole, had touched her that way.

In this moment, with heat swirling in her p***y and her breasts heaving, Violette understood what her mother had meant.

The captain’s eyes smoldered into hers for another moment and then something appeared to unleash itself inside him. He slanted his lips over hers.

The first kiss was brief, soft. Just long enough to give her a small taste of him, musky and delicious.

She wanted more. She parted her lips, burning for him to kiss her again.

The soft invitation seemed to draw him. He pressed more firmly this time and slid his tongue between her lips, mating it against hers.

A soft groan vibrated from deep inside him. He pulled her more firmly against him. The hand cradling her neck slipped deeper into her hair, loosening the pins. His other hand covered her shoulder, easing the strap of the camisole away to caress her bare skin unimpeded.

She sighed softly, melting under his touch and kiss. His scent, an intoxicating blend of spicy aftershave and earth, invaded her senses, making her feel as if only he existed in this moment and the rest of the world had disappeared.

Her hair came loose and tumbled in riotous waves down her back and shoulders, covering his hands.

He deepened their kiss, swirling his tongue against hers, gulping more greedily at the softness of her mouth.

She moaned.

Gently, he pulled away from their kiss, nibbling her jaw while he pushed her gently onto her back.

She stared up at him. Her s*x now throbbed madly and she could feel her own moist readiness.

The captain’s skin had flushed darkly and he was breathing heavily. He pushed open her camisole and lowered the other strap, revealing her right breast. His breath caught in his throat. “My God, you’re exquisite,” he breathed.

His praise shimmered through her in warm waves. She looked up at him and slipped the fingers of one hand into his dark hair. It was silky and luxurious, sifting between her fingertips. She laced her fingers within the dark mane, following the movement of his head to her breast.

The fingertips of one large hand traced the swell of pale flesh while he closed his mouth over the n****e, sucking it tenderly into a stiff peak.