Her hands grew numb. Suddenly the thunder became the low laughter of death's voice. Perry, afraid to move and questioning her ability to continue, stood immobile. The wind pushed her hard toward the churning water.
Suddenly, large hands covered her own. Hunter's harsh voice screamed above the storm in almost equal fury. "What are you doing above deck! You'll be washed overboard."
Hunter pried Perry's fingers from the railing and turned her around, pulling her into his arms. His wide stance held them firmly on the rolling deck. She barely noticed his harsh tone, only welcomed his strong arms encircling her. Her fingers moved around his neck and held tight as she buried her face in his chest.
"Come on, I've got to get you below!" he yelled again as he lifted her drenched body. The storm seemed to be fighting him for each step.
Another man appeared at Hunter's side. "Open the hatch!" Hunter yelled to the dark form. "I'll be back in a few minutes."
As he stepped sideways into the passageway, silence suddenly surrounded him. With Perry clinging tightly, he moved down the hall to her cabin. He kicked the door wide and stepped inside.
"You fool, you could have been killed!" He spat the words out.
Perry said nothing. She knew he was right. She could feel his anger as he tightened his arms around her. Her only excuse was her lack of sailing knowledge. Yet somehow that seemed flimsy.
As he dropped her onto the bunk, she looked at his face. An angry fire raged out of control in his gray eyes and his jaw was rigid.
The next roll of the ship caught Hunter off-balance and shoved him down on top of her. His wet body covered her, pushing her deep into the covers.
"You could have killed yourself,'' Hunter mumbled an inch from her face. His arms, on either side of Perry's head, held him above her. Yet his chest rested heavily against her breasts and she felt his weight press down on her body. He moved his face an inch closer to her and whispered in agony, "I might have lost you."
For an instant she feared he might strike her. She closed her eyes to brace against the blow. She was totally unprepared as his lips came down upon her own, afire with anger and passion, sending a flame through her that warmed her completely. His mouth demanded a response as his hands moved to either side of her face. Hunter's fingers pushed Perry's damp hair away from her cheeks in a gentle gesture that contrasted with his savage kiss. Any thought of resisting was swept away by a need deep within her.
As Hunter's kiss continued endlessly, the anger within him ebbed away and a fierce passion blew in. She felt his body moving slowly above her. For a long minute they were lost in each other. For them there was no storm outside, for the tempest raged deep within them.
The thought that he might have lost Perry kept scorching Hunter's mind. He wanted to draw her to him and hold her forever. He was driven mad by the way her body moved timidly beneath him. Without question she was as much a part of him as bone and blood. His hands moved down her neck to push way the damp clothes and rest on her warm shoulders. Her skin was soft and yielding to his touch. The feel of her was passion's dream in reality.
Against her cheek she felt a sharp intake of breath as his warm hand slid off her shoulder and onto her breast. Her gown gave willingly to his touch. He held the soft mound possessively as his lips tasted her flesh. She moved instinctively beneath him as his thumb slowly circled the peak of her breast. Running her fingers into his wet hair, she was lost in the wonder of pleasure. With each movement he taught her of a new world, and she responded as a willing student.
He moved slightly to one side, allowing more freedom as he gently pulled her gown to her waist. His kiss parted her lips and he tasted the full wonder of her as his fingers roamed freely.
She arched slightly as his hand caressed her, sending fire to every nerve ending. His fingers moved masterfully from her thigh to her shoulder in unrestrained bliss. She could hear his low moans as he took possession of a dream. With each movement his need to explore grew greater.
From an eternity away, both heard Hunter's name being shouted. Agonizing, he pulled free of her lips and let his head fall on the pillow beside her. He kissed her breast gently, then lifted smoky gray eyes to stare deeply into her own. "Stay here," he whispered. "I have to go or this ship will tear apart." His voice was thick with passion. "It tears me apart to leave you."
He lifted himself off the bed. He was not making love to this lady but consuming a basic element necessary for life. He realized a simple fact as he stared down at her flushed beauty. Holding her wasn't a luxury he wanted but a vital necessity. He'd play no silly games of love with her. She was a part of him, a staple of his life. He didn't just need her to be happy; he must be with her to be alive. From the way she moved within his arms, she must feel the same.
Hunter stepped to the door. "Get those wet clothes off. I'll be back later."
In an instant he was gone, and Perry grew cold in his absence. She lay shivering in the damp bed for some time, marveling at the power he had over her. Slowly she crawled out of bed and removed her clothes. She rubbed a towel briskly across her bare skin until her body was warm and glowing. Because she had no other nightgown, Perry put on her camisole and petticoat. After spreading her gown and cape out to dry, she rummaged through the drawers for dry bedding. She paid little attention to the constant rocking of the ship, for the turmoil inside her seemed as great. Moving slowly around the bunk, she put dry sheets and blankets on. Her heart seemed to be fighting her in any effort to think clearly.
Perry blew out the light, locked the door, and crawled into the newly made bed. Every cell in her body wanted to wait for Hunter to return, yet her mind needed time to think. Slowly a great sadness covered her in the darkness. He had made no mention of love in his advances toward her. In fact, his words had been harsh and demanding. Hed yelled at her as if she were a weak-minded child. Perry's anger grew at Hunter and at herself. She was no street woman to be bedded at will. He'd given his word he would behave as a gentleman, yet his first night he'd lain in her bed, handled her as he'd promised he wouldn't. She knew what would have happened if Hunter hadn't been called away. She slammed her small fist into her pillow, knowing she'd wanted him with a passion equal to his need for her. "But I'm a lady," she kept repeating in her mind, "and the door will stay locked until I gain control of my own feelings."
Perry tried to sleep, but the memory of Hunter's touch haunted her.
Chapter 30
Hunter worked hour after hour with his men to keep the ship afloat. The storm gradually wore itself out and the ocean settled into a fitful sleep. As he relaxed at the wheel, the first ribbons of light whispered dawn on the horizon. The men slowly crawled off in exhaustion, leaving Hunter and Cap alone on deck.
"The storm seems to have blown us in the right direction," the captain said between puffs of his pipe. "We weathered her without much damage."
Hunter was impatient to return to Perry, now that the storm didn't demand his full attention. As he watched the old seaman he knew the storm had taken its toll on the man. Cap would have retired years ago, but he couldn't leave the sea he loved. He'd contributed his share during the storm, but now his energy was spent.
"Why don't you go get a few hours sleep, Cap," Hunter ordered. "I'll sail her for a while."
The captain moved away and Hunter smiled to himself. He'd give Perry a few hours more sleep before awakening her. All night, even in the midst of fighting the storm, she'd never been far from his thoughts. He could almost feel her body now. He remembered her soft full breast in his hand and the way she'd grabbed his head, forcing his kiss down to her. He'd never wanted anyone the way he wanted her. Women had always been an extra in his life. After his mother died and he'd seen what love had done to his father, he made up his mind never to be bothered by such feelings.