„They won’t accept you at a university,“ Nicholas said
gently.
„I’ll find a way.“ Silver dipped her spoon into the
raspberries and met his gaze across the table. „Because I’m not
Rising Star, Nicholas. I won’t pretend to be what I am not and
I’ll let no one rob me of anything I choose to keep.“
There was no challenge in her expression, and Nicholas
realized that she was speaking with absolute sincerity. He
experienced a sudden thrust of pity mixed with respect and
admiration. Poor little firebird, she didn’t realize what a
difficult task she’d set for herself. Or perhaps she did and was
so accustomed to the struggle for acceptance that she could
perceive nothing different in this battle from the ones that had
gone before. „I could help you.“
She laughed with genuine amusement. „Instead of a house
and jewels, you’re going to buy me with an entry to a
university?“ She shook her head. „I wouldn’t take it from you.
I want the victory to be mine.“
He hadn’t thought of using his influence as a carte blanche.
He had wanted to help her and had made the offer impulsively.
My God, what was he thinking? He wanted Silver in his bed,
under his protection, not struggling in a university thousands
of miles away from him. Silver’s plan was all foolishness
anyway. She would be hurt and snubbed beyond anything in
her present experience. No, she’d be much better off under his
protection, where he could guard her from both the outside
world and herself. „Then it looks as if I’ll have to find a more
tempting prize to dangle before you,“ he said lightly. „Would
you consider a fine piano?“
„No, thank you.“
„Pity. Have you finished your dessert?“
She ate the last berry and set down her spoon. „Yes, why?“
„Because I’m about to seduce you and I wouldn’t dare
interfere with one of your primary pleasures.“ He stood up and
came around the table, pulling her to her feet and into his
arms. „Before offering one in its place.“ His head came down
and his lips hovered over her mouth. „Open your lips, love. I
want to taste you.“
She opened her lips and his tongue entered, caressed, and
explored. He could feel her heart pounding against his chest
and she seemed to be holding her breath. He caught her tongue
in his mouth and sucked it gently, tasting the textures. His
body was hardening and he knew he couldn’t wait much
longer. He lifted his head. „You taste of raspberries and sugar.
So sweet.“ He was unbuttoning her shirtwaist. „Come to bed,
Silver. There are things I want to show you, things I want to do
to you.“
She leaned against him, gazing up into his eyes. Such
beautiful eyes, she though dreamily. Dark with mystery and
hinting at wonderful secrets. „What do you want to show me?“
He pulled off her blouse and threw it aside. He found he
was too impatient to bother with anything more. Lord, he had
scarcely touched her and he was ready. He lifted her swiftly in
his arms and carried her to the bed.
„Do you remember that picture I showed you?“
Silver felt her heart suddenly jerk with excitement. „Are
you going to do that to me?“
„Among other pleasurable things.“ He laid her on the bed
and began to strip off his clothes quickly.
„Will I like it?“
„Oh, yes, love.“ He looked down at her and smiled. „First
we’ll have the main course, and then we’ll have a lagniappe.“
„Lagniappe?“
He came to herr all supple bronze muscle and golden mane.
„It’s a word I learned in New Orleans,“ he whispered. „It’s a
word I like very much.“
„What does it mean?“
He pulled her camisole down to bare her breasts. He drew a
shaky breath, his golden head bending forward until his warm
breath was feathering a nipple. „Something extra,“ he said
thickly. „Lagniappe means a little something extra.“
Silver gazed out the window at the bustling wharf below.
Since they were taking on only fuel and not passengers here in
Memphis, Nicholas had said they would be on their way in a
matter of hours. She would probably have no opportunity to
escape again before they reached New Orleans, she thought
absently. Then the placidity of the thought suddenly sent a
shock through her.
But there was no chance of escape now, she assured herself
quickly. Nicholas had carefully locked both doors before he
had left the stateroom to join Robert, Mikhail, and Valentin in
the pilot house. She was merely being sensible not to be upset
over a circumstance she couldn’t change.
One hand clenched on the peach-colored velvet of the
curtains. She was lying to herself. She had been captivated,
seduced by the hot, dark hours in Nicholas’s bed last night and
this morning. She wanted to let herself be brought once more
under that sensual pleasure spell. But it was even worse than
that. She wanted to stay with Nicholas. He was the magnet that
drew her and caused her to cling to captivity. He was the
reason she was giving up so tamely.
Yet she mustn’t give up. Etaine needed her and Silver must
not let lust keep her from returning to her.
The sound of a key turning in the door that led to the deck
startled her. Nicholas? But he had just left….
„Good morning. Miss Delaney.“ Lee Bassinger stood in the
doorwa’y, a faint smile on his lips. „I’m glad you’re dressed.
We won’t have much time.“
„Where did you get a key to this stateroom?“ she asked,
surprised and wary.
„I have keys to every stateroom on the Rose, and you’ll
remember this particular stateroom used to be mine.“ He
pocketed the key. „And will be again. Come along. I saw
Nicholas disappear into the pilot house, but we can’t count on
him staying there long.“ His gaze ran over her. „Not with a
pretty lady like you waiting for him.“
„I’d rather stay here than go with you,“ Silver said bluntly.
„But you’re not going with me,“ Bassinger said.
„I’m staying on the Rose and you’re going to escape. That
is what you want, isn’t it?“
„Yes,“ she said cautiously. „But why would you want to
help me?“
„I don’t want to help you. But I do want to deprive Savron
of something he values. Now, do you want to get away from
him or not?“
„Of course.“ Naturally she wanted to get away from him,
she told herself. There was nothing for her here, and she could
accomplish a great deal if she returned to the circus and
Etaine. The reluctance she felt was evidence only of the
dangerous sway Nicholas was beginning to have over her
feelings. She started forward briskly, passing Bassinger as she
went out on deck. „How do I get off the boat without being
seen by Nicholas? The gangplank is in clear view from the
pilot house.“
„It’s all arranged. I took the precaution of going ashore and
contacting a few of my employees. They’ll give you any
assistance you need.“ He drew a file out of his pocket and
deliberately broke the lock from the inside before shutting the
door. „Go down to the boiler deck by the rear stairs. There will
be two men in a rowboat off the stern. They’ll row you
upstream, around the bend and out of sight. I’ve given them
some money for you to facilitate your flight.“ He bowed.
„Good-bye, Miss Delaney. I was hoping to become much
better -acquainted with you, but one must accept these little
disappointments in life.“
Silver hesitated uneasily. Bassinger was gazing at her with