He nodded as if he approved. Then that sparkle entered his gaze. ‘But we can share a kiss, yes? That is not so bad a thing?’
It was a wonderful thing. And they had already touched lips, but he meant more. He meant…
Oh! His hands returned to her face, brushing the hair from her cheek. She let go of the wall and wrapped her hands around his upper arms, feeling the muscles there. He didn’t need to angle her face. She lifted up for him. And when he pressed his mouth to hers, she opened for him. She wanted to give him everything.
His tongue invaded with a thrust, and she met him, matched him, and surrendered to him.
They kissed for a very long time. She learned from him the joy of quick domination and slow surrender. She let him lean her back against the wall as he showered her face with kisses. And she thrilled to the way he gave her one last kiss and then couldn’t stop himself from giving her another and another.
It was magical. And when he asked her to release the bindings around her breasts, he respected her answer when she said no.
‘I am weak for you,’ she confessed. ‘But I will not risk everything for you. I will not be that foolish.’
He dropped his forehead to hers, breathing deeply as he held her. And then he whispered words she never thought to hear.
‘I will speak to your father tonight.’
‘About what?’
‘About marriage.’ Then he pressed a kiss to her hands. It was slow and reverent, thrilling her to the bone before he raised his head and regarded her with serious eyes. There was a question there, but she did not understand what it meant.
‘Why do you look at me like that?’
‘Do you know what a dowry is?’ he asked.
She nodded. ‘Coin that goes with a woman to her husband. It makes her more valuable.’
‘I need coin, Lucy. A great deal. Do you know how much is in your dowry?’
She shook her head. ‘Some, I think. Sale of these spices will fill it.’
He nodded. ‘You showed me the money you hope will come from that sale.’
She nodded. ‘This ship has carried spices before. From that, I guessed—’
‘It is not enough,’ he said quickly. ‘I need there to be more money in your dowry. It is for my sisters and my family.’ His expression sobered. ‘Do you know what I am saying?’
That she was not valuable enough alone. It made sense. She was a half child and he was an important person in his country. He needed more to balance the scales when they married.
‘I can make you coin. Show you where to put your money so that it returns a good profit.’
His expression was mocking, but she did not think he was laughing at her. ‘It takes money to make more money, and I have nothing.’ He stroked his thumb across her cheek and the caress sent sweet tingles throughout her body.
She swayed forwards then, wanting his kiss, wanting everything she’d denied him not five minutes before. He stopped her, holding her away from him.
‘I will speak with your father tonight,’ he said, then he maneuvered out of his bed. He was careful with the door, opening it slowly before winking at her. ‘Come to dinner in a nice dress.’ Then he was gone.