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anxious about, he assured her in a soothing, low tone, “Rest easy, sweet, I don’t share. It’ll be only you and me tonight. Aside from the guards on deck, we have the whole ship to ourselves.” He reached out to smooth away a curl along her face and said huskily, “I’ll reward you well for the night.”
    Reward her? An idea surfaced in her mind, but she shook it away.
    Whatever he read in her expression made him narrow his eyes. “I will warn you once,” he said in a menacing voice. “Do not think to play games with me.”
    She grappled with confusion. She couldn’t account for what he was talking about or why he was so angry.
    He grabbed her upper arm. “Why were you being followed?”
    â€œWhy did you bring me here?” she replied, tugging to regain possession of her arm.
    He all but grinned. “I brought you here because I want you.”
    Well, that explained either everything or nothing. She had to know. “For what?”
    Irritation flashed in his eyes, and she barely curbed a wince. Before she could voice another question, his other hand grasped the back of her head. “For what? For this.” He pulled her to meet his lips.
    Nicole resisted and pushed against his chest, more out of instinct than any real desire to get away. But then he ran his hand up her neck and under her hair. She couldn’t remember ever being stroked on her neck, and the sensation was so unfamiliar, so pleasurable, she stilled.
    He must have sensed her surrender; his lips pressed against hers even more forcefully. Unconsciously, her whole body softened and drifted into him. His tongue stroked at her lips, demanding entrance, fueling her curiosity. Curiosity killed the cat, Nicole.
    But what a way to go…
    She boldly obeyed by parting them. He touched his tongue to hers and that feeling arose again—hot, liquid, and undeniable. His breathing became ragged. She could feel his heavy arousal against her belly— oh, Lord, he pressed it against her, and her head fell back in pleasure and shock, her mouth opening in a silent cry. She couldn’t allow him to touch her like that. She would make him stop…. But she already throbbed where their bodies met. Her breasts ached. In the clash between her wanting and her will, the wanting took over. And ruled her.
    She grabbed his shoulders, pulling herself up on her toes to get closer, deeper into his arms. Her body began shaking as the movement drove her breasts into his chest. She was coming out of her skin, frenzied to be near him. Was she making that low keening sound?
    With a curse, he released her and deliberately set her away from him. “This will be over before it begins,” he grated in a strained voice. He was out of breath, and when he ran his palm across the back of his neck, she could swear he battled surprise.
    He watched her in a searching way, and even though he seemed tense as a tightly wound coil, Nicole thought that she pleased him. With the tip of her tongue, she tasted him on her lips, and brought her hand to her bruised mouth, reveling in how she could still perceive the seeking pressure of his kiss.
    She studied his mouth, staring, captivated by how warm his lips had been, since they appeared to be chiseled out of stone. He fascinated her. His behavior fascinated her. And she knew there was more.
    She stood there, unable to take her eyes away. Even though he was her enemy, his kisses helped her past that detail. If only for a night. Why not use him to finally know what her schoolmates whispered about in the dark?
    â€œTell me your name.”
    Wait! Sutherland didn’t know her. She hesitated for just a second too long.
    â€œOf course, I don’t expect you to give your real name…but I’d have thought you would have picked out a working name.”
    Working name? What the devil—All questions ceased. He was angry again.
    â€œChristina. My name is Christina,” she