Until (Penny Rader)

This edited scene (to keep it PG rated) is one of my favorites from Sapphire and Gold. The year is 1752. Derek and Alexandra are sailing from Philadelphia to Williamsburg, Virginia. A terrible storm is doing a number on the ship. Derek nearly ends up in the ocean and is furious with Alexandra for being up on the deck. He all but drags her back to their cabin, then leaves to fulfill his duty as captain. Here's what happens after the danger has passed.

~ ~ ~

Alexandra caught her breath. She had heard Derek approach the cabin and, unwilling to renew the occurrence of a few hours past, had squeezed her eyes closed.

Until he entered the cabin.

Until she heard him undress.

Until he slid beneath the covers and rolled toward her.

Until he touched her.

Now his hand continued its silent quest along her draped form. Her heart raced and her mouth went dry. She bit her lower lip to refrain from moaning and clutched the bedding to stop from turning toward him and returning the sweet torment, little by little. His hand settled on her hip. He traced the curve with his thumb before sliding up her back.

‘Twas her undoing.

She inched closer to the edge of the bed and wrapped the blanket more securely about her.

“Lexi?” He bent over her. His breath tickled her ear.

She shrugged away from him, unable to meet his gaze.

“Are you awake?” He pushed her hair aside and pressed his lips to her neck.

“Go away.”

“Lexi.” Derek’s low voice vibrated down her spine. He moved closer to her shrouded body. “Talk to me.”

Ever aware of her lack of clothing, she damned her foolishness and wondered how long it would take for him to discover this fact for himself.

Deciding she might as well get it over with, she rolled over and faced him. She did her best to remain covered from chin to toe. “We have nothing to say. Please keep your hands to yourself so I can sleep.”

The corners of his mouth quirked. She glared at him.

“I find nothing amusing about this situation.” She set her chin. “If there is nothing more...”

She started to roll away, but somehow found herself flush against Derek.

“Let go.” She pushed against his broad, bare chest, but couldn’t escape his iron grip. She lowered her gaze, but when she realized the blanket barely covered his hips and left the rest of his body open to her shy perusal, she glanced away. To her mortification, she felt her own portion slipping.

Derek’s gaze dropped to the expanse of flesh swelling over the bedding she clasped against her body. Fiery warmth flooded her face.

One of his eyebrows shot up. “What have we here?”

Alexandra tugged the blanket up. “‘Tisn’t what you think.”

Derek explored her back. Upon finding the edge of the bedcover, he slipped his fingers inside. “And what might I be thinking?”

Longing clouded her mind. She moistened her lips with her tongue. “You might think I was waiting for you.”

“And were you?” His hand grazed her hip then flattened on her stomach and crept up, seeking the fullness shielded from his view.

“No.” Shivers of desire ribboned through her. “No. I was cold and wet and...” She couldn’t think. “And...”

His lips discovered the pulse fluttering at the base of her throat. “Cold and wet, hmmm? A likely story.” He cupped the weight of her breasts with the lightest, gentlest of motions.

Liquid heat erupted within her. She choked back a gasp. “‘Tis the truth. I couldn’t find my valise.”

Derek swept the blanket aside. “I think I shall conceal your valise on a daily basis.” Alexandra bit her lip against a moan. “We must stop. This isn’t right.”

“We’re married, Lexi, and this is most definitely right.” His lips found hers and drew the breath from her very soul.

All rational thought, all further protests faded away, forgotten. White-hot need unfurled in her veins. She wanted more, needed more. Her hands trailed down his sides before sliding inward and lower until her fingers closed around him.

Derek groaned low in his throat, and thrilling Alexandra by the sound of his surrender, he continued to pleasure her with his hands and his mouth.

The world tilted sideways. She held tight to him, lest she shatter into a million pieces and drift through endless time without him. Her release rocked her to her innermost core. He sheltered her within his embrace.

Ever so slowly she drifted back down and snuggled against Derek. She couldn’t help but marvel at the wondrous experience they had just shared.

Content, she rested a hand on his chest and enjoyed the feel of the steady beat of his heart. A languid drowsiness took hold of her. She yawned. “Might I sleep now?”

“Nay. Mayhap later.”