Nicole Jordan - The Passion

Her gaze locked with his, searching. His fathomless eyes were steadfast, unwavering in their intensity.

"I want no question of the legality of our union," he said levelly, "or the possibility that it could be set aside. Your father is a powerful man, as is Halford. I don't care to see my efforts to secure my sister's future go for naught."

Her heart faltered in its rhythm as she understood his meaning: they would share a bed as husband and wife.

Taken aback, Aurora stared at him. She had seriously been considering his desperate proposal until he added that disturbing condition. The possibility of physical intimacy with this man unnerved her. The thought of giving herself to a stranger – But was that not what she would be required to do when she wed Halford? This man, no matter how intimidating, was infinitely more appealing than the aging duke. She felt her pulse quicken dangerously.

Sabine was still watching her. Holding her gaze, he took her hand and raised it to his lips. But instead of kissing her fingers, he turned her hand over and kissed the tender inside of her wrist. His lips on her sensitive skin felt like a brand and sent hot and cold shivers through her.

"Will you consider becoming my wife for a night, sweetheart? I think I can safely promise that you would not find your introduction to the marriage bed onerous."

Her breath caught in her throat at the images his promise conjured in her mind. That and the seductive sensuality in his eyes held her so spellbound, she couldn't reply.

His gaze dropped to her lips. "I regret I'm not able to court you as you deserve. A woman as lovely as you should have an equally lovely setting… moonlight, roses, whispered promises…" He leaned toward her, his breath fanning her lips…

When Aurora stiffened instinctively, however, he stopped. Instead of kissing her, he spoke in a velvet-edged voice. "I cannot believe you truly fear me, Aurora. Not a woman of your rare courage. I saw the fascinating change in you yesterday, from proper lady to avenging angel."

Warily she searched his face. Stubble still shadowed his jaw, giving his handsome features a dangerous aura. He might claim not to be a pirate, but he still resembled one. She was not often intimidated, but this man disturbed her with his vital masculinity. She was even more unsettled by the forbidden sensations he aroused so easily in her. The raw, powerful sexuality emanating from him was palpable, the tension between them very real.

"Give me your hand, sweetheart. Touch me…" Taking her hand, Sabine guided her fingers to his face. "I am flesh and blood, just like you. Not so very threatening."

He was indeed threatening. He made her breathless, fluttery inside. And yet there was something warm and tender in his eyes that allayed true panic.

"This doesn't frighten you, does it?" he asked, drawing her fingers to his lips, letting her touch him there.

"No…" she murmured truthfully.

"What of this?" When he brushed her mouth with his, his lips were warm and soft – soft as the caress of a butterfly's wing. An unmistakeable yearning flooded Aurora, along with an unfamiliar hunger she could only call desire.

She stared at him, dazed, as he drew back.

The husky texture of his voice stroked her as brazenly as the hand that rose to graze the line of her jaw. "Have you never been kissed before?"

"Yes… By my betrothed."

"But not a true kiss, I imagine. A true kiss is more than a meeting of lips. It's a mating… of mouth and tongue and breath… An intimate knowing." His fingertips traced the line of her mouth. "I want to truly kiss you, angel."

His delicate touch made her shiver. "I… You shouldn't…"

His smile was soft, indulgent, tender. He had a beautiful mouth, especially when he smiled.

"In circumstances such as these," he replied, "it is not improper for a man wooing his lady to claim a kiss. This is my sole opportunity to persuade you to become my bride. Perhaps the last time I will ever see you, ever touch you. Will you deny me my last chance to fulfill my father's dying wish?"

"No," she whispered, helpless to resist.

This time when he bent his head, she didn't stiffen or pull back. She let him draw her into his arms, let him hold her as a lover would.

His kiss was like nothing she had ever experienced. His mouth was hot, wet, open against hers, bold and unexpectedly intimate. Her nostrils filled with his scent, her mouth with his brazen flavor, as shocking pleasure assaulted her senses…

Her wanton response dismayed her, yet to her surprise, he was the one who abruptly ended the kiss.

"Perhaps this was a mistake," he said, his voice unsteady as he leaned his forehead against hers. "I thought I would have more control…"

Drawing a deep breath, he slowly drew away to capture her gaze. "No," he said with more composure, "judging from your response, I wouldn't say you feared me. You felt the same fire I did. The signs are all there. Your pulse has quickened, your skin is flushed…"

Her heart racing, Aurora stood mutely, torn between dismay and desire as he so perfectly described the sensations that were overwhelming her. She shouldn't be feeling this way, experiencing these powerful, forbidden feelings for a stranger. Never had she had such a primal reaction to a man, a reaction no lady would acknowledge.

"And that is only the beginning, sweetheart. There is much more I could show you. Give me that right, Aurora."

His eyes had darkened with sensuality and were as fathomless as midnight, Aurora saw. Captivated, she stared into them.

His voice dropped lower. "Your cousin believes he can secure a special license in time for us to wed tomorrow evening. I would consider myself the most fortunate of men if you would do me the honor of giving me your hand in marriage."

Aurora shut her eyes, struggling to recover her dazed senses. Her mind was spinning, and she felt a similar chaos in her heart, a tumult of hope, fear, doubt. Did she dare consider his mad scheme? It was so very tempting, and yet undeniably daunting as well.

"You are my best hope, angel. My only hope. One night. Can you give me that?"

She swallowed thickly.

"Must… I answer this moment?" she said at last. "The decision you are asking me to make is a profoundly serious one. I need time to consider."

"Of course." His gaze held sympathy. "But however much I dislike pressing you, perhaps I should remind you that time is running short."

"I know." Her tone was bleak.

She stepped back, out of his embrace, and was unsurprised to discover how feeble her knees were. She didn't need Mr. Sabine to remind her of the urgency. He was to hang tomorrow – unless she consented to become his bride.

Then his execution would be delayed long enough for them to wed.

Her eyes were burning as she gazed up at him, her throat tight. So tight that she couldn't manage another word.

Turning blindly, she made her way outside the cell, where she leaned weakly against the stone wall. A shudder passed through her as she thought of him dying -

"Aurora, are you unwell?" Percy's concerned voice asked. She had forgotten entirely that he was awaiting her in the corridor.

Unable to speak, she shook her head.

"Come, we must get you out of this dungeon and find some fresh air."

She was grateful when her cousin took her arm and led her along the dim passageway and up a narrow flight of steps. When she reached the open air, she drew a deep breath, trying to contain the turmoil of emotions that were tearing at her inside.

Percy waited patiently while she struggled to regain her composure. "So," he said finally, "I take it Sabine proposed?"

"Yes." Her voice held an edge of bleakness she couldn't hide.

"And did you give him an answer?"

"Not yet. I couldn't… not so quickly. I told him… I needed time to consider such a drastic step."

"Well, of course you do. I can only imagine what a difficult decision it must be for you – to defy your father and wed a stranger. Perhaps we should go home and discuss it with Jane."

She gave him a forced smile. "Yes."

Percy led her to the waiting carriage and handed her inside, then took his place beside her. Aurora sank back against the squabs and stared blindly out the window.

She shuddered to think how her father would react, the rages she would have to endure… Yet it wasn't only withstanding her father's inevitable explosion or marrying a stranger that made her decision so difficult. She was being asked to wed a dead man.

Still, it was the thought of Nicholas Sabine dying that was breaking her heart.

I cannot comprehend the power he holds over me. How is it possible when I have known him such a brief time?

"So he has proposed a marriage of convenience to safeguard his illegitimate sister's future?" Jane asked thoughtfully when she'd heard the tale.

The three of them were in the drawing room – Percy on the settee beside Jane, relating the particulars of Sabine's proposal, while Aurora stood at the window, too restless to be seated.

"Yes," Percy replied. "Except the girl isn't considered illegitimate, nor is her illicit conception common knowledge. The affair was hushed up long ago."

Jane pursed her lips in contemplation. "I can understand the advantages to Mr. Sabine's sister, but how would Aurora benefit by marrying a pirate?"