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The last thing she wanted was to be alone with Zephir in that cabin. Her cheeks burned as
memories of what happened between them flooded her mind. When she recalled the things he
had done, the places his hands and mouth had touched…The fact that she did not protest, made
her even more uneasy.
Zephir wrenched the door open and pulled Phaedra inside the behind him. As he shrugged out
of his heavy coat, she looked around the cabin and was amazed.
“What have you done?” she whispered, her eyes wider than usual.
Zephir did not turn to look at her. “I had the room cleaned.”
“But this…” she walked over to the small round table in the corner of the cabin. It was elegantly
set for two, with lighted candles, gleaming cutlery and silver dishes on a pristine white cloth.
“What is this?”
Zephir warmed his hands before the fire than joined her at the table. “I know you feel like a
captive here, but I thought you might appreciate a quiet dinner.”
Phaedra gasped and took a small step backward. She couldn’t believe he had committed such a
sweet, thoughtful act. She remembered the beautiful paining he’d given on her birthday and
recalled that the last thing she wanted was for him to become charming. She knew she would
never be able to resist him.
“I’m not very hungry,” she grumbled, going to bed and reclining against the pillows.
Zephir congratulated himself on shocking and confusing her. He knew she was trying to
determine his motives, and he laughed silently at the fact. With a deep breath, he lifted the
silver covers that protected the food.
“You’re not hungry, hmm?...I’m sorry to hear that. Chef outdid himself this night.” He tore off a
sliver of roasted duck and enjoyed the taste of the perfectly seasoned meat.
Phaedra turned her head away from the tempting aroma of the food. Meanwhile, Zephir
tormented her by bragging over the delicious meal. He prepared himself a monstrous plate
heaped with the tender duck, fresh corn, potatoes and crusty bread. Filling a polished tankard
with wine, he took a seat at the table and began to wolf down the food.
Out of pure frustration, Phaedra pushed both hands through her hair. As starved as she was,
there was no way she could resist helping herself to the fantastic meal. Moving off the bed, she
stormed to the table and prepared her own plate.
Zephir stole a knowing glance in her direction as he took a sip drink. Picking up the flask of
wine, he offered it toward her. “You did tell me that your cousins allow you to drink?”
Phaedra reached for her tankard and held it out. “I do what I please.” Her lovely eyes were
stormy with frustration. The hard look grew softer when she noticed Zephir’s eyes fall to her
heaving chest. Her mind was quick as an idea formed.
When the tankard was full, she downed the smooth, fragrant wine in one gulp. Walking around
the table, she propped her hip against Zephir’s shoulder. “More,” she ordered, holding out the
vessel.
Though her sweetness teased his senses, Zephir forced himself to ignore it. Instinct told him
she was up to something. He decided to relax until she revealed herself.
The effect of the wine quickly took its toll. Phaedra bent low. “Thank you,” she whispered next to
his ear, her full bosom brushing his cheek.
Zephir cleared his throat and refilled his mug as well. Instead of sitting across the table, Phaedra
pulled her chair close to his. During the course of the meal, she sent countless lingering looks
his way. Zephir knew she had a plan in mind, but he could not help but he affected. All the weeks
with her on his ship, he had counted on her coldness to keep him at bay. If she continued to toy
with him…Heaven help her, for he would not be able to stop himself.
“Mmm…” she sighed, swirling the last corner of her bread in the duck’s succulent juices. “That
was delicious,” she said, popping the bread into her mouth. Dabbing her lips with the linen
napkin next to her plate, she fixed him with her dazzling eyes. “Thank you so much,” she
whispered, her fingers tracing the back of his hand with light circular motions.
Zephir looked to her small hand resting against his much larger one. “You’re more than
welcome.” He finally replied.
Phaedra lowered her eyes to the table. “I only wish there were some way to thank you more
properly.” She sighed and pushed her chair away from the table.
Zephir’s long, black rose a few notches as several wicked ideas came to mind. He remained
silent though, tossing back the remainder of his wine as he watched her.
With mischief curving her soft mouth, Phaedra returned to the monstrous bed in the middle of
the cabin. She knelt to the center of the thick covers and faced him. “So…where will you sleep
tonight?”
“Excuse me?” Zephir softly replied, his slanting eyes becoming more narrowed.
“Where will you sleep?” Phaedra repeated. The look in her eyes was soft and expectant.
Zephir stood, almost knocking his chair from its legs. “You know damn well where I sleep,” he
reminded her. Shortly after the voyage began, he had decided to sleep in another cabin. He didn’
t trust himself to keep his hands away from her. Besides, he knew he would never be able to
rest peacefully with her next to him.
Phaedra watched Zephir grab his black coat. If only I could get him to soften toward me, I might
be able to reason with him! She thought, moving to the edge of the bed. Curling her hands
around the edge, she leaned forward. “Zephir, please don’t go tonight.”
Zephir had already wrenched the door open. “What?” he whispered, shocked by her words.
“There’s plenty of room right here,” she told him, managing to shield her exhilaration. Her heart
slammed frantically in anticipation of his reaction.
He closed the door, rounded the bed and then watched her for several moments. “What did you
say?”
Phaedra tossed her thick hair across her shoulders and looked him squarely in the eye. “This is
your cabin after al. You should sleep here.”
Shaking his head, Zephir silently commended Phaedra’s use of her…femininity. Her cunning had
almost fooled him. Deciding to teach her a lesson for torturing his body and mind, he pulled the
cloak from his wide frame.
“You’re quite right,” he growled, pulling Phaedra’s hand from the bedpost as he hauled her
against his unyielding frame.
Keeping a firm handle on her fear, Phaedra reminded herself that this was the reaction she
sought. Zephir’s hands spanned her small waist, and his lips trailed the silken line of her neck.
She prayed for the will to remain unaffected and tentatively placed her hands upon his broad
shoulders.
Overwhelmed by the feel of her in his arms again, after so many weeks, Zephir was like a man
starved. His fingers brushed her breasts then expertly opened the buttons along the bodice of
her gown. He nudged her back, and they both toppled onto the bed. He covered her lithe body
with his massive weight, his mouth seeking the taste of her skin.
A shiver raced through Phaedra’s body when she heard the material of her gown coming
undone. Zephir’s head was buried deep into her cleavage, forcing a soft moan from her lips. She
realized that, once again, she was allowing him to control the situation and pulled his head away
from her breasts.
“Zephir wait-“
“Why should I?” he grumbled, his wet kisses caressing the vanilla birthmark below her ear.
“I have something to ask you.”
Then determined tone of her voice intrigued Zephir, and he slowly raised his head. “Yes?”
“If I allow you to do this-“
“Do what?”
“Whatever you want,” she clarified,
“Mmm hmm…” he pulled his weight off her in order to relax at her side.
Phaedra tried to retain eye contact, but it was impossible. Zephir seemed to peer right into her
soul. She averted her eyes and took a deep breath. “If I allow you to…do as you please with me,
would you let me return home?” she quickly bargained. When silence met her question, she
looked up. “Well?”
Zephir raked the length of her body, before coming to rest on her face. “Well what?”
Phaedra slammed her small fists to the bed and braced herself on her elbows. “I’m giving you
permission to do whatever you want to me in exchange for my freedom. What’s your response?”
The dangerous predatory gleam reappeared in Zephir’s stunning gaze. He finished pulling away
the front of Phaedra’s gown. He ignored the blows that fell against his chest.
“Zephir, dammit! Answer me!” she roared, having little success in pushing him away.
Her breasts bared to his eyes, Zephir began to plant tiny kisses around one firming nipple.
“Love, you seem to be forgetting your predicament.”
“What are you saying?” Her lashes fluttered as she weakened beneath his caress.
Zephir suckled the stiff tip as he spoke. “If I wish, I could do whatever I want with or without your
permission. I hate to inform you, but I’m afraid you have nothing to bargain with.”
Phaedra was instantly outraged. She summoned all her strength and fought against him. “You
devil! I swear you will pay for the hell you’re putting me through!”
“Phaedra…” Zephir sighed, suddenly rolling onto his back. “Love, things are not always as they
seem, you know?”
“Then clarify them for me,” she urged, holding her gown together as she turned over and looked
down at him.
“You believe I’m holding you captive, stolen you from people who love you all because of gold.”
“And you expect me to believe that’s not the truth?”
His mouth curved into a humorless smirk. “To an extent it is. There’s so much more.”
“Dammit Zephir,” she raged, pounding her fist softly against his shoulder. “Why won’t you tell me
then?”
He supported his weight on an elbow. “You’d never believe me and right now I couldn’t handle
seeing what the truth would do to you.”
“Zephir-“
He pressed his index finger to her mouth and inhaled deeply. “I’d like for you to trust me. I know
you can’t, but just know that I’m not the evil one in all this.”
His words held a meaning that thoroughly intrigued her, and her voice of reason told her to at
least consider taking this man at his word. Zephir was becoming completely irresistible to her,
and he knew it. When he finally pulled away from her and stood from the bed, she could not bear
to look at him. The door to the cabin closed and she uttered a frustrated cry while beating the
bed with clenched fists. If she didn’t escape Zephir Mfume soon, she would lose her mind. Her
mind and a few other things…
memories of what happened between them flooded her mind. When she recalled the things he
had done, the places his hands and mouth had touched…The fact that she did not protest, made
her even more uneasy.
Zephir wrenched the door open and pulled Phaedra inside the behind him. As he shrugged out
of his heavy coat, she looked around the cabin and was amazed.
“What have you done?” she whispered, her eyes wider than usual.
Zephir did not turn to look at her. “I had the room cleaned.”
“But this…” she walked over to the small round table in the corner of the cabin. It was elegantly
set for two, with lighted candles, gleaming cutlery and silver dishes on a pristine white cloth.
“What is this?”
Zephir warmed his hands before the fire than joined her at the table. “I know you feel like a
captive here, but I thought you might appreciate a quiet dinner.”
Phaedra gasped and took a small step backward. She couldn’t believe he had committed such a
sweet, thoughtful act. She remembered the beautiful paining he’d given on her birthday and
recalled that the last thing she wanted was for him to become charming. She knew she would
never be able to resist him.
“I’m not very hungry,” she grumbled, going to bed and reclining against the pillows.
Zephir congratulated himself on shocking and confusing her. He knew she was trying to
determine his motives, and he laughed silently at the fact. With a deep breath, he lifted the
silver covers that protected the food.
“You’re not hungry, hmm?...I’m sorry to hear that. Chef outdid himself this night.” He tore off a
sliver of roasted duck and enjoyed the taste of the perfectly seasoned meat.
Phaedra turned her head away from the tempting aroma of the food. Meanwhile, Zephir
tormented her by bragging over the delicious meal. He prepared himself a monstrous plate
heaped with the tender duck, fresh corn, potatoes and crusty bread. Filling a polished tankard
with wine, he took a seat at the table and began to wolf down the food.
Out of pure frustration, Phaedra pushed both hands through her hair. As starved as she was,
there was no way she could resist helping herself to the fantastic meal. Moving off the bed, she
stormed to the table and prepared her own plate.
Zephir stole a knowing glance in her direction as he took a sip drink. Picking up the flask of
wine, he offered it toward her. “You did tell me that your cousins allow you to drink?”
Phaedra reached for her tankard and held it out. “I do what I please.” Her lovely eyes were
stormy with frustration. The hard look grew softer when she noticed Zephir’s eyes fall to her
heaving chest. Her mind was quick as an idea formed.
When the tankard was full, she downed the smooth, fragrant wine in one gulp. Walking around
the table, she propped her hip against Zephir’s shoulder. “More,” she ordered, holding out the
vessel.
Though her sweetness teased his senses, Zephir forced himself to ignore it. Instinct told him
she was up to something. He decided to relax until she revealed herself.
The effect of the wine quickly took its toll. Phaedra bent low. “Thank you,” she whispered next to
his ear, her full bosom brushing his cheek.
Zephir cleared his throat and refilled his mug as well. Instead of sitting across the table, Phaedra
pulled her chair close to his. During the course of the meal, she sent countless lingering looks
his way. Zephir knew she had a plan in mind, but he could not help but he affected. All the weeks
with her on his ship, he had counted on her coldness to keep him at bay. If she continued to toy
with him…Heaven help her, for he would not be able to stop himself.
“Mmm…” she sighed, swirling the last corner of her bread in the duck’s succulent juices. “That
was delicious,” she said, popping the bread into her mouth. Dabbing her lips with the linen
napkin next to her plate, she fixed him with her dazzling eyes. “Thank you so much,” she
whispered, her fingers tracing the back of his hand with light circular motions.
Zephir looked to her small hand resting against his much larger one. “You’re more than
welcome.” He finally replied.
Phaedra lowered her eyes to the table. “I only wish there were some way to thank you more
properly.” She sighed and pushed her chair away from the table.
Zephir’s long, black rose a few notches as several wicked ideas came to mind. He remained
silent though, tossing back the remainder of his wine as he watched her.
With mischief curving her soft mouth, Phaedra returned to the monstrous bed in the middle of
the cabin. She knelt to the center of the thick covers and faced him. “So…where will you sleep
tonight?”
“Excuse me?” Zephir softly replied, his slanting eyes becoming more narrowed.
“Where will you sleep?” Phaedra repeated. The look in her eyes was soft and expectant.
Zephir stood, almost knocking his chair from its legs. “You know damn well where I sleep,” he
reminded her. Shortly after the voyage began, he had decided to sleep in another cabin. He didn’
t trust himself to keep his hands away from her. Besides, he knew he would never be able to
rest peacefully with her next to him.
Phaedra watched Zephir grab his black coat. If only I could get him to soften toward me, I might
be able to reason with him! She thought, moving to the edge of the bed. Curling her hands
around the edge, she leaned forward. “Zephir, please don’t go tonight.”
Zephir had already wrenched the door open. “What?” he whispered, shocked by her words.
“There’s plenty of room right here,” she told him, managing to shield her exhilaration. Her heart
slammed frantically in anticipation of his reaction.
He closed the door, rounded the bed and then watched her for several moments. “What did you
say?”
Phaedra tossed her thick hair across her shoulders and looked him squarely in the eye. “This is
your cabin after al. You should sleep here.”
Shaking his head, Zephir silently commended Phaedra’s use of her…femininity. Her cunning had
almost fooled him. Deciding to teach her a lesson for torturing his body and mind, he pulled the
cloak from his wide frame.
“You’re quite right,” he growled, pulling Phaedra’s hand from the bedpost as he hauled her
against his unyielding frame.
Keeping a firm handle on her fear, Phaedra reminded herself that this was the reaction she
sought. Zephir’s hands spanned her small waist, and his lips trailed the silken line of her neck.
She prayed for the will to remain unaffected and tentatively placed her hands upon his broad
shoulders.
Overwhelmed by the feel of her in his arms again, after so many weeks, Zephir was like a man
starved. His fingers brushed her breasts then expertly opened the buttons along the bodice of
her gown. He nudged her back, and they both toppled onto the bed. He covered her lithe body
with his massive weight, his mouth seeking the taste of her skin.
A shiver raced through Phaedra’s body when she heard the material of her gown coming
undone. Zephir’s head was buried deep into her cleavage, forcing a soft moan from her lips. She
realized that, once again, she was allowing him to control the situation and pulled his head away
from her breasts.
“Zephir wait-“
“Why should I?” he grumbled, his wet kisses caressing the vanilla birthmark below her ear.
“I have something to ask you.”
Then determined tone of her voice intrigued Zephir, and he slowly raised his head. “Yes?”
“If I allow you to do this-“
“Do what?”
“Whatever you want,” she clarified,
“Mmm hmm…” he pulled his weight off her in order to relax at her side.
Phaedra tried to retain eye contact, but it was impossible. Zephir seemed to peer right into her
soul. She averted her eyes and took a deep breath. “If I allow you to…do as you please with me,
would you let me return home?” she quickly bargained. When silence met her question, she
looked up. “Well?”
Zephir raked the length of her body, before coming to rest on her face. “Well what?”
Phaedra slammed her small fists to the bed and braced herself on her elbows. “I’m giving you
permission to do whatever you want to me in exchange for my freedom. What’s your response?”
The dangerous predatory gleam reappeared in Zephir’s stunning gaze. He finished pulling away
the front of Phaedra’s gown. He ignored the blows that fell against his chest.
“Zephir, dammit! Answer me!” she roared, having little success in pushing him away.
Her breasts bared to his eyes, Zephir began to plant tiny kisses around one firming nipple.
“Love, you seem to be forgetting your predicament.”
“What are you saying?” Her lashes fluttered as she weakened beneath his caress.
Zephir suckled the stiff tip as he spoke. “If I wish, I could do whatever I want with or without your
permission. I hate to inform you, but I’m afraid you have nothing to bargain with.”
Phaedra was instantly outraged. She summoned all her strength and fought against him. “You
devil! I swear you will pay for the hell you’re putting me through!”
“Phaedra…” Zephir sighed, suddenly rolling onto his back. “Love, things are not always as they
seem, you know?”
“Then clarify them for me,” she urged, holding her gown together as she turned over and looked
down at him.
“You believe I’m holding you captive, stolen you from people who love you all because of gold.”
“And you expect me to believe that’s not the truth?”
His mouth curved into a humorless smirk. “To an extent it is. There’s so much more.”
“Dammit Zephir,” she raged, pounding her fist softly against his shoulder. “Why won’t you tell me
then?”
He supported his weight on an elbow. “You’d never believe me and right now I couldn’t handle
seeing what the truth would do to you.”
“Zephir-“
He pressed his index finger to her mouth and inhaled deeply. “I’d like for you to trust me. I know
you can’t, but just know that I’m not the evil one in all this.”
His words held a meaning that thoroughly intrigued her, and her voice of reason told her to at
least consider taking this man at his word. Zephir was becoming completely irresistible to her,
and he knew it. When he finally pulled away from her and stood from the bed, she could not bear
to look at him. The door to the cabin closed and she uttered a frustrated cry while beating the
bed with clenched fists. If she didn’t escape Zephir Mfume soon, she would lose her mind. Her
mind and a few other things…