Delectable Candy
By Michelle Harris
Chapter 4
"Candy, we must get control of the situation or..." Albert sighed, trying to control his own thudding heartbeat.
"Or we may just have to go where fate takes us," Candy finished for him, her senses still reeling. Oh, to think of the glorious feelings he aroused in her, she shuddered delicately, still enjoying the delightful feelings that were sweeping through her.
"You must remember that I am nothing more than your guardian," he said evenly, his own common sense finally returning, getting control of their situation.
"My guardi--?" Candy asked, surprised. She moved her head to clearly look into his face. The fires still slumbered within his heated gaze, but the teasing glint was gone. For such an audacious guardian, she thought, his hands still roamed upon her curves like a lover. And she could not, did not stop the large hands that continued touch her as if he owned her. "You're still serious about me finding a husband, aren't you?" The understanding dawning on her like the splash of a cold glass of water.
"Yes, Candy," he sighed, reluctant to let go of her lingering warmth or what they both had to face. "There is still that matter to be dealt with." He kissed her swiftly and hard on her mouth, then set her away from him, and letting out a deep, shuddering breath in the process. He expected tears from her, but instead he was confronted with her heated anger.
"You kiss me and then push me away, sprouting phrases of marriage to some unknown husband that whom I have yet to meet?" She spat out uncharacteristically, the anger flaring up inside her, trying desperately to crush the pain that filled her insides with such a force to his rejection. Instead, she let the anger continue its onward spiral upwards, pushing away all other common thoughts of sense.
"You're playing with my feelings," she gasped out, her breathing shuddering with each rapid thought that crashed through her.
"That's not true..." he replied, knowing her words were ringing true in his own ears, his brow coming down over his eyes.
"Am I such a babe in the manger that you don't believe I know what I'm doing?" She continued, pushing out of his arms. She turned away from him, staring over the terrace railing into the Valmont's gardens, barely discernable in evening moonlight. She could make out a couple of midnight strollers on the lawn.
Albert's jaw clenched, "you are a young and naïve woman," he retorted, harshly.
Her eyes were fierce and accusing as she whirled toward him. "Just what do you mean by that?" She yelped with frustration, the tears building behind her eyes.
"You have no idea the fire you are playing with Candice White," he stated. "You kiss me back with the passion of a woman, touch me with the hands of an experienced lover but yet you are not either! You are merely a girl, a virgin, Candy."
"That is true, I am an innocentÂ-but you cannot deny your role in this!" Candy accused her lovely brow frowning. "You claim to be my guardian, yet you taunt me and tempt me with your desire!" Candy's gaze went wide, as she stared back into Albert's hard face. "But do you desire me, don't you?" She asked suddenly, boldly, as the idea dawned on her. The idea solidified when he stayed silent, his visage hard and harsh under the cover of the moonlight. She suddenly wanted to know the full truth, was it just desire or more?
Another one of those sardonic smiles crossed his features as he leaned against the railing, watching her closely. He wanted her more than anything in his life, he thought, astonished. But he would not take her, she deserved far more than what he could give her. "More than I care to admit," he said, carefully, with quiet honesty.
Candy stared at him, wondering how much it took for him to admit his desire for her. Her hands bunched in consternation, for she knew she would have to face her own feelings toward him. And just how do you feel about Albert, she thought to herself. She knew deep inside, where she had crawled within the deep recesses of her mind, that she wanted him as she wanted no other before him, far more than any thoughts of Terry. The very idea astounded her and made her shiver a delicious kind of feeling.
"CandyÂ-you are such an innocentÂ-a man like me cannot offer you marriage. That is for the young ones. I can only offer you my arms at nightÂ-would that be enough for you, once the novelty wore off?" He shook his head, knowing her answer, and the way she was brought up. "NoÂ-a woman like you desireÂ-needs a marriage," he answered her thoughts, smiling slightly.
Candy stared at him, thoughts of him within her embrace, sharing nights of delightful exploration, shot across her forbidden mind, the scenery forever emblazon within her. God, how she wanted that with him, it just wasn't fair and how she must follow society's rules! She still could not believe what she was hearing. And yet, he desired her, but would not offer for her?
"And what if I choose you as my lover?" She asked, startling him and herself with her question that he stopped to stare at her as if she had grown two heads. The wheels within her head turned rapidly suddenly questioning her own reasoning. You do not even understand what you are thinking, she said to herself. All of her upbringing, her conventional thinking, thrown out of the window by her last statement. Would you be able to live with yourself, after what you plan to offer?
"You have no idea what you ask, CandyÂ..." came his raspy, taut reply.
"Are they're not married woman of stature who take lovers, even under the pretense of their husbands' nose?" She asked questioningly, contemplative, as if she spoke to herself.
"The point is, my dear, they are married. You are not," Albert stated his eyes narrowed with sudden flaring anger, what the hell was she getting at, he thought, watching her silently. This was Candy, damnit, and he did not like the idea of her lowering herself for him. He wanted to throttle her, shake her and tell her that he was not worth the thought. And yet, he wanted to crush her to him. But he knew that was impossible.
"But you still have not answered my question, what if I wanted you as my lover?" She demanded, with more heated convention and assertiveness with each passing moment. So be it, she thought to herself. She really had no idea what she was asking of herself. She only understood the heat and fire she had felt within his arms had ignited her imagination and curiosity for the forbidden realm. She wanted, needed to know what it would be like to be within his embrace.
"I will not answer your question, for I cannot believe that you even understand what you ask," he retorted, picking up his glass of champagne and draining the contents with one gulp. "I will not be your lover," he stated firmly, his voice low and taut again. By God, but he wanted to be her lover like she asked, to caress that lovely form of hers until she was crying out for him, begging him to come to her.
"Ah there you are!" Came Mrs. Jenkins from the entryway of the terrace, startling the couple who stood intimately close to each other, with her interference. Their conversation had obviously been very heated, as Candy's cheeks were flushed. "Your friends, the De Rome have already bid their farewell. Terry De Rome said that he is looking forward to seeing the both of you at the foxhunt on the Beaumont's estates at the end of the month. His wife won't be joining him, as she will be too close to birth. Your cousins are already adjourning to the foyer to say their farewells as well," she finished explaining, taking a big breath.
"Well, in that case, we should probably call it a night, if I may suggest," Albert said, getting up from his reclining position and glancing back Candy, further ending their discussion for another time. He offered his arm to her.
Candy glanced at it for moment before placing her hand on his arm, saying for his ears only, "we have not finished our conversation. I will adhere to your reasoning for now, until we can discuss this again." She finished, watching his grin widen with every word she said.
Albert nodded his head, the grin on his face made him even more handsome than she thought was possible and making her catch her breath, "as you wish, my love."
The last words sounding like a caress. It sent tremors back down her back again, wondering if he knew how off-handed the words were spoken and if their were any meaning to them. It also once again reminded her of their recent heated kiss.
Sleep proved impossibly hard for Candy to possess. She tossed and turned within her own bed, causing her covers to become tangled, until most of the blankets ended up on the carpeted floor. She had already discarded her nightgown in favor of sleeping with just her underwear on, knowing her sleep garments were inappropriate. She contributed her odd behavior to the fact that the night was unnaturally sultry and hot, despite her balcony doors being left open. The sheer, white drapes gently rolled to the warm, evening breeze. The remaining fact that bothered her was that of Albert's kiss and his presence next door to her.
Finally, having been fed up with trying to sleep, she got up and padded silently to her open balcony. She had just been on the verge of walking onto the terrace when she spied a tiny red light, with swirling smoke on Albert's terrace. She was not up to a confrontation with him, not having her wits about her. Instead, she watched him silently beside her drapes that continued to sway to the breeze. When the smoke cleared and the moonlight touched down on his terrace she could finally make him out in the darkness. She thought her heart would explode at that moment. It hammered needlessly away within her ribcage; her throat suddenly seemed parched and dry as she gazed with wonder at him.
He stood carelessly on his balcony, his body a profile to her, leaning against the railing, smoking a cigar of some distinctive nature. The moonlight, in all her formal glory, revealed the strong, sinew lines of his completely nude body. Candy knew he was darker than most men of his age, knowing he spent a lot of time underneath the hot sun. His leathery skin was golden bronze, but she could not make out any distinguishable lines where the clothing would have covered his body. Her gaze was helplessly drawn once again to his broad shoulders, when he moved silently, facing his chaise to put out his cigar in the ashtray on the table next to the chaise. Her gaze followed the strong lines of his back, pausing where the moonlight dipped to the muscular buttocks that bunched enticingly and then finally tracing, caressing his hard limbs.
Her heart continued to pound rapidly within her chest, sounding like a run away carriage and still she felt compelled, rooted to her silent, perching spot. She could not get enough of staring at him and wondered if he would turn toward her so that she could get a clear glimpse of the front of him. She blushed profusely at the intrusive thoughts, but could not help to wonder anyway. Then as if granting her wish, he turned side ways, and stretched leisurely, insolently underneath the soft moonlight. Her breath exploded from her chest, as she chanced to gaze at him fully, her eyes shamelessly, greedily moving over the rest of him. The light played and danced over the fine, sleek lines of his muscled chest and hard stomach, drawing attention to the distinctive line of body hair that began below his navel and ended at the apex between his hard thighs.
Candy's breathing was swallow, her face beet red, but still she stared at that part she had never seen on a man. His manliness looked lean, and long, partially aroused to her searching gaze. But even so, she could not quite make out most of that mysterious area of his body as the moon and shadows decided to again play havoc on her vision.
Finally he turned slowly away from her and then disappeared back into his rooms, leaving a trail of swirling smoke and a limp Candy trembling on the threshold of her discovery. She leaned against the doorway; her limbs shaking from the arresting vision that she had so audaciously part taken of the unsuspecting man. She closed her eyes for a moment, her heart beating at an unnaturally fast pace within her chest, realizing that she would never go to sleep now. Not when she remembered those erotic images of an unabashedly naked, Albert standing beneath a pale moonlight terrace, would tantalize and entice her imagination to the heights of her forbidden thoughts.
The morning found Candy blurry-eyed and disgruntled. Never the less, she went down stairs, dressed in a light-colored, yellow satin dress in hopes of lightening her own mood. It was a little later than her usual time up, but then she spent the better half of the latter part of the night completely awake. Finally when the sun nearly peeked over the horizon, did she fall into a fitful sleep, dozing lightly.
Albert was already downstairs in the dining room, drinking a cup of hot coffee, his eggs and toast remained untouched as he frowned, pensively staring out of the window. An opened letter sat next to his elbow, apparently bringing news of some sort of trouble. His reflective gaze fell on her as she came into the dining room; quietly saying her thanks to the servants who brought her a creamy cup of coffee and toast.
"Good morning, sleepy head," Albert began, sipping his coffee and watching her over the rim of his steaming cup. Candy's cheeks went warm, flushing with high heat and Albert had cause to wonder why such an innocent statement could cause such riot upon her.
For a moment, Candy panicked, wondering if she could ever face his penetrating gaze after she had glimpsed his naked form in the moonlight, last night. She could not help her eyelids from lowering, the slow sweep she made of his elegantly dressed outfit, the intoxicating images of his hard body fleeing across her mind's eyes at that very moment.
Finally, she answered him after a great sigh, "Good morning to you as well, Albert. I trust you slept well," she nearly bit her tongue, opening herself up with that silly question.
His dark brow went up in query, wondering at her innocent comment. He had not missed her lower lids flicker slyly, appraisingly over his form, "I slept as usual, thank you for asking."
He turned away, superstitiously under the cover of his lids; he watched her blow a breath of relief through her mouth when she thought he wasn't paying attention. He wondered at her odd behavior again, then thought of last night when he stood on his balcony in his usual sleeping attire and wondered if she had briefed a glance at him. It would certainly explain the high blush that stained her cheeks when her gaze turned on him. He wanted to chuckle, if that was so, he thought again. She had probably been treated to a sight that she had not bargained for.
"Candy--" he began as she turned towards him, her green eyes unnaturally wide with alertness that he wanted to laugh. "I have received some bad news regarding a ranch I have," he said, the teasing glint now gone in his gaze.
"A ranch?" She asked surprised, for she didn't know he evened owned one.
"Yes," he sighed, "apparently since my last visit, the poachers have taken a more aggressive approach to poaching on my lands." His brows furrowed, for he was extremely irritated with the fact that the poachers were causing such havoc within his lands, and getting the government to intervene was just as irritating.
"I have a large ranch just south of Kenya in Africa that is being invaded by poachers. Johnson is having a hard time of it, with me being gone this past year."
"In Africa? I had no idea that your travels to Africa had resulted in a purchase. That's too bad about the poachers. What are your intentions?" She asked, curiously. Not understanding the implications.
"I have to return to the ranch. And the sooner, the better," he stated, then paused. "However, I cannot leave you or Mrs. Jenkins behind for months at a time," he said slowly, frowning, watching her eyes light up with excitement. He almost smiled at her earnest face, if it weren't for the graveness of the situation he would have been glad for the change of scenery.
"Do you mean it?" She asked, excited at the thought of seeing wild lands and the animals contained within that continent. "How romantic!" She proclaimed, dreamily.
"There is nothing romantic about the poachers prancing about my lands with guns and knives," he added solemnly.
"Oh yes, you're right about that," she sighed, her balloon of excitement bursting at his last statement.
"And there is that matter, that I would prefer that you didn't come along," he said over her sudden frowning. "It is a very dangerous situation that I don't like exposing you to--and there is also our attraction to one another that I would like to avoid," he said slowly, evenly over her quiet gasp and flushing face.
Candy gazed at him squarely in the face, "that part is true. Perhaps, the wild country will make us face the inevitable within ourselves."
"And what is that, Candy?" His body suddenly taut, wondering if she would be brave enough to admit her real feelings to him.
She gaped at him, not realizing her intent and not quite ready to answer his questions. "I'm not sure what you mean," she hesitated, lying to herself and him, looking down into her coffee. "I'm not exactly sure of your feelings toward me," she started.
He leaned back against his chair relaxing, slightly, knowing she wasn't about to reveal her real thoughts to him. "At this point, it's probably not a good idea to know what I'm thinking," he finished, smiling slightly at her downcast face. "But the situation remains, that we must leave today," he said, changing the subject, tactfully.
"Today?" She looked up, the hopeful expression back on her face, excited once again.
He nodded in agreement to her question. He sighed again, watching her face light up like a sparkling firecracker. She always did have an excitement for life, he was reminded of himself at her age. "I have already instructed the maids to start packing. The ship leaves at noon today."
Two weeks on the sleek, schooner ship they called Sea Sirens, Candy thought excited. She nearly burst with such enthusiasm flamboyantly rushing through her veins as the sea winds blew through her riotously curls and kissed her face with its soothing breeze. The crisp and salty air rose up to her reminding her of the time they would be spending on the ship. Sailors and crewmembers of the ship bellowed vigorously to one another instructions and confirmations as they pulled anchor and set for sail to Africa.
Her new home in Kenya, Africa for the time being, she thought, smiling to herself as she thought of the extraordinary sites she would see and the adventures that awaited her. Candy looked back over at Albert and Mrs. Jenkins as he pointed out the captain of the ship and some of his crewmembers the matronly woman. He caught her look of delighted excitement and grinned back her. He was immaculately clad in a loose, linen white shirt, an open silk, beige vest, matching caramel trousers and tall, shiny black boots. His long, black hair tied back by a ribbon and thereby reminding her of a distinguished pirate.
The following night proved to be boring as the jubilation finally wore off a bit. Albert busied himself that evening, playing cards with the captain and a few other distinguishable gentlemen travelling along with them in the same direction. That left Candy and Mrs. Jenkins time to amuse themselves. However, the better half of the time, Mrs. Jenkins spent most of her time in her cabin, amidst her misery of seasickness.
Candy spent most of her time on the deck, underneath the warm sun with the sea breeze sweeping through her curls, either reading, strolling leisurely, or watching the sailors at work. Most of her thoughts were centered on Albert and what he spent his time doing. She would glimpse him at supper on his way to the captain's cabin or in a deep conversation with the first commands of the ship. She could not see how her gaze would trail wistfully after his disappearing figure or know that he did his best not too spend too much time in her company. She couldn't know how he would stay up the better half the night, tossing and turning thinking about a certain delightful, golden creature with a sprinkle of freckles across her pert nose and flashing green eyes. Wanting and fighting the growing attraction for that certain woman as no other before her.
The saucy sailors would wink at Candy or boldly call her over to them in hopes of engaging such the lovely lady into a discussion with them. Common, light-hearted jokes quite often brought the curious Candy sauntering over to a lively chatter and merry singing of their sea life. Candy knew if Mrs. Jenkins had not been sick or Albert had been about, she would have never taken the chance to enjoy the sailors light banter of jokes, their own gambling card games and simply, friendly chatter. Candy was quick to learn the gambling card games, betting what little money she had within her own pockets. Her was mind quick and agile, she quickly won back what she had first lost and then some, amid her newly feigned, disgruntled friends.
It was the sixth day on the ship, when Albert requested her appearance at the captain's dinner table. The day had grown dark with gray clouds on the horizon and the sailors had predicted a storm on the rise. Sure enough as the evening neared, the winds picked up and the ocean waves tossed angrily as if defying Mother Nature's intent. The rest of the crew had been alerted of the potential storm brewing. Those who had previously had time off were back on duty to help man the ship.
Mrs. Jenkins was finally getting over her bout of seasickness but was still too weak to join them. However, with the rolling waves, she felt it more prudent that she stay in cabin just until the storm passed.
Candy dressed warmly against the winds, as they were no longer warm breezes with the sea spray adding to the affect. She joined Albert and the Captain Charles Johnson in his elegant cabin. She quickly found that the liked the friendly and port, little man who was their captain. But it soon became very evident, by each passing minute how serious the storm became as it began to rain, heavily. Even during supper, it had been nearly impossible to concentrate on eating as their table ware decided to move with motion of the ship. Supper came to an abrupt end when one of the captain's sailor called him back onto the deck.
"I trust you will see Candice White to her cabin?" Captain Johnson asked Albert as they put on some protection from the wind and rain. "As you know, the decks are very slippery at this time and they're have been many in past who have lost their lives to carelessness.
Albert nodded his head, helping Candy with her coat, saying, "of course. I never had any other intention."
Candy looked up in Albert's face, suddenly grateful for his presence next to her and the fact that he would be escorting her back to her cabin. He looked back into her face, their gazes meeting. Then she jumped, startled at the sound of the thunder clapping loudly in the sky above the captain's cabin.
"We should hurry," Albert said, concern crossing his face as the stared toward the ceiling.
She nodded, silently agreeing.
They followed Captain Johnson outside of the cabin door and into the slashing rain, and wave-soaked deck. Albert grabbed her arm, his grip tight as the ship moved to and fro, tilting dangerously. Within seconds they were soaked, but thankfully the trip from the captain's cabin was a short distance to her own cabin. As soon as they reached her cabin, Albert shut the door with a loud thud and told her to get out of her wet clothes, immediately.
Shivering from the cold rain, she nodded again, walking over to her trunks. Her skirts were heavily laden with water making it difficult for her to walk.
"I'm going to use the connecting door to get to my room, Candy," Albert told her over his shoulder and unlocking the connecting door from her cabin to his. "For time being and because of the weather, I only ask that you keep your door unlocked. In case of an emergency," he finished, gravely, opening her door.
"Okay," she said, taking off her red and white pinstriped, top jacket at the same time, water splashing loudly to the floor. Even her white blouse underneath the jacket was soaked.
"If you need me, Candy, I'm next door," he said, quietly to her, his sobering gaze comforting her high strung nerves.
She nodded bravely, hoping he couldn't see how much she wanted him to stay with her.
He closed the door silently, leaving her to deal with own her demons.
Candy quickly and methodically got undressed, hanging her soaking garments over a metal tub in the corner of her cabin. Her underskirts hung carelessly over her chair as well. She threw on her thin nightgown and quickly got into her bed, covering herself and huddling against the warm pillows as the ship continued its topsy-turvy, sea-saw over the large, crashing waves. Normally, the rain, thunder and lightening didn't bother her. However, with the schooner in such turmoil with the ocean, it was a totally different matter. She was sure that they were going to go down and she hadn't even lived a full life, she thought gravely. She grabbed her pillow and tried to cover her ears, but even that provided no ounce of comfort to her.
It could have been minutes or hours later, she did not know. But it was when the ocean, the rain, thunder and lightening was probably at its most violent moment that Candy awoke from her sweat-drenched doze, screaming. She was positively sure they would all die and drown in the voluminous, endless sea of dread.
Albert, ever alert for any type of danger, crashed through their connecting door, half dressed. He rushed over to where Candy sat still huddled against her cabin bed, trembling. The sheets tangled about her form in disarray. Her hair was disheveled, like a golden, halo cloud of riotously curls. Wide, frightened eyes stared back at him with distraught. His heart skipped a beat in his chest.
"ShhhÂ...don't cry, sweetheart," Albert murmured, wrapping his strong arms around her trembling form and rocking her as if she were a child.
"We're going to die, Albert! We're all going to die!" She gasped out with fright, hanging onto him for dear life.
"No, we won't. It just seems that wayÂ...darling. The captain, despite the way the ship is moving, still has some ounce of control over the situation." He continued, gathering her slight form even closer against him. He smoothed back her wet tendrils from around her face, smiling soothingly to her, his dark eyes tender, his mouth for once, soft in a caressing smile. However, even he had some doubts about their survival, masking his frown from her frightened face.
She continued to cling to him. Soon her sobbing became little sniffles, and after a while her body finally relaxed, seeking further into his warmth, before she dropped back into a deep sleep. Her hands which had clutched at his back earlier, relaxed, but never quite uncurling enough to allow him to leave.
Candy was dreaming, she knew she had to be dreaming. There was a certain languish, subtle feeling of warmth enveloping her and it made her feel like she was laying next to a pond on a warm, summer day where she had just dipped her feet in a pool of cool, refreshing waters. She was dreaming that Albert was next to her, holding her in his arms, his hand reaching out to touch her face, lingering softly on her parted lips before trailing slowly down her throat. She wanted to moan, to cry out from the caressing touch that flared through her body with its sudden, charged fire before her eyes fluttered open from her wistful dream.
Her cabin was bright with the morning sun coming through the cubbyhole. She could see white, tiny puffs of clouds spotting the pale, blue sky. She stirred slightly against a warm body, then her breath caught with realization as she came fully awake. Albert lay next to her slumbering, his arms cradling her body against his relaxed, hard frame. She noted with a jolt that her bare limb lay over his trouser-clad thigh, her nightgown having ridden high during the night, exposing her legs. The sheets were tumbled about them and her other arm was thrown against his bare, muscular chest. Her face turned different shades of red as she realized how intimate their bodies were entwined. She dared not move again, really did not want to move from her position as her eyelids fluttered again over his face and body. She was reminded once again of that night when she had spied him on his balcony. However, this time she was not a specter to the event. She was very much a participant. Her gaze searching caressed the wild planes of his sculpted, beautiful face before helplessly allowing her gaze to trace his manly throat and chest. She resisted the urge to run her hand over his upper torso that lay flat on his chest at that moment.
When her eyes returned to his face, she was once again perturbed to find herself confronted with Albert's open blue gaze, the smoking fires burning like churned embers. She flushed with heat again; knowing she had been caught red-handed gawking at his body. A grin erupted across his mouth, the wicked glint that she was used to seeing of late, surfacing in his smoldering eyes. Then, one moment she was laying atop him, the next, he changed their positions.
Ignoring her gasp, he threw his own hard thigh over her exposed limbs, stilling her movements. His upper torso leaning toward her, his grinning widening when as her own eyes grew as wide saucers. "Would you like to finish your exploration?" He asked saucily, taking her hand into his and placing it back on his chest.
Candy could feel his heart beating rapidly against her palm, her body suddenly under siege by the persistent heat that seemed to be controlling her insides. She could barely breath, shuddering with coursing shivers that trembled within her lower belly as she adjusted to the feel of his frame against hers so succulently entwined together. She wondered briefly, the forbidden thoughts so tucked deeply within her mind--one step further and would they make love. The idea formed and caught on, scaring her with its intensity. But the flaring fire lit within her was stronger than her rational mind.
Her resolve grew stronger with each passing moment, not even aware that her eyes began to smolder and took on that of a sultry siren. Her full lips curled slightly, and she watched Albert's gaze seem suddenly riveted to her mouth. The sight was downright captivating and alluring to the man above her.
Albert stared at her with sudden surprise as her innocent face transformed into that of a woman's with a purpose.
"Are you sure you want me to continue?" She throatily asked, surprising herself and him with her husky reply.
He swallowed slowly, as he felt her fingers lightly skim across his chest, causing his control to nearly snap. Her other hand was lightly touching his arm that held himself onto his elbow. She watched his eyes darken and narrow on hers, hot and torrid, and she suddenly had the urge to lick her parched lips, just see his reaction.
"Candy!" Came the insistent, loud knocking on her cabin door. Candy and Albert jumped, startled by the interruption. "Candy! I can't believe that you're still asleep on such a wonderful morning!" Mrs. Jenkins shouted on the other side of the door, still knocking. "Candy? Can you hear me?"
Albert quickly got off of Candy, staring down into her lovely face, a sigh escaping him. With a low voice so that Mrs. Jenkins could not hear him, he said, "you should count yourself lucky." Ending the phrase with no further explanation, he started toward his connecting cabin door.
Candy quickly sat up her eyes stricken with panic and anger curling her insides at his parting shot, staring back and forth between her cabin door where Mrs. Jenkins still stood knocking and Albert's retreating back. Candy quickly pulled her nightgown down over her legs. "And why would you say that?" She whispered with heat. What a coward you are, her mind whispered to her. She wanted to call him back to her bed and face her desires for him. But she didn't.
"If it were not for Mrs. Jenkins, you would not be a virgin when we reached the shores of Africa," he finished over his shoulder, his cabin door standing open.
The heat flushed her cheeks, but her anger boiled to a simmering point at his off-handed statement.
"Again, you twist my innocence into your logic, Albert!" She huffed, getting off her bed with a single, angry step.
He stopped from closing his cabin door, smiling sardonically at her words. "And what is that, my dear lovely?" He asked, insolently. His eyebrow went up in query, his gaze once again sweeping the length of her scantly, clothed body. She presented a magnificent view of her tilting anger, her cheeks were flush high and her bosom heaved those lovely orbs of hers until he found himself wanting her. He knew he was becoming aroused again as he continued his leisurely perusal of her.
"That-that y-you tempt me with your desire then push me away when the fire grows too hot for you!" She countered, coming up to him, her green eyes blazing with fiery flames. "You do not treat me like a charge, but that of a lover tempting his intended with the promise of delight!" She watched his eyes narrow on hers into small slits of dangerous glints, his body rigid before hers. She knew she had hit home with her point.
"Then, by all means, my sweet. Again, I ask you," he said, carefully, sweeping his hand toward his dark cabin, challenging her with her innocent bravery, "let us not dally any longer. Are you brave enough to walk through my door?" His blue gaze glowed like luminous gems, flaring with slumbering desire and promise from within his cabin. Candy's breath shot from her mouth and her belly curled with warmth. Oh, but he was so tempting.
Candy's lip caught in between her teeth, her heart beating rapidly within her ribcage at his proposed proposal. The knocking grew louder with each passing moment on the other end of her outside cabin door and Candy was helpless but to choose the knocking door for fear of being found out with a man in her cabin. Candy fumed. Oh, she wanted to stamp her feet in frustration! She wanted him and yet, she did not have the courage to admit it to him or herself, if she was honest with herself.
Albert chuckled deeply like the devil himself at her from the inside of his cabin, before closing the connecting doors on her and her perturbed thoughts. However, he would not figure that Candy would soon find a way to disrupt his hard-won, tenuously control...
By Michelle Harris
Chapter 4
"Candy, we must get control of the situation or..." Albert sighed, trying to control his own thudding heartbeat.
"Or we may just have to go where fate takes us," Candy finished for him, her senses still reeling. Oh, to think of the glorious feelings he aroused in her, she shuddered delicately, still enjoying the delightful feelings that were sweeping through her.
"You must remember that I am nothing more than your guardian," he said evenly, his own common sense finally returning, getting control of their situation.
"My guardi--?" Candy asked, surprised. She moved her head to clearly look into his face. The fires still slumbered within his heated gaze, but the teasing glint was gone. For such an audacious guardian, she thought, his hands still roamed upon her curves like a lover. And she could not, did not stop the large hands that continued touch her as if he owned her. "You're still serious about me finding a husband, aren't you?" The understanding dawning on her like the splash of a cold glass of water.
"Yes, Candy," he sighed, reluctant to let go of her lingering warmth or what they both had to face. "There is still that matter to be dealt with." He kissed her swiftly and hard on her mouth, then set her away from him, and letting out a deep, shuddering breath in the process. He expected tears from her, but instead he was confronted with her heated anger.
"You kiss me and then push me away, sprouting phrases of marriage to some unknown husband that whom I have yet to meet?" She spat out uncharacteristically, the anger flaring up inside her, trying desperately to crush the pain that filled her insides with such a force to his rejection. Instead, she let the anger continue its onward spiral upwards, pushing away all other common thoughts of sense.
"You're playing with my feelings," she gasped out, her breathing shuddering with each rapid thought that crashed through her.
"That's not true..." he replied, knowing her words were ringing true in his own ears, his brow coming down over his eyes.
"Am I such a babe in the manger that you don't believe I know what I'm doing?" She continued, pushing out of his arms. She turned away from him, staring over the terrace railing into the Valmont's gardens, barely discernable in evening moonlight. She could make out a couple of midnight strollers on the lawn.
Albert's jaw clenched, "you are a young and naïve woman," he retorted, harshly.
Her eyes were fierce and accusing as she whirled toward him. "Just what do you mean by that?" She yelped with frustration, the tears building behind her eyes.
"You have no idea the fire you are playing with Candice White," he stated. "You kiss me back with the passion of a woman, touch me with the hands of an experienced lover but yet you are not either! You are merely a girl, a virgin, Candy."
"That is true, I am an innocentÂ-but you cannot deny your role in this!" Candy accused her lovely brow frowning. "You claim to be my guardian, yet you taunt me and tempt me with your desire!" Candy's gaze went wide, as she stared back into Albert's hard face. "But do you desire me, don't you?" She asked suddenly, boldly, as the idea dawned on her. The idea solidified when he stayed silent, his visage hard and harsh under the cover of the moonlight. She suddenly wanted to know the full truth, was it just desire or more?
Another one of those sardonic smiles crossed his features as he leaned against the railing, watching her closely. He wanted her more than anything in his life, he thought, astonished. But he would not take her, she deserved far more than what he could give her. "More than I care to admit," he said, carefully, with quiet honesty.
Candy stared at him, wondering how much it took for him to admit his desire for her. Her hands bunched in consternation, for she knew she would have to face her own feelings toward him. And just how do you feel about Albert, she thought to herself. She knew deep inside, where she had crawled within the deep recesses of her mind, that she wanted him as she wanted no other before him, far more than any thoughts of Terry. The very idea astounded her and made her shiver a delicious kind of feeling.
"CandyÂ-you are such an innocentÂ-a man like me cannot offer you marriage. That is for the young ones. I can only offer you my arms at nightÂ-would that be enough for you, once the novelty wore off?" He shook his head, knowing her answer, and the way she was brought up. "NoÂ-a woman like you desireÂ-needs a marriage," he answered her thoughts, smiling slightly.
Candy stared at him, thoughts of him within her embrace, sharing nights of delightful exploration, shot across her forbidden mind, the scenery forever emblazon within her. God, how she wanted that with him, it just wasn't fair and how she must follow society's rules! She still could not believe what she was hearing. And yet, he desired her, but would not offer for her?
"And what if I choose you as my lover?" She asked, startling him and herself with her question that he stopped to stare at her as if she had grown two heads. The wheels within her head turned rapidly suddenly questioning her own reasoning. You do not even understand what you are thinking, she said to herself. All of her upbringing, her conventional thinking, thrown out of the window by her last statement. Would you be able to live with yourself, after what you plan to offer?
"You have no idea what you ask, CandyÂ..." came his raspy, taut reply.
"Are they're not married woman of stature who take lovers, even under the pretense of their husbands' nose?" She asked questioningly, contemplative, as if she spoke to herself.
"The point is, my dear, they are married. You are not," Albert stated his eyes narrowed with sudden flaring anger, what the hell was she getting at, he thought, watching her silently. This was Candy, damnit, and he did not like the idea of her lowering herself for him. He wanted to throttle her, shake her and tell her that he was not worth the thought. And yet, he wanted to crush her to him. But he knew that was impossible.
"But you still have not answered my question, what if I wanted you as my lover?" She demanded, with more heated convention and assertiveness with each passing moment. So be it, she thought to herself. She really had no idea what she was asking of herself. She only understood the heat and fire she had felt within his arms had ignited her imagination and curiosity for the forbidden realm. She wanted, needed to know what it would be like to be within his embrace.
"I will not answer your question, for I cannot believe that you even understand what you ask," he retorted, picking up his glass of champagne and draining the contents with one gulp. "I will not be your lover," he stated firmly, his voice low and taut again. By God, but he wanted to be her lover like she asked, to caress that lovely form of hers until she was crying out for him, begging him to come to her.
"Ah there you are!" Came Mrs. Jenkins from the entryway of the terrace, startling the couple who stood intimately close to each other, with her interference. Their conversation had obviously been very heated, as Candy's cheeks were flushed. "Your friends, the De Rome have already bid their farewell. Terry De Rome said that he is looking forward to seeing the both of you at the foxhunt on the Beaumont's estates at the end of the month. His wife won't be joining him, as she will be too close to birth. Your cousins are already adjourning to the foyer to say their farewells as well," she finished explaining, taking a big breath.
"Well, in that case, we should probably call it a night, if I may suggest," Albert said, getting up from his reclining position and glancing back Candy, further ending their discussion for another time. He offered his arm to her.
Candy glanced at it for moment before placing her hand on his arm, saying for his ears only, "we have not finished our conversation. I will adhere to your reasoning for now, until we can discuss this again." She finished, watching his grin widen with every word she said.
Albert nodded his head, the grin on his face made him even more handsome than she thought was possible and making her catch her breath, "as you wish, my love."
The last words sounding like a caress. It sent tremors back down her back again, wondering if he knew how off-handed the words were spoken and if their were any meaning to them. It also once again reminded her of their recent heated kiss.
Sleep proved impossibly hard for Candy to possess. She tossed and turned within her own bed, causing her covers to become tangled, until most of the blankets ended up on the carpeted floor. She had already discarded her nightgown in favor of sleeping with just her underwear on, knowing her sleep garments were inappropriate. She contributed her odd behavior to the fact that the night was unnaturally sultry and hot, despite her balcony doors being left open. The sheer, white drapes gently rolled to the warm, evening breeze. The remaining fact that bothered her was that of Albert's kiss and his presence next door to her.
Finally, having been fed up with trying to sleep, she got up and padded silently to her open balcony. She had just been on the verge of walking onto the terrace when she spied a tiny red light, with swirling smoke on Albert's terrace. She was not up to a confrontation with him, not having her wits about her. Instead, she watched him silently beside her drapes that continued to sway to the breeze. When the smoke cleared and the moonlight touched down on his terrace she could finally make him out in the darkness. She thought her heart would explode at that moment. It hammered needlessly away within her ribcage; her throat suddenly seemed parched and dry as she gazed with wonder at him.
He stood carelessly on his balcony, his body a profile to her, leaning against the railing, smoking a cigar of some distinctive nature. The moonlight, in all her formal glory, revealed the strong, sinew lines of his completely nude body. Candy knew he was darker than most men of his age, knowing he spent a lot of time underneath the hot sun. His leathery skin was golden bronze, but she could not make out any distinguishable lines where the clothing would have covered his body. Her gaze was helplessly drawn once again to his broad shoulders, when he moved silently, facing his chaise to put out his cigar in the ashtray on the table next to the chaise. Her gaze followed the strong lines of his back, pausing where the moonlight dipped to the muscular buttocks that bunched enticingly and then finally tracing, caressing his hard limbs.
Her heart continued to pound rapidly within her chest, sounding like a run away carriage and still she felt compelled, rooted to her silent, perching spot. She could not get enough of staring at him and wondered if he would turn toward her so that she could get a clear glimpse of the front of him. She blushed profusely at the intrusive thoughts, but could not help to wonder anyway. Then as if granting her wish, he turned side ways, and stretched leisurely, insolently underneath the soft moonlight. Her breath exploded from her chest, as she chanced to gaze at him fully, her eyes shamelessly, greedily moving over the rest of him. The light played and danced over the fine, sleek lines of his muscled chest and hard stomach, drawing attention to the distinctive line of body hair that began below his navel and ended at the apex between his hard thighs.
Candy's breathing was swallow, her face beet red, but still she stared at that part she had never seen on a man. His manliness looked lean, and long, partially aroused to her searching gaze. But even so, she could not quite make out most of that mysterious area of his body as the moon and shadows decided to again play havoc on her vision.
Finally he turned slowly away from her and then disappeared back into his rooms, leaving a trail of swirling smoke and a limp Candy trembling on the threshold of her discovery. She leaned against the doorway; her limbs shaking from the arresting vision that she had so audaciously part taken of the unsuspecting man. She closed her eyes for a moment, her heart beating at an unnaturally fast pace within her chest, realizing that she would never go to sleep now. Not when she remembered those erotic images of an unabashedly naked, Albert standing beneath a pale moonlight terrace, would tantalize and entice her imagination to the heights of her forbidden thoughts.
The morning found Candy blurry-eyed and disgruntled. Never the less, she went down stairs, dressed in a light-colored, yellow satin dress in hopes of lightening her own mood. It was a little later than her usual time up, but then she spent the better half of the latter part of the night completely awake. Finally when the sun nearly peeked over the horizon, did she fall into a fitful sleep, dozing lightly.
Albert was already downstairs in the dining room, drinking a cup of hot coffee, his eggs and toast remained untouched as he frowned, pensively staring out of the window. An opened letter sat next to his elbow, apparently bringing news of some sort of trouble. His reflective gaze fell on her as she came into the dining room; quietly saying her thanks to the servants who brought her a creamy cup of coffee and toast.
"Good morning, sleepy head," Albert began, sipping his coffee and watching her over the rim of his steaming cup. Candy's cheeks went warm, flushing with high heat and Albert had cause to wonder why such an innocent statement could cause such riot upon her.
For a moment, Candy panicked, wondering if she could ever face his penetrating gaze after she had glimpsed his naked form in the moonlight, last night. She could not help her eyelids from lowering, the slow sweep she made of his elegantly dressed outfit, the intoxicating images of his hard body fleeing across her mind's eyes at that very moment.
Finally, she answered him after a great sigh, "Good morning to you as well, Albert. I trust you slept well," she nearly bit her tongue, opening herself up with that silly question.
His dark brow went up in query, wondering at her innocent comment. He had not missed her lower lids flicker slyly, appraisingly over his form, "I slept as usual, thank you for asking."
He turned away, superstitiously under the cover of his lids; he watched her blow a breath of relief through her mouth when she thought he wasn't paying attention. He wondered at her odd behavior again, then thought of last night when he stood on his balcony in his usual sleeping attire and wondered if she had briefed a glance at him. It would certainly explain the high blush that stained her cheeks when her gaze turned on him. He wanted to chuckle, if that was so, he thought again. She had probably been treated to a sight that she had not bargained for.
"Candy--" he began as she turned towards him, her green eyes unnaturally wide with alertness that he wanted to laugh. "I have received some bad news regarding a ranch I have," he said, the teasing glint now gone in his gaze.
"A ranch?" She asked surprised, for she didn't know he evened owned one.
"Yes," he sighed, "apparently since my last visit, the poachers have taken a more aggressive approach to poaching on my lands." His brows furrowed, for he was extremely irritated with the fact that the poachers were causing such havoc within his lands, and getting the government to intervene was just as irritating.
"I have a large ranch just south of Kenya in Africa that is being invaded by poachers. Johnson is having a hard time of it, with me being gone this past year."
"In Africa? I had no idea that your travels to Africa had resulted in a purchase. That's too bad about the poachers. What are your intentions?" She asked, curiously. Not understanding the implications.
"I have to return to the ranch. And the sooner, the better," he stated, then paused. "However, I cannot leave you or Mrs. Jenkins behind for months at a time," he said slowly, frowning, watching her eyes light up with excitement. He almost smiled at her earnest face, if it weren't for the graveness of the situation he would have been glad for the change of scenery.
"Do you mean it?" She asked, excited at the thought of seeing wild lands and the animals contained within that continent. "How romantic!" She proclaimed, dreamily.
"There is nothing romantic about the poachers prancing about my lands with guns and knives," he added solemnly.
"Oh yes, you're right about that," she sighed, her balloon of excitement bursting at his last statement.
"And there is that matter, that I would prefer that you didn't come along," he said over her sudden frowning. "It is a very dangerous situation that I don't like exposing you to--and there is also our attraction to one another that I would like to avoid," he said slowly, evenly over her quiet gasp and flushing face.
Candy gazed at him squarely in the face, "that part is true. Perhaps, the wild country will make us face the inevitable within ourselves."
"And what is that, Candy?" His body suddenly taut, wondering if she would be brave enough to admit her real feelings to him.
She gaped at him, not realizing her intent and not quite ready to answer his questions. "I'm not sure what you mean," she hesitated, lying to herself and him, looking down into her coffee. "I'm not exactly sure of your feelings toward me," she started.
He leaned back against his chair relaxing, slightly, knowing she wasn't about to reveal her real thoughts to him. "At this point, it's probably not a good idea to know what I'm thinking," he finished, smiling slightly at her downcast face. "But the situation remains, that we must leave today," he said, changing the subject, tactfully.
"Today?" She looked up, the hopeful expression back on her face, excited once again.
He nodded in agreement to her question. He sighed again, watching her face light up like a sparkling firecracker. She always did have an excitement for life, he was reminded of himself at her age. "I have already instructed the maids to start packing. The ship leaves at noon today."
Two weeks on the sleek, schooner ship they called Sea Sirens, Candy thought excited. She nearly burst with such enthusiasm flamboyantly rushing through her veins as the sea winds blew through her riotously curls and kissed her face with its soothing breeze. The crisp and salty air rose up to her reminding her of the time they would be spending on the ship. Sailors and crewmembers of the ship bellowed vigorously to one another instructions and confirmations as they pulled anchor and set for sail to Africa.
Her new home in Kenya, Africa for the time being, she thought, smiling to herself as she thought of the extraordinary sites she would see and the adventures that awaited her. Candy looked back over at Albert and Mrs. Jenkins as he pointed out the captain of the ship and some of his crewmembers the matronly woman. He caught her look of delighted excitement and grinned back her. He was immaculately clad in a loose, linen white shirt, an open silk, beige vest, matching caramel trousers and tall, shiny black boots. His long, black hair tied back by a ribbon and thereby reminding her of a distinguished pirate.
The following night proved to be boring as the jubilation finally wore off a bit. Albert busied himself that evening, playing cards with the captain and a few other distinguishable gentlemen travelling along with them in the same direction. That left Candy and Mrs. Jenkins time to amuse themselves. However, the better half of the time, Mrs. Jenkins spent most of her time in her cabin, amidst her misery of seasickness.
Candy spent most of her time on the deck, underneath the warm sun with the sea breeze sweeping through her curls, either reading, strolling leisurely, or watching the sailors at work. Most of her thoughts were centered on Albert and what he spent his time doing. She would glimpse him at supper on his way to the captain's cabin or in a deep conversation with the first commands of the ship. She could not see how her gaze would trail wistfully after his disappearing figure or know that he did his best not too spend too much time in her company. She couldn't know how he would stay up the better half the night, tossing and turning thinking about a certain delightful, golden creature with a sprinkle of freckles across her pert nose and flashing green eyes. Wanting and fighting the growing attraction for that certain woman as no other before her.
The saucy sailors would wink at Candy or boldly call her over to them in hopes of engaging such the lovely lady into a discussion with them. Common, light-hearted jokes quite often brought the curious Candy sauntering over to a lively chatter and merry singing of their sea life. Candy knew if Mrs. Jenkins had not been sick or Albert had been about, she would have never taken the chance to enjoy the sailors light banter of jokes, their own gambling card games and simply, friendly chatter. Candy was quick to learn the gambling card games, betting what little money she had within her own pockets. Her was mind quick and agile, she quickly won back what she had first lost and then some, amid her newly feigned, disgruntled friends.
It was the sixth day on the ship, when Albert requested her appearance at the captain's dinner table. The day had grown dark with gray clouds on the horizon and the sailors had predicted a storm on the rise. Sure enough as the evening neared, the winds picked up and the ocean waves tossed angrily as if defying Mother Nature's intent. The rest of the crew had been alerted of the potential storm brewing. Those who had previously had time off were back on duty to help man the ship.
Mrs. Jenkins was finally getting over her bout of seasickness but was still too weak to join them. However, with the rolling waves, she felt it more prudent that she stay in cabin just until the storm passed.
Candy dressed warmly against the winds, as they were no longer warm breezes with the sea spray adding to the affect. She joined Albert and the Captain Charles Johnson in his elegant cabin. She quickly found that the liked the friendly and port, little man who was their captain. But it soon became very evident, by each passing minute how serious the storm became as it began to rain, heavily. Even during supper, it had been nearly impossible to concentrate on eating as their table ware decided to move with motion of the ship. Supper came to an abrupt end when one of the captain's sailor called him back onto the deck.
"I trust you will see Candice White to her cabin?" Captain Johnson asked Albert as they put on some protection from the wind and rain. "As you know, the decks are very slippery at this time and they're have been many in past who have lost their lives to carelessness.
Albert nodded his head, helping Candy with her coat, saying, "of course. I never had any other intention."
Candy looked up in Albert's face, suddenly grateful for his presence next to her and the fact that he would be escorting her back to her cabin. He looked back into her face, their gazes meeting. Then she jumped, startled at the sound of the thunder clapping loudly in the sky above the captain's cabin.
"We should hurry," Albert said, concern crossing his face as the stared toward the ceiling.
She nodded, silently agreeing.
They followed Captain Johnson outside of the cabin door and into the slashing rain, and wave-soaked deck. Albert grabbed her arm, his grip tight as the ship moved to and fro, tilting dangerously. Within seconds they were soaked, but thankfully the trip from the captain's cabin was a short distance to her own cabin. As soon as they reached her cabin, Albert shut the door with a loud thud and told her to get out of her wet clothes, immediately.
Shivering from the cold rain, she nodded again, walking over to her trunks. Her skirts were heavily laden with water making it difficult for her to walk.
"I'm going to use the connecting door to get to my room, Candy," Albert told her over his shoulder and unlocking the connecting door from her cabin to his. "For time being and because of the weather, I only ask that you keep your door unlocked. In case of an emergency," he finished, gravely, opening her door.
"Okay," she said, taking off her red and white pinstriped, top jacket at the same time, water splashing loudly to the floor. Even her white blouse underneath the jacket was soaked.
"If you need me, Candy, I'm next door," he said, quietly to her, his sobering gaze comforting her high strung nerves.
She nodded bravely, hoping he couldn't see how much she wanted him to stay with her.
He closed the door silently, leaving her to deal with own her demons.
Candy quickly and methodically got undressed, hanging her soaking garments over a metal tub in the corner of her cabin. Her underskirts hung carelessly over her chair as well. She threw on her thin nightgown and quickly got into her bed, covering herself and huddling against the warm pillows as the ship continued its topsy-turvy, sea-saw over the large, crashing waves. Normally, the rain, thunder and lightening didn't bother her. However, with the schooner in such turmoil with the ocean, it was a totally different matter. She was sure that they were going to go down and she hadn't even lived a full life, she thought gravely. She grabbed her pillow and tried to cover her ears, but even that provided no ounce of comfort to her.
It could have been minutes or hours later, she did not know. But it was when the ocean, the rain, thunder and lightening was probably at its most violent moment that Candy awoke from her sweat-drenched doze, screaming. She was positively sure they would all die and drown in the voluminous, endless sea of dread.
Albert, ever alert for any type of danger, crashed through their connecting door, half dressed. He rushed over to where Candy sat still huddled against her cabin bed, trembling. The sheets tangled about her form in disarray. Her hair was disheveled, like a golden, halo cloud of riotously curls. Wide, frightened eyes stared back at him with distraught. His heart skipped a beat in his chest.
"ShhhÂ...don't cry, sweetheart," Albert murmured, wrapping his strong arms around her trembling form and rocking her as if she were a child.
"We're going to die, Albert! We're all going to die!" She gasped out with fright, hanging onto him for dear life.
"No, we won't. It just seems that wayÂ...darling. The captain, despite the way the ship is moving, still has some ounce of control over the situation." He continued, gathering her slight form even closer against him. He smoothed back her wet tendrils from around her face, smiling soothingly to her, his dark eyes tender, his mouth for once, soft in a caressing smile. However, even he had some doubts about their survival, masking his frown from her frightened face.
She continued to cling to him. Soon her sobbing became little sniffles, and after a while her body finally relaxed, seeking further into his warmth, before she dropped back into a deep sleep. Her hands which had clutched at his back earlier, relaxed, but never quite uncurling enough to allow him to leave.
Candy was dreaming, she knew she had to be dreaming. There was a certain languish, subtle feeling of warmth enveloping her and it made her feel like she was laying next to a pond on a warm, summer day where she had just dipped her feet in a pool of cool, refreshing waters. She was dreaming that Albert was next to her, holding her in his arms, his hand reaching out to touch her face, lingering softly on her parted lips before trailing slowly down her throat. She wanted to moan, to cry out from the caressing touch that flared through her body with its sudden, charged fire before her eyes fluttered open from her wistful dream.
Her cabin was bright with the morning sun coming through the cubbyhole. She could see white, tiny puffs of clouds spotting the pale, blue sky. She stirred slightly against a warm body, then her breath caught with realization as she came fully awake. Albert lay next to her slumbering, his arms cradling her body against his relaxed, hard frame. She noted with a jolt that her bare limb lay over his trouser-clad thigh, her nightgown having ridden high during the night, exposing her legs. The sheets were tumbled about them and her other arm was thrown against his bare, muscular chest. Her face turned different shades of red as she realized how intimate their bodies were entwined. She dared not move again, really did not want to move from her position as her eyelids fluttered again over his face and body. She was reminded once again of that night when she had spied him on his balcony. However, this time she was not a specter to the event. She was very much a participant. Her gaze searching caressed the wild planes of his sculpted, beautiful face before helplessly allowing her gaze to trace his manly throat and chest. She resisted the urge to run her hand over his upper torso that lay flat on his chest at that moment.
When her eyes returned to his face, she was once again perturbed to find herself confronted with Albert's open blue gaze, the smoking fires burning like churned embers. She flushed with heat again; knowing she had been caught red-handed gawking at his body. A grin erupted across his mouth, the wicked glint that she was used to seeing of late, surfacing in his smoldering eyes. Then, one moment she was laying atop him, the next, he changed their positions.
Ignoring her gasp, he threw his own hard thigh over her exposed limbs, stilling her movements. His upper torso leaning toward her, his grinning widening when as her own eyes grew as wide saucers. "Would you like to finish your exploration?" He asked saucily, taking her hand into his and placing it back on his chest.
Candy could feel his heart beating rapidly against her palm, her body suddenly under siege by the persistent heat that seemed to be controlling her insides. She could barely breath, shuddering with coursing shivers that trembled within her lower belly as she adjusted to the feel of his frame against hers so succulently entwined together. She wondered briefly, the forbidden thoughts so tucked deeply within her mind--one step further and would they make love. The idea formed and caught on, scaring her with its intensity. But the flaring fire lit within her was stronger than her rational mind.
Her resolve grew stronger with each passing moment, not even aware that her eyes began to smolder and took on that of a sultry siren. Her full lips curled slightly, and she watched Albert's gaze seem suddenly riveted to her mouth. The sight was downright captivating and alluring to the man above her.
Albert stared at her with sudden surprise as her innocent face transformed into that of a woman's with a purpose.
"Are you sure you want me to continue?" She throatily asked, surprising herself and him with her husky reply.
He swallowed slowly, as he felt her fingers lightly skim across his chest, causing his control to nearly snap. Her other hand was lightly touching his arm that held himself onto his elbow. She watched his eyes darken and narrow on hers, hot and torrid, and she suddenly had the urge to lick her parched lips, just see his reaction.
"Candy!" Came the insistent, loud knocking on her cabin door. Candy and Albert jumped, startled by the interruption. "Candy! I can't believe that you're still asleep on such a wonderful morning!" Mrs. Jenkins shouted on the other side of the door, still knocking. "Candy? Can you hear me?"
Albert quickly got off of Candy, staring down into her lovely face, a sigh escaping him. With a low voice so that Mrs. Jenkins could not hear him, he said, "you should count yourself lucky." Ending the phrase with no further explanation, he started toward his connecting cabin door.
Candy quickly sat up her eyes stricken with panic and anger curling her insides at his parting shot, staring back and forth between her cabin door where Mrs. Jenkins still stood knocking and Albert's retreating back. Candy quickly pulled her nightgown down over her legs. "And why would you say that?" She whispered with heat. What a coward you are, her mind whispered to her. She wanted to call him back to her bed and face her desires for him. But she didn't.
"If it were not for Mrs. Jenkins, you would not be a virgin when we reached the shores of Africa," he finished over his shoulder, his cabin door standing open.
The heat flushed her cheeks, but her anger boiled to a simmering point at his off-handed statement.
"Again, you twist my innocence into your logic, Albert!" She huffed, getting off her bed with a single, angry step.
He stopped from closing his cabin door, smiling sardonically at her words. "And what is that, my dear lovely?" He asked, insolently. His eyebrow went up in query, his gaze once again sweeping the length of her scantly, clothed body. She presented a magnificent view of her tilting anger, her cheeks were flush high and her bosom heaved those lovely orbs of hers until he found himself wanting her. He knew he was becoming aroused again as he continued his leisurely perusal of her.
"That-that y-you tempt me with your desire then push me away when the fire grows too hot for you!" She countered, coming up to him, her green eyes blazing with fiery flames. "You do not treat me like a charge, but that of a lover tempting his intended with the promise of delight!" She watched his eyes narrow on hers into small slits of dangerous glints, his body rigid before hers. She knew she had hit home with her point.
"Then, by all means, my sweet. Again, I ask you," he said, carefully, sweeping his hand toward his dark cabin, challenging her with her innocent bravery, "let us not dally any longer. Are you brave enough to walk through my door?" His blue gaze glowed like luminous gems, flaring with slumbering desire and promise from within his cabin. Candy's breath shot from her mouth and her belly curled with warmth. Oh, but he was so tempting.
Candy's lip caught in between her teeth, her heart beating rapidly within her ribcage at his proposed proposal. The knocking grew louder with each passing moment on the other end of her outside cabin door and Candy was helpless but to choose the knocking door for fear of being found out with a man in her cabin. Candy fumed. Oh, she wanted to stamp her feet in frustration! She wanted him and yet, she did not have the courage to admit it to him or herself, if she was honest with herself.
Albert chuckled deeply like the devil himself at her from the inside of his cabin, before closing the connecting doors on her and her perturbed thoughts. However, he would not figure that Candy would soon find a way to disrupt his hard-won, tenuously control...