Dark Rider (16 page)

“Yes,” she said hoarsely.

“But she wanted it, didn’t she? She backed toward him?”

“Of course she did. She was in season.”

“Like you. You’re in season, aren’t you?”

“No …” Her lids flicked open to see his eyes fixed on her with glittering force. The air seemed heavy and hard to breathe. “I told you that I’m not an animal.”

“We’re all animals in that final moment. I guarantee you won’t care whether I’m an enemy or friend when I’m inside you.”

His tone was so confident, it frightened her as much as the image his words brought to mind. Jared inside her, riding her as he had ridden Kapu, those hard, muscular thighs holding her still while he … “Go away,” she whispered.

He shook his head.

“Then don’t talk to me. I don’t want to hear this.”

“I think I’ve said enough.”

He had said too much, and she must not think about any of it or its effect on her.

You’re in season, aren’t you?

She had denied it, but perhaps that was the reason her response had been so powerful and beyond her control. Before she had even seen him, she had been aware of the growing sensuality of her body. Yes, that was it, she grasped at the explanation eagerly. He wasn’t the cause. He could have been any man. It was just her time for mating. He was more sensual than any man she had ever encountered, and surely it was natural that she had responded. But response did not mean surrender. “Stay or go.” She carefully kept her tone indifferent. “I don’t care. I shall only ignore you.”

He smiled. “Will you?”

She looked away from him and fastened her gaze on Kapu. Damn him. So confident, so comely. Even when she didn’t look at him, she could
feel
him there. She could remember the line of his thigh outlined in the closely fitting trousers, the careless grace, his mouth …

I want to lick the salt from your breasts
.

No, not again. She would
not
feel like this. He was not the cause. She desperately reiterated the thought over and over like a chant to ward off demons. It was only her time for mating.

It was not him.

“
I
s she still down there?”

Jared turned, squinting against the brilliance of the morning sun to see Bradford strolling down the deck toward him. His uncle was shaved, exquisitely garbed in beige buckskin trousers and coat by Worth, and amazingly bright-eyed. “What are you doing up so early? I haven’t seen you out of your bed before noon this entire journey.”

“You exaggerate. I usually let you drag me from slumber on the more interesting occasions.”

“But seldom voluntarily.”

“True. But, then, we’re all spurred to greater effort when something appears on the horizon that intrigues us.”

Jared stiffened. “And may I ask what intrigues you?”

Bradford chuckled. “My, how ferocious you sound. What treasure are you protecting from my lustful avarice? The girl or the horse?”
instinctive. He forced a smile. “The horse, of course. I know where your passion lies.”

“Do you? How sad that I’m so transparent,” Bradford said. “You didn’t answer me. Is the girl still down in the cargo hold communing with our equine friend?”

“Presumably.” He glanced away, and his pace quickened as they approached the door to the hold. “Providing the stallion hasn’t trampled her.”

“Oh, I don’t think he’ll do that. Even when he was almost mindless with terror, he let her come close.” His brow wrinkled in thought. “She gives me hope.”

“Hope?”

“I’ve always envied your way with horses. It’s like magic.” He made a face. “But magic is not within the grasp of ordinary mortals. What comes so easily to you is impossible for me.”

Jared stared at him in astonishment. Bradford had never mentioned any of this and certainly not expressed resentment. “Nonsense. You’re the finest horseman I’ve ever met.”

“But I’m not a Kahuna.” He smiled. “And perhaps I don’t have to be. That young girl in the hold isn’t a Kahuna, either, but she has a power of her own.”

“What power?”

“I hesitate to say the word.” He paused. “Love.” He shuddered. “Good God, what an outmoded and maudlin emotion. Yet it gives her a power that’s both embarrassing and quite foreign to both of us. We don’t understand it and she probably doesn’t either. But she’s not ashamed to feel it. When I watched her with the stallion, it opened a new door.”

“And what’s behind the door?” Jared asked mockingly.

“I don’t know. As I said, I think it’s hope. Though
hope is also an outmoded emotion, and I may not be able to recognize it.” He stopped as they reached the cargo hold. “But I thought it worthwhile to make the effort to explore.”

“Are you going down with me?”

He shook his head. “I’ll wait here. The hold has a variety of unpleasant smells.”

Jared opened the door. “So much for exploration.”

“I never said I was Christopher Columbus.” Bradford paused. “Do you know, she reminds me a little of Josette.”

Jared went still. “She’s nothing like Josette.”

“Oh, not in looks, but there’s the same recklessness, the same obstinacy. I think, under different circumstances, she might have the same beguiling way about her.”

“She and Josette have little in common.”

“Because you don’t want to admit any comparisons?” Bradford asked softly. “Would it make you uncomfortable?”

“Not in the least.” Jared smiled sardonically. “Though I’m sure you intended it to do just that.”

“Maybe. It could be I wanted to throw open a few doors of my own. However, the comparisons may come into play willy-nilly if Josette and she come together.” He grimaced. “Heaven help us all.”

“They won’t come together,” Jared said. “Josette has nothing to do with this.”

“She might disagree with you.” He turned away and leaned on the rail. “We shall have to see, won’t we?”

“No, because Josette won’t enter the picture.” Jared closed the door and moved quickly down the steps into the darkness, glad to escape Bradford’s strange mood. No, not only his mood—Jared’s realization
that he had unintentionally hurt Bradford and never known. Well, what the devil could he have done, even if he had known? He was sure Bradford wouldn’t have wanted him to neglect his talent with horses. At times Bradford seemed to rejoice in it. Seemed? Of course he had rejoiced. Jared was questioning everything, and all because Cassie Deville had moved into their lives and sent out waves of disturbance.

He could see Kapu’s dark shape moving restlessly in the stall. “Steady,” he said quietly as he lit the lantern beside the steps. “There’s nothing to fear.” He moved slowly toward the stall. “You know me.” Where the devil was the girl?

She was asleep, curled in a corner of the stall, so exhausted that even his voice had not stirred her. Christ, she looked helpless. Her hair was spread about her in a wild tangle, her cheek had a smudge that could be either dirt or a bruise, and her slim form beneath the cloak that covered her appeared breakable. When she was awake, he was aware only of the wariness and the challenge, but now she appeared totally without defenses, as young and guileless as Josette.…

No, dammit, she was nothing like Josette. Bradford had deliberately put that thought in his mind. Cassie had drugged him, deceived him, and even now she was seeking to use him for her own ends. He would not feel this blasted softness for her. He would use her as she was using him. It was not—

She sighed and stirred, shifting closer to Kapu. In another minute the idiot girl would be under the stallion’s hooves. Goddammit!

•   •   •

“For God’s sake, it’s morning. Go to your cabin and go to bed!”

Cassie drowsily opened her eyes to see Jared frowning at her. He had come back. She wished he hadn’t. She was tired of being on guard. Too much effort …

“Did you hear me?”

How could she help it when he was shouting? “I have to stay with Kapu.”

“I’ll stay with the damn horse.” He entered the stall and jerked her to her feet, then steadied her when she swayed. “Get out of here.”

The haze of sleep was clearing. “Kapu needs me.”

“He doesn’t—” He broke off as he saw her expression. “I’ll call you if I can’t keep him calm. I’m too selfish to spend this voyage pacifying a wild horse. I have other plans for my time.” He released her shoulders and pushed her toward the stairs. “Eat, take a bath, and go to sleep. You may not get another bath in fresh water until we reach Tahiti. I don’t want to see you here until sundown.”

“I’m not leav—” A bath. How she yearned to rid herself of this salt. He had instinctively said the words most likely to persuade her. She cast a hesitant look at Kapu. He seemed calm, and Jared had promised to call her.… “Only a few hours.”

“Sundown.” Jared settled himself on the hay. “Or I’ll have you locked in your cabin.”

She had no intention of obeying him, but she was too tired to argue right then. She moved toward the door. “Be sure to call me if Kapu—”

“I said I would.” He rolled over and turned his back on her. “Get out.”

No hint of silken sensuality about him now. He was gruff and rude and angry. Good. She could cope
much better with his rage than any other part of his complex nature. “I’ll do as I please. I’m going because
I
wish it.” She hurried up the steps and slammed the door behind her. When she reached the deck, the light blinded her. She reached out and grabbed the door, waiting for her eyes to adjust.

“May I help you?”

She turned to see Bradford standing a few feet away.

He bowed and said, “You look a trifle dishabille. Perhaps you’d care to go to your cabin and refresh yourself.”

“Where’s Lani?”

“In her cabin, I presume. Jared has given you quarters next to her. May I escort you there?”

“I don’t need—” But she did need his help. She had no idea where Lani’s cabin was, and she had no desire to prowl all over the ship searching for it. “Yes.”

He gestured politely. “This way.”

She fell into step with him. Since Bradford appeared willing to oblige, she might as well continue to make use of him. “I need a bath,” she said haltingly. “Will you see to it?”

“It will be my pleasure.” He smiled. “I love to have women indebted to me. You can never tell in what form a favor will be returned.”

“Never mind,” she said curtly. “I’ll arrange it myself.”

His smile faded. “I was joking. You don’t have to be afraid of me. I’m not your enemy.”

“You lie. You’re his uncle. His father’s brother. Are you saying your loyalty is not to him?”

“Oh, yes, I’m loyal to Jared. Completely. But that doesn’t mean you’re my enemy. It’s much too fatiguing
to carry all that antagonism around. I’d much rather be friends.”

“Friends?” She looked at him in amazement. “We can’t be friends.”

“Why not? It’s a long voyage, and you’ll be much more comfortable if you have a friend.”

“I already have a friend. I have Lani.”

“Then take pity on me,” he coaxed. “I have no one but Jared, and I’ve no doubt he’ll be moody and restless as a caged tiger on this trip. Since you’re to blame, you should at least bear me company on occasion.”

“I’m not to blame. I’m not the one who came to the island and tried to—”

“Granted,” he interrupted. “But you’re the one who is causing Jared all this disturbance of spirit. So you must accept part of the responsibility.”

“Disturbance?”

“I was trying to put it discreetly. But I suppose there’s no proper word for what Jared is feeling now.” He paused. “Lust.”

She could feel heat sting her cheeks. “No, that’s not in the least proper.”

“I make it a practice never to interfere, but I thought I’d warn you. I admire courage, and you deserve to be given one weapon in the fray.”

“Fray?”

“Engagement, battle.” He shrugged. “Whatever it is between you and Jared.”

“There’s nothing between me and your nephew.”

“There will be.” He sadly shook his head. “You shouldn’t have tied him. I think he was trying to fight it before you did that. He goes wild when he’s bound. He remembers—” He stopped.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“What does he remember?”

He chuckled. “What a persistent chit you are. That’s a very sensitive subject, and I have no intention of betraying Jared in that fashion.” He stopped before a door. “This is your cabin. I’ll have a tub brought and water heated. Will you and your Lani join me for dinner at two?”

“No.”

“How sad.” He bowed. “When the hour approaches, I’ll send someone to see if you’ve changed your mind.”

“I won’t change my mind.”

His expression sobered. “You’d do much better to bend a little. You and Jared are very much alike. Stubborn, driven, unable to compromise. But he has more weapons than you, and you’ll be hurt if you confront him directly.” When she didn’t answer, he said with a sigh, “I don’t think I’m reaching you.”

“You are not.”

Cassie and Bradford turned to see Lani standing in the doorway of the next cabin. “So why don’t you be on your way?” she continued. “There must be a bottle awaiting you somewhere.”

“Always. How kind of you to remind me.” He bowed again. “Talk to your Lani, mademoiselle. She appears to be a woman of some experience and infinite insight.” He bowed again and moved leisurely down the deck.