Danielle diligently attempted to end her affair with Cade. She reminded him they would probably be working together. She reiterated Grimaldi’s strict rule about fraternization between agents. She even tried to argue that she didn’t think Lady Daphne would approve.
None of it proved effective. Cade simply pulled her close and kissed her neck and once that started, it wasn’t much of a leap to be splendidly naked in bed with the man. There were times when Cade went above deck to see to his duties, of course, but whenever he returned to the cabin, it wasn’t long before he’d coaxed her into bed, forcing her to scream his name so he could muffle it with his hand.
It was going to end badly. Her heart would be broken and he would leave and she’d never see him again. But while she was in his arms, in his bed, it felt as if she’d been brushed by heaven. She couldn’t make herself stop. Even worse, she didn’t want to.
Three days later, Cade snuggled her against him after having just made exhaustive love to her. Her body felt limp and delicious. It also felt sensitive and tingly. And satisfied. Stroking her arm he said, “McCummins tells me we’ll be pulling into port tonight.”
She shot up to her elbow, pulling up the sheet to cover her naked breasts. “So soon?”
“Yes.”
She turned her head and a lock of dark hair fell across her shoulder. “This is it then.”
“What?”
“The end of our affair.”
“How do you know that?” He tried to pull her close and kiss her neck, but she scooted away.
“We shouldn’t get attached,” she said.
“I’m already attached.” He advanced on her.
A thrill shot through her, but that was the kind of thing all rakes said. Probably just before they walked out the door and you never saw them again.
“I know how these things work,” she informed him.
“These things?” He shook his head. “What are you talking about?”
“Love affairs. You might recall, ahem, I was no virgin.”
“Neither was I. What does that have to do with us?”
“I don’t want you to feel guilty when you … when this ends.” She cleared her throat. “I don’t want to feel guilty, either.”
“Why does guilt have to enter into it?” He pulled her close, his hand dropping between her legs, reaching for the spot he knew she would respond to. She moved her hips away.
“Grimaldi will explain his plans and either you’ll agree or you won’t, and either way, after it’s over you’ll go your own way and I’ll go mine and…”
“Do we have to discuss that right now? I only have a few more hours in bed with you. Can’t we just … have fun?”
“I think it’s best if we cut it off now.”
“We made love not half an hour ago.”
“Yes, and it was enjoyable.”
“Enjoyable? I nearly smothered you with a pillow to keep you from screaming my name. Twice. I have scratch marks down my back that make me look like I’ve been mauled by a she-tiger. I—”
She’d never been so glad she wasn’t a blusher. “As I said, it was enjoyable. But I think it’s time to be reasonable.”
“Reasonable?” He groaned. “That’s Grimaldi talking, not you.”
“It’s all been quite a lark, as the English say.” She slid out of the bed and gathered her clothing. “But it can’t happen again.”
Cade grabbed the clock on the table next to the bed and flung it against the far wall where it smashed into a hundred pieces.
* * *
That night, The Elenor crept into port at San Sebastian in Spain. They purposefully dropped anchor on the far side of the wide harbor to ensure they would be out of sight of The French Secret, which had arrived earlier in the day. According to O’Conner, the plan was for the French ship to remain here for two nights. Meanwhile, Danielle and Cade waited for Grimaldi to arrive on whatever ship he’d commandeered to follow them.
Cade had been out of sorts ever since Danielle had summarily announced the end of their affair. Why couldn’t she just enjoy the moment and whatever this thing was that they had together? When Grim arrived, whatever he had to say, Cade was not in an understanding mood to hear it.
“I’m off to drink with Danny and Sean,” he announced after all the ship’s business had been seen to for the night.
“In town?” Danielle asked nonchalantly. She’d tucked her hair back up in the damned ridiculous cap and was acting as if they hadn’t spent the last three nights and part of the days tangled naked in each other’s arms.
“Have fun.” She turned back to the book she’d been reading. Wolsey? She chose a book about bloody Wolsey over him? By God, he would find a better time in town with Danny and Sean. The Irishmen loved to frequent taverns and brothels while they were in port. Tonight he’d join them.
* * *
Four hours later, Cade found himself propped up against a stone wall outside a Spanish brothel. Danny had come out with a buxom woman on his arm and was fondling her in the alley. Sean had come out so foxed he couldn’t stand up straight. He slid down the wall and sat next to Cade.
Cade had downed something in the vicinity of four bottles of Spanish wine and was half passed out, leaning against the side of the establishment. He had not gone into the brothel. Even if he’d been sober enough to have a cockstand, he’d known the minute he left the ship he couldn’t touch another woman.
Being with Danielle these last few days had been … well, damn it, he didn’t know what it had been but he hadn’t been ready for it to end. That much he knew. He wanted her still. Even now. He couldn’t erase her from his mind.
He should have stayed sober tonight. Should have remained on the ship. Should have made the plan to meet Grim. But the dismissive way Danielle had treated him had made him want her to think he would find comfort in another woman’s arms.
He pushed himself upright and tried to whistle for Danny, but the noise that emerged from him lips was more of a sad blowing sound.
“McCummmmmmins!” he finally called.
Sean stumbled to his feet. “We leavin’, Cap’n?”
“Aye. We’ve got to get back to the ship.” He tried to focus but his eyes were blurry. “Daannny!” he called again.
“Hold yer horses. I’m comin’,” came a muffled voice from the alley. “Give me a minute, ye blighters.”
Sean started laughing while Cade opened his mouth to call his first mate yet again. A sharp blow to the head stopped him. He fell to the ground, his vision even worse than the drink had made it.
He rubbed a hand over his eyes. Had he imagined the painful crack to his skull? He glanced over to see Sean fiercely struggling against two large men. Cade looked up. His hand reflexively went to the back of his breeches where he always carried a knife. It was gone. He scrambled to his feet, his fists cocked and ready to fight. Two other huge men grabbed him from behind and held his arms behind his back. He’d barely got a blow in on one of them before he was tackled to the ground.
Lafayette Baptiste stepped out of the shadows, a club in his hand. He thumped it against his gloved palm. “Well, well, well. If it isn’t Captain Rafferty Cavendish. Followed me from London, I see. I had zee chance to kill you once when I ordered Donald Swift to be killed. I won’t make zee same mistake again.”