They advanced between the rocks and were finally inside the cave. He knew the place well, having helped the gipsies in the summer to tidy the place with provisions. At least he wouldn't worry about the cold. There were wooden crates set aside with jars of canned food. The village cooks were adept at making canned sweets, and a stock of salted meat was protected from animal attacks. There were even warm clothes stashed for the colder weather and the firewood they needed. Shelter in that situation was providential. Rick was cold and his clothes were soaking wet.
He began to look for the firewood in the place, as he took out the bag from his waist where he brought gold and the flintstones. The darkness of the night was total. With some difficulty, he managed to get a few sparks of fire and soon a small fire gave off a pleasant warmth for someone soaking wet. One of the reasons for choosing these caves was the provision of natural pools of hot water maintained by the extinct volcano. Morgan could imagine with pleasure the sensation of the hot water on her body as she shed her clothes and wrapped a blanket around her waist.
A satisfied smile lit up his face. They would have to spend the night there at the shelter in bad weather. The girl was his wife. Providence beckoned with graces, no doubt. It was enough to seduce her. Satisfied with the fire burning brighter, he turned around looking for Cassie and sighed again.
She was sitting on a low stool, eyes closed with her head leaning against the wall. She seemed to have fallen asleep from sheer exhaustion even with her dress dripping with water. Morgan muttered several curses. She didn't intend to sleep like this.
- Cassie! - He called low approaching. - You won't be able to stay in those soaked clothes. You'll catch pneumonia that way.
She opened her eyes in amazement. She had slept sitting up so tired. She looked at the man in front of her, swallowing hard. Was he wearing nothing but the blanket wrapped around his waist?
-I'm not taking off my dress! she-she protested nervously. - Not with you here!
The argument was entirely justifiable. He thought what? By the way, how had he gotten rid of his used clothes so quickly, good God?
It was another reason for discussion! Richard's mouth tightened. She had every reason not to trust him, even so...
-You won't be wearing these clothes. Allow the dress to dry near the fire and cover yourself with a blanket. - The proposal was perfectly sensible.
She widened her eyes making the man lose himself in the clarity of the withering green that shone with indignation.
-Don't even think...
Rick nodded teasingly. Maybe the night could finally be better than he'd expected. It was exciting to imagine the girl wrapped in the blanket with nothing else. She shifted uncomfortably, adjusting the blanket around her waist.
- You have two choices, girl. You can do it yourself or I'll help. - He began to enjoy her outrage. I'm going to like it a lot...
The indignation was virginal with the horror she sketched. Rays! She wasn't so innocent anymore after two weeks in the whorehouse. He knew that just the thought made her radiate a heat that seared her body. He knew his manhood was rigid, though the blanket barely disguised it. Curse. He was so suspicious of life after the hell of Mayra's blackmail with the pregnancy. Again and again, he had a baby in his arms. And his wife could be pregnant. And him away from the Armada... There was no way things could get any better. He has no resources. And Cassie… Heavens… he needed divine enlightenment.
Cassie looked at him with a groan. He was too big. She had his mark on her body. She found herself involved in the magnetism that the man exerted so naturally. Dark blue eyes held promises she preferred to ignore. Katie's conversation could have been very embarrassing about sex. But she was beginning to notice his bearing in detail. The quickening breath was a cold tease she tried to ignore. It couldn't get any colder, could it? One hour the clothes would dry and the cold would stop bothering.
- You're not serious. You are a man. What do you expect...
- I'm glad you noticed the detail. - He agreed on acid. - Are you sure you're not pregnant?
Pregnant? Was that what the wretch was worried about? She tried to swallow the lump in her throat. For a moment she stared at that giant male body, dumbfounded. None of the men on deck of the Star was like him. The sun-tanned skin was scarred here and there and was covered by solid, defined muscles. His shoulders and chest were incredibly broad with a dark fuzz that disappeared under the blanket tied around his waist.
Pregnant?
-You're...
-I think I'll need to do something about your soaked clothes.
Cassie found no voice to protest. First, her dress seemed to have incorporated the cold, more intense and glacial of the icy regions of the whole world. The expression on his face was that of a wolf approaching and surrounding its victim ready to pounce. The light from the flames on his skin looked like a golden hue. It was nonsense for a man to be so handsome, sir!
-I'm not even taking my clothes off! - She protested after an eternity to find her voice, forgetting the tiredness that was growing in successive waves. - You wouldn't dare!
A sensual, mocking smile lit Morgan's face. Her irritated gesture as she crossed her arms only accentuated the magnificent sight of breasts that stood out perfectly against the fabric. She hadn't even noticed the detail. He marvelled.
Was that creature blushing? Cassie had managed to work two weeks in a hellish whorehouse to be that shy. Richard felt his groin heat up.
- Honey, I never usually refuse a challenge. - The answer was low and charged with desire. - I certainly don't leave a beautiful lady like that in trouble!
The girl stared at him, stunned. Her face burned with embarrassment. He was confident and convinced. The devastating smile he displayed could make her moan in despair. It was an image of the devil personified full of temptations. She was lost. The cold was beginning to lodge in her stomach.
It was incredible, but the cold in her body was starting to gather there as an uncomfortable heat invaded her. It was…maybe… She tried to hold on to the anger. The unfortunate man had lovers! Bewildered, she was backing away step by step as he advanced towards her. Cassie mentally studied the moves Mary had taught her to defend against men in this situation. He made the mistake of noticing the sudden bulge in him partially hidden by the blanket. By now his face was on fire. She might have caught a bad cold.
Rick's smile widened at her gaze. Perhaps inexperienced, but certainly not innocent.
-Did you like the review, honey? - Can I be assigned to the gifted class?
He didn't know the reason for the provocation. Those were Garro's damn words. It was the sparkling green eyes that gleamed clear and enraged in a charming way. It was jealousy! He was burning with jealousy to understand the tavern keeper's words.
-You are... - She couldn't find words.
-Oh, don't play innocent like that. She still hasn't explained to me how Garro knew the criteria for beauty so valuable for auction. He took her by the arms.
-What?
-Are you going to convince me that two weeks at Monsieur's tavern and you with that little face didn't get any admirers?
She rolled her eyes impatiently. Bastard!
-You're suggesting that...- She realized without action that he was pulling towards her.
In sudden desperation, she tried to remember Katie's warnings. She wasn't just going to kick his shins. She was going with all her might to knee her in the groin.
Richard could swear, catching her intention as he held her close to his body.
-Nothing like that, sweetie. I consider it a very esteemed and sensitive part. Her virility was rigid as he squeezed her. - How have you been enjoying Garro these days?
-God! I didn't do any of that! - she fought him.
All her protests were ineffective against the mass of heavy muscle. She was suddenly becoming very aware of how strong he was in pinning her down. Her body rubbed against him no matter how hard he tried to distance himself.
- Voluntary, no? Was she that elusive with monsieur? - Rick didn't believe his reaction. He was amazed! It was unbelievable.
She was magnificent as she moulded to his body. Small and cute. She was beginning to notice that the girl was fighting him, frightened by her reaction. He made her nervous.
-Maybe he wasn't as rude as you. - Cassie provoked him into a panic. - He just tried to kiss...
-Really - the man crunched the answer. - And as for Phil...
-You damn brother...
- I can assure you that Philip Morgan will stay far away from the two of us. It's a promise, girl.