I don’t tell him. I just stare.

“I would ask you this question again,” he says, “but I already know how that conversation will end.”

“With you assaulting my lips and thinking that I liked it?”

“I know you liked it.” He moves closer to me. “Tell me what you’re looking for.”

I bite my tongue before the truth can slip from my lips. He wouldn’t understand.

“I’m worried about my sister,” I say instead. “The dancing man had her hair ribbon, and I don’t want anything to happen to her.”

“Your sister is fine. Trust me,” he says. “Is that all?”

“I’m worried about my father, too…”

“Why?”

“Because he’s my father.” I feign offense. “I don’t think I should have to explain more than that.”

He looks into my eyes as if they’ll reveal more than I’m willing to say, but there’s nothing there.

“You shouldn’t worry about him.” His voice is firm. “You shouldn’t be concerned with your sister either.”

“That’s quite ironic coming from the person who is hell-bent on finding them.”

“Because they still owe me.” He warns. “Whether they like it or not. Nonetheless, get back in the bed and wait until I say it’s time to leave.”

I don’t move a muscle, don’t even bat an eye.

He joins me in the silent stalemate, and the more seconds that pass, the more memories of him kissing me resurface.

I’m torn between giving in for another taste or clawing the gorgeous blue eyeballs from his beautiful skull.

As I’m weighing the pros and cons of those options, he slips an arm around my waist and pulls me flush against his chest.

His mouth quickly claims mine, and he runs his fingers through my hair.

He’s kissing me more passionately than he did before, taming my tongue with deep strokes that nearly make me lose my balance.

Biting down hard on my bottom lip, he whispers words I can’t comprehend, and I can only shut my eyes.

He slides a hand down my sides and grabs the hem of my nightgown. Then, slowly pushing the fabric up to my thigh, he slides his fingers between my thighs.

“Ahh…Gabriel…” I moan as he presses his thick thumb against me.

My eyes flutter open at the unfamiliar pleasure, and he gently uses the pad of his fingers to strum and tease my lower lips.

“Shhhh…” he whispers when I moan his name again.

I can’t be silent to save my life. I’ve never been touched like this, never knew my body could feel such pleasure.

He suddenly slips a finger deep inside me and muffles my scream with another dominating kiss.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

“Sir Gabriel?” A deep voice calls from my cabin door, and Gabriel pulls away from me.

“Yes?” He groans.

“Some of the troops want to ask you a few questions about the new route.”

“I’ll be right there.” He sighs, and I wait for him to resume kissing me, but he doesn’t.

Instead, he takes a step back.