Addicted to the Duke (Imperfect Lords #1)(79)

“That’s why you played at being drugged.”

“I tipped my mug out of the porthole. The ladies that brought it to me thought I’d be so frightened of what Murad would do to me that I’d drink it. They didn’t stay to ensure I did.”

She was cutting his bindings as she talked.

Pain cascaded up his arms as the ties came loose and he tried to move his arms. That was a good sign. He could function if he tried. He had to beat the opium coursing through his veins if he was to save Hestia.

Still dazed he watched with eyes not focusing while she used the dagger to ease out the pin holding the ball and chain on his foot.

“I have to get this off you or we have no chance of escaping. There is one guard outside, and then if we run fast we should make the railings to dive overboard.”

She thought she had it all worked out. Alex knew he could not run. He could barely walk. And to dive from this height, well, it might work, but they could also break an arm, leg, or worst case, neck. In his condition, most likely his neck.

Hestia could make it, though. Especially if he stayed and made sure she made it. They could try to stay in here until the Angelica came into view. It would be early evening before she’d make her presence known. If he could start a fire on the boat, Jacob would see it and come for them.

Hestia was sitting on the floor leaning against the bed. Her arms were out in front of her and she was looking at the blood on her hands. Her whole body shook.

He crawled over to her and pulled her into his arms. He breathed in her scent, the smell comforting. “It will be all right, you’ll see.” They sat holding each other for a while. “Sweetheart, I can barely move. Can you check to see the door’s locked?”

Hestia hugged him tightly, then rose and did as he asked. Then she walked to the washbasin and rinsed the blood off her hands.

“We need to find you some clothes,” she said, and searched the room, coming up empty.

“This is only Murad’s playroom, not his bedchamber. You’ll have to take the clothes off him.”

A look of horror crossed her features before she finally nodded.

“I wish you’d thought of that before I washed my hands.”

He helped her as much as he could. They only removed his caftan, as it would cover Alex, although it would be a bit short.

“I’ll need his boots too. And his turban.”

“The turban is covered in blood.”

Damn. “I’ll only wear it when we make our escape and leave the room.”

He hated the idea of walking from this room with Hestia only dressed in the transparent silk, but Murad’s men would look closer if she were fully dressed, and it would be easier for her to swim virtually naked.

Survive. That’s all he needed to do. Help Hestia survive, and then this nightmare would be over.

They moved Murad’s body behind a privacy screen and threw a bed covering over the blood in case a servant entered.

Hestia helped him to the bed and poured him some wine from a jug.

“How long before someone comes to check on him?” Hestia asked.

“We have a few hours. Murad doesn’t like to be disturbed in his play.” He lay down and closed his eyes. Feeling himself drift off again he said, “Talk to me, I have to stay awake. I really should be walking so the drugs in my system can wear off faster. I’m no good to you like this.”

She placed a kiss on his cheek and gave a sultry smile. “The cabin is pretty small for walking about, but what about another form of exercise? It might stop the guard from wondering why it’s so quiet in here too.”

He smiled at her. “How much of the drug did you drink?”

“Enough to feel euphoric at the fact Murad is dead and to want to forget I just killed a man by losing myself in pleasure with you. Plus, won’t the guard be suspicious if it’s too quiet in here?”

He had never loved a woman more. He studied her face. She was the only woman he had ever loved, and with blinding clarity he understood why. Her eyes could look straight through his sins and still see the good in him. She loved him for better or for worse. She understood he was not perfect and she didn’t care.

He took her face between his hands and kissed her with a passion that saw his drugged body roar to life. He wanted her with a desire that would last him the rest of time. He broke the kiss.

“Clever girl. I like this plan. You are right; if it is too quiet in here, the guard will take notice.”

She sat up and kissed his face. “It’s not where I’d choose to make love with you, but….”

“We do need to keep the guards away until near dusk. The Angelica will be nearer. If I can send Jacob a signal he’ll come for us.”

“Then please make me forget this horror.”

Alex needed no further encouragement. Blood pounding, he rolled them over and kissed the streak of tears from her face. Her hands slipped over his shoulder to caress his bare back with electrifying effect. As her hands danced distractedly across his back, he carefully and slowly lifted the silk off her body, baring her breasts. She arched and moaned as his mouth covered her nipple, tugging as it hardened.

This was his heaven—touching her, tasting her—loving her. Hestia’s pale, tender skin was faintly salty, delicious against his tongue. As he trailed kisses down her belly her moans grew and he wondered if it was for the guard’s benefit or if she was merely losing herself in him. Her legs separated under his hand, revealing her most secret female places so he could worship her with tongue and mouth.