Only With Your Love (Vallerands #2)(75)

“I’m coming back for you after I finish with Legare.” Justin knew he should not make such promises, but he couldn’t help himself.

“You won’t come back. And even if you did, I would not go anywhere with you, you selfish, immoral pirate—”

He kissed her throat, her shoulder, her breast. “I’m not a pirate anymore. I’ve given the ship to Risk.”

“You cannot change your character as if you were discarding one hat in favor of another! Such things do not happen overnight.”

“You’ll help me to change.”

“Alors…you want to keep me with you. For how long? And what will happen when you tire of me?”

“I want you forever. I couldn’t tire of you any more than I could tire of living or breathing.” He took her small hand and pressed it against his heart until she could feel his pulse against her palm. His gaze pierced hers. “I couldn’t live without you. If you refuse to go with me, I’ll stay near you until I’m caught and hanged.”

“Do not be foolish,” she said unsteadily.

“I’m not being foolish. I didn’t choose to feel this way…couldn’t stop it…” He pressed her hand more tightly against his chest. “I’ll come back for you. I want a life with you. I want to make you happy, give you things I never thought I could give anyone…”

“Then I’m to be an outlaw’s mistress?” Celia asked gruffly.

“Aye, that and a companion, partner, wife—”

“Wife?” she repeated in astonishment. “Y-you are asking me to marry you?”

Justin urged her onto her back and braced his arms on either side of her head, his mouth gentle on her kiss-bruised lips. “No. I’m not asking.”

Celia considered him for a long moment and smiled tremulously. “Then I’m not to be given a choice?”

“I can’t afford the possibility of refusal.”

“You told me once you were not susceptible to love.”

“I wasn’t. Not until you.”

“You want me as a convenience. To save you the trouble of seeking other women to satisfy your desires.”

He rained swift kisses all over her face. “I’ll be your convenience. I’ll teach you to have an appetite for me, ma belle, until you plague me with your constant demands.”

“I’m a sudden fancy of yours. It is because I once belonged to Philippe that you find me attractive—”

Justin clamped his hands on either side of her head, staring down at her with lightning-blue eyes. “I love you, dammit! I love you because you belong to me. I love you for taking care of me. For making me feel as if there is still some good left in me. Philippe was a better man than I’ll ever be. God knows he deserved you more than I do. But he’s gone now…and I need you.”

Her gaze was dark and soft. “What do you need me for?”

Ruthlessly he laid his heart before her. “Love me. Help me become worthy of you. Help me find the courage to try. You’re the only one who can.”

Celia gazed at his face, as stark and beautiful as a marble sculpture. She wanted to take away the haunted look in his eyes, lavish him with all the things he needed from her. Lifting her hand to his forehead, she pushed back a lock of sable hair. “I’ll be yours, I’ll follow you anywhere, everywhere, if you’ll promise me one thing.”

“What is it?”

“Give up your revenge on Dominic Legare.”

He was still, staring at her through the darkness. “I can’t.”

“It will not bring Philippe back. You do not owe it to me, or the family, or anyone. Is it not enough that you killed Legare’s brother? He had a close attachment to André. Is that not enough of a retribution?”

“André was as worthless a creature as any that ever scuttled over the earth. If you think the exchange of my brother for Legare’s was equal—”

“But what if you lose your life?” she asked desperately. “Must I lose you as well as Philippe?”

Even before he spoke, she saw the refusal in his face. “I’ve already set the plans in motion.”

“You could stop it if you wanted to!” Celia turned away from him, scarcely able to contain her churning emotions. She was angry with him, almost as much as she was afraid for him. “If you won’t promise me, then leave.” Her spine stiffened as she felt his lips brush between her shoulder blades. “I don’t want you here in my bed. You can choose me or your revenge, but you cannot have both.”

“We won’t be safe anywhere until Legare is dead,” Justin said flatly. “He’ll scour the world until he finds me. The danger will be just as great for you if I take you with me.”

“We will go somewhere he can’t find us.” She pulled his palm to her breast and caressed the back of his hand. “You’ll keep me safe, Justin.”

Justin could not control the instant response of his body. She moved softly against him, and he found it difficult to think. “Celia, you don’t understand. I—”

“You said you wanted to change.”

“Yes, but first—”

“All I want is for you to love me.”

“I do—”