Tempting Torment by Jo Goodman

Author:Jo Goodman [Goodman, Jo]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: ePublishing Works!
Published: 2017-12-18T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

"Just around this bend in the river," said Noah. The Clarion's bow cut cleanly through the blue-green water of the James. Lush, emerald-leaved trees thickly lined the opposing banks. The breeze was fresh, no longer redolent with the salty fragrance peculiar to the ocean. The scents that captured Noah's attention were pine and sweet tobacco, the earthy smells of dark, rich soil turned for planting and the fine, light fragrance of the woman who stood in front of him. "You won't be able to see the house from the river, but we've already reached the McClellan boundary."

In other circumstances Jessa might have smiled at the boyish excitement in Noah's voice. But not now. Now she was scared. McClellan's Landing was minutes away and Jessa was so frightened that she actually leaned into Noah for support. His large strong hands rested just below her shoulders, massaging lightly. Jessa wondered if Noah sensed her fear or if his touch was part of what he called his Strategy to Convince Others of Wedded Bliss. Believing it to be the latter, Jessa shivered in spite of the warm afternoon sun.

Noah bent his head slightly so that his words were a caress across Jessa's ear. "There's nothing to fear, Jessa. As long as you follow my lead my family will never know what we are to each other."

To the casual observer, of which there were many on deck, Jessa knew that Noah appeared everything solicitous. The way he held her, the manner in which his mouth brushed her ear, the way his eyes always sought her out, were carefully calculated to give the impression he was the doting husband. His words, edged with bitter dissatisfaction, told a far different story.

Jessa glanced sideways at Cam, who stood only a few feet away. He carried Gideon on his back in a sling Noah had fashioned for him. Cam was more concerned with Gideon's persistent tugging on his hair than he was by any conversation. "I'll do whatever you want," Jessa said wearily.

Noah's laughter was short, and to Jessa's ears, humorless. "Just like you did this morning."

It was Noah's tightened grip on her arms that kept Jessa upright. Her legs buckled under the weight of the painful memories he evoked. Four nights ago she had become Noah's whore and each evening since then was a repetition of the first. Holding herself aloof, Jessa made his pleasure her sole concern. She caressed him with her hands, her fingers, her mouth. She began to know his body better than she did her own, had learned exactly where to touch him in order to wring a cry of pleasure from his lips.

They never exchanged any words. In the darkness he would reach for her and Jessa would turn and surrender her body to his needs. Guarding against feeling anything herself, Jessa's thoughts were never connected with what she was doing. She could kiss him deeply, press her body flush to Noah's, and be considering which of her gowns to wear when she met his family.

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