Lilac Temptress

Chapter 9

"It must be wonderful having it all." Sierra rested her head against Drake's shoulder before realizing that she shouldn't have. But her better judgment had left her the moment she'd lied next to him. "Tell me more," she whispered.

Drake grinned, elated that she found his ordinary life so exciting.?

"My British great-great-grandfather, Duncan McCalister, most notorious in the family tree, became exceptionally wealthy from pirating the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean, and the Atlantic. It was said within family circles that Duncan kept a crew of a thousand men, many fleets of ships, and a constant cargo of black-marketed items." Drake chuckled when hearing Sierra's gasp.?

"I don't know if I should be proud of my family history of plundering buccaneers. But in the stories I've heard as a child, Duncan never attacked an American ship. Because of his generosity and Good Samaritan ways, he eventually earned the respect of the rich and poor alike.

"He was proclaimed a charming businessman, instead of the smuggling criminal that he was. I plan to make the most of his gains, damned by what some may think about my lineage," Drake voiced openly.

"You have a fascinating history. I bet that you have lots of exciting stories to tell. I bet that you have everything you've ever dreamed of," Sierra said.

Drake's soft laughter echoed throughout the room,being so close to him, Sierra wanted to melt into his arms.

"I'm a very blessed man. But I don't have everything," Drake admitted, accepting her as she moved closer against him for warmth. The room had become quite chilly over the past hour, and she was barely dressed.

"If I had half of what you have, I would be content for life." She closed her eyes while pondering what of his that she wanted most. She concluded that it would be his family. Sierra had spent many days longing for both her parents.?

"Sierra?" Drake said with a hint of yearning in his voice.

"Yes," she flitted her eyes open, catching his gaze.

"I know this may sound bold, but I've been lying here wondering if you'll let me have the kiss that you refused me earlier in the bar. I want to risk kissing you, risk any consequence, but I don't want you to feel like,"

"Your w***e for the night?" Sierra sat up quickly, petrified at the thought of him kissing her. She had only shared a kiss with one other man, and he'd been gone for over a year now.

What did she know about kissing a man,this real man, good-looking and tempting who rested beside her? Drake looked experienced, probably in his early thirties, she surmised. He would notice her inexperience. She couldn't let him kiss her. If she fumbled a kiss, she'd be mortified.

"If I allow you to kiss me, it might lead to something more, and I can't let that happen." She put distance between them on the bed.?

"You're right. I should leave, because being near you like this is difficult for me." Drake wanted to erase their distance. "I don't know how much longer I can keep myself well behaved. You're a challenging woman, and I must confess a woman has never denied me her pleasure before. I'd love to prove myself to you, but I'm afraid there's little time because I must leave tomorrow. You have my deepest respect and gratitude for letting me speak with you." Drake rose from the bed.

Sierra looked at him as he took his hat from the floor and placed it on his head.

Drake met her fixed stare. "Sierra, you should know that I don't think of women as whores. A woman has her reasons for choosing this profession. What right have I to judge?"

An undercurrent of warmth moved through Sierra's heart. "It's better that you walk outside that door than give me something I might forever miss. You've shared yourself with me tonight in a way that I'll always remember. You also have my gratitude. Maybe one day I'll see your city." She blinked.

"For God's sake Sierra." Drake wished he could bring her home with him. He wanted to dress her like a proper lady,present her with expensive jewels, unlike the trinkets on her dresser. Have five-course meals with her. Drink imported champagne and go for long walks with her along the Mississippi River.

He wanted to show her all the things in life that she was missing.?He must be losing his mind. How could he want so much for a woman he'd just met?

Maybe it was because she was the first woman to deny him. That had to be it. Women always threw themselves at him for his wealth or his looks. It's what he'd expected Sierra to do. She'd been his first real challenge.

If he had met her back home, he would have taken his time with her, wooed her, roused her desire until it matched his own. But this wasn't New Orleans, and right now, he seemed to be the only one aching with lust. No woman had ever held his attention like this, not even Isadora.

Damn it! He had forgotten about Isadora. "Goodnight, Sierra." With those final words, Drake gathered his coat and holster, then departed.

"Goodnight, wonderful stranger," Sierra whispered after he shut her door. She was frustrated with herself for letting him go.

Adrienne was right. It was time for her to experience a man, but she believed in saving herself for marriage,for a man she loved.

Although true love was a thing of fairy tales, she wouldn't let any man easily ruin her. There was nothing wrong with being a virgin. But in this town where the girls started liaisons with men so young, it was practically a cardinal sin to remain chaste past fifteen, the legal age for marriage.

Still, Sierra's morals ran strong. She always tried hard to do the right thing. She could never sleep with a man for money, but what about all her singing and dancing in Wil's bar??

She was only trying to earn enough money to leave town and break Wil's hold on her. Was that so wrong?

All she did was sing and dance from the time she was a little girl, especially after her mother passed away. She danced to ease the pain from the loss of her parents. At times she would even pretend that her mother was dancing with her instead of Adrienne.

Why was she trying to justify herself? Why did being with Drake make her think about these things??

She refused to linger on thoughts of Drake any longer. It was too late to want to bed him now.