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He teased her earlobe with the tip of his tongue, sending little shivers through her body Despite the warmth of the afternoon, the water was cold and she tre sensations coiled in the pit of her belly, row hard and ache with anticipation

“Meet ht after your dinner, in our special place, oui?” Maurice suggested huskily in her ear

She grasped his strong forear I adore riding in the dark, through the jungle and along the beach with only the uide ether”

“Or, we could pursue…other diversions”

Maurice covered herSapphire was not as generous with her affection as Angelique was, and, unlike the beautiful free-spirited native, she had guarded her virginity carefully But her resolve was beginning to wane She was fully a wo one What reason was there to wait? she wondered, light-headed as she finally tore herfor breath

“Come sit on the bank and dry a little before you dress,” Mauriceher toward the shore He picked up a blanket and led Sapphire just off the path to a clearing a overhead He spread the blanket and took her hand again, easing her down onto the soft carpet of the jungle floor

“I can only sit athe scents of the jungle paradise “Angelique is right We should go before Papa finds us”

“Ah, papas,” Maurice sighed, nuzzling her neck “They are overprotective of their beautiful daughters, oui?”

She lifted her chin to gaze into his eyes and rested her palm on his broad shoulder “Oui, at least this father is” Sapphire brushed her lips against Maurice’s and he closed his ar the kiss When he again molded his lean body to hers, she felt the evidence of his desire, and heat rose in her cheeks

Maurice drew his hand lightly over Sapphire’s rib cage, up under her breast, and she sighed Then he ently, bringing aso forbidden feel so wonderful?

?

?Sapphire! Mon dieu! You, sir, rehter at once!”

“Papa!” Sapphire had not heard the riders until they were upon the clearing beside the pond She gave Maurice a push as she sat up and crossed her arms over her breasts

“Bon après-ine How are you this fine afternoon?” Maurice had asked politely, as if nothing had happened

“How a fro his white leather crop He was dressed in a riding suit of white knee-length breeches, a white silk shirt, a pale blue coat and expensive boots Behind hiet a look at Sapphire and her lover “In truth, Mr Dupree, I alish as he pointed to his daughter “Fille, get up Get up at once!” His lips were pale, his eyes narrowed in anger