"I'm going to look at you across the table, and you'll know that I'm remembering what I did to you last night." His voice deepened. "Someday I'll persuade you to wear nothing beneath that gown. We'll dine alone, and you'll let me slip the gown to your waist so that I can see those lovely breasts. Later, while we're having coffee, you'll come and sit on my lap. I'll lift your skirt and look at you and press my palms on-"

"Stop it," she hissed. Even the roots of her hair felt on fire. They were only words, she told herself. Yet the picture he painted was there before her. She could feel his lean hardness beneath her thighs, feel his intent gaze.

"Have I upset you? I only thought you should know what's in store for you." He added silkily as they reached the table, "Though I realize you regard my attentions as totally 'unimportant.' "

She should have known he would find a way of getting back at her. No one could sting Jared without being stung in return. "You've not upset me. Imagine what you like. It won't bother me at all."

"Oh, I think I may have inserted some small- Ah, here's the lovely Lani."

With relief she turned to see Lani glide into the cabin. Bradford was already halfway across the room, his expression lit with eagerness as he hurried toward her. He looked remarkably boyish, she thought absently. Jared was the one who appeared older, more experienced, steeped in cynicism.

"Bradford is quite enthralled with your friend," he said idly. "One can't blame the poor man. She's done her best to dazzle him."

She said without thinking, "No, she didn't. It was supposed to be you."

"What?"

She hadn't meant to blurt out the truth. Oh, well, it didn't matter now. "Lani was going to be the one to couple with you."

He went still. "Indeed?"

"But Papa wouldn't have liked it."

He said silkily, "So you decided to sacrifice yourself instead. I can't tell you how enchanted I am to know that fact. Tell me, did you draw lots to see which one of you would come to my bed?"

Such a little thing to irritate him. "No. I told you, Papa wouldn't have liked her to do it."

"I'm getting very tired of hearing about Deville's opinions." He strode to the head of the table. "Bradford! We're waiting."

"Coming," Bradford said over his shoulder. "Don't be impatient. I'm merely telling this lady how lovely I find her."

"I'm the one who is impatient." Lani ignored him and swept toward the table. "I have no time for compliments. I'm hungry."

"I admire a woman of appetite," Jared said with a sideways glance at Cassie. "It's a quality to which I can relate. By the way, I was just telling Cassie how interesting I find her gown."

Cassie stiffened. He surely would not shame her by discussing the intimacies he had suggested to her. Or perhaps he would. It was clear he was very angry with her.

"Are you mad?" Lani asked as Bradford seated her. "It's very ugly."

"How cruel. I find anger has infinite potential." Jared motioned to the seaman at the door to begin serving. He dropped the subject. "Wine?"

As Cassie breathed a sigh of relief, Jared turned to her and gave a tigerish smile. He might have spared her shame, but she knew he wouldn't let her escape unscathed.

Yet during the entire dinner it appeared he would do just that. For the first time since she had met him, Jared acted the charming, courteous host, teasing Lani, speaking with dry humor to Bradford. Only with Cassie was he coolly polite.

It was exactly how she wanted him to behave, she assured herself. As long as he was cool to her, that dangerous intimacy would be kept at bay.

When the meal was almost over, Jared turned to Lani and asked casually, "By the way, do you know where Ku'aihelani is located?"

Cassie's gaze flew to his face. It seemed the truce was at an end, but she had not expected it to be broken in this manner.

Lani frowned in puzzlement. "Ku'aihelani?"

"You've never heard of it?"

"Of course I've heard of it. The question just surprised me." Her eyes were suddenly twinkling. "It's not often one is asked directions to paradise."

"Paradise?" He didn't look at Cassie as he picked up his glass of wine. "Is that what it is? I merely picked up the word somewhere."

From her own idiotic lips, Cassie thought with annoyance. She wished she had torn out her tongue before she'd let that word slip out.

"Ku'aihelani is the place of legend," Lani said. "And I couldn't tell you where it is, because, according to ancient mythology, it's a floating island. It's always drifting, never in one place long enough to be corrupted or destroyed. Paradise."

"How interesting," Jared murmured. He turned to Cassie and asked politely, "Don't you find it so?"

She wanted to slap him. She said curtly, "Not particularly." She pushed back her chair and rose to her feet. "I must check on Kapu. Good night."

"Oh, yes, Kapu." Jared stood and bowed slightly. "We mustn't forget about your wonderful stallion. But do be careful of that gown. I wouldn't want it destroyed like the gray one."

You'll let me slip it to your waist.

Her annoyance vanished, submerged in the flood of heat surging through her. She turned her back so he wouldn't see her face as she hurried toward the door.

"Wait!" Jared was beside her, opening the door. "I'll escort you to the hold."

"I need no escort. Go back to Lani and Bradford."

He lowered his voice. "I'll be expecting you later."

She looked straight ahead. "Will you?"

"There's no reason why not, is there? Since it means so little to you? To refuse me would put too much weight on the matter." He added mockingly, "You wouldn't want me to think you were running away after the first foray."

She didn't answer.

"And I'm a man who needs constant attention. If you don't come, I might have to seek solace with Lani, and that would displease Papa."

Her gaze flew to his face. "You would do that?"

"You'll never know unless you fail to provide me with your… company."

"Damn you."

His face hardened. "You should not have supplied me with a weapon if you didn't expect me to use it." He turned back to the table and gave Lani and Bradford a brilliant smile. "Be there."

When Cassie opened the door of his cabin, Jared was lolling naked on the bunk. The golden glow of the candlelight gilded his lean, tough body and heightened his aura of lazy sensuality. But all hint of laziness vanished when he saw her.

"Dammit, I told you to cover yourself," he said roughly. "Do you get pleasure out of flaunting yourself to every man who sees you?"

"I owe you no obedience." She closed the door. "I don't flaunt myself, and I'm sure your sailors are used to naked women by now." She stood looking at him. "If you don't like me as I am, then send me away."

"Not bloody likely," he muttered. "Take off that nothing bit of material and come here."

Her hands were trembling as she unknotted the cloth. "I didn't like your asking Lani questions tonight. It was an intrusion." The sarong dropped to the floor. "Don't do it again."

"I'll do as I please." He shifted on the bunk as she came toward him. "You have so few weaknesses, you can't blame me for probing the ones I find." He pulled her down beside him and bent over her. "Just as you will do." His lips hovered over her breast, each word a burst of air that teased the sensitive nipple. He said thickly, "You have exquisite breasts, full… firm. After you left last night, I could still taste them, feel my tongue on you. I was so heavy and aching, I was cursing you. I wanted you back."

"So you forced me to come."

"Does this feel like force?"

He knew it didn't. He was exerting the same overwhelming seduction he had the night before, and she was responding in the same mindless manner. She felt as if she were melting, every muscle of her body helplessly yielding.