Enticed by Ecstasy (Wicked Treasures) by Donna Grant

not the whole story.   I went to your father and told him what he’d done.   He didn’t even blink when he learned Rebecca was dead.   I was out of my mind with grief and anger, and I punched him.   I never saw the men come at me.   There were four of them. He ordered them to beat me until I couldn’t move for daring to hit him.”
    “I’m surprised they didn’t kill you,” she whispered in astonishment.  
    He lifted a shoulder.   “They nearly did.   I was thrown on the first boat out of London, which happened to be on its way to Africa. I don’t know how I survived, but I did.   Tom Rye was there when the boat docked.   He took one look at me and brought me to his house.”
    “He healed you.”   She smiled sadly.   “I wish I could thank him for that.”
    “He healed my body, but my mind was set on revenge.”
    She sighed.   “My letters to Mr. Rye gave you the opportunity you were looking for, didn’t they?”
    “They did,” he agreed.   “I’d been wracking my brain to come up with some way I could hurt Huntington.   You supplied me with that.”
    “Is that all I’ve supplied you with?” she asked, her eyes darkening with desire.

Chapter Seven
     
     
    Abby was appalled at what her father had done, but she wasn’t shocked.   He had no remorse, nor did he think there should be consequences for his actions.   She wanted to help Channing, but his pain ran too deep.   He had to do this on his own.
    “I’ll stay here for as long as you need me to,” she said.   “My father needs to pay for what he’s done.   I’d like to see him in prison, but that won’t happen without evidence.”
    Channing’s dark eyes narrowed slightly.   “You’ll help me get my revenge on your father?”
    “Gladly,” she answered with a smile.   “He destroyed my mother.”
    Her heart skipped a beat when Channing leaned over and claimed her lips.   She sighed and opened her mouth for him.  
    When he finally pulled away, Abby found that the kiss had awoken her body once more.   She was becoming a shameless wanton, and she loved it.
    Many men looked at her, but none had ever seen her, not like Channing did.   His gaze made her blood sizzle and her sex clench.   Just a small tilt of his lips made her stomach quiver.  
    He was a man that could destroy her much as her father had destroyed her mother.   The only difference was Abby wouldn’t allow herself to crumble as her mother had done.   She would be stronger.
    “You’re an amazing woman,” Channing said into the silence.  
    An elephant trumpeted in the distance, causing Abby to roll over and look out the double doors.   She was in Africa, with a man who had truly stirred her body.   The adventure she’d longed for was right before her.
    She turned back to Channing.   “Am I still your captive?”
    “I don’t think you ever were, though I’d say your body has captured mine.”
    “Show me Africa, Channing.   I want to see it through your eyes.”
     
    * * * *
     
    Before Abby realized it, two weeks had passed.   Her days were spent learning of Africa and her ways.   And her nights were spent in Channing’s arms training in all the ways lovers could come together.
    She leaned against the corner of the porch and watched a group of children playing.   For all her time with Channing, there was still so much she didn’t know about him, but she was enjoying learning.
    A hand touched the small of her back.   She knew instantly it was Channing.   His touch was as familiar to her as breathing.
    “Do most children play like that?” she asked.
    “Most I’d guess.”
    She glanced over her shoulder at him.   “Did you?”
    He grinned.   “I did.”
    “Are they your slaves?”
    “Never.   I pay all of them.”   He walked around to stand in front of her.   “I give them land to build on, money to buy clothes and grain and whatever else they need.   In return, they give me loyalty.”
    “No,” she said.   “They give