She was in love with Black Jack Rhys. Completely, utterly head over hills for the pirate.
The thought terrified her, and yet sitting in the moonlight listening to him spill his soul to her, how could she not love him?
In spite of whatever crimes he’d committed, he had a good heart. A generous heart. He cared for her and he was sorry for his actions.
But with the thought came a new fear. Could he ever love her back?
Could someone who had known such atrocities in his life ever accept what she wanted to give him?
She vowed to find some way to reach him. There had to be a way to make him see reason, to make him realize that he could be loved, that she could and did love him.
She leaned her head against his knee and thought over what he’d told her tonight. His words drifted over her, until one part in particular stood out.
She sat up with a gasp. “You know who your father is?”
He looked startled. “What?”
“You said your mother was ruined by men like your father. How would you know that?”
He shifted his gaze to the deck and tensed all around her. “She told me so.”
She tilted her head suspiciously as every instinct in her body told her he was hedging. “And she told you who your father was.”
He had that look in his eyes like he wanted to run again. She prepared herself to grab him if he did.
Instead, he answered. “Yes, I know who he is.”
Her mouth dropped. Even though she’d guessed the truth, hearing it spoken aloud still left her shocked.
Completely baffled, she stared at him. “Then why didn’t you go to him for protection after your mother’s death?”
“I didn’t have to,” he said blandly. “He showed up at the bordello one night not long after she died.”
Lorelei frowned. It didn’t make any sense. “He came to get you?”
Jack snorted. “He had no idea I was there, but I knew him on sight. How can you forget the face of a man you once worshipped? Someone who was the night and day to you. A man you wanted to be just like when you grew up.”
No! Now the full tragedy of his life hit her. He’d once cared for his own father as much as she cared for hers. But something had happened. Something had destroyed their loving bond.
“What did he do?” she asked.
His gaze hardened. “I begged him for a guinea to buy my freedom.”
“And?”
“He told me to leave him alone.”
“Oh no, Jack,” she gasped. “He didn’t.”
“Aye, and when I went down on my hands and knees to beg him for it, he kicked me like I was a dog trying to piss on his boots.”
Tears choked her. There was so much pain in his eyes that it took her breath. Dear heaven, no wonder he was so hard to reach. She couldn’t imagine anyone treating a child like that, let alone having to live through something so horrendous.
She blinked away her tears, knowing they wouldn’t please Jack. Nay, he was a strong man and wouldn’t welcome her show of weakness. And right now, she wanted his trust more than she’d ever wanted it before.
“That’s why you bought Kit, isn’t it? Because of what your mother and father did to you.”
He nodded. “And that’s why I will never allow him to know the truth of his mother.”
Lorelei cupped his cheek in her hand. She could feel the tautness of his jaw as he held his emotions in check and she admired his strength.
No wonder he denied knowing his father. Such a person should be hung, drawn, and quartered!
He rubbed his stubbly cheek against her palm and she pulled him into a hug. He tensed for a moment, then surrendered himself to her touch.
His arms came around her, drawing her closer to him and he turned his face to hers. Seeing his desire to kiss her, she opened her lips in invitation and he took it.
His kiss was warm and sweet and intoxicating. Against her hip, she could feel his desire for her as his body stirred.
Jack pulled back slightly and nibbled her bottom lip.
“‘Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?’” he whispered. “‘Thou art more lovely and more temperate; Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, And summer’s lease hath too short a date.’”
She smiled at him, warmed by his quote. “Come back to bed with me, Jack.”
And before she could blink, he rose from the deck, scooped her up in his arms, and took her back to his cabin.
He didn’t release her until she was beside the bed. “Shall I fetch us more wine?” she asked.
He arched a suspicious brow.
She laughed. “Untainted wine, then.”
“If you wish.”
She went to the dining room and when she returned, she caught him flipping through the pages of her sketchbook. “You really are very talented,” he said as she handed him his goblet.
“Thank you.” She took a sip of her wine.
Jack took a sip of his, then reached his hand out and fingered her cheek. His gaze searched her face and she wondered what it was he sought.
“I could devour you,” he said at last.
She should be shocked and offended by his words, but in truth they delighted her.
Smiling, she said, “Then do so.”
A slow smile spread across his face.
Jack set his goblet down and pulled her to him. He dipped his head down to the swell of her breasts over the neckline of her gown and trailed his tongue over her flesh. Lorelei gasped in stunned pleasure as her body immediately ignited.
Straightening, he took her glass from her hand, placed it next to his, then led her back to the bed. This time, they took their leisure undressing each other.
“You are wondrous,” she whispered as she wrapped her legs around his bare waist.
He leaned down to kiss her. As he started to enter her, Lorelei pulled back. “Wait.”
He frowned.
She reached out to run her hand across the muscles of his chest and licked her dry lips. He had shared himself with her tonight and she wanted to do something special for him. Show him how much he’d come to mean to her.
“I want you to tell me what you like, Jack.”
His frown deepened.
Lorelei forced him to roll to his back, then straddled him. She could feel the deep ridges of his stomach pressing against the most intimate part of her body. It was wondrously erotic and sent ribbons of desire thrumming through her body. His groan radiated through her.
He reached up to cup her breasts, but she caught his hands and pushed them back to the mattress.
“No, Jack. It’s my turn.”
Jack stared at her in wonder as she boldly dipped her head to his throat and flicked her tongue across his Adam’s apple. He tried to cup her head, but she still held his hands beside his face. His body molten, he sucked his breath in sharply between his teeth.
With a thoroughness that astounded him, she explored his neck and chest with her lips, her tongue. And every time he felt the hesitant stroking, he thought he would die from the pleasure. No woman had ever treated him this way. They merely took what he gave them and were as eager for him to leave as he was to be gone.
But not Lorelei. Her delicate hands caressed his stomach before they moved lower. Writhing in ecstasy, Jack gripped the headboard in his fists as she took him in her hand and explored the length of his manhood.
Until she started laughing.
Lifting his head, he stared at her. “What’s so funny?” he demanded.
“You are.”
Offended, he pushed himself up on his elbows.
“It does tricks!” She laughed, then trailed her hand lightly over the tip of his shaft. Of its own accord, his body strained for her touch, then retreated as her hand left him.
Joining her laughter, Jack relaxed. “May I offer you some advice?”
She looked up with wide eyes.
“Never, ever laugh at a man’s…piece during sex. We don’t like that.”
She bit her lip and looked at him from under her lashes. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t help it.”
“You’re forgiven, but—” The words died on his lips as she bent her head down and took him in her mouth.
Jack threw his head back, striking it against the wood of his bed. But he didn’t feel the pain. All he could feel was her mouth working magic on him.
Closing his eyes, he placed his hand on her head and savored the most pleasurable moment of his life. No woman had ever done that to him. Never.
The pleasure was so intense, he could swear he saw stars, and considering the fact that he had most likely just given himself a concussion, he probably did.
Lorelei’s laugh drifted to his ears once more. “I take it you like that.”
He couldn’t speak as she trailed her tongue back up his body. Jack watched her every movement, awed by the brazen innocence of her.
And to think he had believed he could teach her lessons!
Cupping her head in his hand, he brought her lips up to his. “I need you,” he breathed. “Now.”
She straddled his waist and leaned over him. Her rich auburn hair formed a canopy over them as he lifted her hips and then set her down on top of him.
They moaned simultaneously. She tried to move her hips, but it only succeeded in driving him out of her. Jack ground his teeth in frustration before he sat up and leaned her back. This time when he entered her, it was slow and easy.
Lorelei bit her lips against the exquisite feel of him filling her. She lifted her hips to draw him deeper inside.
How she longed to scream out her love to him as he pleasured her. Pressing her lips together, she promised herself she wouldn’t do it. Not now. Not during this victory. She didn’t want to do anything that would drive him away from her.
He moved faster against her hips, his strokes more furious. Then she felt him leave her as his body shuddered and shook.
Covered in sweat, he rolled to his side and pulled her against him. “I’m sorry I couldn’t wait for you.”
She smiled up at him. “Don’t be. I wanted to pleasure you.”
Disbelief glowed in his eyes as he leaned forward and kissed the tip of her nose.
She rested her head on his chest and listened to his heart settle down to a regular beat.
“Why do you pull out of me?” she asked.
His body grew rigid a moment before he relaxed. A little, anyway. “I don’t want to make you pregnant.”
She turned her head over so that she could look at his face. “Do you always do that?”
“Always.”
“Well then—”
“Lorelei,” he said quietly. “This really isn’t something I wish to discuss with you.” He brushed his hand through her hair, spreading it out over his chest. “Is there nothing that embarrasses you?”
She traced idle circles around his chest. “There are many things that embarrass me. I was just curious, and my grandmother always told me I should never fear questions.”
“She was right. ’Tis the answers that are most often frightening.”
She rolled her eyes at him.
Jack gave a contented sigh and closed his eyes.
“Are you going to sleep?” she asked.
“’Twas my plan.”
“Do you wish me to leave?”
When he opened his eyes, his look burned her. “I wish you to stay right where you are.”
Settling down, she closed her own eyes, then moved to trace small circles in the hairs below his belly button. The tiny hairs curled around her fingers, teasing her with the memory of their union.
“Lorelei,” Jack whispered hoarsely. “If you continue to do that, neither of us will have any sleep tonight and you shall be terribly sore come morning.”
Balling her hand into a fist, she shifted. “Sorry.”
“Don’t be. It was quite pleasant. I just don’t want to hurt you.”
She tucked her arm up under her side and watched him as he drifted off into sleep.
Lorelei had learned much this night. Much about Jack and even more about herself.
You’re wanton.
It should have shamed her, but it didn’t. For some unfathomable reason it seemed right that she should be here with Jack.
I’m going to make you love me, she vowed silently. Somehow, Jack Rhys, I’m going to make you mine.
Jack came awake to the smell of sandalwood and roses. For a moment he thought he was dreaming as he felt the soft body molded to his.
Only it wasn’t a dream.
The morning was real as had been the night before. He looked down at the auburn curls spread across his chest. Lorelei still slept on top of him, her breasts pressed against his side. She was truly beautiful in his arms. He’d never before awakened with a woman in his bed, let alone one sprawled atop him.
Yet he liked it. He liked the way her breath tickled his chest, the way her hair slid against his flesh.
Raising his left hand, he ran his finger over the soft lashes nestled on her pale cheeks. Even now he could remember the way it felt to kiss her there. The way it felt to penetrate her body.
You’re a madman. Women bring nothing but sorrow.
As if that would be a change for him, he thought bitterly.
Through the open windows he could hear his crew going about their daily activities. By the sound of them, it was probably just after noon and he really should be out on deck listening to the morning report, taking calculations. But he had no real desire to leave Lorelei’s embrace.
In fact, all he really wanted to do was replay last night’s tryst.
A knock sounded on his door.
Unfortunately, it was not meant to be.
Sighing, he carefully slid himself out from Lorelei’s arms and made his way to the door. Jack cracked it open to see Tarik on the other side.
“There’s a storm brewing, Captain. I thought you might want to come take a look at it.”
“Give me a few minutes.”
“Aye, Captain.”
Jack closed the door.
“Is something wrong?” Lorelei asked as he neared the bed.
Jack paused to stare at her. She lay in the bed with his spread pulled up high over her breasts and her auburn hair tousled about her. He’d never seen anything more appealing. Anyone more inviting.
And she had asked him something. But the devil take it if he could remember what.
“I’m sorry,” he said, reaching for his pants. “I didn’t hear what you asked.”
“I asked if everything was all right.”
Jack laced his breeches. “It’s fine. There’s a storm moving in. Probably just a squall.”
He sat on the bed to pull on his boots. Lorelei came up behind him and encircled his waist with her arms. Her bare breasts were pressed tight against his back, burning him through and through as his body instantly ached for hers.
“I’m not sorry about last night, Jack, and I don’t want you to be either.”
He reached back over his head and cupped her head with his hand. Closing his eyes, he savored her scent, her feel. “I pray you don’t suffer for it.”
“If I do, it will have been worth it.”
He let go of her and moved away. “This isn’t a game, Lorelei. Women have been beaten, jailed, and killed for being unchaste.”
“I know,” she said with a hint of laughter in her voice. “My grandmother tutored me well on what can happen to women who give their passion free reign. She even warned me about handsome pirates named Jack.”
Lorelei sobered as she caught his menacing glare. “Never fear for me. I have people who will watch over me. I will be fine.”
Jack traced the line of her jaw with the backs of his fingers. How he prayed she was right.
Worst of all, though, he couldn’t find it in him to resist her. She was like some enchanted spell that had captured his battered soul.
He was truly selfish. He admitted that.
“Kiss me, Jac
k.”
He obliged. Sweet Jesu, she tasted so wonderful. Her scent filled his head.
“Captain!” someone bellowed from the deck.
Reluctantly, he pulled back from her. “I’ll be back.”
The afternoon dragged on slowly while Jack stayed busy with preparations. The sky grew increasingly dark until Jack ordered her below. Now in the galley, Lorelei was helping Sarah and the others prepare enough food to last several days should the storm not abate, and she was currently wrapping the potatoes Sarah’s husband had prepared.
“A fire’s the worst thing that can happen to a ship,” Mavis told her.
Alice nodded. “Aye, we’ll have no lights tonight, that’s for sure.”
Kit inched into the galley with a bundle of clothes and set them on the table next to Lorelei. She looked at him with a questioning brow.
“The captain said you’ll be needing something other than your skirts while we’ve got a storm,” Kit explained.
Puzzled, she looked to Mavis, who concurred. “Forgot to tell you about that. We all wear trousers in case the ship goes down.”
Lorelei dropped the potato in her hand as horror filled her. “What?”
Alice caught the potato as it rolled across the table and handed it back to Lorelei. “You never know in this kind of weather. I personally have never been aboard a sinking ship, knock on wood.” She rapped the table three times. “But ’tis better safe than sorry.”
Kit narrowed his gaze on Lorelei’s hooped skirt. “Those skirts of yours make a nice anchor. Not what I’d want wrapped around my legs if I had to swim for it.”
He turned to leave, but Mavis caught him by the arm. “Where are you taking refuge tonight, Mr. Kit?”
Kit puffed out his chest like a proud peacock. “I’m bunking with the sailors. I don’t need no woman coddling me. I’m a man, Mavis, or haven’t you noticed.”
She laughed. “You’re a whelp, that’s what you are.”
He stuck his tongue out, then ran for the door.
Mavis sighed at his departure. “There are times when I swear that boy is as mature as an old man, and other times when he hasn’t got the sense of a three-year-old babe.”
Alice froze, her face a mask of shock. “Good Lord, Mavis. He is a grown man after all!”
They all burst into laughter.
Master of Seduction Page 20
