Her heart jumped, and Alicia had to fight to keep from doing the same. She’d never doubted Blake’s love and she’d seen his eyes when he’d felt the baby. But it would take more than that to make a life together.
“Living here won’t make you happy, Blake.”
“Yes, it will.”
“What about your ship?”
“There’s always a need for merchants to run supplies. If you’ll agree, I hope to do that now and again, no more than once a month, and we’ll run the shop together the rest of the time. What do you think?”
“I think …” She stumbled on a sob. “I think it sounds fantastic.”
Blake smiled and wrapped her gently in his arms. He found Alicia’s mouth waiting for him and he kissed her deeply and thoroughly. There’d be time later for gentleness; for now he simply couldn’t get enough. He plundered her mouth, drawing soft moans from her throat. Her hands tangled in his hair and he nipped at her lips with his teeth. He stroked her tongue with his, knowing he’d never again let her go. When he was breathless, he took her hands. Pride be damned, this was what he wanted and he’d beg her forgiveness if need be.
“You already have my heart, Alicia. Take my name as well and be my wife.”
Tears streamed down her face, and from nearby he heard a sniffle—apparently Samantha hadn’t gone as far away as he thought she had.
Alicia’s heart had never felt so full, and as though the baby knew, it began to move in earnest, letting his desires known. Luckily, they were the same as hers.
“You’re sure? This isn’t out of some sense of responsibility?”
He frowned. “I’ve been damn miserable since you left. Granted it’s taken me a while to figure it all out, but I knew before I even saw you again that it was going to take more than a ship and the sea to make me happy. For a time it had, but not once I met you. I need you, Alicia.”
His eyes melted as he looked at her stomach. If she hadn’t already loved him, she would have tumbled then.
“I need both of you.”
Alicia placed both hands onto Blake’s stubbled cheeks. His brown eyes were wet with emotion as he looked into hers. She saw no reason to make him wonder any longer.
“If it’s a boy, I think we should call him Daniel Edward Jacob.”
He bowed his head, and when he lifted it again, she had to wipe the tear from his cheek.
“And if it’s a girl?”
“Helen Anna Samantha. That all right with you, Sam?” she asked, knowing full well her sister had heard every word.
Sam nodded, wiped her eyes, and this time she disappeared into the house.
“Is that all right with you?” she asked her soon-to-be husband.
Blake drew her into his arms, pressed a kiss to her head, and held on for life. Never again would he let her go.
“Whatever you want, sunshine,” he answered. “But there’s something you should know, though, before we get married.”
“What’s that?”
He grinned. “I think there is a little pirate in me after all.”
She tossed her head, laughed. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Romancing the Pirate
© 2009 Michelle Beattie
ISBN: 9780425230855
BERKLEY SENSATION
Ed♥n
Romancing the Pirate Page 27
