The Lady and the Pirate

by Bernadette Rowley

  She sat up and reached behind her to undo the many buttons down her back but she only had three undone before Sam grasped the collar of her gown and ripped it open all the way down the back. Covered buttons flew everywhere and Esta gasped, her feminine parts saturated with desire. She was naked beneath the gown. It was so thick and tight that no undergarment was necessary. Sam took full advantage, his large hands cupping her breasts, the weight of his body easing her back against the pillows.

  His mouth found her nipples, first one then the other, and Esta almost leapt off the bed, her body arching into his. He did splendid things with his tongue, licking and flicking her aroused peaks. A pressure mounted in Esta, low down in her stomach, and tingling began in her mound. It was marvelous and exciting and oh!

  She had to have him before it was all over and he refused her again like last time. She had to find a way to push him over the edge, send him mad with desire.

  His breathing was fast and hard, his pupils huge with only a thin rim of brilliant green framing them. “You drive me wild, Esta. When I’m with you I lose myself. Nothing else seems to matter.”

  That was good, very good, she thought, as she reached for his breeches and undid them. When she pushed them down, he sprang free and Esta gasped. Would she be able to accept all of him inside her? She must have paused for he raised her chin so he could see into her eyes.

  “Don’t be afraid, my love. We’ll go slowly. This is the most natural act in the world. Relax and feel!” He stripped off the rest of her gown until she lay naked before him. His eyes took her in, including the thatch of chestnut hair between her legs—the place that ached for him. He pushed his breeches down and off then spread her legs, running his fingers lightly across her throbbing flesh. Esta moaned and Sam’s breath came in gasps. His fingers found a spot that throbbed to his touch and Esta again bounced off the bed. She threw her head back and moaned as the pressure mounted—sweet, sweet torture. It pushed at her, harder and harder and then Sam’s fingers were inside her and she was lost into a maelstrom of sensation that overtook her entire body.

  Esta knew nothing else until Sam nibbled his way from her navel all the way to each nipple. Everything inside her awoke. This time when Sam pushed her legs aside it wasn’t his fingers that entered her. She gasped as his manhood pushed at her entrance, questing, exploring the hot slick depths hidden within her folds. She held her breath, not sure what to expect. He was gentle, entering her by small pushes, waiting for her to stretch and then thrusting again. At every push Sam moaned until Esta couldn’t hold her eagerness inside any more. She thrust against him and he slid further into her, stretched almost to the point of pain.

  “You’re so tight,” he said, “and this is so good.”

  Esta thought he had fully inserted himself but he pushed again and there was a sweet pain. She cried out but when he would have stopped she urged him on, gripping his backside so he couldn’t pull away. His response was strong thrusts that took her higher and higher, back to that sweet spot where the world ceased to exist and only tumbling, swirling sensations were reality. She was vaguely aware of Sam stiffening on top of her and his seed pumping within. Again he brought her back with his mouth on her breasts, lips and neck.

  “You’re so beautiful and so sensual, Esta,” he said. “You came apart under me. You can’t imagine what that does to a man. To know I can do that to you. I will never get sick of it.”

  Esta didn’t wish to return to reality, just wanted to float on this raft of desire and sensation forever. “Do we have to talk? Can we not do that again?”

  Sam laughed. “If you insist, my love.”

  The glorious rays of the sun woke Esta the following day. By their brightness, it was midmorning. She sat up and the blankets fell away. She glanced down at her bare breasts and encountered Sam’s tanned back.

  “Oh!” The night flooded back to her and her whole body heated. She was sore down below but not too sore for a repeat performance. The experience had been nothing like her mother described. There had been so much pleasure involved, Esta worried at one point that she might die of pleasure. Perhaps she was one of the lucky ones. She walked her fingers up Sam’s back, trying to wake him.

  “Good morning, love,” he said.

  Esta so liked the sound of his voice, especially when he called her love. She could get used to that. For once in her life, someone was looking after her.

  “Good morning,” she said, snuggling down beside him. “Could we do that again?”

  Sam rolled onto his back and groaned. “Again? Woman your stamina amazes me. Aren’t you sore?”

  “A little,” she said, “but it was so nice.”

  “Nice! I hope it was better than that!”

  “You know it was.” She kissed him on the nipple and it instantly pebbled. His rod bounced under the blanket. “I see someone else wants more too.”

  He hauled her onto his chest and gazed up into her eyes as her chestnut hair cascaded over his chest and neck. “I love your hair,” he said, running his fingers through it. You should wear it down so I can fondle it whenever I like.”

  “There is so much more of me you can fondle, pirate,” she said.

  He frowned.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I don’t like you calling me that. It reminds me of a past I want to escape.”

  “Then I won’t use it unless I’m angry with you,” she said, smiling.

  That didn’t cheer him up as she had hoped.

  “Talk to me,” Esta said.

  “I want this to be over. I want us to start a new life together and put all that sordid mess behind us.”

  Esta shrugged. “I wish for that too and I’ve done all I can to make that happen.”

  “I know you have, I just …I’m afraid.”

  Esta drew him close. “There’s no need. We can conquer anything.”

  “Easy words to say,” he said. “I have so much more to lose now than I ever did. I find I’m not prepared to give any of it up.” He swallowed hard and Esta wanted to protect him so nothing could ever again hurt this man she loved.

  There was a knock on the outer door. Esta pulled on a robe and went to answer it. Merielle was without.

  “The rider has come with word from the King, Esta,” she said. “Nikolas has asked that you present yourself in the dining room in an hour. I have tried to find Samael but with no luck. Would you be able to tell him the news?”

  Esta nodded. “I’ll tell him if I see him. Thank you, Merielle.”

  The woman hesitated then turned and left. Esta wondered what else her beautiful friend had wished to say. Things between them hadn’t been the same since Esta raced off to sea, virtually leaving Reid at the altar. It saddened her to lose that closeness but what choice had she had? To stay and commit to a life with Reid when she had deep feelings for another man? It wouldn’t have been fair to Reid and in time he and Merielle would see that—she hoped.

  Esta went back to the bedroom but when Sam held out his arms, she shook her head. “We must rise. The rider has come from the King and Nikolas wishes to see us within the hour.” Her heart ached at the mixture of fear and hope in his eyes but Esta squared her shoulders and lifted her head high. “We shall meet the news with courage and deal with whatever comes, Sam. It’s all we can do.”

  Sam fastened the black ribbon at his throat and stood back to examine the black breeches and dark grey tunic Nikolas had loaned him. The Goddess only knew where Sam’s clothes were. It had seemed an unimportant matter when in prison. He nodded at his reflection. The tunic was a little too broad across the shoulders but otherwise Sam thought he could pass for a gentleman. There were still shadows beneath his eyes from the sleepless days in prison and he had lost weight and strength but he liked to think his spirit was still strong.

  All he was doing was putting off the inevitable. Nikolas had news from the King and it was time to find out the verdict. He said a quick prayer to the Goddess and left the room.

  He met E
sta in the hallway. She wore the emerald dress she had worn to the ball and looked breathtaking. It said a lot about her nerves that she had donned the gown. Sam suspected she used the dress as a kind of armor. Or perhaps it was to remind Nikolas that she was a member of the court, albeit a lesser member.

  Sam smiled and took her hand which trembled. “You said all would be well, remember?” he said. “Take your own advice.” He placed her hand on his arm and turned to continue down the hall.

  “Sam, wait,” she said.

  When he glanced at her again there were tears in her eyes. “What is it?”

  “Last night was the most marvelous night of my life,” she said. “I wanted you to know that. I love you, no matter what happens.”

  What had he done to deserve this amazing woman? “I love you too, Esta. What a wonderful team we’ll make.” Her smile lit up her face and it was one of the most joyful sights Sam had ever witnessed. He leant toward her and kissed each cheek. “Keep the faith,” he whispered.

  Esta nodded and they walked with quiet dignity, each caught up in their own thoughts, until they reached the dining room. Nikolas stood by the fire reading a sheet of parchment. Sam cleared his throat as they entered the room.

  Nikolas turned. “Good day to you both. Won’t you please take a seat?”

  Sam looked down his nose. “I prefer to stand.”

  Esta squeezed his hand and he glanced down at her to see tears. She chewed her bottom lip.

  “Get this over with, Cosara,” he said.

  “Very well.” Nikolas looked down at the missive in his hands, took a deep breath and began to read.

  “His Majesty Benial Jazara, King of Thorius, makes this declaration regarding the sentence of Samael Delacost who has been convicted of piracy and treason. It will be stated that the death sentence is not appropriate in this case as the man has familial connections to the nobility. Therefore in Delacost’s case, I must order a different punishment.”

  Nikolas paused, his free hand tapping out a rhythm on his thigh.

  “I sentence Samael Delacost to hard labor for ten years. It is to be under the supervision of Nikolas Cosara, for the admiral to decide what tasks are suitable. Delacost is not to leave the admiral’s side and must complete any chore asked of him. There will be no reduction in sentence but if Delacost should abuse the kindness of the Crown, his sentence may be doubled and prison would be considered.”

  “I will be a virtual slave!” Sam said, glaring at his brother.

  “You think I want this?”

  “Yes, I believe you do,” Sam said.

  “You think I want you under my nose night and day, constantly worried about what you might do next to bring me down?”

  “I think you’re very capable of making your own life a misery, Delacost,” Sam said. “I hear you’ve been good at it in the past.”

  “You leave the past out of this,” Nikolas snapped, gesturing at Sam with the King’s letter.

  “Why?” Sam stalked closer to his brother. “That’s what this is all about. You have scandal in your past and want everyone to forget. How can they when your black sheep brother has turned up? Perhaps you don’t want this after all. Perhaps you want me to go away and to never have to think of me again.”

  Nikolas nodded. “Perhaps I do.”

  “Lord Cosara, you can’t mean that,” Esta said, stepping forward.

  The look Nikolas turned on Esta almost earned him a fist in the face from Sam. “I won’t deny Delacost has been an irritation and you, lady, are just as bad. My life was challenging before you both walked into it but lately it’s been damned nigh impossible.”

  “Then we have a problem, Admiral.” Esta folded her arms across her chest.

  “Stay out of this, Esta,” Sam turned to Nikolas. “Your suggestions?”

  “I’ve had an hour to think about how I will deal with this and I’ve come up with nothing. There isn’t any room to misunderstand this sentence. You will stay with me wherever I go. The King has given both of us a ten year sentence. Now get out of my sight, I need to think.”

  “Keep a civil tongue in your head!” Sam couldn’t let this opportunity pass. He had to build bridges. Trouble was, Nikolas appeared to have dug his heels in. “I could agree to stay out of your way as much as possible. I give you my word I’ll serve every day of that sentence.”

  Nikolas’s eyes were wide, his mouth hung open. “You’re considering this farce?”

  “I don’t have any choice. It’s that or prison.”

  “Well, I do have a choice. I don’t have to endure you under my nose every waking moment!”

  “I can hear you both from the other side of the house.” Merielle entered and closed the door behind her. “What will the servants say?”

  “You’ve come a long way, my dear, if you are now worrying about our help!” Nikolas said, earning a gasp from Esta.

  Merielle’s eyes turned as hard as green flint. “That remark is beneath you, Nikolas, and I don’t deserve it.”

  Nikolas sighed and walked over to her, catching her hand and kissing it. “You’re right and I’m sorry. I’m just so frustrated.”

  “Can you not accept Samael into our family and make the best of this? You lost a brother. Perhaps this is your Goddess restoring Jon to you.”

  “We both know Delacost is not Jon and I would thank you not to mention them in the same breath ever again.” Without a backward look, Nikolas stalked from the room

  Merielle stared at her hands for a long moment and when she looked up at Sam, there were tears in her eyes. “I should have known that would upset him. Why am I so stupid?”

  Esta approached, tentatively laying a hand on Merielle’s arm. “He misses his brother very much. Jon was lost at sea. Is that why he has such a violent reaction to Sam? Because Sam is from the ocean, too?”

  Merielle shook her head. “That is only a small part of it.”

  “He doesn’t think I’m good enough to be his brother.” In his gut, Sam knew that was true but it hurt to admit it.

  Merielle looked upon him with sad eyes. “I can’t deny that may be true, Samael, but mostly Nikolas is upset because he misses Jon. He is not ready for anyone to replace him. He may never be.”

  “Well, I won’t spend the rest of my life trying to live up to Niko’s idea of the perfect brother.”

  “You will not have to,” Merielle said. “I believe he will soften in time. You must try hard to crack that shell he has built around his heart. Once you break through, he is a wonderful man.”

  “You speak from experience,” Esta said. “But I have my own concerns. Your husband blames me for being in this predicament.”

  “Not without reason,” Merielle looked Esta in the eye every pore oozing disapproval.

  “What would you have done?” Esta asked. “If Nikolas was in trouble, would you not do anything to help him?”

  Merielle frowned. “You could say I have already been in that position and yes, I did all I could for him.”

  Esta seized Merielle’s forearms. “I love Samael. He was in danger and I did the only thing I could to save him. Don’t condemn me for an action you would likely have taken yourself!”

  Sam held his breath. This woman was critical to his future with Nikolas. If they could win her over then it would be easier for everyone. Merielle pulled her arms from Esta’s grasp and walked over to look at the sketches on her side table. She picked up one of a man and woman and ran her finger down the woman’s face.

  “Family is important to Nikolas but he needs time to form a relationship with you. Now he will have that time. It just remains to be seen how this can work.” She turned to Esta. “As for you, Esta, you have an estate to run. I don’t see where you fit into Samael’s life of servitude to Nikolas.”

  Esta looked at Sam and they shared a smile. “I don’t care how I will fit. I only care that Sam is safe, with a chance for a new life and a new brother. For he has given me a new life and it’s the one I always craved but never knew e
xisted. He is everything to me and nothing will be too difficult to bear with him by my side.”

  Sam joined her and enfolded her in his arms. “I can’t fathom how I was lucky enough to find you after all these years,” he said, for her ears only. “Please say you’ll marry me. The rest we’ll work out as we go.”

  Esta pushed back, tears in her rich brown eyes. “I’ll marry you Samael Delacost and I’ll love you until death and beyond.”

  Sam pulled her close and kissed the lips that had drawn him from the start. When he raised his head they were alone. “Let’s take this somewhere else,” he said and Esta laughed. The sound was joy to his heart and Sam knew that, with Esta, there would be no more dark days.

  Epilogue

  Esta sat by the fire in her chamber on the Cosara estate, full of dreamy contentment and not a small amount of excitement. She awaited the return of Sam from his voyage with Nikolas. That wasn’t to say the last three months had been perfect. Far from it. Soon after the King’s declaration, Nikolas had taken Sam to sea on a secret mission. Esta suspected it might involve the Sis Lenweri. She had been anxious, worried as to how Sam fared with Nikolas and also about the dangers of the voyage.

  She knew too well how the sea could take a life. How it could rise from a mill pond to a raging beast and capsize a ship in a matter of hours. That aboard that ship were two very experienced sailors calmed her only a little.

  But she had stayed busy. As soon as Sam had cast off, Esta returned to her estate. She and Katrine had ridden for Shawmere with a small crew of sailors as escort. On the way, she had stopped in Costa and introduced herself to Sam’s parents. To say they had been surprised to hear her news was an understatement. Esta hoped that one day soon, she could move them to her estate where they would live a better life and see Sam more often.

  She had retrieved a portion of Sam’s loot in Costa and made for Shawmere where she had taken ownership of the beautiful Dawn Lady. Esta privately hoped that Sam would be pardoned early and that he could use the refurbished ship to run a legitimate trade up and down the coast. Being back on board ship as they sailed home had blown away the last of Esta’s fear of the future. It had been a joyful trip, made more wonderful as she bonded with her sister. If not for the sea sickness that plagued her, the voyage would have been idyllic.