"Very."
He inhaled deeply. “You've asked about Sarah. Several times. Did Ellie tell you?"
"No. She said it would be betraying your friendship."
He chuckled. “I appreciate that."
He took a deep breath and exhaled even deeper.
"Sarah and I got married right after I got out of law school and got my first job. I was working with a criminal defense firm, one of the best in Miami."
"Getting the bad guys off, huh?"
"Yeah. Everybody's entitled to a defense. But after two years I realized that I'd made a mistake. The money was terrific, and we were buying things right and left. My parents scoffed at me for being so materialistic."
She turned on her side, dropping a hand to his chest and caressing the soft hairs there.
"Is that why you quit?"
"No. I could easily find myself loving money and the things that it buys. I know that's bad to admit, but it's the truth."
She smiled. “At least you're honest."
"What made me quit was one case I had to take on. The guy was a jerk. He tried to kill his ex-wife and he pretty much told me he'd done it, and that when, not if, when, I got him off, he'd try again and again until he was successful. Said he was tired of giving her money. With her dead he could take the kids and not pay any child support."
Melani shivered violently. She knew all too well from stories she'd done about crime that people like Royce's ex-client really existed. She scooted closer to him and kissed his chest. Then she lifted her face to him.
"Did you get him off?"
"No. I could have, if I'd called the right witnesses. But I wanted to see his ass in jail. I knew at that point that my life was headed down the wrong path. I came home and told Sarah and she went ballistic."
"Royce. I'm sorry."
He ducked his head and she could tell how very hard this was on him.
She reached over and stroked his cheek. “You don't have to..."
"No. Just listen."
She nodded and put her hand on his hip.
"She figured that I wanted to leave, that I was being forced to leave, because I'd lost a case. I told her no, it was my idea. We had enough money to live on for a while until I figured out what to do, but she ranted and raved, tried to get me to change my mind, and when I wouldn't, screamed that I was ruining her life. Then, she stormed into the bedroom and locked me out. I slept on the couch and the next morning she was gone."
"That's awful. Did she take everything with her?"
"No, she didn't take everything. She didn't leave as in leave. She'd gone to the law offices, to talk to my boss. She still thought I'd done something wrong, and she went to make it right. By giving my boss a blow job."
Melani's eyes widened. She didn't know what to say. The idea was so ludicrous, so totally unbelievable. The woman sounded like a complete idiot.
"How did you find out?"
"I didn't, at first. By the time I got to the office she was gone. I'd given a month's notice. We didn't talk about me leaving again after the first night. And every day for a week, she came and sucked Jeremy off. In his office, right under my nose."
"I can't believe that."
"I walked in on them one day, during lunch. She was on her knees and he had his hands in her hair. He saw me, but she didn't. She just kept going at him. When I yelled at her, she stopped and stared at me, wide-eyed. She screamed at me that it was the only way to save my job. Seems the asshole had told her that yeah, blow jobs would keep me on staff, even if I had lost a major case."
"We were screaming so loud that we attracted quite a few people who ate lunch in the office. They all thought it was rather funny. At that moment I finally convinced her that I was leaving the law offices because I wanted to, not because I'd been fired, no matter what Jeremy said."
Melani snuggled closer to him.
"That was what drove her away?"
"Oh yeah. When I came home, she was gone. And she'd taken quite a bit of stuff with her. She left me a note that said she didn't want to be married to a bum, she wanted to be married to a lawyer who showered her with gifts. She as much as said the only reason she married me was because of my law degree and the lifestyle it would provide for her."
"Oh Royce. I'm so sorry."
She put her forehead on his and they lay together for a while, each of them caressing the other one's arms. The need to comfort him was strong, but she didn't want to initiate sex. He seemed to be enjoying their shared intimacy as much as she was.
When he kissed her forehead, she sighed.
"So how did you become a pirate?"
He laughed. “Well, you know. Lawyer. Pirate. They're pretty much the same thing."
She playfully pushed against his shoulder.
"I'm serious."
"Okay. I've known Russell since college. He'd inherited Ahoy, Matey from his uncle, and it was losing money hand over fist. Once night after the divorce was finalized, he asked me to sit down with him and make a plan. So we did."
"The more we talked the more I thought this could be fun. Plus, I had some money. The first few years were tough. But for the last three we've made quite a tidy little profit. And I get to live on the sea with Kidd. Plus, I get to meet saucy little pirate wenches."
He pushed her back and buried his face in her neck, kissing her over and over until she began to giggle.
She pushed at him as he tickled her sides. Finally, he settled his mouth on hers as if to devour her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him close.
The sound of their lips meeting filled the cabin and after a few minutes, he broke away and laid his head on her chest.
"Then I guess my real question is: are you happy? I mean you're still basically a businessman. You have to hire and fire employees, pay bills and keep customers happy."
Melani gently stroked his hair and for a moment, she thought he might not answer her. Then, he lifted his gaze to hers, a mischievous glint peeking out of his eyes.
"Come with me.” He stood and held out his hand.
She took it and when he led her to the outside deck, she didn't balk. It was amazing to her that in a few days time she'd become so accustomed to being naked around him that it didn't matter if someone could come up and see them.
She was with Royce. She felt safe and wonderful in his presence.
Royce led her to the side of the ship. He put her hands on the railing and stepped behind her, gathering her in his arms and covering her hands with his own.
"Close your eyes."
Melani moaned softly as she did so, the wind drifting gently across her face. Royce laid his cheek against her hair and rubbed gently. She pushed herself back into him, content to be held in the cocoon of his arms.
"Take a deep breath. Tell me what you smell."
His breath was hot in Melani's ears. She inhaled deeply.
"I smell the ocean."
"That's a given. What else?"
"Your aftershave."
"Try harder."
He laid his cheek on hers and began to gently rub them together. The soft friction sent tendrils of pleasure down to Melani's nipples and parts further south.
"Royce, make love to me."
"Tell me. I want to know what you smell."
Melani inhaled again. “Flowers. Wood. You, not your aftershave but the smell of your skin, sweat and salt. The water smells like ... I'm not sure how to describe it."
"It smells like freedom.” He cupped her breasts and massaged gently.
His hands began to massage her sides as he kissed her neck and shoulders.
Melani tried to concentrate on her imagination instead of those masterful hands. He caressed her everywhere, kneeling down to touch her legs and feet, pushing her thighs apart to tease the damp curls at her apex before standing back up and pushing himself against her.
As she relaxed more she could almost feel the ship moving, feel the waves hitting the hull, feel the gentle rock.
"You want
to know the difference between being a lawyer and a pirate?"
"Yes.” She whispered, her eyes still shut and caught up in the idea of sailing again with Royce.
"I'm still a businessman, but this is my office. I have to hire and fire, but I do it in such a way as not to totally destroy a person. I still have to pay the bills, but I have more fun making the money to do so. And yes, I still have to keep customers happy. But it's easy to be happy when you're laughing and having a good time. And then, there's this."
She laughed. “What? Making love on the deck of your boat?"
"That too,” he laughed in return. “But mostly, it's just the freedom of the sea. You smell wood and flowers. I smell freedom. Freedom to be the man I want to be and to hell with what other people think. Freedom to make love to a beautiful woman on the deck of a ship, my ship."
He pulled her hips back and entered her slowly. Melani bent until her breasts touched the wood of the railing. She felt the wind against her back. Royce rocked into her and she knew that she'd never felt anything so glorious in her entire life.
In that moment she felt the same thing he did: Freedom. She didn't care if anyone saw them. All she cared about was Royce and the way he was making love to her.
There were no deadlines, no schedules, no one to judge her if she stepped out of line.
He moved slowly and gently, his hands stroking her hips as he pushed in and out of her wetness. When his thrusting intensified, he gripped her harder.
She could hear his breathing increase and when he whispered her name she thought she would melt right on the spot.
"Royce, I..."
"Shush, just feel. Feel us. Feel the wind. Feel the movement of the water. Give yourself over to the sensation of us sliding together. Of us being one."
They rocked in unison, both of them moaning softly. Melani had never felt anything so sensual, so heady in all her life. Last night had been wonderful, almost carnal, as the water had lapped at their bodies.
Tonight was a polar opposite, sweet and caring. When he took her hand and guided it down to her clit she thought she'd come undone. Their fingers locked together and easily slid into her wet slit, finding the swollen bud and caressing it gently.
He nibbled her ear as they rubbed and rocked until Melani thought she would explode. The sensations were overwhelming, and when she came, she felt as if the feelings shot out of her toes and fingers and wrapped around their bodies.
Royce groaned softly in her ear, but instead of the hard, eager thrusts of orgasm he kept a steady, slow pace, drawing it out for both of them, keeping them together, as one.
When he was still, he kissed her neck and shoulders, lighting nipping and licking her skin.
"You amaze me,” she said. “Every time we make love I feel as if it's the first time, the most wonderful time."
"Every time I'm with you it's wonderful.” His voice was deep in her ear and it made her shiver.
"Royce, we need..."
"I know. Tomorrow's a busy day. We need sleep."
"No. I mean yes, but that's not..."
He put his finger to her lips.
"Hush. No real world, not now.” He cocked his eyebrow at her when she opened her mouth to speak again. “I mean it. If you're a bad girl and disobey me I'll spank you."
She returned his cocky grin.
"You think so?"
"I know so."
"You wish."
"Try me, baby. Just try me."
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter Twelve
Melani woke alone. Sunlight streamed through the open cabin windows along with the fragrant ocean breeze. She smiled and put her hand out to caress the spot where Royce had lain. It was cold to the touch so she knew that he was long gone.
She lifted her watch from the bedside table and groaned. It was after nine and she had so much to do. She had to take photos today of many of the different park attractions, and she had to work on getting her notes into some semblance of order. If not, she would spend a ton of time doing it when she arrived home.
She knew that she should jump from the bed but she didn't. Instead she lay back, pushing the sheet down far enough to bare her breasts. Her nipples pebbled until the cool air wafting in from the windows and she closed her eyes in sweet remembrance of Royce's lovemaking the night before.
Her body still simmered, and as she closed her eyes, she could almost feel him slowly rocking back and forth inside her.
In her years with Charles, she'd never felt as close to him as she did to Royce right now. The idea made her heart soar. And it made her heart ache.
It was Thursday. Which meant Sunday was just around the corner. Three more full days at the park and she would be gone. Today would be spent working, taking photos and conducting interviews for her stories. Tomorrow would be the rehearsal dinner, and Saturday the wedding.
The wedding was in the afternoon, giving time for a full-fledged party that night. Then, she hoped that Royce would bring her back to his ship and make love to her again. Her eyes watered as she thought about their final night together and how bittersweet it would be.
It would be so hard to give him up. She wanted to stay here, forever. But there had been no talk of her staying, no mention that he wanted anything more than the week they'd spent together.
And if he did mention it, would she agree? Her heart wanted to, but her mind knew that she couldn't Her life was in Texas, with her job and her apartment and her cat. Reality flooded back over her.
She'd hired one of the younger staff members, Lacy, to stay at her apartment and care for Wallace. That gave Lacy time away from roommates, and it meant that Wallace would not be alone the whole week.
Melani bit her lip as she stood and searched for her pants. She pulled out her cell phone and dialed the newspaper office, chatting with the receptionist about how wonderful the weather was in Florida before being connected to Lacy.
"Hey,” Melani said when she picked up the phone. “How's it going?"
"Perfect,” Lucy replied. “I love your apartment, it's so quiet. And Wallace and I are getting along fine, although he was none too happy the first night. He even slept at the bottom of the bed last night."
Melani laughed. “Then he likes you. How's work?"
"Busy. We've had some interesting story ideas come in, and Josh put two of them back for you, which we all know is unfair. I wanted one but he told me it had your name written on it. I'm still going to try and steal it, though."
"Go ahead,” Melani replied. “You have my blessing to sneak into his office and take it from his desk."
The phone got quiet. Then Lucy cleared her throat.
"Excuse me? You usually guard your stories with your life."
"True,” Melani said. “But there's no sense in it sitting there while I'm here. You enjoy it. If you get caught, tell him I said it was fine."
"Okay,” Lucy said. “I don't know who you are, but when you find Melani, say hi for me and tell her that Wallace is fine."
Melani forced a chuckle. “Will do. Thanks, Lucy.” She snapped the phone shut and turned her head toward the stairs. Kidd was barking at something. She went to the bed and retrieved the sheet, wrapping it around her body.
Once she could see around the wall at the top of the stairs, she poked her head around the corner toward the pier where the houseboat was secured. Kidd stood on the other side of the waist-high door, his tongue hanging out of his mouth as he panted.
He saw her and barked a greeting.
Melani unlatched the door and Kidd leaned down to pick up a plastic bag, and then trotted inside.
She sat down on the top step and he dropped the bag next to her, barking furiously until she petted him.
"Good boy. Is this from Royce, huh?"
He barked several more times then went toward his water dish.
Melani used the sheet to clean off the dog drool, then tore open the bag. Inside she found a bagel, sealed in a baggie, and a banana. On the banana Royce had u
sed a black marker to draw a smiley face. The words, ‘Soon, you wicked wench', wrapped around the fruit's peeling.
She threw back her head and laughed. Thank heavens Kidd had delivered the package to the right person.
She went into the galley, Kidd trailing after her. She toasted the bagel, then reached inside a bag and pulled out a bone, handing it to the happy dog and saying, “good job."
He sat down to munch while she slathered her bagel with peanut butter. She ate quickly then hopped in the shower.
Sometime yesterday, Ellie had delivered her suitcase to Royce's home. She searched through it and found a sundress, dressed, put on makeup, and added sunscreen in record time. When she was done, she made the bed, then stepped back with a smile.
She went to the galley and retrieved the banana, laying it on Royce's pillow with a grin. She retrieved her notebook, recorder and camera and headed topside.
Outside she found Kidd waiting anxiously at the door.
"You going to stay with me, or are you going to see Royce?"
He barked his answer, and when she opened the door, he took off up the pier.
"Thanks a lot,” she yelled after him. “You could have stayed, you know. I offered."
But the dog was already gone. She pulled the gate shut and stopped. She'd offered and he'd left. If Royce offered for her to stay, would she stay, or would she go? She shook her head at the thought.
She doubted he would make such an offer. Despite the fact that he'd shared his feelings about his ex, and about life with her last night, she didn't think he was doing it as a prelude to a relationship. Sarah had hurt him very much. And Royce obviously didn't open up to people easily, despite his teasing manner.
Melani was happy that he'd opened up to her, but she was sure that, in the end, he wouldn't ask her to stay. It would take months to get him to trust her enough for that kind of commitment. And time was something neither of them had.
A wave of sorrow over her trip back home clutched at her heart. She quickly pushed it aside. She'd known that it was only for the week. No one had given her any illusions, and there was no sense being sad about it. She should enjoy the time they had together, and be grateful for the fantastic memories.
* * * *
Royce sat down on the bench and propped his booted feet on the table. He grabbed his sword and rubbed a clean cloth over it. Although everyone who worked the pirate fight shows were excellent fences, the blades were dull, just in case.
The Pirate Wench Page 9
