by K. Young
As she tried to remember, the cabin door opened, and Derrick walked in with a tray of food. Her eyes flared in surprise as Derrick looked at her and smiled. It was a genuine smile that melted her fears. Whatever had happened, he had been a gentleman.
"You're finally awake." He said quietly.
"How long have I been out?" She asked, her voice scratchy.
Derrick set the tray down and brought over the glass of water, handing it to her and taking a step back. Kristen drank greedily from the glass, glad to parch her raw throat.
"For the better part of three weeks." He said, relieved.
"I beg your pardon?" Kristen asked in disbelief.
"You took quite a beating, m'dear. And being seasick didn't help.”
“I see.” She didn't. “How did I come to be on your ship?”
“I don't know for sure, but I think Mel may have had something to do with it."
She looked at him blankly. There were so many things going on at once that she didn't understand. She was confused. Her heart was racing and her stomach turning, and she just couldn't handle all of it in her weakened state. She bent over and hurled, the water she had desperately drank moments ago coming back to haunt her. Derrick was by her side instantly, a cool cloth in his hand. He gently patted her forehead and the back of her neck. She didn't have the strength to refuse.
“I'm sorry, you should be resting.” He said.
“We haven't, that is, we didn't...” She couldn't finish the sentence, but it was one of her biggest concerns at the moment.
Derrick followed her train of thought and smiled. “M'dear, when we make love, you will most certainly be conscious and aware enough to remember it. Besides, you've done nothing but vomit since the fight. You truly don't remember?”
“No.” She whispered, embarrassed.
“You were amazing, you know. You impressed a good many of the men that were on this ship, little one.” He said with pride.
His feelings were taking a strange turn of late, and he suspected that he would need to analyze them more closely before deciding what to do next.
“Well, I don't recall, but I'm sure that if I had to fight, it wasn't to impress anyone.”
“Perhaps. Are you well enough to eat? You haven't had much, only what I could force you to eat when we made port.”
“No, but some more water would be welcome I think.”
Derrick took her glass and refilled it with water, then grabbed a towel sitting on the table. He was concerned that she wouldn't eat; she had lost weight and her cheeks were gaunt. He felt miserable and somewhat responsible for her current condition. The fact that she was so ill didn't sit well with him. Derrick walked back to Kristen with the glass of water and handed it to her. Then he bent over and cleaned the puddle of vomit off the floor. Kristen sipped the water from her glass and watched in wonder as he cleaned up after her.
She was overcome with the strongest desire to have Derrick hold her, but she knew it was best if he didn't. She believed Mel was capable of something like this, and since she had already surmised that Mel was up to something, the pieces were falling together. But, Kristen had come to terms with that fact that Derrick didn't want to marry her, and if he continued to care for her the way he was, she was afraid her heart would become more involved.
“Better?” He asked as she finished the glass of water.
“Yes.” She handed the glass to him.
“Good. Hopefully we can get some food in you soon. You are quite pale, m'dear.”
“I'll be fine. There's no need to coddle me.” She said sharply.
“I'm not coddling. I'm merely looking after your wellbeing.” He said indignantly.
“I wish you wouldn't.” She said softly.
“Why?” He didn't know why, but her words had stung.
“Because it is better if you didn't.” She said, and slipped into unconsciousness again.
***
Derrick stayed away from the cabin for a few days. The urge to shake some sense into Kristen had almost been too overwhelming. He didn't understand how a woman that set his blood on fire could be so immune to him. At least, she seemed so most of them time, though there were moments where he knew she felt exactly as he did. He decided that she was surely fighting the passion he knew was there, and she only needed to allow herself to feel it. This trip would be just the thing to help her awaken those passions. But, she needed to get well first, and he was starting to worry over her continued sleeping. At least she had stopped throwing up, though he wasn't at all certain that if they got food in her that she would be able to keep it down. Still, she needed to eat.
He sent his cabin boy in to check on her, still feeling the need for a little distance. As it happened, Kristen was awake when the lad arrived.
“Oh, beggin' yer pardon, miss. I didn't know ye was up and about. I'll just be comin' 'round later to finish me chores, then.” He bowed and started for the door.
“Oh, wait!” Kristen called.
He stopped and turned towards her. “Yes, miss?” “I'd like a bath please, or am I not to be treated as a
guest?” She asked harshly. She hadn't meant to be so harsh with the boy, but she was hungry and wanted a bath, and still confused. It was wreaking havoc with her temper.
“I'll send for the cap'n, miss.” He darted out of the room before she could say anything else.
Kristen sighed. All in all, she was beginning to feel much better. Her previous tendency to throw up every time the ship swayed seemed to have passed. She was hoping her good fortune in that regard would continue even after her meal. But, as she looked around, she knew she was a mess. Kristen smiled to herself as she vaguely remembered waking a time or two to find Derrick cleaning her as gently as he could. The sensations that evoked even through her illness had been pleasant. If her situation were different she would have examined the possibilities further. But, if Derrick couldn't settle for being her husband then he wasn't the one for her.
As Kristen paced the floor of the cabin lost in thought, Derrick entered the room. He closed the door and leaned back against it, taking the sight of her in hungrily. Her spirit was certainly back, and her color had returned, as well. He crossed his arms over his chest, his facial expression inscrutable. Kristen sensed something was bothering him, though she had no idea what that could be. However, since they would be stuck together for the duration of the trip – which she hoped wasn't much longer – she decided to offer an olive branch.
“Thank you for your help while I was ill.” She began.
Derrick lifted his brow. Just hearing her voice, stronger than it had been in awhile, was putting ideas into his head.
“As I recall, you asked me to stop taking care of you.”
“Did you?”
“No.”
She nodded and smiled. Derrick felt his breath catch in his throat. Even after being in bed for almost a month, the woman was a vision. Her hair was still damp from sweat, but it was streaming down her back in a most wanton fashion. With her improved color and spirit, Derrick found his lust returning in full force.
“Your food should be along shortly. I trust you feel well enough to eat?”
“Yes, I believe so. Thank you.”
"How is your rib? The rest of your injuries seemed to have healed nicely."
Kristen looked down at herself and gingerly felt around the bandage. It was still tender, but it seemed to be on the mend. She probably shouldn't get into any more fights for awhile, though.
"It seems to be healing properly. There is no pain or discomfort there."
It was his turn to nod. There was an awkward silence between them, something Derrick certainly wasn't used to. Neither was entirely sure what the other was thinking, nor what they should say. Kristen cleared her throat in an effort to end the silence. Derrick couldn't restrain himself anymore. He pushed off the door and strode over to her in two steps, gathered her in his arms, and kissed her deeply. Kristen couldn't have protested, even if she wanted to, whi
ch at the moment, she didn't. She felt his strength wrap around her like a cocoon, soothing her aches away. She needed to feel that strength. It rejuvenated her own. She felt safe, which was absurd since this man was anything but safe to her way of thinking.
Derrick's kiss deepened as she opened her mouth to him. His expert tongue sought hers out, enticing her to reach for his. Once he had her tongue, he didn't immediately let it go, wishing to savor the silky smoothness of it. Kristen leaned into him and wrapped her arms around his neck, her fingers intertwining in his hair. Something in her consciousness pricked, and she vaguely remembered there was a reason she shouldn't be doing this, but for the life of her she couldn't remember. Everything around her became a blur, giving way to the heady pleasure he was creating.
His hand moved to cover one breast, and a soft moan escaped her lips and fell into his mouth. His kiss never stopped while his hand kneaded her breast. Kristen was overwhelmed with new sensations and she quite forgot to breathe, though it seemed she could still draw breath from Derrick. His other hand came up to cup her free breast, taking the time to allow each mound to fill his hands, then he tugged down the bodice of her night gown and took one nipple into his mouth. Derrick gently sucked and nibbled until it became hard with need, his hands caressing her body as he worked her with his mouth. Kristen flung her head back, too caught up in the pleasure to think. She had never felt anything so amazing.
Her nails flexed and dug into his hair as his mouth moved to the valley between her breasts. His tongue slid seductively over her curves until he reached the base of her throat, where he licked her until she shivered. She tasted salty, but sweet and Derrick relished the taste as he pulled her closer, taking in as much as he could. He returned his mouth to hers and kissed her again. His manhood stretched painfully against his breeches, so he rubbed it against her, letting her feel the full hardness of him. Kristen instinctively rocked her hips against him, exciting him to no end. He briefly wondered at her acceptance of the situation but didn't question it. It didn't matter. In that moment, he knew he wanted Kristen permanently. More than a mistress. But, it was a feeling new to him and he didn't know how to handle it.
Derrick lifted her in his arms and walked over to the bed, laying her down gently. He removed her night gown and looked deeply in her eyes, giving her the chance to stop him. Kristen looked at him with nothing but trust, and made no move to stop him. It was both thrilling and frightening to Kristen's peace of mind. She lay there, knowing she should stop this, but not having the strength to do so. She had denied her body what it wanted long enough and, come better or worse, she would enjoy herself now. She reasoned somewhere in the back of her mind that she was allowed a little pleasure for what she had endured. She would enjoy Derrick for as long as he gave her.
When he finished undressing her, Derrick leaned back and stared at her ravenously. He was so in awe of Kristen, and she had no idea just how beautiful she was. She blushed under his lustful stare.
“You are beautiful, m'dear. So beautiful.”
Kristen smiled, and he leaned in to kiss her again. She desperately wanted to feel his skin against hers and began pulling at his shirt. Her impatience caused Derrick to chuckle, and he pulled away long enough to yank the shirt over his head, then he was kissing her again. She sighed in satisfaction and let her hands roam over his chest and back. She could feel the power in his arms and relished it. Where he touched her, her skin burned. On fire with passion that she had never felt before, a sense of urgency came over her. There was an intense need for something, but she didn't know what so she whimpered and bucked underneath him. Knowing what she craved, Derrick moved his hand from her breast and cupped her at the base of her womanhood. Kristen's breathing became shallow and rapid as his thumb gently padded the soft nub he found between her legs.
Kristen was quite undone. She tore her mouth away from his and gasped, pleasure racking her entire body in erratic waves. A warm feeling was unfurling low in her belly and that sense of urgency from before was returning. Derrick slipped a finger inside of her, and she bucked, causing an entirely new sensation to ravage her body. Chills ran up and down her spine as a pressure began building inside of her. Derrick slid his finger in and out, watching her, enjoying her reaction to him. He was determined to take things slow. He wanted her to enjoy all there was to lovemaking.
He drove his finger deeper inside of her while he gently rubbed her nub with his thumb. When she bucked again, he pulled his finger out. It was wet, and he knew she was ready. Kristen cried in protest as he removed his hand from her, but he lifted himself up to remove his trousers and boots. When he was naked, he settled himself between her thighs and looked at her, brushing her hair away from her face with both hands. She felt unbelievable. The inferno in her was demanding attention and she rocked her hips and ran her foot from his hip to his feet. He smiled at her impatience and kissed her.
Kristen could feel the tip of his hardness against her and a pulse began beating where he touched her. The pressure was building until she thought she might explode. So many things were happening at once that Kristen didn't understand what she was supposed to do. She scratched at Derrick in frustration, but he didn't mind. He continued kissing her, rocking slightly back and forth so that the tip of him rubbed where his thumb had been previously. She shivered in delight and bit his lip in excitement. He laughed and delved his tongue into her mouth at the same time as he entered her. She was tight and warm, and he was almost undone. He passed the barrier of her virginity and stopped to allow her time to adjust to him, but he kept his mouth on hers.
She registered a slight pain, but was quickly back to feeling that urgency she couldn't seem to quench. She squirmed underneath him, driving her body into his.
“Don't do that, little one. I'm having a hard enough time trying not to make an ass of myself.”
Kristen frowned at him, not understanding his meaning. He kissed her forehead and began rocking gently inside of her.
“I'll explain it later.” He said as he moved slowly inside of her.
Derrick's rhythm allowed Kristen to adjust and feel everything all at once. It was as though every nerve in her body had come to life and she felt them sing in exquisite pleasure. When he began to move faster, Kristen thought she would surely explode. He was thrusting faster and deeper until she finally felt the warmth in her stomach spin entirely out of control. The pressure and fire within her belly combined, exploding and sending her over the edge of madness. Kristen's body shuddered in waves of absolute pleasure, something she had no idea ever existed. She gasped and held on for dear life as Derrick shuddered into her body and collapsed over her, breathing heavily into her hair, tickling her ear. God help her, but she didn't want that moment to end.
Derrick rolled off of her and pulled her close to him, settling her body comfortably next to his and lavishing her shoulder and neck with soft kisses. Kristen was comfortable and relaxed easily into him. He couldn't help thinking that he had never made love like that before. Certainly he had always enjoyed himself, but never had it been as soul-stirring as it had just been with Kristen. He simply had nothing to compare it with.
Kristen lay there with her own thoughts churning. Her body still felt incredibly satiated, but her mind was coming back to reality. She realized that she was going to be in a world of trouble when this was all over with. Consumed by her passions, she hadn't been thinking clearly. She didn't want to think clearly now, but she had always been the practical sort. She had just ruined any chance she had at a good marriage and would have to buy herself a husband when the time came. Truthfully, she anticipated needing to do that anyway since she didn't have the time necessary to devote to a courtship, but now she had time aplenty. Still, the part really bothering her was that somewhere in the back of her mind, she still wanted love to enter into it. She was certain that would never be the case now.
“What are you thinking, little one?” Derrick asked softly as he stroked her arm.
“That I'm completel
y ruined for a good marriage now.” She felt his body stiffen behind her.
“I like to think that I can provide you a good marriage, Kristen.” He said quietly.
Kristen didn't understand his sudden change. He had adamantly refused marriage before, even when they had a contract ready-made for them. She hadn't expected marriage from him when she agreed to this, and besides, she didn't like that he had changed his mind after making love to her.
“I'm not blaming you, Derrick. The decision was just as much mine, and it wasn't meant to bully you into anything. You have your reasons for choosing to remain unwed and I'll not pressure you into changing them.” She thought that would smooth things over, but for reasons she couldn't fathom, that only served to make them worse.
“You're implying that I'm not an honorable man. I've taken your virtue; you will marry me.”
She rolled over and looked at him incredulously. Did he just high-handedly demand that she marry him? Like bloody hell!
“I will not.” She said.
“Why not? Aren't you the one that told me to buck up and ask for your hand in marriage?" He asked sourly.
"Yes, because I knew you wouldn't agree. Derrick, we're not suited to one another at all.” She said reasonably.
“How do you reckon?” He challenged.
“Oh, give over Derrick. I've no wish to make your life miserable, nor do I wish mine to be. Take it as a gift and leave it be.” She just couldn't tell him the real reason she wouldn't allow herself to be happy in his arms for he would surely laugh at her.
Derrick scowled, but said nothing more. He got out of bed and began dressing rather quickly.
“Where are you going?”
“To breathe.” He snapped.
“Why are you angry?” She asked, confused.
“I'm not.”
