"Captain, I do not ‘humor’ my patients. You were shot in the abdomen, yes. But your wife generously gave her own blood to save you. I might add that you're dismissing my fine surgical skills as well.” He paused then, relishing the look of shock on the pirate's face. “Provided your wound does not fester, you should be up and around and fathering little pirates in no time."
Esteban looked up at him tiredly. “My wife is barren, doctor, but I thank you for your candor, and for saving my life. I believe I will rest now."
Somewhat shocked at Esteban's words, Doctor Hill nodded and then excused himself.
* * * *
Esteban continued healing as Sea Dancer made her way slowly toward Esteban's home of Carador, through increasingly chilly seas.
No infection had settled into Esteban's wounds and his recovery was progressing normally as far as everyone was concerned.
Because Kate continued to assist with the remaining patients and therefore had less time for him, Esteban had ample time to consider what Doctor Hill had said to him about giving up pirating. He was entirely prepared to give up the sea forever if that was what it took to keep Katherine safe, but he had to settle things with his crew first. Through Collin, he'd sent word to Manuel for Viceroy to meet them in Carador.
He often would catch Katherine and Doctor Hill in deep conversation. When they realized he was listening, they would draw apart quickly, and Kate would always look distressed. Esteban began to wonder what sort of relationship was developing between them.
"What is Carador like?” Kate asked him as they walked arm in arm around the deck of the huge ship. At the doctor's insistence, they walked at least twice a day.
Esteban's steps were slow but steady. He ached to do more, but heeded the doctor's advice under threat of violence by Katherine.
He left his thoughts and replied quietly, “Carador is lush and green and civilized. It is nothing like the southern countries you have seen. I am surprised your friend has not described it to you."
"My friend? Oh, Doctor Hill? He's not exactly my friend."
"I've seen you speaking with him so often, I thought perhaps you and he had struck up a close friendship.” He couldn't help but let a tinge of jealousy color his words.
"Are you jealous?"
"What am I to think? My wife is suddenly spending an extraordinary amount of time with another man...” He let his statement hang between them.
Kate's eyes widened and her jaw dropped. “You think I'm going to ... fuck him, don't you!” The thought was so abhorrent to her that she simply grabbed the most awful word that popped into her head.
It was Esteban's turn to be shocked. Kate rarely used any words stronger than damn and hell. “That is a positively filthy word for a woman to use!"
"It's a positively filthy thought in your head!” Before he had a chance to reply, she cut in, “Never mind!"
She stormed off, leaving him standing alone and dumbfounded at her anger.
Esteban, still baffled by Katherine's explosive outburst, made his way back to the surgery and sat tiredly upon his bed.
Doctor Hill was there checking upon his other patients and moved to speak with the pirate. He drew the curtains behind him. “Captain, how are you feeling?"
"I am well, thank you."
"You'll pardon me for saying it, but you do not look well,” Doctor Hill remarked. “Lay back."
Esteban lay down upon his bed and allowed the doctor to examine him, but he knew his problem was not a physical one. His problem was Kate.
The doctor finished his exam and stepped back. “You're fine physically. So my educated opinion would venture woman problems?"
"You are amazingly astute,” Esteban commented dryly.
"Thank you.” The doctor smiled. “But in all honesty, I saw you abovedeck. This is a large ship, but maybe not quite large enough."
Esteban scrutinized the man for a moment. “Katherine has told me about your relationship with her."
Doctor Hill looked at Esteban and was shocked to see jealousy there, but he realized how the conversations he'd shared with Kate had to have looked. “Esteban, I do not want your wife.” He stated the fact plainly and with his words the pirate relaxed visibly. “And you may be happy to know the procedure Kate and I have been discussing is unnecessary, because she is already pregnant."
"What? That's not possible ... she said she was barren."
"On the contrary, it is possible, as I was explaining to her. Although the odds are nearly miraculous,” the doctor replied.
"How far along is she?"
"I did a blood test on her this morning. She's less than a month along. I hope you don't think...” His pleasure at sharing the news dimmed slightly when he noted that instead of the joy he assumed he'd see upon Esteban's face when the truth sank in, he saw a spark of something close to rage.
"No, I don't think you fathered the child,” Esteban said quietly. “Kate was raped, Doctor. She was abducted by the captain of Eleana Aru. But if you are certain she is only a month gone, the child must be mine."
"She never told me she was raped."
"You have not mentioned this to Katherine yet?” Esteban asked.
"No, actually I was going to wait until you were here together, but you looked like you could use some good news."
"I have been unfair to my wife, and to you, Doctor, and for that I apologize. I can see you only wish us well,” Esteban admitted. “I hope you will forgive my rudeness."
The doctor smiled and shrugged. He turned to check his other patients, but Esteban continued. “You think I am nothing but a pirate, but you are mistaken.” It was Esteban's turn to smile. “Would it shock you to know that like Katherine and you, I have my own secrets?"
"I doubt you could shock me more than you already have, Captain.” He hadn't expected such an admission, nor such eloquent speech from a man whom he considered no more than an unrepentant thief.
Esteban laid his head back. “I am a count, Doctor. My real name is Santiago Cristóbal, El Condé du Diamánde. My house has held rule over the island of Carador for more than two hundred years."
Doctor Hill sat transfixed listening to Esteban speak. No wonder he was so eloquent. He was an educated and cultured man, not simply the coarse privateer he'd thought. “My apologies for misjudging you, sir."
The doctor moved to open the curtain. “Would you like me to share the happy news with your wife, or would you prefer to do so yourself?"
"If you don't mind, Doctor, I'd like to do that myself."
"I don't mind, however, I would like you to tell her that I still have to continue monitoring her pregnancy. The fact that she's conceived at all has defied all odds. I want this child born healthy."
"As do I."
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter 17
Kate stayed away from Esteban until suppertime. She sat on the deck and sketched a few drawings, something she hadn't done since before Davich had kidnapped her, trying to calm herself. When she noticed the sun beginning to set she decided she'd let him stew long enough.
She entered the surgery and found him asleep. Quietly she made her way to his side and simply stood looking down at him. He looked so peaceful and relaxed. A wave of sudden protectiveness washed over her and she felt the need to hold him, as though he might slip away if she weren't careful. She'd come too close to losing him.
Kate sat in the chair beside his bed and laid her head upon his chest, embracing him gently. She missed making love with him and holding him this way, but was afraid it was too soon. She'd have to be content with just touching him to comfort her for now.
Esteban came awake and simply lay there loving the feeling of her upon him. He missed her closeness and longed to make love to her. Wordlessly he raised his hand and stroked her beautiful hair, then rested his hand upon her back, feeling her heart beating softly within her, knowing another heart beat somewhere deeper, an echo to her own.
Kate sighed at his touch, but wasn't really s
orry she'd awakened him. She didn't speak, words weren't always necessary. They just sat that way for some time, enjoying the closeness of each other. At last, she raised her head and looked up to find him gazing at her already.
"I am sorry, cariña,” Esteban said quietly. “I have been terribly unfair to you. I simply love you so much, I could not bear the thought of another man with you."
He sat up and she stepped back, allowing him to swing his legs over the side of the bed. He reached into the drawer of the table beside his bed. “I have something for you."
He took her hand and slid her wedding ring onto her finger, then traced the golden band with his thumb.
"You got my ring back? How?"
"One of my hosts was keeping it safe for you.” He smiled.
"Thank you.” She kissed him softly on the lips. She was sure he'd probably killed whomever it was that had stolen it, but she turned her mind from that. None of it mattered anymore.
"I'd like to finish our walk; that is ... if you don't mind?"
"No, that sounds nice,” Kate replied.
Together they circled the deck and Kate told him she'd been doing some sketches. He asked her if she would show them to him, pleased that she'd begun to draw again.
"Oh yeah, they're over here."
Kate led him to where she'd been sitting. She lifted the lead weight she used to hold her pages down and a gust of wind took the top sheet, blowing it out of her reach near the railing.
"I'll get it."
Esteban watched her climb over the crates and ropes to reach the parchment. “Be careful!"
It lifted on another gust of wind and balanced on the edge of the rail.
"I'm fine.” Kate lunged to catch it before it fell into the water, but lost her balance and went over the side.
It was her own fault, she reflected later. She'd thought she could just snatch the paper from the edge easily, but she'd overbalanced and gone over. She reached out to catch herself and her hand slipped on the wet surface of the rail; gaining no purchase, she began to fall.
Two thoughts raced through her mind as she plunged downward to the dark water. She hoped it wasn't as cold as it looked, and then surprise at the huge splash she made; perhaps she was higher up than she thought.
All thoughts were quickly extinguished however when she hit the water, landing flat upon her back rather than feet first, driving the air from her lungs.
Kate's shocked reaction was to gasp deeply, gaining a lungful of saltwater for her trouble.
Barely seconds later, strong hands grabbed her and pulled her upward to the surface, struggling and choking, her lungs desperate to expel the water she'd inhaled. She gagged and coughed, vomited seawater and gasped for air.
"Katherine!” Esteban bobbed beside her, a look of extreme worry crossing his handsome face.
He must have jumped in at the same time as she fell.
"That explains the splash,” she croaked stupidly.
Esteban had run and leaped from the side when she'd gone over, before she'd even hit the water. His body had simply moved before his brain had the time to consider his actions, he had been so concerned for her.
"Are you all right?” he gasped.
Katherine coughed up more seawater and nodded.
Esteban took her under the arm and swam one-handed to where ropes had been thrown into the water by the crew above. He tied the rope around her waist tightly and watched with concern as they hoisted Kate to the deck, then did the same for himself, climbing up the side of the galleon to where she laid.
"You never told me you could not swim!” he gasped, collapsing beside her.
"I can swim,” she managed. “I just landed badly."
He laid his head back, relieved she was unharmed.
At Collin's insistence they allowed Doctor Hill to make sure neither of them was hurt, and once cleared, Esteban accompanied Kate to the cabin she'd been using since they'd been aboard.
He opened the door and entered, heading directly for her bed, collapsing face down with a groan.
Kate smiled and pulled his boots off. He rolled to his back and she quickly divested him of his still wet garments, pulling the heavy down comforter up to his chin.
"Come here.” He lifted his arm out from under the quilt.
"I'm still wet, Esteban."
"I don't mind. Come here."
Kate lay down beside him and kissed his neck and cheek softly. They had yet to resume their physical relationship. Kate feared injuring him, but lying here so close she could feel her desire beginning to build.
"Mmmm ... I am healed,” he murmured, his eyes closed and he grinned slightly.
"Quiet,” she shushed him. She sat up now on her knees and massaged his temples. “Doctor Hill sent some medicine for you. You know, for pain?"
"I'm not in pain, but think I would like to rest. Will you stay with me?"
"I'm still soaked!” She laughed.
"So take off your clothes."
"Oh no ... If you think I'm getting in that bed with you, only to get caught by Doctor Hill or someone—"
"Kate,” he said tiredly. “I can keep my hands off of your body. I only wish to be comforted."
"Oh ... well all right.” She walked to the tall dresser across the room, and found a soft linen shirt which she brought back to the bed.
She peeled off her wet clothes and left them in a soggy heap with his, then pulled the shirt over her head, letting the tails drop to her knees.
"No sense tempting you."
"Mmm,” he agreed, smiling slightly at her words. His eyes were now closed and he hovered near sleep.
She climbed onto the bed beside him, taking a deep breath and smelling the clean sheets. “Mmm ... is right.” She sighed and snuggled into his side, embracing him, slipping into sleep.
* * * *
A kitten.
She slept upon her side, and she was dreaming about a kitten playing with her. She smiled slowly, as the kitten batted softly at her eyelids and her lips, then roamed down her body. She smiled when its soft paws caressed her bare thigh. She twitched her knee to shoo it away as it began moving upward, and it danced back. She sighed and relaxed again into sleep.
After a few moments, Kate felt the touch on her leg once more and this time it was more firm, stroking up from her knee to the soft triangle of golden curls hidden between her thighs. A low, lusty moan escaped her and she rolled to her back, toward her tormentor.
This was not a kitten.
She cracked one eye and caught Esteban lying upon his side stroking gently up and down her thigh, extending a finger to slip between the rapidly moistening lips of her cleft. He leaned forward and she felt his hot breath upon her and watched as his tongue darted out to touch her quickly.
"Oh...” she breathed; the word escaped her lips without her permission and his eyes flew to hers, surprised.
She tried to lift her hands to his head and realized she couldn't move them. The way he had raised her linen shirt, turning the tail back and pulling it beneath her, he'd also managed to immobilize her hands tightly at her sides. Katherine was surprised, they'd never played at bondage before and she was slightly aroused. When he saw the realization of her predicament upon her face, he grinned wickedly, but said nothing.
She smiled a long, slow smile at him and let her thighs fall apart before him.
With an appreciative sound Esteban moved up and over her, touching her face with his big hand, kissing her passionately. She felt his rigid length probing around upon her thigh and her groin and she shifted slightly, granting him entry, inhaling slightly as he penetrated her.
She stared up into his eyes as he looked down upon her, silently loving her. “Should we do this? I mean, are you ready?"
"Shhhh..."
As always when they made love right after awakening, she felt her climax build swiftly, almost as though her body, caught off-guard, was surprised into orgasm.
She drew a shaky breath and let out a high-pitched exhale, making
Esteban smile. He knew her habits by now as well.
"Are you close?” he whispered, bending his head to her ear and making her shudder pleasantly.
"Uh ... Yessss."
"Good.” He thrust slowly and firmly reaching down to pull her leg up, hooking her knee over his forearm.
He'd never gone this deep within her before and it took only a few of these deep strokes before she climaxed.
Katherine arched, coming hard upon him. He heard her sharp intake of breath, felt her muscles clench and quickly released her leg, only to cover her mouth with his hand, muffling the loud cry she made.
This act of dominance coupled with her tightly bound hands made her orgasm like she never had before. She groaned and squeezed her eyes closed, struggling a bit under his hand and grinding her pelvis into his, trying to rub her thoroughly aroused clitoris against him and come again.
"You liked that?” he asked, marveling at the trust she had in him. “Naughty Katherine likes rough play, does she?"
Her eyes flew open over his hand and she nodded, surprised at her own reaction. He sat back, preventing her from climaxing again, grinning broadly at her discomfort.
"Not yet,” he commanded quietly and she sighed. Esteban roughly pushed the shirt apart over her breasts, exposing one gorgeous globe. He bent and suckled her breast, running his tongue across her nipple, enjoying her firm yet yielding flesh. Long moments passed as he continued his erotic torture and she closed her eyes when he slipped his finger deeply into her hot sheath, eliciting a soft moan. Her body shook and throbbed as she valiantly resisted the almost overwhelming need to climax.
"Now you may come,” he said at last and stroked her clit firmly.
She cried out briefly and he hissed when her sharp teeth bit slightly into his skin as he brought his hand over her mouth once more. Unconsciously her hips thrust up to his probing digit, desperately trying to get more from him.
"Such a good girl,” he said softly. Katherine groaned and rolled her eyes; shocked at her own reactions. She would never have suspected how much pleasure could be derived from being helpless.
Without removing his hand from her mouth he kneeled above her and swiftly turned her onto her stomach, bolstering her with a pillow. He felt her grunt softly into his palm. “You love this, don't you?"
Calthraca: Secrets And The Sea [A Calthraca Novel] Page 19
