He removed his hand and she breathed, “Yessss..."
He exerted very little pressure upon her but the sight of her bound and so helpless aroused him powerfully. He nudged her thighs with his knee and she made a small whimper that nearly drove him mad, but he resisted the urge to plunge within her, deciding instead to savor her a bit longer.
At first he worried about binding her, wondering if she would enjoy such games. He had a feeling she would, but now he knew for certain she found it pleasurable and it made his cock throb thinking of all the erotic ways he could tease her.
Slowly he began to insert his rigid member again, and she pressed against him, moving back to meet his thrusts. Soon they were rocking together violently upon her bed, long moments passing with no more than the harsh sounds of their breathing to be heard. At last, she squeezed him hard and made a muffled sound, sending him over the edge into orgasm.
Katherine heard him gasp sharply and braced herself for his powerful orgasm just as her own overtook her. She groaned and slumped under him as he thrust for the last time, shuddering his completion.
When she collapsed beneath him, he quickly climbed from the bed and rolled her over, pulling her hands free of the tightly wound shirt. “Cariña, are you alright?” He stroked her cheek lightly and she opened her eyes.
"Holy cow,” she muttered groggily.
"Did I hurt you?” She saw his concern.
"No, I'm fine.” She smiled tiredly.
Esteban bent and kissed her softly, deepening his kiss and she moaned under his mouth. “You are incredible, Katherine,” he whispered, and she raised her arms to embrace him around his broad shoulders.
She looked around the room and noted it was nearly dawn. “How long have we been asleep anyway?"
"Through the night, I would guess.” He climbed back onto the bed and stretched out beside her, stroking and suckling one of her rosy nipples until it stood up rigidly, then moving lazily to the other.
They lay together for long moments, unhurried by responsibilities, and uncaring about anyone except each other.
"Katherine, it is time I told you the truth about who I am."
"I don't understand..."
"Let me explain. You recall the night I told you the story of Santiago?"
"Yes."
"I am Santiago.” He waited for a moment, gathering his thoughts, then began. “More than twenty years ago, my family was attacked and murdered. My parents, brothers and sisters, their servants and anyone else who lived in the house were mercilessly slaughtered or carried off. Our belongings were stolen or burned, and the only reason I was spared, was because I had not been present when the raiders arrived."
The young lord had been riding with the family groom, Xavier, and had not yet returned. When they discovered the grisly scene, Xavier had hastily removed the hysterical Santiago to his little house upon the grounds of the estate in order to protect him, sending out word that the new count had escaped, and gone to live with relations.
Soon however, Santiago was overwhelmed with grief, and Xavier was forced to search the ruined casa, desperate for any evidence of living relations who could take the boy.
After a year, he finally located a great-uncle who agreed to take his sister's grandson. Wisely, Xavier had warned Santiago not to tell anyone who he was and together they had created the name Esteban Magalia.
The rest of the story she knew bits of. He had gone to sea and become an accomplished sailor, then at fifteen, on the recommendation of his captain, he had taken an appointment to the most elite naval academy in Calthraca, The Academy at Lyros.
The naval academy had finished the young count, refining the rough sailor he could have easily become, into an officer and a gentleman.
"The Academy was difficult for me. I was the butt of jokes by the other cadets and even an occasional professor. They considered me a charity. Of course, as the Condé of Diamánde and the hereditary ruler of one of the most important ports along the southern coast, my wealth was vastly superior to theirs, except a very few, but I was not without allies. Despite the fact I was an angry young man, known for brawling and fighting. My truest friend, the one I knew I could always depend upon, was Collin Masters, the Crown Prince of Lyros."
"What? The admiral ... is a prince?"
Esteban smiled. “Yes."
"Why is he in the Navy? Shouldn't he be playing around and enjoying his prince ... ness?” she asked, making him smile again.
"Lyros has a very strong tradition of national service. Everyone is expected to serve a term in the military. They have a very long and interesting history as well, most especially the Masters/Fawkes rulers."
"That's all very nice Esteban ... I mean, Santiago...” She laughed ruefully. “I don't even know what to call you."
"Call me Diego if you wish."
"But what I still don't understand is how you could have started out as a naval cadet, and then become..."
"A bloodthirsty pirate?” he finished.
"You know that is not what I was going to say."
"I know,” he soothed, “but many believe that to be the truth.” He took a deep breath and continued. “When I graduated I was offered a commission into the Lyrosian fleet as a commander. For all of my fighting, I had managed to become a distinguished officer. However, I declined. I wished to try my hand at trading. Piracy was the farthest thought from my mind."
He stood up and moved to the window. “My first ship was called Saraya; she was a clipper, a trading vessel. When I encountered a packet group of Andalosian ships and their escort, I attempted to avoid conflict. However, they fired upon me. They stole my cargo and sank my ship. I was taken prisoner along with my three remaining crewmen, and held aboard an Andalosian frigate until we arrived in Tartak where we were to be sold as galley slaves. We managed to escape and made our way back to Silania, but I realized all traders were unsafe upon the southern waters, and the true pirates were the Andalosians charged with protecting them. That made twice the Andalosians had wronged me, and I was ready for revenge.” He paused for a moment, then picked up her hand, squeezing it tightly.
"I eventually located my old captain, and told him of my adventures. He had also been attacked by the raiders and their military escort, but had managed to evade them. I took the position of first mate upon his ship, and he taught me what I needed to know to protect myself and my ship. When he died, he left his ship to me, and with some modification, she became Viceroy.” Esteban returned to look into her eyes.
"After that, I began stopping and raiding any Andalosian ships I could find, and when the Basaltics became their allies, I raided and sank their ships as well."
"Which is why everyone thinks you're a killer?” Kate asked.
"Precisely. They let it be known that Esteban Magalia was a cutthroat and a murderer. I am wanted in both Andalos and BasSalaam, and I have no refuge in most of the countries along the coast. I suppose I am fortunate that almost no one knows my face or my true identity. To this day, when things become too dangerous, or beyond what I can safely manage alone, El Condé du Diamánde is always willing to give me safe harbor. And that is where we are going."
Kate sat quietly digesting the information he'd given her.
Esteban watched her, trying to gauge her thoughts, her face was perfectly neutral and he couldn't tell what she was thinking. He supposed if she were angry with him, she'd have left already.
"I'm sorry I wasn't truthful with you from the beginning. I hope you understand my reasons?"
"I understand ... I only wish you'd told me sooner."
"I wanted to, but then you were gone, and I couldn't and after that ... I was worried you'd leave because I hadn't been truthful."
"I won't leave you. I love you, Esteban."
He pulled her into his embrace and kissed her deeply, and when she came up for air, she saw his eyes were moist, as though he'd wanted to cry.
"I'm sorry, too. I don't know why I got so angry at you before, I know how things must
have appeared to you.” She swallowed. “Maybe it's because I haven't been feeling very well lately?"
"Doctor Hill has some good news for us,” Esteban said.
"He does?"
"He tells me ... you are pregnant, Katherine."
"What?” She sat up quickly. “I am? How? I don't think that's possible ... I mean I was told when I was a girl that..."
"There you go with the multiple questions again.” Esteban grinned at her shocked response. “I imagine it happened the way it always does, but he did say that it was a miracle you'd conceived at all. He wants to continue monitoring you to ensure the babe is healthy."
"So we have to stay aboard Sea Dancer?” Oh my God, a child! She was entirely shocked and had no idea what this would mean for them.
"No, we will meet up with Manuel, then board Viceroy for the trip home. Probably in a week."
"But ... you love the sea. You're willing to leave the sea for me? Will you be happy?"
"Cariña, I am willing to go to hell and back for you, and I will be happy wherever you are. There will be no more secrets.” He stroked her cheek, noting the tears which had gathered in her eyes, magnifying them.
"I love you."
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About the Author
Camryn Cutler was born and raised in Maine. A true Yankee, she lives on the southern coast, near the ocean still, along with her husband of more than fifteen years. They have three children, a calico cat named Samhain, George the Dachshund, and their newest addition Cotton, the Siberian Husky.
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Calthraca: Secrets And The Sea [A Calthraca Novel] Page 20
