Her Gentleman Pirate (High Seas & High Stakes Book 2)
Page 9
Stephen swore, not believing what he was hearing. “Your father died! How?”
“He collapsed in the church, before Lord Montague and me. There was nothing we could do. A doctor said it was a heart seizure or possibly a problem within his brain.” A tear slid down her cheek and Stephen wrenched her into his arms, trying to comfort her in any way he could.
How had he not heard of this? “Why did you not write? I would’ve come for you.”
“I had to sell the London house as Father had placed it in my name to keep it from the debt collectors. There was so much to be done. The funeral, chasing down vowels and paying them in full. You were so right about what my father had been up to. I apologize for calling you a lying cad. You are not one.” She nuzzled against his neck and he held her tighter, never wishing her to be parted from him again.
He smiled and kissed her, lingered as her sweetness burst through his soul like light. “I’m a cad, there is no doubt, but I’ll never lie to you. I also want you to know these past weeks without you have been hellish. The thought of you belonging to another, and someone who would never treat you with reverence as I would drove me insane.” He paused, catching her attention. “I never kept the payment from your father.”
She started, her eyes wide with shock. “You didn’t?”
“I did not,” he said, shaking his head. “I sent it all back, every penny. You are worth more to me than any blunt that was owed, and the thought of taking payment in lieu of having you made me ill.” He wiped a tear from her cheek. “I love you Arabella.”
She hugged him about his neck and he could hear her smile in her words. “You love me? Is that all?”
“Greedy minx.” He raised his brow. “What else would you like for me to say? Maybe…” he paused, grinning. “Will you marry me?” A light blush stole over her cheeks and Stephen had never seen anyone more beautiful.
“Yes. I will marry you, my gentleman pirate. And I will love you forever.”
Stephen kissed her hard, reveled in the feel of her body against his chest, the only woman he ever wanted to feel again. He stood and lifted her onto the desk, quickly hiking up her travelling gown skirts. He had to have her. Here. Now. Later he would lay her down on his bed, pay homage to her delectable body, but right now, after weeks apart, his desire was too great.
She ripped at his frontfalls and Stephen gritted his teeth as her touch swept over his engorged cock. Damn it. He was so hard for her it hurt. He thrust into her waiting palm when she freed him and it was heaven on earth.
Cool air kissed his buttocks as his breeches fell to the floor. Stephen nibbled her chin as he slid her toward the edge of the desk. She laughed and wrapped her legs about his waist. “Damn, I want you. I don’t know how gentle I’ll be.”
She clasped his back, her nails scoring his skin as she held him close. “I don’t care. Do as you will.”
Stephen positioned himself at her core, her heat, her readiness for him beyond his imaginings. What a marvellous woman and now she was his. Possession took hold and he slid easily and fully into her. Her body clasped him tight, drawing him toward a blissful end that he was determined she too would reach. Today was just the beginning of many tomorrows.
How lucky he was.
* * *
Arabella moaned as Stephen finally claimed her. Their time a part felt like years. Had it really only been weeks? He thrust into her, his body a perfect fit. God she had missed him. Had missed the adventure he had wrapped around his soul.
And his love making was no different. Hot, hard and fulfilling seemed to be the man’s motto. How lucky was she to have been kidnapped by him.
She played with his buttocks and forced him to take her just as she liked. Stephen’s bed sport had always been exciting, but today it was different. There was an edge of possession mixed with desperation. A desperation born out of love and the thought that what one had and adored would never be theirs again. Arabella knew the emotion well, having lived the hell during their weeks apart. “Yes,” she gasped as with each stroke he pushed her toward a pinnacle she longed to reach. He clasped her leg and changed the pace of their lovemaking, going slower but deeper each time.
Arabella threw her head back, her body coiling tight with impending release. There was something arousing being dressed but taken in full daylight and on a desk. Memories of such an escapade on Stephen’s ship slipped through her mind and she smiled. What a fabulous life she was about to begin.
“Come for me, darling.” He continued to take her, his strong, capable hands biting in to her buttocks. “Let me feel you shatter around me.”
His dirty talk inflamed her more. She held onto him, urged him to take her harder, faster. He did and within moments, the sensation of absolute bliss thrummed throughout her body. Arabella screamed his name, pulled him to her until he too exclaimed an echoing release.
They collapsed on his desk, both breathing hard as if they had run a thousand miles. Arabella smiled. “I’m going to enjoy being your wife. I think I will enjoy it very much.” She met his gaze and read amusement in his blue eyes.
“That’s just as it should be. I wouldn’t have anything less for my bonny English lass,” he said, teasing her with his Scottish brogue.
“And that’s exactly why I’m yours. Forever.”
He nodded, his face becoming serious. “Yes. Forever, and then some.”
Also by Tamara Gill
Regency Scandalous London Series
A GENTLEMAN’S PROMISE
A CAPTAIN’S ORDER ~ A DUKE’S COMMAND
A MARRIAGE MADE IN MAYFAIR
Regency High Seas & High Stakes Series
HIS LADY SMUGGLER
HER GENTLEMAN PIRATE
Time Travel Romance
DEFIANT SURRENDER
A STOLEN SEASON
Paranormal / Mythological Romance
DAUGHTERS OF THE GODS ~ SERIES BUNDLE
BANISHED~GUARDIAN~FALLEN
Coming soon / Available now
From Entangled Publishing
To Marry a Rogue Series
Only An Earl Will Do
Only A Duke Will Do
Only A Viscount Will Do
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If you enjoyed Her Gentleman Pirate, from the High Seas & High Stakes series, please consider leaving a review.
His Lady Smuggler, novella one in the High Seas & High Stakes series is now available.
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About the Author
Tamara is an Australian author who grew up in an old mining town in country South Australia, where her love of history was founded. So much so, she made her darling husband travel to the UK for their honeymoon, where she dragged him from one historical monument and castle to another.
A mother of three, her two little gentleman in the making, a future lady (she hopes) and a part-time job keep her busy in the real world, but whenever she gets a moment’s peace she loves to write romance novels in an array of genres, including regency, medieval and paranormal.
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