The Jezebel

by Saskia Walker

  Studying her, he could see that particular worry was not the only thing on her mind. She seemed fretful and the glance she gave him was beseeching. It took him back to their first encounter. She’d been so much stronger since then, and he hated to see her look this way again. Was it because she sensed the crew mistrusted her?

  A chill went up his spine, a feeling of fear for her. Even if it were true what they said about her, he could not believe she would harm them. “Why so fretful, my lady?”

  “What did they say about me?” She blurted out the question and wrung her hands together as she spoke.

  “Fear not. It’s only the men growing restless about your presence. I did warn you.”

  Her expression did not change.

  He smiled, attempting to put her at ease. “You’re a woman, and you made them feel inadequate with your good and kind care, tending Adam’s injury the way you did. Having a woman aboard is no easy thing. It is a betrayal to some of the men. Many of them will mistrust you. Most of them will desire you.”

  His gaze drifted over her body, and he imagined how he might feel if he was watching and wanting, while only one man amongst them was able to take her to his bed. It was little wonder the mood was tense.

  “Roderick, please do not think badly of me. I care very much for your good opinion.”

  “Hush now, I don’t think badly of you.” It was important to her that he hadn’t been turned against her. Roderick knew why: he was her protector aboard this vessel. He didn’t flatter himself it was more than that. This woman had been desperate to travel to Scotland when she offered herself to him. He couldn’t believe that she might ever harbor any affection for him or care for him. It was a lucky encounter, for him. He had enjoyed her immensely. For her it was only a necessity, a bargain struck. The mystery surrounding her actions and her reason to leave London in such haste was something he might never fathom. Almost everything about her had remained a mystery. Unless her secret was indeed witchcraft... He wasn’t afraid of her, even though some of the crew thought he should be.

  “What did the men say?” she repeated.

  She would not rest until she knew.

  He kissed her forehead. “You should sing more.”

  “Roderick...”

  “I’m serious. When you sing to them above deck you have their hearts.”

  “And when I do not sing to them all?” Stubbornly, she pursued the subject.

  “It’s something and nothing. Some of the men have it in their heads that you used Pictish words, and that’s not a good sign.”

  Her eyelids dropped and she pulled free of his embrace, stepping aside. “It’s only because they are words my mother said to me.”

  Roderick wondered how old she was. It was the first time the question had occurred to him. He had the suspicion she was younger than he’d at first assumed. Her solemn eyes and her serious approach—and that wily bargain coming from her lips—had made her seem older. “Are you going back to your mother in Scotland?”

  She shook her head. “My mother died when I was a child. It was a cruel death, too, one that my siblings and I were forced to witness.” Maisie took a deep breath and met his gaze again. “The old words make me feel closer to her, and to my beginnings. That is all.”

  Her eyes flickered and for a moment Roderick had the odd feeling that she was not telling him the whole truth. He wanted the truth. He also wanted her. The two combined to make his lust ruthless, and he felt as if he truly could fuck the truth out of her, given long enough.

  Ashamed of himself for such a base reaction, he turned aside and reached for the bottle of rum that was wedged between the maritime books on one of the lower shelves. Swigging heavily from it, he offered it to her. When she declined, he had her portion, as well.

  She pushed her hair back from her face. “Do they think it means I am bad in some way? Because I know some of the old Pictish songs and sayings?”

  Would she confide if he was more honest? “It raises their mistrust.”

  His own level of trust was far from stable when it came to this woman, and yet Roderick still wanted her. Wanted her with a passion. The movement of her fingers through her hair as she eased it back made him want to do that, to have her sitting in his lap while he studied and explored her.

  “And you? Do you mistrust me?” Her expression was challenging in its intensity, almost as if she wanted him to confess he did.

  “I know nothing of you, Maisie, not even your family name. And when I try to understand you, you battle me every step of the way. That’s what makes this situation difficult for me.”

  Her lower lip trembled. “Forgive me. My family name is Taskill. Maisie Taskill. I didn’t tell you before because I thought it would be safer for you that way. A powerful man wanted me for his own, and if he discovers who it was that aided my escape from London, he will show no mercy. I said nothing about myself because I didn’t want to endanger you or your men.”

  Their gazes locked, and it seemed as if nothing else existed to him, only her and the way she looked at him, as if his good opinion of her was the most important thing in the world. He felt that way, too. While the circumstances that brought them together had been uneasy, he had managed them well enough. Now it felt as if everything around them was in danger of fracturing. He didn’t know what the morning would bring, but even if he kept the crew in check until he could get her ashore in Scotland, the men did not trust her and wanted rid of her, and that tore him apart.

  “I couldn’t bear it if you came to any harm because you aided me.” Her eyes shone with tears. “I find I have fast grown to care for you.”

  Roderick had to hold her in his arms, had to claim every part of her. Inside a moment he was against her, his arms enclosing her while he devoured her mouth. She clung to him, just as frantic and eager for him as he was for her. He didn’t care what had been said about her, didn’t care if it was true. That problem could wait. This could not.

  “Make me yours,” she whispered.

  “I will.” Taking a deep breath, he set her at arm’s length. This time it would be no hurried coupling, and he wanted her completely naked so that he might know every part of her. It seemed imperative.

  In the gloom of his cabin he undressed her, carefully dealing with each fiddly hook and eye, each complicated lace and tie, until all that was left was her woolen stockings, fastened with ribbons above her knees, and her boots. Roderick could scarcely bring himself to take them off because she looked so pretty. Her hair had fallen loose down her back, and she gazed at him intently. The whole time he’d undressed her, her eyes had followed his every move, and when he smiled at her, her head lifted and she looked deep into his eyes, as if she could read his thoughts. Could she? If it were possible, she would see only how much he wanted her.

  Lifting her onto the bed, he slipped off her boots, then undid the ribbons above her knees and rolled the stockings down, discarding them. He undressed hastily, because he knew that when the time came, he might not be able to pause long enough to do so, and he wanted to feel her naked skin against his.

  When he was stripped she held out her arms to him. Roderick took her hands in his and kissed each palm in turn. Every moment seemed precious. Folding her arms across her chest, he noticed the fretful look in her eyes. “You will have me soon enough, eager one. I mean to kiss every part of you first.”

  Her eyes widened. “That sounds as if it might test me somewhat.”

  He nodded.

  Sitting on the edge of the bed, he explored her, tracing every inch of her body. He followed his fingertips with his lips, kissing her everywhere, from the soft skin behind her ear down across the curves and planes of her figure until he reached the top of her feet, and back up. When he nudged his jaw around the curve of her breast, she moaned.

  “My beard is too rough on you?”

  “No. It feels...good. It arouses me immensely.”

  How very much that pleased him, and he decided to kiss the soft warm crease beneath h
er breast, scuffing her with his beard there, too.

  “Oh, oh, Roderick, you master me so easily.”

  Could he be happier? When he ran his tongue over the taut surface of her erect nipples, each in turn, she reached for him and clutched him to her. While she was distracted, he slipped his fingers between her nether lips, where he found her slick and hot.

  It was so inviting that he rearranged his position. Opening her legs, he looped one over his shoulder so that he could access her there. The soft pink folds of her pretty cunt gleamed with her juices and he bent to devour it, his tongue scooping her up. Her essence was like nectar to him, the aroma and taste of it making him harder still, mindless in his desire for her.

  Her body arched and she pushed her fingers into his hair. Glancing up at her, Roderick saw that she was close to coming, and he centered his attentions on her tickler. Lapping the swollen ridge from beneath, he was fast rewarded by the sound of her strangled cry of submission, her body shuddering in release.

  He lifted his head to watch her, adoring the way her head rolled from side to side and a flush bloomed on her cheekbones and chest, as if the heat of her release flowed through her entire body from the place where he’d stimulated her.

  Moments later, she opened her eyes and looked at him.

  Those eyes of hers seemed to reflect the candlelight for a moment, as if the flame was right there inside them. He drew back in wonder. Then she blinked and it was gone.

  She sat and looped her arms around his neck, squeezing him tightly.

  “Roderick, is it always this way?” she asked as she drew back. Her expression was candid and serious.

  “It has never been this way for me. For me, it is you that makes this...what it is.”

  She searched his face for a long moment, then nodded. Cupping his cheek, she rested her other hand against his chest. “I want to explore you the way you have been exploring me, with my fingertips and my mouth.”

  Roderick inhaled deeply, for the very thought of her doing such things made his cock throb. It was already rock-hard and had been for some time, inflamed with the need to be inside her.

  She glanced down at his erection as she meshed her fingers in his. “And I want you to show me everything.”

  “How so?” he queried gruffly. The way she looked at him, with such passion in her eyes, made him sweat.

  “All the different ways that we might...”

  “Ah.” His cock lengthened, growing painfully distended. “Be careful when issuing such a broad invitation to a man who is already inflamed by his desire for you.”

  She laughed softly. The sound of it was heavenly to his ears. Stroking his jaw with one hand, she sighed. “I want to know everything, and I want you to show me.”

  As she considered him for a moment longer, Roderick saw the deep desire in her eyes, as well as the invitation. “Ah, sweet Maisie, you should be learning such things from a fine gentleman, someone worthy of you.”

  “There is no such path for one such as me. My life has been tainted by tragedy and pain. The best I can do is return to Scotland to find my kin, my twin sister, Jessie, and my brother, Lennox. I must try to find my way again, with their help. Being with you...this has brought me happiness I have never known before.”

  It pained him to hear that she’d had times that were so unhappy. “Maisie...”

  Then she kissed him, her tongue beckoning his into the warm cave of her mouth, silencing him. Roderick savored her sweetness, his mind and body surging for her, his cock ready to answer her request.

  He’d been about to encourage her to say more on the matter. More than that, he wanted to reply, to promise that he would help her find her kin. He wanted to protect her while she sought them out. Then she wrapped her hand around his shaft, and for a while he didn’t think anymore—couldn’t do anything but feel. And when he drew back from the kiss, startled, she ducked her head to kiss the crown of his cock instead.

  Roderick silenced the curse of disbelief that rose inside him when her lovely mouth closed over it. Her lips moved while her tongue swept the underside. When she took it deep, riding it in and out, her moves threatened to make him spill far too quickly, and he wanted it to last and last.

  Staring down in wonder, Roderick noticed how much she enjoyed the act, how sensual and appreciative she was. This woman had been born for passion, and her newfound confidence revealed itself in the way she handled him, taking control. Before his very eyes she was transforming into a woman who knew, a woman who wanted and did.

  As if she became aware of him looking at her, she lifted her head and caught his eye, quickly smiling his way. Then she gripped his cock around the base and kissed it from tip to root before taking it between her lips once again.

  “My lady, please.” Roderick gave a ragged moan and stroked her hair, unable to resist touching her. He had to show her how much it meant, how good it was.

  “It is my turn to enjoy you now.” Maisie laughed softly, her hot breath tantalizing his erection, and then set about him even more eagerly. Stroking the underside of his cock head with her tongue, she cupped his sac with her free hand.

  “Maisie.” It took immense control to spin this out, but Roderick wanted the night, and he planned to fill it with memories that would burn in them forever.

  She drew back, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand as she did so. It made her look even more wanton. She rose to her feet, but before he had time to act, she moved. Holding his shoulders, she mounted him, so that they were face-to-face and her legs wrapped around his hips. Stunned at her forthrightness, he groaned with pleasure to have her so eagerly in his lap that way.

  “We are made to fit this way, too,” she whispered, eyes bright. She licked her lower lip and gazed down at his erect cock. There was a wild look in her eyes, hungry and powerful, and he knew he was lost to her.

  “That we are,” he responded gruffly, his chest unaccountably tight.

  The intoxicating aroma of her arousal made him feel drunk. Her breasts crested perfectly, crowned with peaked nipples and close to his face, and he molded them in his hands, lowering his head to kiss and suck each nipple.

  “Oh, Roderick.”

  Her back arched, her breasts rising to meet his mouth. He tongued her liberally, his cock jerking with the need to be inside her. Oh, but she was a siren, luring him. Was it witchcraft? Was that her secret? In that moment Roderick didn’t care. With one finger, he stroked her slit. She was sticky and wet, her juices trickling like thick honey, and he pressed his upright cock against her hot niche. He nodded down at the place where his member stood upright before her mound, like an acolyte worshipping at her temple.

  Maisie moaned and writhed, her body moving rhythmically while she stared down at the place where his erection rose proudly against her splayed flesh. Rocking back and forth, she rubbed herself against the hard surface of his cock, catching the sensitive skin on the underside. “I must have you,” she whispered, her fingers tightening on his shoulders.

  He breathed out loudly. Each sensation was pleasure incarnate. He held his shaft around the base, directing it to her. With her bottom lip captured between her teeth, she sank down onto him and settled herself on his hips. The pull of her body sucking his cock inside was exquisite. He closed his eyes, relishing the intense pressure when it was fully installed inside her tight sheath. “Maisie. Oh, Maisie.”

  Whispering words of encouragement, he praised her when she began to rock back and forth on him, her face flushing as she gripped his shoulders and rode him with determination.

  “My beauty,” he said, adoring the way she looked—like a sea goddess, a siren, her hair trailing down over her naked body as she rode him with abandon. So what if she was no normal maiden? He would have this night with her.

  He cupped her buttocks and leaned his face into her chest, every moment sending him nearer to the edge. It was the closest to ecstasy he had ever been, and as she milked him to fruition there was nothing else in his world but her.
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br />   She moaned softly, and he saw damp tears on her cheeks.

  His cock was rigid, his sac high and tight, his balls aching to flood home with his seed. Their movements became fevered. The candle spluttered out. She did not let him pause to find another.

  In the darkness, in the heat, they melded as one.

  Her eyes flashed in the gloom, luminous as twin candle flames. Strange it was, but he accounted for it by thinking the candle still spluttered on.

  He stemmed his release, shifted her to the bed where he lay her facedown, because the urge to lock her in his quarters forever—to hold her in his arms and never let her go—built inside him alongside the imminence of his release.

  Within one beat of his heart, his eager cock found its way home again and he plundered her depths from behind. Her body arched, a cry of pleasure issuing from her open mouth, his name on her lips once again. Roderick thrived on it, showing her how roughly he wanted to claim her. He slammed into her, the change of position making him endure.

  “Oh, yes,” she cried, her hands pushing out against the wooden plinth at the top of the bed. “Fill me. Satisfy me!”

  Roderick cursed aloud.

  “I want to feel everything,” she said. “Make me feel everything, Roderick. I know you can.”

  Those words, and the feel of her supple body, prone but rising up against him, swamped his mind with every dark image of fornication he had ever seen or imagined. “You do not know what you are saying.”

  “Show me what it is. I want it all.”

  Manipulating her bottom with his hands, he shifted his thumbs to her crease, moving them up and down there, brushing over the tight ring of her anus.

  Her skin was misted with sweat, but she undulated beneath him, showing him that she enjoyed his touch. “Oh, oh, that. Your touch there, why does it thrill me so?”

  He pulled his cock free, but only so that he could dip down and kiss her there in her crease. When he did, and his tongue roved over her bottom, she moaned. It was a pleasured sound and her body flexed. She liked it.

  Roderick’s cock throbbed. “You are a wanton indeed.”