by Merry Farmer
Her dress hung slack around her hips. She was half naked and in his arms, but it wasn’t enough. She needed more contact. Removing her dress, she felt it slide down her legs before pooling around her ankles on the ground. Callum pulled away, but only enough to observe her completely naked body and she shivered, hoping her first time completely undressed in front of a man did not end up in humiliation. She knew Callum had been with other women, perhaps dozens. She did not know how she compared, but right now she felt beautiful. Callum made her feel confident, like a real woman who could say what she wanted and be herself.
“My God.” Callum ran his warm hands down her back, across her hips, and over to her backside where his fingers carefully grazed her skin, making her break out in gooseflesh. When she shivered, Callum looked at her with wonder in his eyes. “Ye are the most beautiful woman I have ever kenned, Ruby Berry.”
She shook her head with disbelief. “Now I know you lie,” she replied. “That cannot be true.”
“I never lie, lass. I wouldnae say such a thing, if it werenae the truth. Nor have I ever uttered those words to another woman. You are a masterpiece, love.”
Love? She swallowed hard, deciding not to allow his words to be misunderstood. Surely he did not mean it in such a way. “I want to see you, Callum. All of you.”
Leaning in, he kissed her so softly that her heart melted. His hands roamed her body and when they rested just below her navel, she slightly flexed her hips, hoping he would touch her where she ached the most.
“Are ye certain?” he asked with sincerity and she nodded. She wanted to see every last inch of his sculpted body.
“I am.” Taking a deep breath and mustering her courage, Ruby ran a finger over the bulge in his breeches and Callum groaned, tearing his tunic off and throwing it onto the floor. His perfectly chiseled torso was a sight to behold and Ruby ran her hands over every ridge, feeling the coarse hairs tickle her fingertips. That same trail of hair she had noticed before felt rough to the touch, and Callum stood still and watched as Ruby explored, stopping at the top of his breeches.
He groaned when she gently ran her finger over the front of his breeches once more and slowly unbuttoned them. When they slackened on his hips, she watched as he pushed them down, gasping when his erect manhood sprang free, pointed directly at her. “Oh, my,” she whispered, reaching out to touch it and then pulling back immediately. It was somehow rock hard yet smooth to the touch at the same time. “I am… new to this,” she confessed, feeling slightly embarrassed.
“I ken, lass. We won’t do anything ye do not wish to do.”
“What if I want to do all of it?” she asked, raising a brow and his eyes widened.
“Ye cannae mean—”
“Everything, Callum.”
“I cannae.” He shook his head and frowned. “Ruby, we cannae.”
“Yes, we can. It appears you are most capable,” she said, touching his hard length once more, this time wrapping her hand around it, watching in wonder as his eyes drooped to half-mast when he watched her grip him.
“That is not what I mean.” His voice was strained and she could tell he was using all his effort to hold back. Releasing her grip, Ruby frowned and bent over to pull her dress up, disappointment flooding her. She understood why Callum resisted her desires, but rejection overwhelmed her.
“Nay. Not yet,” Callum growled and before she could prepare herself, she felt him swoop her up behind the knees as he carried her in his arms. “I dinnae want that dress back on ye just yet.”
Before she could ask questions, Callum tossed her onto the bed, her naked body laid out before him. “I willnae take yer maidenhead, Ruby. It would be wrong. I ken ye are upset with me, but trust me. Someday ye will thank me. But that doesnae mean I cannae pleasure ye, love.”
“Oh?” Ruby had no idea what he was talking about. They were both completely naked and somehow she felt so comfortable in front of him, like she was safe and treasured.
“Oh, aye. May I show ye?” He stood before her, his erection jutting out proudly and all she could do was nod her head, having no idea what he planned to do, but trusting him with her body.
Callum crawled onto the bed and propped himself up on his elbows as he hovered over her, kissing her passionately for several torturous moments as his hands roamed over her body, caressing her breasts, hips, and backside, even her inner thighs without touching her where she truly ached to feel him.
“Please,” she asked with frustration when his finger, once again, grazed her inner thigh so close to her center, then pulled away.
“Please what, love?” he asked, kissing down her neck, stopping at her breasts to suck on each nipple until they became hard peaks once more. “Is this what ye want?” His finger finally touched her core and she gasped, arching her back and spreading her legs slightly when he nipped at her breast with his teeth and stroked the place between her legs that sent a shock of pure pleasure throughout her entire body.
“Yes!” she shouted both in frustration and ecstasy.
“Well why didnae ye just tell me?” he said with a grin that made her want to slap and kiss him at the same time. But then his head moved back down her body, this time stopping at her navel while his finger weaved some form of magic, working in circles over that one spot that drove her mad. His lips kissed her pelvis bone and a finger slipped inside her while his other continued its skilled ministrations. Something so powerful, so intense, washed over her, causing her to nearly lift off the bed as she bit her lip to keep from screaming out in pleasure. “Oh, Callum,” she whispered, her entire body going tense as she exploded into a million pieces, panting as the most wonderous feeling washed over her body.
Ruby plopped back onto the bed but before she could even recover, she felt his mouth on that same spot and looked down, eyes wide as his tongue flicked out and yet a new round of pleasure began. “Oh, my… oh…” words escaped her, as did small breaths as Callum did something so erotic with his tongue that she couldn’t stop staring in awe. By god, she had no idea such a thing even existed but it was the single most intensely pleasurable sensation she had ever felt. Another wave flooded her and this time she did scream out as her entirely body tensed. It was as if little explosions were going off behind her eyes and she gripped the sheets, writhing as Callum slowed down but didn’t quite stop, until she was splayed out on the bed, feeling weak and dizzy, wondering what had just happened to her.
“What was that?” she gasped, looking at him, and he grinned.
“Pleasure, lass. And, ye are still a maiden, as I promised yer father ye would remain.” Crawling back up her body, Callum swept sweaty tendrils of hair away from her face, then kissed her so gently on the lips that she thought her heart might actually burst. These feelings were dangerous. She had no remorse for what had just happened. If she was to be united with a man she did not love for the rest of her life, at least she had this memory to cherish.
Still, she would never see Callum again after tomorrow and that thought made her stomach twist up into knots. If this was her last day with Callum, she did not want this moment to end, and even if she, one day, was no more than a whisper in his memory, for her this would be her greatest day and she wished to know more about him.
“Who are you, Callum?”
His head snapped up and his brow rose. “Ye ken who I am. Lord Argyll. Callum Campbell. Scottish pirate. And…” Cupping her face between both of his large hands, he gave her a soft kiss before continuing. “I am a man in love for the first time in his life.” Leaning in, he kissed her slowly, deeply, lingering for several moments with his hands still on her cheeks and hers on his waist as she tried to steady herself. A man in love? With her?
When he pulled back and looked at her, she saw worry in his eyes and frowned. “I do not understand.”
“Nor do I,” he sighed. “Why now, of all times? Why ye, of all lassies? A lass on her way to wed another man.” Callum took her hands and held them. “I love ye, Ruby Berry. I kenned the moment
I saw ye, I was a lost man.”
“I… I…” Ruby could not answer him. What could she say? That she was madly in love with him, as well, and that she would live in misery the rest of her days, knowing the man who owned her heart sailed the ocean, living the life she longed for, while she sat in a manor home alone, raising children for a man she never saw and never wished to see? “Callum, I… we cannot…” Shaking her head, she felt a tear slip down her cheek and he wiped it away.
“Cannae we?” he asked, sitting up and gripping her shoulders, pulling her onto his lap as he had the first night they kissed. Only this time they were both completely naked and his hardness rested on her thigh.
“No, we cannot. I am betrothed, Callum. My father would kill us both. And I enjoy being on a ship, but I cannot live upon one. I must have a home.”
Callum snorted and shook his head. “Ye think me a landless lord?”
Shrugging, Ruby frowned. “I know nothing of you, Callum. I am not even sure what you are asking of me.”
“Ruby, I am the Earl of Argyll. I live in my family’s ancestral home, Inveraray Castle. I manage the lands and have many duties. In fact, I am on my way back there once I deliver ye to London. I am also a pirate, as ye ken. As for my father, he was killed by—” Callum abruptly stopped and gave her a strange look, before continuing. “I took over the title but was a pirate long before. I manage both quite well, ye ken.” He smiled and she shook her head.
“I had no idea. I am terribly sorry about your father, Callum.” Ruby sat on the edge of the bed and he followed, sitting beside her and taking her hand.
“Thank ye, love. He was a good man. I have learned to live life on my own terms. One never knows when death is coming. When it does, I wish to ken I lived a good life. Ruby, I enjoy my life. Every day is a new adventure on the seas. When I am home, I manage my tenants, host lavish parties, and do my duties for my government. But when I am on the sea, I am free.”
She sighed, wishing she could live such a life… a life with him. But she simply could not. Still, she had now. This moment. Wrapped up in his arms, feeling his heartbeat beneath her palm resting on his chest, his skin warming hers as he surrounded her with his embrace. “Callum, make love to me.” Placing her hand on his rock hard, pulsing length, she took it in her hand as she sat on top of him again. Her breasts rested against his chest and Ruby stared into his green eyes, the color of the moss that covered the rocks in the lake near her home. She would always think of him whenever she visited that place for the rest of her life. “I won’t see you ever again after tomorrow, but I know I will never regret this. Please, Callum.”
His eyes closed and a strained look contorted his features. “Ye torture me, love. I cannae.” He shook his head and began to move her off his lap, but she placed her hands on his shoulders and stood her ground.
“You promised to allow me to make my own decisions.”
“Aye, I did! But ye ask too much of me, woman! I cannae make love to ye, take yer maidenhead, and then allow ye to walk into the arms of another man! Devil’s bollocks, I am delivering ye to yer wedding. Ye torture me, Ruby!” he shouted, trying to push her off.
“Callum! I love you, too!” she blurted, and he froze, slowly opening his eyes and taking a deep breath.
“Ye do?”
“Of course I do, you stubborn Scot. Make love to me.”
“Only on one condition. I have another proposal fer ye,” Callum said, running his hands up and down her waist, caressing her breasts and making gooseflesh break out all over her body.
“Oh? And what is it you propose this time, Lord Argyll?” she whispered, closing her eyes and enjoying the feel of his hands roaming her body.
“I propose ye marry me, lass. Ruby Berry, I have only kenned ye for three days and yet I ken without a doubt ye are the only woman I could ever love, will ever love. Will ye be my wife?”
“Capt’n! A ship can be seen on the horizon!” The loud bang of Samuel’s fist on the door made Ruby jump and squeal, clinging to Callum before she could even answer his question, let alone consider all that he had just said.
Cursing in a language Ruby could not understand, Callum jumped up and pulled his breeches on, tossing her clothing to her at the same time. “Get dressed, love.” Once she was very hastily clothed and he had pulled the tunic over his head and strapped on his sword, Callum opened the door with a grumble of frustration, Ruby standing behind his shoulder. “And? What flag do they fly?”
“Ye willnae like the answer…” Samuel looked over Callum’s shoulder and frowned in Ruby’s direction, making her feel a sense of dread. Why was he looking at her that way?
“Well? Spit it out, Samuel!” Callum demanded, grabbing the spyglass from his first mate’s hand and storming on to the deck, looking out to sea. Ruby followed him, anxious to know who approached and why Samuel appeared so frazzled.
“Devil’s bollocks!” Callum slammed his fist down on the rail and Ruby touched his elbow.
“Who is it?” she whispered, half afraid to know.
Lowering the glass, Callum looked down at her and crinkled his brow. “’Tis yer betrothed. And he has yer father.”
Chapter 7
“Ready the cannons! We will pursue the bastard! Prepare for a fight, lads!”
His crew all ran to do their duties, knowing exactly what he expected and doing it well while he stood at the helm with Ruby by his side.
“I hardly think all that is necessary, Callum. ‘Tis just my father and William. Though, I do not wish to go back with him.” The dread in her quivering voice and the blanching of her face were all Callum needed to see, to know she feared what was to come, and she did not even know the worst of it yet. “I wish to stay with you, Callum. I will tell my father. Come what may, I am not leaving you.”
Clenching his fist and looking through the spyglass once more, he could clearly make out the details now that he had hoped were no more than a trick of the light previously.
“Ruby.” Callum grabbed her hand and pulled her to him. “I need ye to listen to me well. William is a pirate hunter. He is the man responsible for my father’s death. He has yer father tied up on his deck.”
“What?” Ruby gasped and ripped the glass from his hand, her hands quivering so much he wondered if she could see properly. “No… no!” Lowering the glass, she looked at Callum and glowered. “Why didn’t you tell me? Tell my father? He deserved to know!”
“I tried, lass. I warned yer father before we left, if ye recall, after William threatened him. It was not a false threat. I meant to tell ye, Ruby. I was going to tell ye before I let ye go to him. I simply believed I had more time. It isnae an easy thing to tell a woman that her future husband is a murderer. I am sorry.”
Ruby pursed her lips and squeezed her eyes shut. “My papa. Why would William do this? How does he even have my father? He left before us!”
“Yer father put too much trust in the man. He was safe until he was caught doing business with me. I am a Scottish heathen, after all. Now William kens yer father must have Stewart sympathies, and that is dangerous information. Likely, he went back for him and expected to marry ye before ye kenned he had yer father in custody. He will flee from us when we give chase because he meant to reach London and handle yer father before ye arrived. He never wished for ye to see his evil deeds, love. We will get him, Ruby. I vow it.”
Raising her chin higher, Ruby looked at the ship approaching them, the British flag whipping in the wind, and narrowed her eyes in determination. “Yes. We will.”
Callum smiled, seeing that spark in her eyes and the fire in her blood that had made him immediately fall in love with her in the first place.
“He will use yer father to control ye, love. He will demand ye board his ship, but dinnae do it. Allow me to control the situation.”
“What if he harms him when I do not obey? I cannot allow that! I must do something more than simply stand by!” she demanded with panic in her small voice.
“We dinna
e have time to make a plan. Follow my lead and follow yer instincts. Trust them. I do. We can do this together.”
“Together.” Ruby gave him back the glass and balled her fists into the fabric of her skirt until her knuckles turned white. She looked beautiful and full of determination as the blue and white Scottish flag whipped wildly above them. He had his ship, his men, his woman, and his country. What pirate needed more? They would save her father and he would marry Ruby. But first, he was going to slay the man who betrayed his father.
“What do ye wish to do, Capt’n?” Samuel came up behind them and eyed them oddly, as if he knew what had transpired between them in the cabin, but Callum did not care. He was not ashamed of his actions, nor his feelings for Ruby, and he had bigger issues to deal with at the moment.
“I wish to kill that bastard once and fer all. But first, we will rescue Thomas Berry and kill every man aboard that ship if we must. Take no quarter, if necessary. Whatever is aboard that ship is ours for the taking.”
“Aye, Capt’n.” Samuel took off to help ready the ship and Callum turned his attention back to Ruby. William’s ship grew closer, yet as Callum suspected, the man was doing his best to evade them, coward that he was. He wished to have her father hung before Ruby married him. She would not know her father was dead until she was stuck with his murderer. A chill ran up Callum’s spine. The man was pure evil, but today was his last day on this earth.
“Are ye ready, Ruby?” He was worried for her, despite her strength. Her father was in real danger and he would do all he could to keep them both safe, but William was a madman who kept his deeds hidden in the shadows, away from polite society. But Callum was not polite and he was aware of the evil that lurked in William’s eyes.
