by Merry Farmer
Big Devil made a gesture, and his rats ceased fighting.
“Simple,” Thomas called back. “I will surrender all my holdings and worldly goods from here on south except for my ship. Plus,” he added, sweetening the pot considerably, “a certain brooch.” He held up a finger, gesturing that his nemesis wait and hear him out. “In exchange, that is, for the girl and ye calling off yer rats from this day forward.” He shook his head. “No matter where my men and I are, ye will not harm a hair on our heads nor anyone we call kin.”
Silence stretched. What would he do? Would he buy this?
Big Devil’s brows finally swept up before he tossed back his head and laughed. “Do ye think me a fool, Thomas?” He snorted, not concerned about the second part of his request. “No wench is worth that.” His eyes narrowed. “So what are ye playin’ at?”
“Just what I said,” he assured. “All my holdings plus the brooch.”
Big Devil chuckled again, but his laughter died off quicker this time when he realized Thomas was serious.
“Where is the brooch?” he grunted, a slight but welcome slur to his voice. After all, his rival having a fuzzy mind during this negotiation could only work in Thomas's favor. So the drunker, the better.
“I have the brooch on me.”
Big Devil peered at him in distrust for a moment before he waved several rats forward to escort Thomas to him. Though Charles went to stop them, Thomas stayed him with a sharp shake of his head and went to their foe.
“Here it is.” He handed over a brooch similar to the one Big Devil sought then pulled out a small scroll. “Ye will need this too, of course.”
Big Devil inspected the brooch which was a touch more glamorous than the real one then frowned in confusion at the scroll. So Thomas explained. “It is a royal seal of authenticity for the brooch.” He gave Big Devil a look that said he should already know this. “You understand that without this, the brooch is worthless.”
Big Devil looked from him to the scroll before he snatched it from Thomas. “Aye, I know that.”
He unrolled it and looked it over as though he understood what he was looking at. As though he could actually read. Then he handed it off to the beady-eyed man from the tavern who read it over and nodded with approval.
“What about your holdings and worldly goods?” Big Devil went on. “Where are they and what proof do I have that ye gave them to me?” His eyes narrowed. “And what of yer brother? What will he say about all this?”
“I do not care what he has to say.” He kept his eyes purposefully deadpan as if perhaps he and Luke had a falling out. “All I care about is keeping the woman and my men safe.”
Big Devil teetered a bit, definitely drunk, which was a blessing. Everyone knew he got especially greedy after too much rum.
Thomas handed over another scroll, larger than the first. “This gives you rights not only to the few ships I have left in New Providence but my various holdings and treasure stashed about.”
Big Devil’s brow inched up. “Treasure ye say?”
“Several years’ worth actually,” he revealed.
“Ye don’t say,” Big Devil murmured, again scanning over a document he could not read before handing it to the man who could. Again, his rat nodded with approval after reading it over. He winked at Big Devil and grinned, signaling that they had struck gold.
“Aye.” Thomas nodded. “I am leavin’ ye a very wealthy man, indeed.” He shrugged. “If that is, ye agree to the terms.”
Big Devil took several long gulps of rum, eyeing Thomas all the while before he lowered the bottle and his gaze swept over his and Thomas’s men. “I could just as easily take all of it from ye.” He shrugged. “My men outnumber yours.” A deviant leer curled his mouth. He scanned the area for signs of Rose. “And that is a luscious wee poppet ye stole from me.”
“Do yer men outnumber mine, though?” Thomas cocked a brow then raised his arm to signal it was time. Dozens of men formed on the ridge above. “And I’ve plenty more where they came from.” He winked. “Don’t believe me? Next time ye see Blackbeard, ask him how many of his men’s loyalty I won over in a card game when last I was on this island.”
It was a truly risky thing to cross Blackbeard. So would Big Devil call Thomas's bluff? Or was the risk too great? Thomas could only hope for the latter. Because as it stood, those were hired men all.
Big Devil took another long swig, considered the men above for a stretch then shrugged. No doubt, thanks to the booze, he gave in easy and raised his bottle in the air. “Salute then, Thomas. I accept your parlay. We have a deal!” He wiped rum from his mouth with the back of his hand, belched and shrugged again. “Ye killed a few of my men and cost me a ship,” he slurred, a callous lout until the end, “but bloody hell, we’ve made a good deal so come drink with me!”
“Sorry, Cap’n.” He shook his head. “Thanks for the invitation but me and mine will be setting sail soon to get the wee lass home, aye?”
Big Devil barrel laughed and shook his head the whole way back down the dock, roaring, “Who cares where the bloody hell the wench ends up!”
Thomas clenched his fists, wishing he could have sliced a blade across Big Devil’s throat but knew this was the best way it could have gone. This ensured Rose’s safety down the line rather than just right now. Because their enemy had a long arm and rumor of this would reach pirate ears. Best that it stop here. Let Big Devil have the final say so to speak.
So Thomas headed for the woodland again only for the last thing he expected to happen. Something that could remind Big Devil what he was giving up and change his mind.
Chapter 10
Though she had thought being captured by pirates was the most terrifying thing that had ever happened to her, watching Thomas fight then walk right up to Big Devil was even worse. So the moment he strolled away from the monster and headed her way, Rose raced over and threw her arms around him.
“What are you doing here,” he growled, scooping her up. He strode into the woodland. “Where the bloody hell are the men I had watching you?”
“It is not their fault.” She offered a devious little grin. “As it turns out, I really am very good at what I do.”
When he frowned in question, she shrugged. “I had to make sure you were all right, so I became a spy and snuck out the window.”
“And are you satisfied?” he grumbled, still upset. “Anything could have happened to you, woman.”
“But it did not,” she murmured, understanding that his anger came from caring about her. He had always cared. She wrapped her arms more firmly around his neck, content with him carrying her when she could walk just fine. “What you did with that brooch was very clever.” She eyed him curiously. “And quite premeditated, I’d say.”
“Luke and I tried to account for everything.” He plunked her down near a small pond surrounded by red cedar trees, golden rod, cattails with flowering spikes as well as a variety of vine covered bushes. “I wish to wash away the battle. If you want to bathe as well, I suggest you do so now. It may be your last opportunity for some time.” He pulled off his shirt. “The men are loading the ship with fresh supplies. It is best that we move along lest Big Devil change his mind.”
Heat flushed her skin at the sight of him. Lord, he had really filled out, his muscular frame impossible to look away from.
“You bathe on this side.” He gestured at the other side of the pond and pulled off his boots, his expression grim. “I will go there.”
Before she could respond, he turned away, pulled off his breeches, and strode into the water, his tone biting, “Now, Rose, if you mean to. We need to get off this island.”
He really was upset with her, wasn’t he?
Best that she do as he suggested because she really could use a bath.
Yet she found herself watching rather than doing as he strode in. Though she never got a glimpse of his front, she managed a good eyeful of his back. His long body was so much more than she imagined from the tight glo
bes of his buttocks to all the muscles and battle wounds. Her cheeks flamed, and once again an aching sort of pleasure blossomed between her thighs.
“Hurry, Rose,” he called out as if he knew she watched him rather than seeing to herself. “Before a pirate happens along.”
She rounded her eyes. Would one? It was a distinct possibility she supposed. So she quickly removed her kerchief, unbraided her hair, undressed, saw to herself the best she could, then redressed, glancing at him every so often. When she went to speak, he ordered her silent, saying it was best not to draw unnecessary attention. She had so many questions, though. Ones she was desperate to ask but bit her tongue.
If he peeked her way, she never saw it and discovered that disappointed her. A lot, actually. Was he not interested in seeing her nude? He had certainly seemed interested the first night on the ship.
“Where are we setting sail for now?” she asked when he pulled her after him toward his ship a short time later.
“I believe I said that was up to you,” he replied, glancing with discomfort at Big Devil’s ship.
“Yes, you said as much.” She was vastly relieved when no one on the enemy ship seemed to pay them any mind. “But you never elaborated. What does that mean precisely? Especially when it’s rather clear I have nowhere to go.” She swallowed hard and accepted the cold hard truth. “I am homeless.”
He remained silent until he helped her down into his ship, pulled her close, and cupped her cheek, the look in his eyes suddenly tender. His earlier aggravation at last gone.
Instead, she saw hope.
“What do you want to happen next, Rose?” he said softly.
“I want answers.”
“And I will give them to you.” His eyes searched hers. “But what do you want beyond that? What do you want for your future?”
While she could say yet again she wanted answers, she realized he was getting at something more specific. Beyond the answers that would no doubt leave her standing right where she was. With him. Here and now.
Which was, to simplify it, exactly what she wanted in the future.
What she had, deep down, wanted since the moment Thomas saved her. Even, she was startled to realize, before she knew her uncle had died. Now that he was gone, it made things clearer still.
Or should she say freed her?
Now she could say what was in her heart and not worry about propriety. There was no line between sinner and saint. Not in this world. Not for a woman who had nothing left but who she chose to be and where she ended up.
So she played the role she had wanted to play years ago.
Since the very moment he asked her to marry him.
She stood on her tip-toes the best she could on the swaying ship and pulled his head down so she could murmur in his ear, “I want to return to your bed, Thomas.” She met his eyes. “I want to do what we should have done years ago.”
While she certainly intended to question him more about his exchange with Big Devil, right now all that mattered was them. The life they had left behind and the life they could have ahead of them.
Would have ahead if she had her say.
Either way, she would not let him walk away again. Not without them finally having each other as they should have back then. Be damned scruples and what was proper, he had been going off to war. They should have snuck off and enjoyed one another while they still could. How often had she dreamt of such since? What it might have been like?
Rather than ask her if she were sure like he would have in their youth, the pirate he was now gave no quarter but scooped her up again, brought her into his cabin and slammed the door shut with his foot.
Instead of setting Rose down like the gentleman he once was, he tossed her on the bed and eyed her with a hunger that made everything inside her come alive. A need that made it impossible to breathe. He yanked off his shirt, tossed it aside then came over her so swiftly it caught her off guard.
In the end, a bit of the old him came through after all.
“Though it is not in my nature to ask but take what is willingly given to me,” he said, his voice hoarse, strained, “I will for you, Rose.” He trailed his finger along her jaw, then down her neck. “Is this what you truly want? Here. Now. With me.”
Her body was alive, thrumming with anticipation. Needy in a way it had never been before. Desperate for how he could make her feel. While she could tell him she was still a virgin, she chose not to. She didn't want to speak of her marriage and the past, but be in the moment with Thomas. Think only of him and how he made her feel. She wasn't afraid but eager. Excited. Ready to embark on a sinful adventure.
She stared at him and tried to speak but could not. So she tried again and managed on a strangled groan, “Yes, now…please.”
That’s all he needed. He whipped her shirt, pants, and shoes off before she could utter another word. In fact, there was no time to even feel shy before he spread her legs, and his mouth was between her thighs.
Her pirate adventure became something else entirely when his tongue found her soft folds. He consumed her with a ravenous need that shot overwhelming pleasure through her. Exquisite sensations that forced her to feel everything…to completely lose herself.
She gripped the bedding, released strangled, foreign sounds, and arched. It was as if her body had a mind of its own, catapulting her forward without her say. She was at the mercy of pure sensation, lost in feelings she was completely unfamiliar with but wanted far more of.
When he groaned against her in bliss and suckled more hungrily as if she tasted delicious something unfurled inside her. Something dangerous and addictive. It built rapidly, consuming her before a blazing swell of sharp euphoria tore through her so strongly she cried out and pressed against him. She sobbed with pleasure, lost in the heavy throbs pulsing through her.
“Rose,” he murmured, kissing his way up her stomach. “Are you ready for me, darling?” He kissed and licked and blew against her sensitive flesh, only heightening everything she felt. He repeated what she had said. “Are you ready to do what we should have done long ago? Are you ready to—”
“Yes,” she cried, not herself but lost in how he made her feel. Desperate to reclaim the years they missed. All the love they let go. The love they gave up.
He never fully undressed but yanked at the top of his breeches, freed himself and came between her thighs. The time for asking permission was done. The time for saying no was never truly part of this.
“Thomas,” she whispered, gazing into eyes she never thought she would see again, aware of nothing but him.
“Rose,” he whispered back. His gaze lingered on hers, and he cupped her cheek before pressing forward…before finally doing what she had long waited for him to do.
Though she felt a pinch of pain, followed by discomfort as he stretched and filled her, it fell away as swiftly as it came when his lips touched hers. When he took her somewhere only he could. His kisses were long and lingering, deeper by the moment before he shifted his hips and moved.
After that, she was taken on a journey so much more exciting than the pirate stories of her youth. So much deeper than the most heartfelt tale she had read. Nothing touched this. Nothing even came close when he thrust, and took her on a sensual adventure far beyond words.
In, out, over and over until the swelling sensation became so strong she had no idea what to do but give in and let go. If she cried out, she never heard it. If she sobbed, she never felt the tears. All she knew was that somewhere in all the wonder, she learned what it truly meant to be a woman.
What it meant to give herself over to pleasure.
She was vaguely aware when Thomas pressed deep and released a strangled groan of pleasure upon release. Everything else was a blur of ecstasy as she went somewhere made of pleasure and perfection, and most certainly the love of her life.
Awash in an untouchable afterglow, she drifted off and didn't wake until morning light came through the window, and Charles pounded on the door.
“Cap’n.” Instead of saying his reliable, ‘trouble’s afoot,’ he said something almost more damning. “Ye’ll be wantin’ to surrender then?”
Chapter 11
He stumbled from the bed, yanked his clothes on, and went to open the door but stopped when Rose spoke. “What is it, Thomas?” She sat up in bed. “What is happening?”
She had never looked more beautiful than she did now with her hair tousled, and her skin aglow from their lovemaking the night before. His gaze drifted to her beautiful, bared breasts. They were everything he had imagined. Everything about her was from start to finish…most especially finish.
He had never felt anything like her nor loved so fiercely.
“Thomas?” she persisted. “What is going on?”
He raked a hand through his hair and shook his head, unsure what to say. He was supposed to have already talked to her about this. Not been swayed by lust when he asked her what she saw for her future.
To let her know he’d already made a decision about his.
But then how could he have known she would be so bold? She had proven herself a feisty bit back on Ocracoke Island but still. Who would have thought she would ask him to bring her to bed like that? To finally utter the words he had been waiting so long to hear?
“Just stay here, Rose.” He tied his hair back and bounded up to the main deck. While he wanted to explain everything to her, he owed it to his men to lead them through this final leg.
To stand by their side as they entered a whole new world.
To lead them into something they had all agreed upon.
“There she is, Cap’n.” Charles pointed north. “She’s Royal Navy and bearin’ down.”
