The Red Drifter of the Sea: A Steamy Opposites Attract Pirate Romance (Pirates of the Isles Book 3)

by Celeste Barclay

  “Is that what you wish to do? Do you think that means you are to just lay where I put you and do nothing while I slaver over you?”

  “Do you wish for me to be still?” Moira looked sheepishly at him. “If so, I fear I shall be punished too often for you to actually bed me.”

  Kyle lunged at Moira, pulling her beneath him with the covers separating their skin as Kyle hovered above her. Their mouths met, and she opened to him as his tongue inched forward. The kiss was as savage as each one they’d already shared. Moira’s hands slid into his hair as she struggled to make space for him between her legs, the sheets pinning her in place. Kyle ripped the covers down until he exposed her small, pert breasts. His mouth opened wide, taking most of the supple flesh into his mouth. Moira’s moan and restlessness earned her other nipple a painful twist. When her moan grew louder, Kyle bit the one in his mouth. A streak of pain ran from her breasts to her channel, making the burning ache to be filled excruciating.

  “Kyle, please,” Moira begged. “It hurts.”

  Kyle looked up and recognized Moira was no longer enjoying their games. “What hurts, sweet one? Am I too heavy on you? You’re so tiny.”

  “No. I welcome the feel of you. But I—oh, God, Kyle, it hurts to not—I need—please,” Moira finished on a whimper.

  “And if I should like this time to last longer?” Kyle countered.

  “I do, too. But I can’t. Not this time. Please, Kyle. This isn’t fun anymore.” Moira blinked several times. “I’m on the verge of tears, Kyle. I’ve never felt a need like this before. I’m frustrated, and it’s too much.”

  Kyle appreciated Moira’s honesty. It was the one thing he’d intended to ask her for, but he’d grown too distracted to discuss everything he planned. He pulled away the covers between them and settled between her thighs. The tip of his cock once more brushed the scorching heat of her channel, and Kyle groaned with his own consuming need.

  “Moira, you are a lot smaller than me. Before the other night, it was years since you’ve been with a man. If it’s too much, if it’s ever too much—if I push you to where you can’t keep going—you need something you can say that I will know you mean stop. Something that I can never confuse your meaning. Pick a word that if you say it, I will cease that instant.”

  Moira struggled to follow what Kyle was saying, but the offer made her feel safe while she felt so vulnerable. “Duilesc,” Moira blurted. She named a sea plant that grew along the rocks. It was an edible red algae. “I hate it. It’s too salty.”

  “Very well. If anything we do together, or any punishment I give is more than you can manage, you need only say ‘duilesc,’ and I will stop. Can you remember that?” Kyle waited until she nodded. “Do you promise you’ll use it? That you won’t try to bear more than you can for my sake?”

  Moira’s eyes opened in surprise, unnerved that he knew she would most definitely try to endure anything for his sake. “Yes, Kyle.”

  With her acquiescence, Kyle surged into Moira. Her deep moan seemed to vibrate his cock as he settled into her sheath. He struggled not to pound into her because he wasn’t certain whether Moira’s moan was pleasure or pain. When she writhed beneath him, straining to move her hips, he accepted that she didn’t want them to stop. With each thrust, Moira lifted her hips to take the punishing force of his. Their bodies slapped together as Kyle wrapped his arms beneath her and held her close to him.

  “Kyle,” Moira patted his shoulder blade. “May I? I can’t wait.”

  “Aye. I want to watch you shatter with my cock buried in you,” Kyle grunted; he thrust harder and faster as Moira screamed. Her nails clawed at his back, and her head tilted back, the cords in her neck straining as she squeezed her eyes shut.

  “More,” Moira panted.

  Certain she’d found her release before him, Kyle wondered just how fast and hard he could piston himself into her. He welcomed the challenge; Moira’s body was so receptive and pliant as her murmurs and pants encouraged him.

  “Moira?” Kyle grunted. She opened her eyes and grinned before shutting them again. “Look at me. I need to see you’re all right.”

  “I want to, but I can’t. I can’t keep my eyes open, Kyle. Just trust that I don’t want you to stop. I haven’t said that word.”

  “Am I not hurting you?” Kyle forced the words out as the air burned his lungs.

  “But it feels better than I could have ever imagined,” Moira answered. Moira’s fingertips drilled into his skin as her body tightened once more, another climax ripping through her. Unable to hold back any longer, Kyle thrust again before pulling out. Without needing to stroke himself, his seed spilled across Moira’s belly. He yanked the sheet up to wipe his cock before plunging back into her and holding still. He’d never done that before. Never entered a woman again after spilling. He’d always rolled off and usually gotten out of bed without looking back. But something compelled him to remain coupled with Moira, having only left her body to keep from impregnating her. She wrapped her arms around his ribs and her legs over his calves. “You won’t break me.”

  Kyle brushed back damp hair from her forehead and kissed her temple. He eased more of his weight onto her, but he still held most of it on his forearms. He’d never felt so connected to a woman in his life. He’d lusted after plenty, bedded many, but cared about none. He wished to hold Moira every moment of every day for the rest of time. The feeling terrified him.

  Moira enjoyed the silent companionship and closeness they shared in the aftermath of their passion. She wished she could drift off to sleep before Kyle moved off and away from her, wanting to slip away into perfect oblivion. But her mind was abuzz with questions she didn’t dare ask but were still burning a hole in her mind. She stroked her nails along his back as her other hand rested at his waist, affection replacing desire. They turned their heads at the same time, and their mouths once more found each other. The kiss conveyed emotions neither understood. It wasn’t love, or even tenderness. It wasn’t impatient desire. It was deep satisfaction from sharing something so intensely intimate. It communicated their enjoyment as well as signaled their silent agreement that they both wanted this to happen again.

  When Kyle finally rolled away, he pulled Moira into the cradle of his arms and stroked her hair. She nuzzled his neck before sighing. He wondered if she would fall asleep, but her fingertips ran over the bristle of his unshaven chin. With his hand on her backside, he pulled Moira’s body flush with his, kissing her once more. Their bodies were too drained to recommence so soon, but they reveled in the feel of being pressed together. As the drugging effects of their coupling wore off, but fatigue set in, Kyle peered down at Moira.

  “I can see about getting you some hot water. You’re small enough that you will likely fit in one of the barrels if you’d like to soak in a hot bath,” Kyle offered.

  Moira grinned and snickered. “Are you trying to catch me in a fib, so you can add another spanking to my growing list?” At Kyle’s sheepish expression, Moira giggled. “You know I snooped the first morning. That’s why you warned me not to go into any small spaces even with Braedon. I’m certain you know I spied your tub in the galley. You’re testing me.”

  “Mayhap a little.” Kyle kissed the tip of her nose, then sobered. “Moira, you did earn two spankings today, but I’m setting them aside. Don’t expect that to be the norm. But you’ve been through much in the last few days, and you have yet to learn my expectations. I also fear that your body isn’t meant to be treated as roughly as I’ve done since you came aboard. I’ve pushed you too hard.”

  “You sound as though you regret it. Regret me being here,” Moira pulled back. Her heart sank as rejection flooded her.

  “No,” Kyle snarled as he pulled her back against him. “I do not regret you being here. I should. I should do the right thing and take you wherever you wish. I should take you somewhere safe, so you never have to face the danger you will if you remain with me. You should make a life on land with a man who can provide for you. Bu
t I won’t. I can’t. I’ve touched you, been inside you, and I can’t let you go, Moira.”

  Moira tucked a lock of russet hair behind Kyle’s ear before she cupped his cheek. “Let me stay until we both decide this has run its course. I have nowhere to go, and I’m in no hurry to find one. I want to be on your ship, in your bed. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you’re drugging me. I’m still confused by why I like your heavy-handedness and desire to discipline me. I know I don’t want this to be the last time we couple. And I confess, I’m curious.”

  “Curious? You still wish to learn more from me?” Kyle purred, more like a big cat stalking its prey than a docile barn cat.

  “Will you teach me? I don’t even know what there is to learn,” Moira admitted.

  “If you stay aboard the Lady Charity, your life is in danger. The English navy, the Irish, other pirates. Any could attack at any time,” Kyle warned.

  “And you will attack any of them when you have the chance. I understand that. I don’t welcome it, but I expect it.” Moira raised up on her elbow, her breasts pressed together. Kyle brushed the backs of his fingers over her nipples and trailed his finger down her deep cleavage as he listened. “I know you will keep me safe as best you can, but you’re giving me the choice. And I’m telling you my answer. I want to stay with you.”

  “I am giving you a choice. But there is an option that you haven’t told me, Moira. Where were you headed?” Kyle paused and waited for her answer. He held his breath to see if she trusted him with more than her body.

  “Kyle,” Moira sighed as she closed her eyes.

  “Not ready to trust me,” Kyle stated flatly.

  “You’re asking a lot of me, Kyle. I want to be here. Can that not be enough for right now? I’m already trusting you not to kill me, rape me, or abuse me. I’ve trusted you when you left me bound in here or kneeling for hours on end, no idea when you’re coming back or the mood you’ll be in. I’ve trusted you to spank me without trying to escape or fight you. Hell, I stripped naked and laid over your table, prepared for you to spank me without you even telling me to. You felt the need to warn me with a safe word because you knew you might push me too far, and I trusted you not to hurt me. I do trust you, Kyle. More than I should, given who you are, what you are, and how little I really know about you. I’m a fool to do so. But I do.”

  Moira laid down, unsure how Kyle would react. When he eased her back into his embrace and peppered soft kisses on her forehead and crown, she felt more confused than ever, but she also felt safe. Something that she’d only ever felt with Kyle. She’d never felt it at Dunluce, not even when she thought she loved Aidan.

  “Will you stay with me until I fall asleep?” Moira asked before a yawn escaped. She placed her hand over his heart as her eyes drifted closed. “I need a nap.” Kyle covered her hand with his and before drawing the covers over them. He considered resting his eyes, but he didn’t want to miss a moment of Moira being nestled against him. Reality was outside the cabin door, and he would have to face it again soon enough. Outside their love nest was the ever-present chance that something would pull them apart. Kyle was in no rush to return to that, so he watched Moira sleep instead.

  Fourteen

  “Where do you think she was going?” Keith asked as he rocked on the rear two legs of his chair, his booted feet resting on the footboard of his bunk. Kyle had slipped out of bed with a peck on the cheek as Moira stirred, but didn’t wake. He’d crossed over to the Lady Grace at twilight and now sat with his brother as they sorted through the unexpected events of finding Moira aboard a ship Kyle ransacked.

  “She says south. She admitted that Dónal has betrothed her to Dermot O’Malley, so I know she wasn’t headed there. That’s why she ran—or rather sailed—away from Dunluce. According to Moira, her clan council doesn’t agree with Dónal’s choice of bedfellows, so they helped her escape. She hasn’t told me where she was going, but I suspect to the O’Driscolls. Fionn wasn’t pleased when Senga suspected that Dónal mistreats Moira, and I imagine Senga would expect Fionn to take her in. He respects Senga enough to oblige any request from one of her acquaintances. For all Fionn’s sins, after what happened to Aisling, he doesn’t ignore wounded women. It wouldn’t surprise me if the O’Driscolls would take Moira to Senga and Caragh.”

  “You mean Rowan and Ruairí,” Keith chuckled, and the brothers clinked their mugs together. While Rowan and Ruairí MacNeil had once been the most terrifying duo of pirates sailing the British Isles, any who knew the men now that they were married with a child each knew it was their wives who were the most fearsome sailors between Ireland and Scotland. The couples had retired from pirating, but the MacNeils were seafaring people who depended on trade, since their island was small and had little arable land. Caragh and Senga still sailed with their husbands from time to time, and they were just as intimidating together as Rowan and Ruairí or Kyle and Keith. Both women were experts with swords and had the temerity to enter the fray whenever there were battles aboard ship. They placed family above all else, and were ruthless in defending their husbands.

  Rowan was now Laird MacNeil, but Kyle and Keith visited Kisimul Castle often and knew it was Caragh–Lady MacNeil by title–who made people jump at her command. She had a charisma that made people want to do what she asked without her raising her voice or issuing threats. Senga wasn’t that different, and her quiet guidance was always present. They made an indomitable team, and their husbands couldn’t be prouder.

  “I know I should take her to Senga myself, but I confess I don’t want to,” Kyle admitted.

  “Having too much fun in your bed?” Keith snorted.

  “Only twice,” Kyle muttered.

  “Only twice what? In your bed? Does she prefer the table or the wall? From what I heard, she likes the rail.” Keith’s boots clunked against the floor as he dove out of the reach of Kyle’s fist. “What? Bluidy hell, you made me spill my whisky.” Keith brushed the liquid from his leine before pouring himself more and topping off Kyle’s mug.

  “I’ve only coupled with her twice, if you must know.”

  “I mustn't, but now you’ve told me. She’s been onboard more than a sennight, and you’ve only had her twice? Slowing down in your auld age?”

  “It’s not like that. Keith, don’t talk about her like she’s a doxy. She’s not,” Kyle sighed.

  “From what I heard, she came on deck in no more than a man’s leine—maybe yours, maybe someone else’s—and let your hand work its magic until she was moaning,” Keith said with a cocked eyebrow.

  “She did. And I did. But she didn’t moan. And I’m certain no one actually saw what I was doing. They just made a good guess. But she’s not a whore. She’s like me,” Kyle admitted.

  “And you’re trying to convince me she’s not a whore?” Keith spluttered as he wiped whisky from his lips.

  “I mean, she likes things the way I do,” Kyle said with a pointed look at his brother.

  “Ah. The way we both do. Rough.”

  “Yes. But not just that. She submits. Willingly. She wants to. We seem to understand what the other wants without speaking. We seem to give one another what we both need.” Kyle shrugged. “I don’t have a better explanation than that. But her trust has limits. I can’t blame her for that. But the limit comes before she’s willing to tell me where she was going.”

  “Then ask her where she wants to go. Maybe it’s where she was headed, maybe not. But at least then you know something,” Keith suggested.

  “True.”

  “You fear she’ll say she wants to go somewhere without you, or somewhere you can’t follow. You don’t want to ask what she wants. You’d rather know what her plans were in the past. Before you.”

  “You’re a pain in the arse, did you know that?” Kyle scowled. “Leave reading my bluidy mind to when we’re keeping each other alive in a fight.”

  “Blame God for making us two peas in a pod. It’s not my fault that what I would think in your place is what you’
re thinking too.”

  “So you say,” Kyle grumbled. The brothers stood, both grinning. Being like-minded kept them alive while they were homeless orphans and then as young sailors. It protected them when they fought back to back, and it gave them an inexplicable way to sense when the other was in danger. Inconvenient as it might have been when Kyle wanted to keep his emotions private, neither would trade it for anything. They embraced. “I love you, brother.”

  “How can you not? I am the better-looking one,” Keith teased, blocking Kyle’s playful punch. “I love you too, brother.”

  While they never shared the sentiments in public, the twins always parted with the same words. They’d done so since they were children, always fearful that they wouldn’t have the chance to say it again. It had stayed with them into adulthood.

  “Go back to your cabin and the bonnie wench in your bed. Find out where we sail to next,” Keith suggested.

  “I’ll let you know in the morn. But I suspect it’s either south to Baltimore or east to Barra,” Kyle said before passing through the doorway. He bounded up the ladder well. He paused to look around the small cove they’d sailed into before crossing the deck with quick strides and swinging across to his own ship. He entered his cabin to find a naked Moira kneeling before his chest, holding items he was certain she’d never imagined. She gasped and dropped everything to the floor.

  “I was looking for warmer clothes. I swear,” Moira blurted. She sighed and crawled to the nearby wall before kneeling with her hands behind her back.

  “Come here, sweet one. And bring the implements with you.”

  Fifteen

  Kyle was unprepared for the sight that greeted him. Finding Moira naked and examining a marble phallus and marble anal plug was not what he expected. He’d sailed throughout the Mediterranean for years and gained various trinkets along the way. He’d discovered the implements Moira now scooped off the floor while in ports along the Grecian and Italian coasts. Women in the brothels enjoyed introducing Kyle to the various sex acts that his naïve adolescent mind hadn’t imagined. It was with these women that he discovered his propensity towards being dominant. For the right amount of coin, the whores encouraged Kyle and Keith to explore fetishes, some appealing and some too shocking even for the twins. Returning to the British Isles meant finding women who would let him plunder their dark passage, but none who dared play with the wicked devices he had acquired over the years.