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

by Celeste Barclay

  Kyle kissed Moira’s temple and sent Keith a feigned glower. He eased Moira back to face him and kissed her. It was slow and soft until they broke apart, and Moira leaned her head against Kyle’s chest, against the thudding, soothing rhythm of his heart. Her sigh was genuine.

  “Sweet one, we can return to the Lady Charity now, if you wish. Or we can go to a tavern and have a hot meal before we leave,” Kyle offered.

  “Not The Mother Hen,” Moira blurted.

  “That’s not a tavern,” Kyle corrected with a chuckle. “I don’t plan on returning there. If Keith and the others wish to, then they will. I prefer a particular fae-like woman who I think prefers me.”

  “I do,” Moira murmured as she got lost in the intense draw Kyle’s gaze held. “But I meant what—”

  “Finish that thought, and I will turn you over my knee here and now, Moira,” Kyle threatened. She gulped and nodded, chagrined but secretly ecstatic. “You brother is gone, and we’ve been given a reprieve. We can have a proper meal and sleep in a proper bed, or we can return to the ship.”

  “I am famished. I don’t remember the last time I ate properly,” Moira admitted. She glanced back at Keith, then gestured for Kyle to bend over. “Then back to our cabin. The implements and hook are there.”

  Kyle straightened and blinked several times before tugging Moira against him. His kiss was savage and consuming, and Moira returned it in equal measure. He lifted her off her feet and with one hand pressed against her back pinned her to him, while the other slid down to cup her buttocks. Moira’s soft moan nearly did Kyle in. He wanted her with a fervor that bordered on manic, and he was certain she felt the same.

  “So, shall I bring something hot back with me since you’re going to your cabin after all?” Keith said with a chuckle.

  “Sod off, brother,” Kyle glowered. “And yes.”

  While Keith walked back in the direction of the harbor front taverns, Kyle helped Moira into one of the Lady Charity’s rowboats. He didn’t want anyone to accompany them, wanting every minute alone with Moira. He hurried to reach his ship, calling up to the men who remained on watch. He tossed the rope up to them as they hung the ladder over the side. Moira had already hiked up her skirts and taken the first five rungs before Kyle realized what she was doing. He followed her over the rail, muttering his gratitude to the crewman before hurrying Moira down the ladder well. They were already pulling at their clothes before Kyle kicked the door shut and turned the key in the lock.

  Thirty-Four

  Moira stood bare as she watched Kyle swing a rope over the hook in the ceiling. He’d retrieved a silk scarf from a trunk and bound Moira’s wrists with it. He looped one end of the rope around where the scarf pulled taut between Moira’s wrists because he was unwilling to tie the coarse material around her satiny skin ever again. Now she stood in place, raising her arms as Kyle drew the opposite end of the rope toward the hook on the wall, securing it tightly. Moira’s arms stretched above her head, a tug in her shoulders reminded her that she was at Kyle’s mercy. She eagerly anticipated what would come next.

  “You said you had crimes you wish to confess, Moira. You’ve said you deserve your punishment. Admit to me what you’ve done, and you will earn the spanking you believe you deserve. Once that’s done, all is forgiven, sweet one. Afterward, we think only of pleasure.”

  “Yes, Capt’n. Perhaps I can tell you my story, and you’ll decide when I deserve the spankings?” Moira spoke clearly but softly.

  “If that’s what you wish,” Kyle granted.

  “You know I dove into the sea. I heard you call to me, but if I went back, it would have been a distraction to you. It would have defeated the purpose of jumping in to swim away,” Moira began.

  “I shall stop you there for your first spanking. You didn’t trust me, Moira. Again. You didn’t trust that I would protect you, so you risked your life instead.”

  “Yes, Capt’n,” Moira agreed as she lowered her head.

  “Ten spankings,” Kyle announced. He stepped forward and pulled Moira against his bare body, his arousal pressed between them. His hand came down over and over as Moira counted. Her moans weren’t for the pain in her backside, but for the ache in her sheath as her mons rubbed against Kyle’s rod. The need for him—and the denial—was more painful than the punishment. Kyle stepped back, barely able to convince himself to finish their purpose.

  “I slammed into the jetty and looked around. I could see nothing in the fog, but I didn’t think the beach was where I should head. I didn’t know if I could make it. I edged around the rocks and prayed I was pointed toward shore and another beach. The surf pushed me into a cave where the water was calm. I made it to the back of the cave and a dry ledge. I rested until I heard Dermot and some men approach. I slipped back into the water and hid beneath the ledge until I was sure his rowboat was gone.”

  “You hid from a rowboat that could’ve rescued you. You chose to remain alone where you might never be found instead of taking a chance of surviving with Dermot. Instead of taking a chance that I would fight for you,” Kyle stated coldly.

  “I didn’t know if you were alive, Kyle. I didn’t know if any of your men or Keith’s were alive. I didn’t know what Dermot might do to me before you could reach me. I would have rather perished in that cave than ever be within arms’ reach of Dermot,” Moira hurled at Kyle. She waited for the next spanking, but Kyle only nodded. He couldn’t fault her reasons, even if he loathed the danger she was in.

  “When the tide shifted,” Moira continued. “I felt a change in current and tried to leave by the entrance I came through, but with a clearer sky, I knew it wasn’t an option. I went back to the ledge where I’d rested. I felt a push of water and air, so I knew there was some other way in and out of the cave. I found a tunnel that was barely wide enough for me to pass through. It was longer than I feared, and I nearly didn’t make it. When I got to the point where I didn’t have enough air to go back into the cave, I pushed myself on. I wanted to find you more than I was willing to accept death. I saw twinkles of light and thought I was about to pass out, but I realized it was daylight. I came out on the other side of the jetty. I made it to the beach, but there was no shelter there, no means to make a fire. I took the cliff path back up and saw your sails in the distance.”

  “And you thought I left you,” Kyle cut in. At Moira’s crushed expression and hopeless nod, Kyle pulled her into his embrace. He wanted to cut her down, take her to their bunk, and make love to her. But he knew it would only leave matters unresolved for Moira, and she would remain restless until she confided everything. She sought his forgiveness and redemption because she was exhausted from relying on herself. Kyle understood she needed him to shoulder the weight of her ordeal for a while. “I was searching the cliffs for you, but the ships couldn’t remain in the O’Malleys’ sight. We reasoned that if you made it to land, you would try to find the next port. We sailed to Wicklow for the first time.”

  Moira nodded, accepting what she'd already suspected. “When I reached the top of the cliff and saw your masts, I was heartbroken. Then I slammed into Dermot. I mean, I really slammed into his chest. He tried to grab hold of me, but I broke free and ran. I ran faster than I ever have because I refused to be Dermot’s prisoner after nearly dying to avoid him. I ran across the meadow until I found a town.”

  “Arklow,” Kyle provided. Moira shrugged.

  “I ran through the town until a farmer offered me shelter in his home. I don’t know who he or his family was, but they gave me dry clothes while mine were in front of the fire, and they fed me. But that night, I heard the door close behind the farmer. I knew he was going to betray me to Dermot. I changed back into my own clothes and stole some food.” Moira paused, expecting her next spanking to come.

  “You think I’ll punish you for stealing?” Kyle chortled, his eyebrows twitching. “That’s not a crime in my books. Unless it’s from me.”

  With a shaky breath, Moira plodded along with her story. “I h
id along the buildings because I heard voices well before they were near. Men were coming for me. I made it to the farrier’s and found a gelding there.”

  “Dermot said you took his horse,” Kyle chuckled.

  “Aye. Rode past him while he had his leggings down to his ankles, pishing,” Moira giggled, then sobered. “I rode through most of the night, but I had to stop. The horse and I needed rest, and it was too dark to be safe. It was midmorning by the time I rose. I prayed Dermot didn’t have other horses or wasn’t following on foot. He would surely catch up if he were.” Moira waited for Kyle to admonish her for being careless, but he only encouraged her to continue.

  “I made my way to another village, Kilmacurragh. An old crone spotted me and peppered me with questions before admitting she was the healer. My horse received a bee sting when we stopped for water earlier that day. She agreed to give the animal a poultice if I mended her clothes. She tried to drug me, Kyle.”

  Kyle’s eyes widened, and Moira recognized the fear. It was the same expression that was on his face while she relayed the part about the cave. He pushed Moira’s hair back and pressed a kiss to her lips. “Tell me, sweet one.”

  “I was suspicious about why she didn’t want any of the pottage she offered. I said I was full from the bread she gave me. Once I tended to my horse—Dermot’s horse—I went back inside and eventually fell asleep after the healer did. For the second time in two nights, I woke to a door closing. This time, it was a man entering. It was the healer’s son. He’d heard you were looking for me, but I also learned Dónal was in Wicklow. He intended to ransom me to you, assuming you would pay more than Dónal. I whacked him with the fire poker and made sure he understood I accompanied him; he wasn’t taking me. I rode the horse while he traveled alongside in his wagon. When we were near the town, I didn’t trust him not to take me to Dónal instead. I rode away, knowing the horse was faster than his wagon. I stabled the horse and tried to find The Leg of Mutton. The man had said that’s where you wanted me to go.”

  “It was. I offered the tavern keeper extra if he kept you safe. But I suppose Dónal got word of that, or chose the Leg because it was close to the docks,” Kyle reasoned.

  “I believe so. I was so close, Kyle. So close when I ran into Dónal. It was like running into Dermot all over again. I bolted through the streets and found the docks. I even saw Snake Eye. He tried to reach me, but Dónal and my clansmen were too close. They nabbed me and took me to The Leg of Mutton. Dónal ordered the tavern keeper’s wife to take my clothes. I refused to give up my boots, arguing that he had only said clothes. I wrapped myself in a sheet and went to the window. I’d seen Tomas leaning against the building when I arrived.”

  “I posted men there to watch the tavern and to follow Dónal if he left,” Kyle explained.

  “I waited for you, Kyle. I was starting to panic when night fell, and Tomas could only shrug. I didn’t know what’d happened to you. I thought I’d lost you forever. That either you were dead or didn’t want me,” Moira said as tears coursed down her cheeks. “I didn’t want to go back to Dermot.”

  “At that point, Dermot was already dead. While you made your way to Wicklow, we sailed back to Arklow, found Dermot, and ambushed his camp. I brought him back to the ship. I couldn’t bring him in here. Moira, this is our space. That hook,” Kyle pointed with a wicked grin, “Is your hook. I took him below. Suffice it to say, there are items that you didn’t find in the chest the day you found the implements. I ensured Dermot suffered humiliation and pain.”

  “Good,” Moira blurted. “Mine isn’t the only life he made miserable. I’m sure of that.”

  “I severed a rather important part of him,” Kyle hinted. “Then gave him a plank of wood and tossed him over. I knew it was only a matter of moments before the sharks would come with the blood in the water. He is shark shite now.”

  Moira paused for a moment, unsure if she wanted to laugh or cry. Kyle eased her once more into his arms and soothed her as he stroked her head and back. He cooed to her and encouraged her to continue.

  “When morning came, I knew I had to get away. Dónal returned in the middle of the night, drunk out of his head. I stole his dirk and his doublet before I wrapped a sheet around my waist.” Moira again waited to see if her thievery angered Kyle, but he urged her on. She knew the next part would undoubtedly get her a spanking unlike any before. “Then I climbed out the window, swung over to the notched bricks, and scaled down the side of the building,” Moira rushed to say.

  Kyle’s eyes widened larger than Moira could imagine. Fear was replaced with fury. He stepped back from her, crossing the cabin.

  “Tomas and Snake Eye tried to tell me ‘no.’ They lifted me down the last few feet,” Moira said lamely.

  “Don’t try to justify that, Moira,” Kyle hissed. “Dónal would have dragged you out of the tavern at some point. My men would have gotten you then. I might have been able to get you then. You risked your neck for nothing!” Kyle stalked back to her, and Moira shivered. Part of her was aroused beyond reason by his predatory fierceness, his protectiveness. But part of her was wisely afraid and remained quiet. He caught her chin between his thumb and forefinger and stared into Moira’s eyes. She saw fear all over again. The anger was gone. There was sadness with the fear.

  “I failed you, Moira. Over and over. You did what you had to do to survive. You knew you couldn’t rely on me. For that, I will be sorry until my last breath. Can you forgive me, sweet one?” Kyle was desperate, even more desperate for absolution than Moira was.

  “Kyle, you didn’t fail me. You tried, but you can’t control everything in this world. There were too many other pieces to this story for you to have done what you wanted. I know now that you wanted me all along. I knew even if you didn’t wish me to return here, you wouldn’t leave me to Dónal. This isn’t your fault.” Moira pulled against her bindings, wishing she could wrap her arms around Kyle and for once be the one who offered solace. “Kyle, I love you.”

  Kyle looked into Moira’s bright blue eyes, and his heart ached. “Moira, I love you. I wasn’t exaggerating when I said I wish to marry you.”

  “Are you asking me then?” Moira said with a mischievous smile.

  “Aye. I’m asking. Moira, will you marry me?”

  “Aye, Capt’n.”

  Kyle’s kiss was demanding as his hands roamed over Moira. She returned it with a need that only spurred Kyle on. His fingers delved between Moira’s thighs, finding the place he wanted to bury himself and never leave. Her needy sounds drew him like a siren. His fingers worked her sheath as she rubbed her mons along his sword.

  “Do you wish for your release, sweet one?”

  “Good God, yes, Kyle,” Moira panted.

  “And if I deny you?” Kyle taunted.

  “I’ll do anything,” Moira begged.

  “And if I wish to hear the rest of your story and redden your sweet round arse for climbing down the building?” Kyle persisted, knowing his offer only drove Moira further to the edge.

  “My spanking, please, Capt’n,” Moira murmured, her throat dry.

  Kyle spun Moira around, so she faced the porthole and away from him. He ordered her to count each of the twenty slaps, his fingers working her flesh in between each one. The desperation in her voice, but her unwavering commitment to take each blow, made them both eager. When he was finished, he turned Moira back to him. Their kiss bore the heat it always did, but there was tenderness. They both knew Moira felt better for confessing what she’d done. She’d relinquished control to Kyle, and she felt lighter despite her unspent lust.

  “The men took me to a dress shop. I made Tomas pay,” Moira grinned. “Then we went to The Mother Hen. You know what I did there.”

  “Yes. But your earlier spanking was for risking your life with the magistrate. This punishment will be for playing a game with a woman who would have forced you without a moment of contrition, then killed you.” Kyle lowered himself to his knees and drew one of Moira’s legs then th
e other over his shoulders until she was suspended by the hook and supported by him. His mouth ravaged her. He gave no quarter as he worked her swollen flesh with his fingers, tongue, and teeth. Moira released one keening cry after another as her head hung back. Kyle demanded, “Ask.”

  “Capt’n, please can I climax?”

  “No,” Kyle barked as he continued his assault on her senses. Moira was certain she would float away. The sensations coursing through her were more intense than she thought she could endure. She considered using her safe word, but she didn’t want the tortuous pleasure to end. She knew anyone besides they two would have thought him cruel and savage, merciless to her. But Moira felt free. Free from the fear, free from worrying about how Kyle felt, free from doubt about her future. All she had to do was enjoy Kyle’s lovemaking.

  Kyle tried to keep his mind on watching Moira, ensuring she wasn’t suffering rather than enjoying. But he craved every touch, every taste of her. He wanted nothing to come between them in the future. He wanted to sail away from everything they knew, so he could spend his days and nights in rapture with the woman for whom he would sacrifice everything. He saw when Moira gave up trying to fight against the conflagration of need. It was that moment when he brought her to release. His tongue lapped at her dew as she shuddered against his mouth. He eased her legs from his shoulders but kept her weight off her arms as he rose. He tugged the rope free from the wall hook and carried Moira to the bunk, where he laid her on the mattress before untying her wrists. Just as he was about to ease onto the mattress beside her, giving her time to recover, uncaring about his own raging cockstand, Moira shook her head. She pointed toward the chest that held their collection of sexual devices.