by Guida, ML
He slid his hand behind her neck and gently pulled her toward him. “Yer definitely no man.”
She didn’t fight him. “I’m a mess,” she whispered as her warm breath washed over him.
He brushed the pad of his thumb gently over her lips, wiping off a clump of mud. “So am I.” He parted his lips, and kissed her, tasting sand and dirt, but mostly Penelope. She was spicy, hot, and cool all at the same time. Her courage and tenacity never sensed to amaze him.
“No man makes me feel like you, but we need to stop.”
He pulled away. “Why?”
“My father says that I will lose my powers if I defile myself.”
“Defile yeself? Ye mean with a kiss?”
“Ewan, no please.” But even her no sounded like a yes.
“One sweet kiss.” He took his time exploring her mouth and sighed as she slowly responded, seemingly unsure what to do. She was an innocent, but he could sense the passion barely veiled inside her. All she needed was someone to peel away the flimsy veil to release her womanly heat and give her the pleasure she deserved.
Was her father telling her the truth? Eldric was a crafty king and had already lost two daughters to pirates. Was he trying to shield his last one? Ewan had always heard that love was the most powerful force on earth. They’d kiss twice––three times if he counted the attack––but it seemed to Ewan her powers were getting stronger not weaker.
But Penelope wasn’t human. She was a mermaid. Maybe different rules applied to her
He broke away from her lips. “Would ye like to go for a swim?”
She shook her head. “The time-spider would find us.”
“William and Leif will send it scurrying back to Zuto.” At least he hoped they would. He gazed at the little trickle of water that they lay sprawled on. “This stream of water has to lead to bigger body of water. Why dona we follow it and find out?”
She slowly climbed off. She flashed him a knowing smile “Yes, I would.”
He wasn’t sure but he thought there was a double meaning in her sentence or maybe ’twas his wishful thinking.
Chapter 19
Penelope held Ewan’s calloused hand as they followed the trickling little stream that bubbled louder as it grew wider. He leaned against her, and he was still weak, but his eyes had yet to turn red. She still couldn’t believe her power had stopped him from turning into a rabid vampire.
The jungle bush grew thicker. Flies buzzed around her head and stung her flesh. The mud on her skin cracked and itched. The trek took them deeper into the jungle away from the beach and the time-spider. Ewan had faith that the two shape-shifting dragons and Mariah could battle the creature and deter it, but she wasn’t so sure.
Each time it appeared, it was more determined.
She wanted to forget about the terror and the horror even for just a couple of hours.
Vines dangled like thick ropes that brushed over her, and she shivered. Branches thick with leaves slapped them in the face and arms.
“Ewan, where do you think Catriona is?”
He stiffened. “Palmer or Zuto has her.”
His husky voice was full of grief.
“I am so sorry about not telling you about the dream. Maybe if Mariah and William had gotten there sooner…”
“Ye are going to make it up to me and help me get me daughter back. I saw what ye did with Doc. Yer power is growin’, and ye will be strong enough to defeat Zuto and his time spider.”
She was surprised of the faith he had in her. “Thanks for believing in me.”
“Penelope, when ye were living with yer father, had ye been able to do what ye did with me or Doc?”
She laughed. “No. But I could make a grand snowball.”
He smiled. “I bet ye could. Have ye noticed yer powers have grown after we started holding hands, kissed, became closer?”
Her laughter died, and she stopped. “I have kissed men before.”
“Like we have?”
Her cheeks heated. “No.”
She frowned, contemplating what Ewan had said. She touched the pearls around her neck her father had given her. He said that it meant her powers weakened if she engaged in physical intimacy. What if it meant something else? Or maybe it hadn’t worked with the other men she’d kissed, because they weren’t her chosen mate. It couldn’t be true. “No, that’s not possible. Father said––”
“I know what yer father said, but is it possible, just possible, he was wrong?”
“No,” she blurted. If Ewan was right, then her father had given her these pearls for another reason. He’d been furious when both Angelica and Isabella had mated with humans and not mermen. Not any humans––pirates. Was there an ulterior motive to the pearls? Could her father be this devious?
There was only one way to find out.
Suddenly, Ewan flew backward, dragging her to the ground, and she screamed. Terror stole her heart, and she scanned the lush foliage, afraid she’d be looking into the time spider’s shiny eight eyes.
“What happened?”
He rubbed his forehead where a red welt was forming. The corners of his mouth turned up into a sheepish grin. “I ran into a bloody branch.”
She hid a smile and stretched out her hand. “Give me your sword.”
He frowned. “Why?”
“Because we’re never going to get through this jungle without cutting down the thick vines. Who knows what other disgusting things are hiding behind them, ready to attack us.”
He folded his arms over his muscular chest. “Ye’ll not have the strength to lift my sword.”
She bristled at the mockery in his voice. “Just because I’m small doesn’t mean I’m weak.”
“True, ye were able to hold me up, but I wasn’t completely leaning on ye, either.”
“You just don’t want to admit that you need me.”
Anger flashed in his eyes, and she sucked her breath, afraid they would turn into a fiery red, but they remained his same dark green. He flicked his gaze over her as if determining whether ’twas even possible. The tension in his face lessened, and he lifted an eyebrow, then unleashed his sword. “Be my guest, lass.”
She took the heavy sword and immediately dropped it to the ground. Ewan broke out in a hardy laugh. Not willing to be the simpering fool she’d been, she was determined to try. He was in no shape to help them and ’twas up to her. She clamored to her feet, then picked up the sword with both her hands. She gritted her teeth and swung, slicing through vines and leaves.
Ewan climbed to his feet and braced his hand against a tree. “Lassie, let
me––”
Despite the teasing smile, his face was pinched and pale. Pain still gripped him. She put her shoulders back and shook her head. “No, I said I would do it.”
She immediately regretted her decision as her arms ached with each swoosh of the sword. Sweat trickled down her face and blinded her eyes, but she refused to stop. Leaves fell and branches snapped. Stubborn vines tangled with the blade, refusing to let go. She had to use all of her strength to rip the weapon free and had to dig the back of her heel into the dirt to keep from falling backward. Her arms shaking, she swung the sword again and again, creating a narrow, crooked pathway.
The sound of rippling water grew louder and pushed her on. They were close. She stopped to catch her breath.
“Do ye want me to take over?” Ewan asked softly as he put his hand on her shoulder.
“No.”
She lifted the heavy burden, and with all her might, slashed through vines and brush, wanting to prove to Ewan she was not a helpless, pampered princess. She took another step and met with air. She screamed as she spun around and fell over a cliff.
“Penelope!” Ewan yelled.
But his voice seemed far away.
Her hair blinded her eyes, and she flailed her arms and legs. Air rushed up her shirt and pants. She clutched the sword then splashed into cool water. Energy soaked into her tired muscles, and her weariness lifted. S
he kicked to the surface to see fragrant flowers blooming around the pool. A small waterfall thumped steadily from a rocky embankment. She couldn’t help but laugh.
A huge splash sent droplets of water dropping on her head, and she turned around with gaiety.
Ewan burst through the water and tossed his head, swinging his thick red hair behind him. He swam over. Worry flickered in his eyes.
“Are ye well, lass?”
“Of course, I am. I’m in my element.”
His eyes widened, then confusion was replaced with something she suspected was desire. Despite the cool water, a hot flush rushed over her body.
He gave her a heart-stealing smile. “I can see that. Since I am not, I suggest we swim closer to shore.”
She laughed at thinking that her brave pirate was having difficulty keeping afloat, but to be fair, he was wounded. They reached the shallows. She could touch the bottom, and the pool came up to the top of her breasts. Ewan was taller, and the water lapped below his belly button. The mud on his broad chest had washed away, and she was more aware of his thickly muscled shoulders. Even the soiled bandage on his right shoulder couldn’t take away from his magnificence. She moved her gaze to the smoothness of his chest and the sculpted bands of hard flesh that flexed along his arms every time he made the slightest movement.
He picked up a lock of her hair and rubbed it between his thumb and his finger.
She raised her eyes to see a half-smile on his lips.
“Yer hair glows as bright as the moon. Yer eyes are brighter than the deep blue sea.” He dropped her hair. He ran his fingers down her shoulder, down her arm, and then traced the outline of her breast. “Yer skin is softer than lamb’s wool. I have never seen a woman so beautiful.”
“Not even your Wynda? Mariah told me about her.”
Sorrow flickered in his eyes, but then he blinked and ’twas gone. “Wynda was as beautiful as the moon, but ye are the sun that chases away the darkness.”
Tingles swept over her, and she couldn’t breathe. Heat surged through her, fanning through her body like the warming sun. She couldn’t take her eyes off his lips and was very aware that his hands could awaken a desire that she had long denied.
She met his passionate gaze. “Are you going to kiss me?”
“D’ye want me to?”
She licked her lips. Her cheeks heated at her desire. “Yes, I do. I want to see if my power grows or diminishes.”
“Is that the only reason?”
“No,” she said shyly. “I like kissing you.”
“Then, I shall not disappoint ye.”
He clasped his fingers with hers and drew her to him. She looked up into his green eyes. She was amazed to find his nipples aroused and budded. He tilted his head and captured her lips while he moved his hand over her trembling body, stroking and soothing her arm. Her heart was beating so hard she was sure he could hear it. She slid her hands up his chest to his thick neck, but this time, she was careful about bumping his shoulder.
Her eyes opened wide when he lifted her out the water and carried her to the edge of the waterfall, where pelts of water whooshed down her back. His lips left hers, and his mouth explored the crook of her neck, roaming at leisure, his moist tongue igniting a lust that she’d never experienced.
“Kiss me.”
He left her neck, and his mouth covered hers with an intense dominance that both terrified and tantalized her. His lips were hungry and demanding, moving hot and fierce over hers, like they’d been when he’d thirsted for her blood. The first time, she hadn’t enjoyed it, but this was different. She trembled and quaked, and her heart beat fast. Not in fear but with anticipation. She couldn’t lie to herself. When he was a vampire hungry for her, he’d terrified her, but as sexy pirate, he thrilled her. She couldn’t deny it.
But there was something else bubbling inside her––a raw, contained energy threatening to burst through her.
Ewan lowered his hand to the small of her lower back and eased her into the water, where she’d experienced another new sensation––his erection pushing against her feminine core. She was suddenly alive with raw, sensitive sensations. She’d never encountered such intimacy with a man and found that curiosity replaced any fear or shyness she possessed.
He watched intensely, as if waiting for an objection, but instead she gripped his biceps then arched her back. He didn’t hesitate and plundered her neck with his tongue, moving dangerously low to the valley of her breasts.
“Wait,” she panted. “I need to see if my powers have gotten stronger or weaker.”
He released a mournful groan. “How?”
She looked around the little pond and stretched out her arms toward the crackling, splattering waterfall. The energy burst through her like a storm. Her heart beat harder, her heart pumped faster, then her fingers tingled. A white ray blazed out of her fingertips and sizzled toward the waterfall. The water slowed and turned blue, then changed to sparkling ice.
“Oh, Poseidon!”
“Penelope.” His mouth dropped open. “Yer amazing.”
She swelled with pride. It meant her father had lied. But this meant something more––Ewan was her mate.
“Remember we have no secrets?”
“Aye,” he said suspiciously.
“This means something else.”
“What?”
“You are my mate. Once we mate, it can’t be undone. You have a choice.”
He sighed and turned his head. “I loved me Wynda.”
“I know you do.”
“But lately, it’s been harder to think about her when I’m around ye.”
She put her hand on his chest and could feel his pounding heart. “Just because we mate doesn’t mean you didn’t love her. She’ll always be a part of you, and part of her lives on in Catriona.”
He looked back at her, and tears rimmed around the corner of his eyes. “I know. But I promised her I wouldna be with anyone until Catriona reaches adulthood.”
“I know. Mariah told me. Ewan, even though I have never met Catriona, I will risk my life to protect her, because of you. Will you trust me?”
“Ye must promise me that if all goes wrong, ye’ll still save Catriona.”
“I swear I will.”
“Then tell her I love her. ’Tis been a month since I have seen her.”
“Why so long?”
“Penelope, I’m a vampire. How can a little girl love the undead?” He hung his head. “I’m too ashamed for her to know.”
“I thought you said you visited her a month ago?”
“I only come when she’s asleep and leave a red rose. Her favorite flower.”
Penelope touched his arm. Her heart broke for him. He tried so hard to protect his daughter. “Ewan––”
He pulled his arm away and was back to his stony face. “If we do this, ye’ll become more powerful?”
“Yes.”
“Powerful enough to defeat Zuto and save Catriona?”
“I hope so. I won’t lie to you. I might not be strong enough, but I’ll be stronger than I am.”
He studied the frozen waterfall. “Then let’s do this.”
’Twas not the answer she was hoping for and didn’t look forward to having a reluctant mate, but this was their only choice and her only way to save Catriona and her people.
She shed her shirt and tossed it over her head, leaving only her shift. “Love me, Ewan.”
He opened his mouth, but closed it when she bent over and stepped out of her trousers. She lightly threw them, and they lay crumpled next to her shirt.
He rubbed his thumb over her budded nipple. “Yer beautiful.”
This time, she surprised him and snaked her hand around his neck, pulling him toward her breast.
His reluctance vanished, and he took when she offered. He opened his mouth and suckled on her nipple, which pressed against the veiled shift. The sun’s rays reflected off the shimmering pool, but none of that mattered except for his velvety tongue on her gr
eedy nipple. She threaded her fingers through his hair imprisoning on her breast. He suckled her, and she could barely breathe as rows of burning sensations rocked through her. She gasped when he moved his hand up her trembling thigh to stroke her feminine folds, then he inserted his finger. He moved it back and forth, slow at first, then as her passion stirred, he slid it faster, stirring her first orgasm. Her first wave of pleasure was fast and furious, and she screamed his name.
“Yer sleek and wet,” he murmured in her ear. “Spread yer legs and wrap your thighs around my waist.”
His Scottish timbre made her break out in gooseflesh, but she did as he asked.
“Take me.”
He wedged his hips between her thighs. His flesh was hard and full and pulsed with eagerness. He kissed her hard and long. In a smooth move, he lifted his hips and thrust deep inside her. She was astonished on how he filled her, filled her, filled her so full and tight and deep that she thought her heart would stop. When he moved, the delightful friction sent another an orgasm––bigger and stronger and longer than the first––rippling through Penelope. She followed his lead and matched his rhythm, shattering all pleasures she’d experienced before.
* * *
Ewan felt his body spasm as hard as hers. He knew she possessed a hidden passion that he awakened, but he was amazed at his own response. His legs shook, and his breath was ragged. She was supple and slick, taking him deeper into her tight core. He was losing himself inside her. He was surprised over how muscular her legs were. Each time he slammed his hips into her soft core he could feel the poison within him withering and dying. She was more powerful than he’d realized. No wonder Zuto wanted her.
At her murmured, small cries of passion, he arched his back, and with one powerful thrust, his release came swift and deep. He held her trembling body against his.
At every turn, Penelope turned the chess pieces on him like when she’d slashed through the jungle with his sword. He could tell her muscles were spent and she was out of breath, but she didn’t give up. Despite having the powers of ice and snow, she was hot and passionate. He could never get enough of her.
