The Pirate Fairy (15 page)

“In the galley,” she said, which appeared to be astonishing news to Sorenson.

Like every other man on board, however, Sorenson feared Fortunata and said, “I might need a monocle soon. I swear my eyesight’s getting worse.”

When the La-Di-Da neared the port of San Juan in Puerto Rico, Merritt jumped overboard with some of the crew and frolicked in the ocean with them. Denny realized Fortunata was wearing a new dress and a ruby-red cloak. He wondered where these had come from but was too afraid of her to ask.

She stood beside Denny, smiling as they watched the men get ready to drop anchor. Out of nowhere, a large reef shark appeared and headed right for Merritt. Quick as a wink, she took her hand out of the folds of her cloak and pointed a finger at the shark. Denny gasped, shocked by the long, withered, crooked talon she used. He blinked and her finger seemed normal again.

Denny shook his head.
I have got to stop imagining things.

The shark swam away with none of the men in the water aware of the apparent close call. With Denny having to check in with the shipping clerks at the port, and all the things that needed to be replenished, he didn’t go ashore straight away. Fellows accompanied Merritt and Fortunata to a local monastery, which had an adjoining hospital. Late in the afternoon, Denny went ashore and checked in with the postal clerk, anxious for any messages regarding his sister. Nothing. Swallowing his disappointment, he went in search of Merritt and Fortunata. He spied Foster, Rigby, and Sorenson drinking at a table outside of a
taverna in the Plaza de San José, a popular meeting place for locals and visitors. He waved at them, but they seemed deep in conversation, and it didn’t seem like a happy one either. He bumped into Fellows, who appeared to be in a rush. “Just meeting the lads for a drink,” he said.

“What about our patient?”

“The doctors gave young Merritt a thorough
examination and he received a clean bill of health. Both Merritt and his sister have chosen to stay at the monastery for now. They may or may not join us when we depart on Wednesday.”

He must have noticed Denny’s shocked expression because he said, “She wants a bath and they have plenty of hot water and soap. Merritt was resting last I looked.”

“Okay.” Denny felt discouraged. He hated the idea of leaving them here. Well, Merritt more than Fortunata.

He tried not to feel left out that his crewmembers had not invited him to join them for a drink. A little restless, he went and got a proper shave at one of the many barber shops in the village. He enjoyed being pampered with nice-smelling shave soap and lavender water to soothe and tone the skin afterward. He knew the barber from previous visits to San Juan but never understood a word the man said. He just let him ramble, and lay back in his chair with burning hot towels strewn across his face.

When it was time to leave, Denny was anxious to get back to the ship. He knew only too well what he and his own crew had done on many occasions. Ransacking other moored ships had always seemed like a laugh, but not when it was being done to his vessel. He sat up when the barber removed the towels and patted the lavender water onto his cheeks.

I smell like a Madge, but I guess, since I am one, I shouldn’t mind
. He counted out a generous stash of gold coins to the barber, whose eyes lit up with joy, and that was when Denny noticed a small boy peering around the entrance of the barbershop. As soon as his gaze connected with Denny’s, the child vanished.

How odd. I don’t think I know him.

As he walked back to the ship, the little boy kept darting around buildings and finally beckoned to Denny. Denny pointed to his chest as if to ask, ‘Me?’

The boy nodded and beckoned to him again. They passed the monastery, where bells rang and male voices lifted in a beautiful, hypnotic chant. Around more corners and up a long, long flight of stairs, Denny followed the child, who entered what looked like a belfry, and there, wearing a long white tunic, stood Merritt, smiling at him.

Denny counted out a generous amount of coins for the child, who looked ecstatic.

“
Gracias, señor!
” he shouted, almost dropping some of the coins. They filled both his hands and it didn’t seem as though the boy had any pockets or a purse.

He took off, a smile spearing his face from cheek to cheek.

“I’ve missed you,” Merritt said, disarming Denny.

Denny’s ears burned with pleasure and acute embarrassment. “You’ve only been gone a few hours.”

“Longer than that. All day.” Merritt sighed. “We don’t have much time and I need you.”

“I…ah… Oh.” Nothing intelligible came out of Denny’s mouth. He gratefully accepted Merritt’s forthrightness as he stepped forward and claimed Denny’s lips in an almost violent kiss that left them both breathless. They broke apart then kissed again, their embrace growing more tender.

“I want to stay with you tonight, but my sister wants me back at the monastery. I promise you we will be on board before your ship leaves.” He kissed Denny again. He stepped back and put his hands on Denny’s arms. “I want to try something. Do you trust me?”

Denny had no idea what that was supposed to mean. “Trust you with what?”

“Could you bring yourself to trust me?” Merritt repeated.

“I—I think I already do.” Denny couldn’t deny the passion, the obsession he had for this man. And yes, he did trust him.

Merritt
pushed himself away from Denny. He crossed the room and walked over to a large, lacquered wooden cabinet in the far corner. The sun was starting to set, but the light was still pleasant and soft. As he waited, Denny took in his surroundings for the first time. The room was sparse, yet oddly intimate. A large bed with what looked like fresh, crisp white linens stood at one end, a chair beside it, upon which somebody had placed a jar filled with red roses. From somewhere, a faint wind made the thin white curtains billow in the room.

Denny glanced over at Merritt, who approached him again, hands behind his back. “Close your eyes, Denny.” His voice was low and husky.

Denny did as he’d been told. He was stunned, but thrilled that Merritt was taking control this way. Merritt came up behind him, his voice as seductive as a feather stroke against Denny’s neck and chin.

“Denny.” Merritt pressed his body into Denny’s, who delighted at the hardness of Merritt’s cock against his ass. Merritt placed a tender kiss on Denny’s nape then moved around to stand in front of him.

Once again, an eager Denny gave himself up to Merritt’s succulent kisses, luxuriating in the way he moved his mouth all over Denny’s face. Denny leaned into him, yearning for closer contact. He was hard, so hard for Merritt, whose tongue swept across Denny’s lips as he began to undress him.

“You’re wearing lavender water. It smells much better,” Merritt whispered. “She’ll think I stopped at a barber shop.”

Denny caught a glimpse of a bundle of silky red rope in Merritt’s hand. “What’s that?” he asked, reaching for it. He knew, though, just knew before even touching it that it was hemp rope. He’d seen enough of it as a child in the workhouse. He could close his eyes and still feel the coarse strands, but this rope was smooth.

“I hope it’s something you’ll never forget.” Merritt gave him such a dazzling smile, Denny became aroused beyond belief.

Merritt unspooled the rope, taking hold of a length of it. He kissed Denny again, holding his arms up to lower the rope behind Denny’s back. Merritt held the rope tight, pulling Denny closer to him. Again he wound the rope around their entwined bodies, bringing them closer still. Then he released the open end and moved behind Denny, whispering, “I am a
nawashi
.”

“What does that mean?” Denny had many fantasies about tying up handsome, captive princes and making mad passionate love to them, but had never even come close to trying it. He’d never even thought about being the one to be tied up. He’d always feared being tied up and not being able to escape if trouble came along. Buggery was, after all, a crime in his own country, but in many other places around the world it seemed more acceptable. And his experiences so far had been fast and furtive. But Merritt, his meek, sweet little Merritt, seemed to have become possessed by some ancient god of lust. His commanding attitude was so alluring Denny feared he might come before Merritt had finished removing his clothes.

Merritt remained behind Denny, making a knot in the rope Denny knew well.

“Some call it a cock’s comb,” Merritt murmured in his ear.

“Aye. And I know it as a ringbolt hitch. We use it all the time on the ship.”

Merritt grunted. “Not like this you don’t.” He spun Denny around to face him and the knot loosened.

Denny looked down, fascinated to see that the knot had vanished. “What happened? Did you change your mind?” Denny asked, working hard to hide his disappointment.

“I haven’t even started with you yet, Captain Dalton.” Merritt claimed Denny’s mouth once more.

They undressed each other, kicking their shoes off, their lips colliding again. Merritt was as hard as Denny, but when Denny tried to touch him, Merritt pulled back, walking around Denny again.

“I want to introduce you to
kinbaku-bi
, the little-known art of beautiful bondage. I learned all about it from some Japanese sailors.” Merritt trailed the bundle of rope along Denny’s bare shoulders. “I could inflict pain and torture on you if I choose, but I never will. I want there to be mutual joy, but also the knowledge that we could hurt each other mentally and physically, but we won’t.”

The expression in his eyes both thrilled and terrified Danny, who swallowed, not sure about any of it, but knowing he wanted to experience this erotic pleasure. Merritt knew some complicated rope-tying. Denny knew some himself and hoped to reciprocate, then remembered what Merritt had been through on the other ship. Gone, however, was the frightened, starving prisoner. This new Merritt was confident and sensual as he nudged Denny into position.

Merritt tied Denny’s arms and folded them so that his arms were crossed, his hands resting on his shoulders, as though Denny was praying. He was actually ready to beg for Merritt’s touch, and didn’t have to wait long for it. Merritt tied Denny tightly enough that Denny couldn’t move his hands. It was maddening when he yearned to stroke Merritt’s skin.

When Merritt, though, moved his fingers along every crevice of Denny’s body then gave Denny’s cock and balls a swift swipe with his tongue, Denny broke out in a sweat but could only wiggle back and forth when Merritt pushed him back onto the bed. Merritt wound the rope around Denny’s cock and balls, pulled up the binding, making the last knot at a sensitive spot near Denny’s groin. It was torture. Delicious, sweet torture. Pain and pleasure flew through Denny’s body as Merritt knelt beside him, his cock rigid.

“You see what you do to me?” Merritt reached down and ran his hand along Denny’s feverish brow.

“Feeling’s mutual,” Denny croaked.

Merritt lay beside him, running his hands over Denny’s damp body once more. Merritt kept drawing out the pleasure, stroking Denny’s tethered cock, kissing him feverishly. Denny pulled against the ropes, anxious for closer contact. Merritt kissed and licked his way down Denny’s body, reaching between Denny’s legs.

“Oh, yes!” Denny opened his thighs for Merritt’s hand, beads of intense sweat peppering his face and chest as Merritt delved first one, then two fingers into Denny’s asshole.

Merritt stroked, just a little, letting Denny feel the pressure in his arms again as Merritt picked up the rope leading from Denny’s torso to his ball sac. He pulled and tightened the hold. Denny gasped, hardly able to breathe as he silently begged for Merritt to touch his cock again. Merritt grunted, reaching down and unleashing a long lick on Denny’s hot cock. Denny struggled for composure as Merritt sucked him. Denny couldn’t think straight. All he wanted was Merritt’s mouth. And the rope-ties that kept him bound. Merritt pulled again, and the tension in Denny’s arms intensified. Denny felt the roaring pulse of his orgasm tear through his body. Heat rose between them, Merritt sucking on Denny once more. When Denny got too close to coming, he came off his cock and, using Denny’s juices, readied Denny’s ass.

All Denny could do was move around, trying to get Merritt’s sweet cock inside him, muttering, “Please, please.” Denny thought he was losing his mind because Merritt was taking so long to move between Denny’s legs.

“I tied you too well. You’re so tight,” Merritt said, trying to work his way into Denny.

“Do it! Fuck me. Now!”

And Merritt did.

Denny loved the heft of Merritt’s body on top of his. Denny’s entire being rejoiced at the fucking he took from Merritt. They rocked and bucked, Denny unable to hold Merritt in his arms, but they came hard and fast. Merritt buried deep inside Denny, the rope falling slack in his hand. The knot at Denny’s groin produced wave after wave of pleasure as his trapped cock erupted between their trembling bodies.

Merritt whispered Denny’s name and collapsed on top of him. He let out a loud groan. “And to think, this will only get better with time.” Merritt unwound the ropes as lovingly as he’d tied them.

At long last, Denny was able to reach for Merritt, holding him in his arms as Denny’s lavender water scented the darkening night air. They dozed on and off, drinking in every moment together that they could, Denny wishing this night would last forever.