The Pirate's Willing Captive (17 page)

It was fresh and cooler on deck than it had been in her cabin. Maribel took a turn round the deck, then went to the prow, looking out to sea. The sky was blue and appeared endless. Far away in the distance it seemed to end where the sky met the sea on the horizon; it was this strange phenomenon that had made people believe that the earth was flat until brave explorers began to prove that it was not so. She knew that it was a Spanish King who had funded the expedition that found a way to the West Indies and the New World, proving that the world was round and that it was not possible to fall off the edge.

Maribel wrinkled her brow. Anna and Higgins had such exciting plans for the future and they were willing to take risks. Was there really a chance of a better life in the New World? She knew that men like her father had used it only for the silver and precious things to be found there, stealing its resources and ill treating its inhabitants—but
were there truly other men who chose to live in this New World? What kind of men were they?

‘Why so pensive, Maribel?’

Justin’s voice made her swing round to gaze at him.

‘You are safe now. Once we are in England you must forget all that happened on the island—and what that beast did to you.’

‘Would you have me forget everything that happened on the island?’ Her eyes sought his. ‘I thought for a moment…that day, on the other side of the island near the falls, before Higgins fired the warning shot…’ She stopped, cheeks burning.

‘What did you think, Maribel?’ Justin’s gaze was deep blue like the ocean and it held her fast. ‘Tell me.’

‘I thought perhaps there might be some other way…’ She shook her head and turned from him. His eyes promised so much, but he did not love her. He would have spoken before this if he truly cared what became of her. ‘It does not matter.’

‘Does it not?’ His voice was deep, husky with passion. ‘I believe you fought Pike because you were afraid for my life. Anna fetched the pistol because she knew he was too strong for you—but you stood your ground with just a knife. Why did you do that?’

‘I could not let him kill you.’

‘Why?’

She whirled round to face him. ‘Will you have it all? Will you shame me? I could not bear that you should die because—’

Justin reached for her, pulling her close. His mouth stopped her from confessing it all, his kiss so demanding that she melted into his body, almost swooning with pleasure. Heat pooled inside her, making her moan with wanting. When he let her go at last, she looked at him, touching her fingers to her lips, eyes wide and searching.

‘Why did you do that?’

‘Because I want you more than you will ever know. I am not worthy of you, Maribel. I have no right to ask you to be mine. You are a lady and you will make a good marriage to a man whose hands are not stained with blood, a man who does not live under the shadow of crimes that are punishable by death.’

‘Supposing I do not wish to marry this man whose hands are white and soft because he has never lifted one finger for himself?’

Justin laughed softly. ‘Is this the proud Spanish lady I first captured? I think you have changed, Maribel.’

‘Of course I have changed.’ She held out her hands, showing him the ridges that had been caused by hard work. ‘I have learned what it is to work if I want to eat—and I should not want to become the lady I was.’

‘But you must.’ His expression was serious. ‘What else can you do?’

Maribel stared at him. Tears were brimming and she felt like screaming. Why could he not see? Why would he not love her as she loved him?

‘You are impossible! An arrogant, stupid…pirate!’

She ran from him, not heeding his cry. He called her name, but she would not look back. Her heart was
breaking, because she knew there was nothing she could do but return to England and hope that her family would take her in.

Rushing down the iron ladder that led below decks, she entered her cabin and flung herself down on the bed, covering her face with her hands as the tears broke. Her life was ruined and all because he had stolen her heart with his kisses and his bold looks. Why had he kissed her so if he did not love her?

‘Maribel. You must not weep for me. I am not worthy of you.’

‘Go away. I hate you!’ she cried without looking round.

‘It would be much better if you did hate me.’

‘Do you imagine I love you?’ She raised her tear stained face, blazing with anger. ‘You are an arrogant, stupid—’

‘Pirate,’ he finished for her and laughed. ‘You have told me so many times that you do not like pirates. How can you love a pirate, Maribel?’

The softness in his voice broke her. She rolled over and got to her feet, flying at him in a temper. Her fists beat against his chest until he caught them, his eyes gleaming with humour as he looked down at her. She wanted to weep and scream, but most of all she wanted to be kissed.

‘I don’t love you. I hate you.’

‘Liar…’ Justin bent his head, his lips caressing hers softly. ‘You know you want me, my sweet, beautiful temptress. You know that you have driven me to the
edge with your smiles and your beauty, but I swore that I would not take you unwillingly.’ His fingers brushed against her breasts and her flesh tingled beneath the silken material. Her body swayed towards him, heat building deep inside her as she felt the need sweep through her.

‘Justin…’ Her lips parted on a sigh. ‘I am not unwilling. You must know it. You took me captive, but for a long, long time I have been your willing captive. Surely you knew?’

‘Perhaps…’ His hand caressed her cheek, his voice husky, throbbing with desire. ‘I want you so much, but I am not worthy of you, my love.’

‘You are a wicked pirate,’ she said, her breath catching on a sob or a laugh. ‘But I want you…I love you. Make love to me, Justin, for I cannot bear it if you do not. Your kisses lit a fire in me, but you did nothing more.’

‘Only because I gave my word. You must know that I burn for you? You have kept me restless in my bed many a night.’

‘Justin…’ she breathed, moving closer, offering herself. ‘Make me yours. I am asking you. Please, make me your own…love me.’

Justin gave a little moan; reaching for her hand, he led her back to the bed and sat down, pulling her down beside him. For a moment he sat looking into her lovely face, then he reached out and drew a finger over her lips, tracing their fullness.

‘You have such a sensuous mouth. It begs for kisses.’

He leaned towards her, bending his head so that their
mouths touched. His kiss was soft at first, setting little butterflies of sensation winging down her spine; then, he pulled her to him, holding her so that her sensitised breasts pressed against his chest, his kiss intensifying, becoming hungry and demanding.

‘My love,’ he murmured in a voice made deep by passion. ‘Let me look at you without these clothes, pretty as they are.’ His fingers pulled at the lacings at the back of her gown, loosening them. As the bodice came free he pushed it down over her shoulders. Maribel unfastened the hooks that held her skirts in place and let them slide down over her hips. Now she was clad only in a shift made of such fine material that the pale tones of her flesh showed through. He touched the bruises, which had begun to fade. ‘Do these still hurt you?’

‘A little, but I do not mind them. Do not fear to touch me. I have longed for this moment so many nights.’

Justin smiled down at her. ‘So beautiful, but I want to see you.’

With a swift upward movement, he tugged the shift over her head, his eyes feasting on the glorious body revealed to his eyes. Maribel was slender but full breasted, her nipples pink and pert as he leaned towards her, stroking first one and then the other with his tongue. She sighed with pleasure as his hands cupped her breasts and he buried his face against them, breathing in her scent and using his tongue to give her pleasure. Her body was melting in the heat of his desire, no longer her own to control. She gave a cry of intense pleasure
as he licked his way between her breasts, down her navel to the damp moist hair that covered her femininity.

‘You smell gorgeous…’ he murmured huskily, his hands on her buttocks, pulling her in closer so that he could inhale her. His tongue seemed to set off little explosions of sensation within her, making her weak with desire so that she moaned, her fingers tangling in his hair and working at the back of his neck.

‘Let me see you,’ she said urgently, and reached for his shirt, ripping at the ties so urgently that it tore and he laughed at her impatience. He took it in his hands and ripped it apart, shrugging it off. Maribel drew a shuddering breath. ‘I thought you were beautiful when I saw you chopping the wood. I should have liked to do this…’ Her hands smoothed over his back, making him shudder and cry out. She pressed her mouth to his shoulder, sucking at him and then nipping him with her sharp white teeth. ‘I want to taste you…’ she murmured.

‘Little witch…’ he muttered hoarse with desire.

He bent to tug off his long boots, then stood and released his breeches. Maribel reached out, pushing them down over his hips so that they fell to the floor and he kicked them away. Now they were both naked. Her eyes feasted on his slim hips and strong thighs, then moved to the male glory that was fully erect and ready for her. She reached out to touch him, her hand stroking that part of him with tentative fingers. His manhood seemed to move and pulsate beneath her touch and she laughed as she heard his indrawn breath of rapture.

‘Does that please you?’ she asked, her eyes holding an appeal she was not aware of. ‘I want to please you, Justin, but I am not sure…’

‘But you were married?’ His eyebrows arched. ‘What are you telling me…have you not been with a man this way?’ She shook her head and he frowned.

‘My husband was a boy. He did not love me in this way, but as his childhood friend.’

‘You should have told me. I thought…but you are virgin…’

Maribel reached out, catching his wrist, as he would have moved away. ‘No, do not leave me now, I beg you. I want to be yours, Justin. I want to know how to please you, but you must teach me.’

‘You are certain?’ His eyes glowed with blue fire, searing her, his gaze searching deep into her soul. ‘You want this truly?’

‘I love you,’ she said and lay down on the bed, gazing up at him trustingly. ‘Show me how to be the woman you need.’

Justin hesitated, then sat down on the bed. He bent his head to kiss her, his mouth trailing kisses down her smooth navel. His tongue flicked at the inside of her thighs as he parted her legs, then moved to the moist heat of her femininity. He flicked at her delicately so that she whimpered and arched her back towards him, her body begging for more of the exquisite pleasure he gave her.

His hand caressed her throat and then her breasts. He lay beside her, pressing his flesh to hers so that their
mutual heat flared as they kissed, tongues touching, flicking, tasting each other’s sweetness. Maribel was quivering, her back arching at each touch as she whimpered and moaned, crying his name as he moved to cover her with his body.

She felt the heat of his manhood pressing against her and instinctively opened wide to accommodate the thick, thrusting shaft that pushed up inside her with sudden urgency. The pain was sharp as he broke through her hymen, but her cry of pain was smothered by kisses so sweet that she almost swooned with love for him. When he withdrew she reached for him, wanting him back inside her, wanting to feel him thrust deeper and deeper into her moist centre. Her body moved with his, her nails unconsciously scoring the smooth flesh on his shoulders as she lost all control and screamed his name aloud over and over again.

She felt his fluids come inside her and then his face was buried against her neck. His body was slick with sweat, as was hers. She stroked the back of his neck, tears trickling down her cheeks as she held him. For a few moments he lay still, his face pressed against her, then he raised his head and looked at her.

‘Why are you crying?’

‘Because you made me feel so wonderful.’

‘I didn’t hurt you?’ He looked contrite. ‘Your bruises still pain you. I was too impatient.’

‘No, no, I wanted you as much as you wanted me.’

‘Yet I hurt you?’

‘A little just at first. I suspect it is always that way.’

‘I have never taken a virgin before,’ Justin said and touched her face. He looked regretful. ‘I did not think you virgin when I teased you so unmercifully, Maribel. Forgive me?’

‘There is nothing to forgive. You were as gentle with me as you could be. Besides, it was what I wanted.’

Justin rolled on to his back. ‘Your husband must have been very young.’

‘My own age, sixteen when we wed, barely seventeen when he died. Why do you ask that?’ She turned her head on the pillow to look at him.

‘I cannot imagine why a man of any age would not want to lie with you, Maribel. Even Tom was in love with you—the poor lad.’

‘Poor Tom.’ Maribel raised herself on one arm to gaze down at him. ‘I think Pablo was perhaps not as other men—not as you are, Justin. I loved him dearly but I see now that we were friends, or close like sister and brother perhaps.’

‘Yes, perhaps.’ Justin sat up and reached for his breeches, pulling them on and then his boots. His shirt was too torn to wear and he grinned as he tossed it to her. ‘Perhaps you would mend this for me?’

‘Of course…’ She sat up, her long hair falling forward over her breasts. ‘I am yours to command, Justin. Your woman, your—’

‘No! Not whore, never that,’ he said and frowned. ‘When we reach England I shall take you to your mother’s family, Maribel…Nay, do not look so. I mean not to abandon you, my love. I must discover how the
land lies. I shall wed you, Maribel, but things have altered now.’

‘You will wed me? But you said…you wished only for a mistress.’

‘I said many foolish things in my pride. I can never let you go. You must be my wife, but I cannot expect you to live as we have lived these past months. You must have a home worthy of you.’

‘Surely you know that I would live anywhere with you?’

‘We can never return to the island, nor would I wish that kind of a life for you. You are a lady, gently born. You deserve the life you were born for. I shall strive to give you all that you should have by rights. It may take some time—I must clear my name if I can, though I fear it may not be possible.’ His expression was serious. ‘If I am not welcome at my home it may be that we shall have to live elsewhere. I have money despite the loss of two ships. There is money held by the goldsmiths in London that was left for me by my great-grandfather, who died just after I was born. We may have to live in France or Italy, but I promise I will make a home worthy of you, my darling.’