by Haley Travis
Quickly making the bed, I noticed that the red marks around my wrists had faded considerably. Thank goodness for that. I didn’t want anyone to think I needed to be pampered any more.
Once I had put on the pale white-pink dress, I felt like a princess.
Thankfully, Clementine had set out a hairbrush set for me. Instead of my usual braid, I left my hair loose, sweeping it over one shoulder.
There was a tiny tap at the door. “Maggie?”
“Come in.”
Cookie’s round face peeked in, his mouth falling open in a wide O. “Heavens to Betsy, lass. Prettier than a picture.”
“Thank you.” I could feel myself blushing. “I’m so sorry, I must have slept in. What time is it?”
“Half past eleven. Don’t worry, we all knew you needed a good rest.”
We went down to the dining room, which was laid out for a formal lunch. It seemed a bit fancy for our lot, but perhaps Clementine was the sort of person who looked for any excuse to bring out the best china.
Everyone but the Captain was in the kitchen, helping Clementine and getting in her way at the same time.
“Good morning, sleepyhead,” she smiled to me. “How are you feeling?”
“Much better, thank you.”
She nodded, turning back to the stove to smack Dwyer’s finger away from where he was trying to steal a taste.
“Good, then you wouldn’t mind doing me a favor?” Willy asked me.
“Of course not.”
He handed me a small basket that contained a pink ribbon and a pair of scissors. Then he leaned in and lowered his voice.
“Clementine has been so sweet to us, and I thought I should make a bouquet for the dining room table. But I stood there for the longest time not knowing what flowers go with what.” He shrugged. “It’s probably a lady thing, right?”
I laughed, taking the basket from him. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
Stepping out the back door, the scent of roses and lilac was so refreshing. Enjoying the warm sun on my face, I threaded my way through the garden.
The flat wicker basket made it easy to lay out a small selection of pink and white roses on a bed of greens and lily-of-the-valley.
Tying the stems together carefully with the pink ribbon, I held it up, turning the bouquet around to examine that everything was well balanced.
“Is that you, my sweet lass?” I heard the Captain call from the far end of the garden.
“Yes, where are you?”
“On the other side of the hedge. Bring the flowers with you.”
Setting the basket down, I walked around the corner of the tall cedars to see the Captain on one knee. I stared in amazement as he held out his hand.
Walking toward him slowly, I saw that his other hand held a golden ring with a deep, bright ruby.
Taking his hand, I felt a prickling rush of warmth through every inch of me. Yet this wasn’t fear. The complete opposite. It felt like I was floating outside of myself, staring in at this perfect moment.
The Captain cleared his throat.
“Maggie, my feelings for you run deeper than the sea itself. I can’t imagine a single day without your smile. I can no longer live in a world where you don’t have my ring on your pretty finger.”
He slipped the ring onto my left hand. “This was my mother’s,” he practically whispered. “She would’ve adored you, Maggie.” Those dark eyes looked up at me carefully. “I love you so much, my darling girl. Will you be my wife?”
Blinking through a mist of tears, I tried to find my voice. “Yes,” I finally managed to choke.
“I don’t think everyone heard that,” he grinned. “But they’ll get the idea.” Standing, he swept me into his arms in a long, lusty kiss.
I felt like I was melting from the heat of his touch as he held me. “Levi!” I gasped. “What if someone’s watching?”
“They are,” he chuckled.
Spinning us toward the house, I gasped in shock as I saw a group of people coming through the garden toward us. Not only the rest of the crew and Clementine, but also several ladies that must have been her friends, and a pastor.
The crewmen were each carrying a few chairs that they arranged in the rose bush section of the garden.
Looking down, I realized I was already wearing an appropriate dress to be wed. And Willy had tricked me into making my own bouquet.
Levi looked at me very strangely as I began to laugh – deep belly laughter that I couldn’t control.
“Aye, she’s having a fit, to be sure, Captain,” Dwyer said, looking worried.
“I’m fine,” I managed to sputter. “Just…overwhelmed.”
The group gathered in a semi circle in the rose garden, as Levi and I faced the pastor. The tall, rather elegant gentleman in a black suit stepped forward to speak to me directly.
“Maggie Douglas, is it?”
“Yes, sir.”
“I just heard this is a bit of a surprise wedding. Is that all right with you?”
I grinned widely. “Everyone else doing the planning and the fussing? Yes. This is perfectly all right with me.”
Clementine stepped forward, tucking an extra rose behind my ear. “Levi sees how hard you work, and knew you’d hate being a bother. I figured if we put these boys to the task, everything could be done in a flash.”
Everyone was seated, as I looked around in complete astonishment. The crew was scrubbed up and smiling. The ladies I didn’t know already had tears in her eyes, and Clementine’s bottom lip was trembling as she pulled a kerchief from her sleeve.
The wedding itself was simple, and unbelievably sweet. There was a moment of laughter during our vows as Levi had to take the ring off my finger then put it back on. He leaned down to whisper in my ear, “That’s the last time your finger will ever be bare, my love.”
A shiver ran up my spine from his warm breath in my ear, but more than that, it was his tone.
This incredible man was claiming me. Completely. And tonight, I knew that he would be claiming me in every possible way as we shared a bed again.
~ Ch apter 28 ~ The Captain ~
* Alone, and Sweet Words *
Ever since I was sixteen years old, when my father passed, I had been the man of the house, caring for my mother for the next five years. When she too passed, I took care of winding up their affairs.
Then it was time to answer my calling, which had always been the sea. I set off as a deckhand on the first ship that would take me. Over the years I worked my way up, saving every penny safely in Clementine’s cellar.
My shipmates always thought I drank my money away, since I didn’t have any left over for gambling. Since they thought I was a drunk, they didn’t always notice how hard I worked, or pay attention to how I was always making connections with every Captain we passed by.
Being well liked among scoundrels had benefits. I was always told of the best jobs, the best ports, and the best opportunities. When old Captain Clancy decided to retire to his hometown and sell his ship, I was the first person he offered it to.
The day I purchased Midnight Treasure , I truly felt like a Captain. A king among men. Years of hard work had culminated in something that I considered a great success.
Everything changed as I looked into Maggie’s bright blue eyes as she said the words, “I do.” My chest puffed up with pride as my cheeks almost hurt from the width of my smile.
She was my wife. No man deserved such a prize. I felt like the luckiest man in all the land and sea.
The ceremony was short and traditional, then we all circled round for hugs and hearty handshakes.
It was lovely to see my precious girl chatting with other women. They seemed to welcome Maggie completely, as I overheard Clementine inviting her to visit anytime she liked.
I thanked the pastor before he left for another wedding, then we descended on Clementine’s lavish feast. The afternoon was a blur of chatter, wonderful food, stories, and plans for the future.
It was hard to concentrate on anything but Maggie’s pretty face, but she was so determined to be polite that I couldn’t drag her away.
Just as the sun was beginning to set, I noticed that everything had been put away, as Clementine’s friends bustled around the kitchen. The festivities seemed to be drawing to a close.
The crew all shook my hand again, leaving quickly.
Clementine gave Maggie a quick hug, then embraced me. “I’m staying at Beatrice’s house tonight.”
Before she could say another word, the ladies dashed out the front door, leaving Maggie and I blissfully and completely alone.
I checked that both the front and back door were locked so we wouldn’t be disturbed. Taking Maggie’s hand, I led her up the stairs.
At the end of the hall, Clementine’s bedroom door was wide open. The simple furniture was all in solid oak, elegant and timeless. There was an enormous bed with a few rose petals scattered across it, and a dim lamp to the side.
Maggie was already smiling as she looked around. I closed the door behind us, then gathered my beautiful new bride in my arms.
“That was the best wedding a girl could ever hope for,” she said softly as she gazed up at me. “I’ve heard of families fussing and fighting for weeks over wedding details, but this was just perfect.”
“Always good to put the lads to work,” I chuckled.
Her beautiful blue eyes shone up at me, full of love and promise.
“You’re so beautiful, my darling girl,” I murmured. “But I also love that you’re kind, clever, and resourceful.”
She looked so delicate in that nearly-white dress, a flower tucked in her hair. Sweet and innocent. A deep shudder ran up my spine as if the devil himself had danced on my grave.
“What is it?” she whispered.
I shook my head. “To think what might’ve happened to you yesterday. You were clever to keep that handful of herbs and drop some as a marker.”
Maggie nodded gravely. “I know. If I had gotten on that boat…” She shivered, hiding her face against my chest. “Please – let’s never speak of it again.”
“Anything you wish, my darling.”
I would never mention that I would be inquiring with the local dockmasters for news of any strange occurrences, knowing full well I would eventually hear of a certain man’s disappearance. I needed to confirm that he was well and truly gone.
“I’m glad you like it here at Clementine’s,” I said softly as I began unbuttoning the back of her dress. “I’ll never put you in danger again, so you’ll be staying here from time to time. But also, it seems that being with other ladies for a few days might be good for a young lass.”
“I don’t ever want to be away from you.” Her exaggerated pout made me laugh. “But I understand.”
After helping her remove her clothing, tossing the garments over a chair, I sucked in a harsh breath.
My blushing new bride was breathtaking in every way. My hands instantly latched onto her soft but firm breasts, caressing her gently. I stared down at the curve of her hips, and the lovely shadow between her thighs.
A soft cry escaped her lips as my thumbs passed over her dusky rose nipples, then she reached up to unbutton my shirt. “Undress with me,” she barely breathed.
“Anything for you, my darling.” I picked her up, loving her squealing giggle as I laid her across the center of the bed.
I loved that she was so quick to laugh. So full of life. Pulling off my shirt, I tossed it aside as I leaned in to give her a deep, passionate kiss. “I love you, Maggie,” I murmured. “I truly am the luckiest man on land or sea.”
Her eyes softened as she reached up to stroke my cheek. “And I’m the luckiest girl, Levi.”
I pulled off my boots, kicking them under the bed, then removed my trousers. Watching Maggie’s eyes traveling over every inch of my hard, rough body was a strange feeling. It wasn’t pride. It felt like I was sharing myself with her, somehow.
I noticed her eyes lock onto my long, thick shaft that was already proudly jutting straight up in her honor. Lying beside her on the bed, her graceful little hands circled my neck, drawing me down for a kiss.
As I felt her tender body beside mine, I was overwhelmed with lust flooding every vein and nerve. Yet I also felt a tiny prickle of something I was unfamiliar with. Something that had shaken me to the core just yesterday.
Fear.
Knowing that what we were about to do would be uncomfortable for her.
“Maggie, my love, has any older woman ever told you about…”
Her face tucked into my shoulder. “Yes. I know. And I know it might hurt, but they say it’s only for a moment.”
My tension was set adrift when her hand scraped gently along my scruff of beard. “I want you, Levi,” she whispered, tilting her face up to mine. “Make me your wife.”
Kissing her gently, the feeling of her soft lips against mine was absolute bliss. My hands wandered along her silky skin, exploring the little areas that made her cry out against my mouth.
I loved how she moaned as I squeezed her ripe breasts. Then I let my fingertips wander down her stomach, to play with her soft, short curls. Her thighs fell open, inviting me to caress every dip and valley of skin.
The feeling of her trembling in my arms was almost too much for a man to take. Yet I knew that I would hurt her terribly if I didn’t make sure she was properly juicy and ready for me.
Which gave me a wicked idea.
Maggie actually whined as I tore my lips from hers, then appeared astonished as I knelt between her legs, spreading her open.
“Levi?”
“I need to make you ready to take me, my love. Just relax, and try to channel those explosions again.”
Her saucy grin might be the end of me someday.
Staring into her beautiful sex, I leaned in, creeping my tongue along every little fold. Her arousal tasted like honey with the fresh tang of the sea. And to my great relief, she became slick and open quite easily.
My thick middle finger circled her entrance slowly, as I dragged my tongue along the little nub that made her cry out the loudest.
I experimented methodically until I found a pressure and pace that made her clutch my hair, her hips writhing under me. Slipping my finger inside her drenched channel just to the first knuckle, she began to tremble.
I wanted to tell her this was the most perfect moment of my life so far. That I couldn’t wait to make her feel this wonderful as often as possible. That I was so in love with her that my heart ached.
Instead, I licked steadily, gliding my finger in and out as her arousal began to soak my hand.
I heard a deep growl rumble through my throat as I looked up at her. She was propped up on her elbows, staring at me with her mouth wide open. For a strange moment, every muscle inside her tightened, as I felt her tighten around my finger.
Then her head fell back with a scream, twitching and rocking her core up against me frantically as she rode the waves of her release.
Finally Maggie collapsed back on the bed, nearly panting. I kissed my way up her stomach, nibbling at her breasts until she squealed.
Then she caressed my cheek, smiling up at me. “Make me yours, Levi.”
Sweeter words had never been spoken on this beautiful earth.
~ Chap ter 29 ~ Maggie ~
* Uncharted Love *
I’d been curious about this moment since I was a teenaged girl, and first heard about the act of love through my school friends.
They had said it was a womanly duty that must be performed. Something to fear. Something to try to avoid, if at all possible.
They were completely wrong.
As Levi moved his massive body over mine, everything felt perfect. Natural. The way it was meant to be since the beginning of time.
My legs spread wider, as I felt the hard ridge of his shaft pressing firmly against my hip bone. His strong, broad chest was rising and falling rapidly, telling me that he was as excited as I was.
I absolutely adored learning about every sort of his kisses – the soft, the warm, and the hungry. This kiss was different from all the others. This was the feeling of him claiming me. Marking me as his forever.
His tongue slipped out, playing gently with mine as my hands glided down the backs of his shoulders, as if I could possibly pull him closer.