“It suited me for a time,” he granted. “Privateering and piracy allowed me…”
When he couldn’t seem to find the right words she guessed at it. “A means to vent your anger?”
“Yes, I suppose,” he conceded, forgetting how well she knew him.
“Your father affected you as much as my uncle did me.” She rested her hand over his. “We always understood that about each other, didn’t we? Helped one another cope.” Her voice dropped an octave. “Then felt no relief from it when we were apart…which is why you had your man deliver that first letter to me.”
“And why you wrote back,” he said just as softly.
“Where did that pirate go off to that delivered our missives over the years?”
“He chose not to leave the life.”
“Do we trust him to keep our secret?”
He couldn’t help a grin. “You would have made a good pirate thinking like that.”
“You are a pirate, though.” She narrowed her eyes. “Is he still alive?”
“He is,” he confirmed. “He will not share my secrets any more than Abigail will.”
“You left him treasure too, then?”
He cocked the corner of his mouth, not overly surprised she had figured that out. Abigail and her girls were left very well off. “The pirate who delivered our letters was well seen to.”
Done with talk of what was behind him, he looked ahead and cupped her cheek. “You have yet to answer my question.” He used the tone she responded to so well. “Will you tease and sin with me, Hannah?” Then he asked the same question he had years ago, not particularly of the mind to take ‘no’ for an answer this time. “Will you bloody well marry me at last, my little tease?”
Chapter 13
She didn’t realize until she said, “Yes, I will marry you, Luke,” just how much she had hoped to say those words again. Nor did she suspect that if she ever did, he would release a loud whistle through his fingers, wrap a blanket around her and plunk her on his lap.
“What are you doing?” she barely got out before Robert flung the door open.
“Aye, Cap’n.” He grinned. “She say ‘yes’ then?”
Luke met his quartermaster’s grin. “She did.”
“She said ‘yes,’” Robert hollered up only for a rambunctious round of hoots to resound. Unable to find her voice at the celebration, she remained tongue-tied as pirates filled the cabin.
“You do not mean to—”
He put a finger to her lips and spoke like a pirate. “I mean to marry ye ‘fore ye have a chance to say no again.” He gestured at everyone. “These are but my witnesses.” He winked. “I’ll not let ‘em have ye, but they can witness our nuptials.”
“With you nude beneath me?” Though tempted to get huffy, she instead bit back a chuckle. “And I wrapped in a blanket?”
“’Tis a bloody good look on ye,” Robert praised followed by many nods and grunts of approval.
“I think we best get on with this,” Luke commented. “I might not be able to fight ‘em off soon.”
Fully aware of his erection pressed against her backside, she cocked the corner of her mouth, seeing a truly interesting future ahead of them. “Then we best get to it.” She frowned. “But who will marry us?”
“That be me, missus.” A short, stocky pirate stepped forward with a bible. “I used to be more of a pious man ye see.”
Luke certainly had thought of everything, hadn’t he?
Robert tossed him a stunning ring. “Don’t forget this, Cap’n.”
“It’s beautiful,” she whispered, admiring the glittering diamond as Luke slid it on her finger. She narrowed her eyes. “Is it stolen?”
“It is,” Luke confirmed. “I am a pirate, after all…at least for another day or two.” He arched a brow. “Will the ring be a problem?”
She considered it then him, of the mind it ought to bring someone joy. “Well, truth be told, I’m stolen too so I’d say we are meant for each other.”
So it was that she married on a pirate’s lap with a hearty erection waiting for her the moment everyone cleared out. Straddling him, she grabbed the rings and sank onto him with a ragged sigh of relief. Near painful pleasure curled in her womb then fluttered out as she moved. As she immersed herself in the feel of his burning shaft inside her. The way it stretched her and guided her to its will.
Her eyes drifted shut, and she groaned, rolling her hips, feeling him everywhere, racing closer and closer to a pinnacle. There, almost, she struggled for breath then…
He flipped her and pulled away.
“Did you think it would be that easy, my little sinner?” he murmured, strapping her down. “What fun would there be in that?”
So it was, and as it should be for their first time as man and wife, that he took her in a way that satisfied both their dark and loving sides.
There was something wickedly delicious about feeling the intimacy without being able to touch him. She relished the long, thorough kisses then drowned in the erotic torture of having no control.
It was a sinful combination of taboo and poignant love.
On and on it went, him tasting, teasing and nipping, driving her to the edge only to pull back. When he finally came between her spread thighs and thrust deep, she was gone, crying out in the freedom of climax and lack of control. He waited for her to come down, kissing her all the while, before he began moving.
Yet for all his patience, her pleasure had been his torture, and his thrusts came hard, territorial, hungry, until he released a strangled roar and let go, taking her with him once again.
Then it was all a blur of intimacy and loving, sin, and ecstasy.
Every scroll was read, and many fantasies lived out thanks to his contraptions.
Their contraptions.
She awoke on the evening of the third day to discover Luke gone. Something she thought nothing of initially. He had gone on deck several times to check on his men. This time, however, he was gone too long. So she slipped into a dress he had provided, compliments of a wench no doubt, and made her way on deck only to find it considerably cooler. Her heart leapt into her throat when the first thing she saw was a Royal Navy ship in the distance.
“Oh, God,” she whispered, putting a hand to her chest, fearful for Luke and his crew.
“Oh, God, what?” came a soft voice moments before Luke wrapped a cloak around her shoulders from behind and murmured in her ear, “It is done.”
“What’s done?” Then she realized what he meant. She bit her lip, afraid to hope though he seemed happy when she turned. “You received a Royal Pardon?” She gazed around the ship at men going about their business. “All of you did?”
“Yes.” He shook his head. “I am no longer a pirate.”
“But you will always be Luke.” She rested her hand on his chest. “And you will always be my husband.”
Desire flared in his eyes. “As you will always be my wife.”
Lost for a moment, more than ready to be carried back to bed, it suddenly occurred to her she had no knowledge of her sister. “Where’s Rose?” She bit back panic, ashamed that she had barely thought about her over the past few days where worry should be at the forefront. “Have you heard anything?”
“I have,” he assured. “More so, I saw the signal off the coast of the Carolina’s that all was well.”
“Signal?”
“Yes,” he replied. “Thomas and I have done it for years by tying off a yellow ribbon to a tree to communicate. I had a man row closer to Ocracoke Island, and his signal was there, Hannah. The one we hoped to see.”
“That Rose is all right?”
“Most definitely,” he replied. “And that Big Devil and his rats are no longer a problem. Thomas is readying his ship and will be following soon.”
She blinked back tears of relief. “You are sure?”
“Never more positive.” He pulled her close. “Soon enough we will all unite in Plymouth and start life anew.”
“Will you miss it?” she said softly. “Will you miss your life of piracy?”
“No,” he said with more assurance than she expected. “It was a means to an end. One that was always you, Hannah. Or so I hoped.” He squeezed her backside and pressed her against his unfailing erection. “Besides, there is plenty of excitement ahead.”
“I imagine there is.” Her eyes slid from his cabin to him. “They let you keep your ship then?”
“Unfortunately, no,” he said. “We are being escorted until we make landfall then the ship will be confiscated.”
“What a shame.” She already mourned the loss of a cabin that would likely make even a sea hardened navy man blush.
“Trust me,” he said, referring to the brooch, “I will use one ridiculously expensive treasure,” he brushed his lips across hers, “to build another ship for my priceless treasure.” A knowing gleam lit his eyes. “And in it, our own special spot.” He winked. “One where children are not allowed.”
She chuckled. “They can frequent Thomas and Rose’s ship.”
“I am certain it would be less alarming.”
“One would imagine.”
She thought of her mousy sister and the deep love she once felt for Thomas. Perhaps her pirate adventure would help Rose blossom at last. Perhaps, even, embrace a more daring character from one of her books.
“Will it be enough for the four of us then?” she said, referring to the brooch.
“More than enough,” he replied. “Plus plenty for our crews.”
“How perfectly executed then,” she murmured. “It seems you truly did think of everything.”
“No, my little tease.” He swept her up in his arms and cocked a brow. “Or is it sinner?” He strode for their wicked cabin. “My thoughts were only ever of you.”
Curious what happened to Thomas and Rose? Follow their steamy, romantic high-seas adventure in Taken by Passion. Available exclusively in the Once Upon a Pirate boxed set.
About Sky Purington
Bestselling author Sky Purington married her hero, has an amazing son who inspires her daily, and two husky shepherd mixes that keep her on her toes. Her stories run scorching hot, teeming with protective alpha heroes and strong-minded heroines. Passionate for variety, Sky’s vivid imagination spans several romance genres including historical, time travel, paranormal, and fantasy.
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The Sea Wolf
by Lee Savino
A Berserker novella
The Sea Wolf
The wind whipped between the rocks, howling like a wolf. I stood on the edge of the cliff staring at the frothing water far below my feet. A fierce gust could pull me off balance or the ground could crumble under me and I’d fall to my death.
Or I could leap, arms outstretched to embrace the air.
It would be so easy. Just a single step—
“Muireann!” Nanny’s voice broke the fog before I saw her stooped form and beaked nose. She toddled up the old, perilous path, her round body threatening to pitch over into the water. I stepped back from the ledge, ready to keep her from falling.
“I thought I’d find you here,” she shouted over the wind. My braid was long undone, wild tendrils whipped my face.
“Oh,” Nanny scolded. “your hair.”
I’d been standing in the wind so long my lips were numb. “It doesn’t matter.”
“It will to your bridegroom.” Nanny tugged and tsked. “Fey locks, like your mother. I’ll have to comb it out before the crossing. Unless you were thinking of leaving now?” Nanny’s voice was mild, but her dark eyes were sharp as a raven’s. She already knew why I’d climbed the cliff this morn.
If Nanny had not come, I would’ve found it in me to take that final step. People would say I’d fallen to my death and the sea cheated the son of the Uí Néill chieftain of his chosen bride.
Nanny’s breath came in harsh puffs, misting the air. But she swallowed whatever she was about to say and raised a brow instead. “Is that the way you wish to go, then?” Nanny casually craned her neck to look down at the rocks. “I’ll tell them all you died.”
“It won’t deter Dòmhnall.” My bridegroom had promised he’d take this island one way or another. Marriage was our best option, he’d explained, but he wouldn’t mind shedding blood.
Marrying was the only way to prevent war. So, I must give up my life for my loved ones.
“It’s not too late,” Nanny said gently. She wouldn’t blame me if I tried to escape this marriage one way or another.
“No, Nanny. I’ll do my duty.” But I cast one longing look at the sea then followed my ancient nurse down the cliff and back towards home.
“So much fog this morning.” Nanny chattered as I helped her over the slippery rocks. “Twill make it hard for your bridegroom to fetch you.”
“It will break by midday,” I murmured. Would that the fog would shroud this island and hide it forever.
“Not this fog. Thick as a witch’s brew.”
I raised a brow at her. I was not the only woman the villagers called ‘witch.’
“Oh, I didn’t stir it up,” Nanny waved a hand as if she was talking of making stew, not controlling the weather. “Your mother knew how to call a storm, but she never taught me.”
“Nor I.”
“Pity.”
“We could not hide forever,” I murmured.
“We could, but your father would not like it. Your mother had a place she kept hidden away. A cabin on a tiny island. It’s still hidden by her spells, but a woman in need could find it.” Nanny’s eyes were black as a raven’s, staring into mine.
I shook my head. “I promised. Even if I run and hide, Dòmhnall will still come. And father would be in trouble.”
“Your father should’ve never promised you to him.”
“He had no choice,” I whispered. We’d reached the edge of the village and anyone might overhear us. I quickened my steps, linking my arm with Nanny’s to urge her along.
“What is the world coming to, that women are pawns in the hands of men? If your mother was alive—”
The wind whipped up, tossing her words out to sea. We bowed before the howling force, squinting and turning our faces aside.
Out on the water, the mist boiled with strange shapes. The swirling grey solidified for a moment into a curving prow. I started. Was that a ship out on the water?
“What is it?” Nanny shouted, looking where I stared.
“Nothing.” Nothing emerged from the fog. Not a ship, not a ghost. Perhaps I’d seen a vision but more likely it was nothing at all.
We ran the rest of the way to my father’s hall as wind sang like a lone wolf, a piercing cry of sorrow.
Once inside, Nanny secreted me to her favorite room off the kitchen. Here the light and warmth from the great hall’s hearth fire seeped in, but the herb bundles hanging from the lower roof gave us some privacy. Servants hustled about, but none dared trespass Nanny’s realm. I sat and sipped an herbal brew while Nanny fussed with my hair.
“Shall I tell you the story?”
“Why not,” I sighed. I’d heard all of Nanny’s stories before, but it would help pass the time.
“Once there was a great and fearsome warrior named The Wolf. He was the strongest and best of the king’s men but wished to keep his strength forever. He went to a witch for a spell to make him the greatest warrior of all time. The witch warned him that her magic had a price. She would make him the greatest warrior of all, but he—”
I closed my eyes and allowed Nanny’s voice to take me away as her clever fingers untangled the snarls in my hair. By the end of the story, my dark mane was tamed into a respectable plait befitting of a lady. And I was calm.
“There,” Nanny said at last, stepping back. “Now you can cha
nge, and you’ll be ready for the crossing.”
“I’m not changing.” The gown I’d worn to hike the hill wasn’t my best, but it was clean, and the color reminded me of my mother’s eyes. Paired with my sturdy boots, it would serve to deliver me to my intended.
“You’re wearing that to the wedding?” Nanny sounded scandalized. “What will the Uí Néill think of us?”
“The same as they already do.” I rose from the stool. I had no great height, but I towered over Nanny. “That we’re pagan savages.”
“Don’t let Father Pátraic hear you say that.” Nanny crossed herself but her rolling eyes belied her piety.
I grinned. “He knows he has work ahead of him to make our people forget the old ways. He’ll think it easier with me gone.”
“Dòmhnall won’t let you keep the old ways.” Nanny bustled about, gathering herbs into a linen cloth. “The Uí Néill keep the Christian faith.”
“I’ll never abandon my mother’s teachings.” I crossed to the hearth and gazed into a bowl of water. For a moment, smoke seemed to cross its surface. I stilled, willing the vision to come to me. My mother could scry at will, but my own visions came to me unbidden.
Before the smooth surface could show me anything, Nanny plopped down on the hearth, bumping the bowl. As she tsked and wiped up spilt water, the smoke swirled away.
“Your husband might insist you do. According to Father Pátraic, Christians prefer their wives silent and biddable.”
“Silent maybe. I doubt I’ll have much to say to the Uí Néill. But my new husband has a lesson coming to him, if he thinks I’ll be biddable.”
“Good lass.” Nanny handed me the linen bundle. “Keep that secret and safe. You’ll know how to use it, if the time comes.” She winked but I tucked away her offering carefully. My mother taught me to use herbs to ward off sickness and prevent quickening since I was old enough to tend a fire. I had my own herb sachets in my packed belongings. I’d not bear Dòmhnall a child unless I wished.
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