Pirates, Passion and Plunder

by Victoria Vale

  “Aye, sir,” Carlisle sighed, then paused. “Captain, can I ask how you launched such a surprise offensive? Of course, we were all glad to see you, but I’d expected you to join from the direction of the steps to your quarters and know Torniquay’s men had that area smothered.”

  Edward’s lips curled. “I had a little inside information,” he told his first mate.

  Carlisle’s brow rose. “How’s that, sir?”

  “My little stowaway. Her father designed and helped build the damn ship. She showed me a secret access from the other side of the captain’s quarters.” Edward laughed. “It came in very handy.”

  “I bet.” Carlisle blinked at him in obvious surprise. “So, it seems I was wrong to query your judgment on the subject of the woman, sir. She was obviously worth keeping onboard.”

  Edward chuckled. As far as he was concerned, Alice was more than worth having onboard. His crew had been more than able to defend the Dexterity, but it was just possible Alice had given them the edge and saved him from a probable hostile welcome at the bottom of the stairs to his quarters.

  “I think so,” Edward agreed with a weary smile. “The lady has a brain. She only needs the right gentleman to keep her in check, that’s all.”

  Carlisle snorted. “I’m certain she has found that in you, Cap’n.”

  Edward turned his face toward the sunlight, welcoming the warmth on his skin. He needed to see his men and get cleaned up, but after that, he was clear about what else he required. His lips curled as he visualized Alice’s glorious body. He needed to thank the woman who had made his surprise ambush a reality.

  Chapter 25

  Alice

  Alice’s heart leapt as the wood paneling beside her was removed, the sudden light and cool air stirring her from her slumber. Her pulse raced.

  Oh goodness. Who was she going to find looming over her?

  Would it be the reassuring smile of Edward or the evil grin of a stranger, hell bent on doing God knew what to her?

  She only had a few seconds to wait to discover the truth, but nausea rose into her throat as those seconds lingered long around her. A man’s boots were visible from her spot on the floor. Rising to a sitting position, she saw Edward’s handsome face finally come into view. The relief Alice experienced was palpable.

  “Oh, Edward!” She was genuinely pleased to see him—something she had not thought possible when he had been ruthlessly coloring her backside or spearing her most private places, but an emotion she felt with gusto at that moment.

  “There you are,” he smiled.

  Edward seemed fatigued, evidence of his bloody conflicts visible on his clothes and hands, but he was there—he was alive.

  “Just where you left me, sir.”

  Edward’s grin widened. “My good little stowaway.” His tone was sardonic, but the light in his eyes was genuine, and there was a warmth to the statement, too.

  He reached out a dirty palm to her. “Let me help you out.” Alice eyed the palm for a moment. “I know I should clean up,” Edward murmured. “I wanted to check if you were well first.”

  Her heart fluttered at that thought. So, he had worried about her as well? For some reason, Alice smiled at the thought.

  “Thank you.” Taking the palm, she permitted Edward to guide her out of the crawl space. Alice sighed as she rose to her full height and stretched out her tired limbs.

  “What happened, sir?” she asked, turning to watch Edward stride toward a large bowl in the corner of his quarters. Plunging his hands inside, he glanced over his shoulder at her.

  “We fought off the raiders, but it was a long and torrid fight.”

  Alice’s pulse quickened. “Were you hurt?” She skipped over to him, her gaze flitting up and down the length of Edward’s body. There was so much blood. It did not bode well.

  “It’s not my blood,” he told her softly as though he had just read her mind. “I am quite well.”

  She blew out a breath. “Thank heavens.”

  “You were concerned for me, Alice?” Edward arched an eyebrow at her, spinning on his heel while he stripped the soiled shirt from his body.

  “Yes,” she admitted, aware of the bloom of a new blush growing in her cheeks. She was uncertain if it was right or not to concede the point. “I feared for your safety.”

  She was captivated by the look of his body again, and even though she had witnessed him without his shirt before, Alice had never truly seen him in such close proximity. She had the sudden urge to reach out and touch him, to trail a finger over his firm, muscular shoulder and explore some of the visible scars.

  “That’s a pleasant thought,” he mused, watching her focus with interest. “I have never had a lady worry for me before.”

  Her gaze rose to meet Edward’s eyes. “Surely, that is not true? There must have been someone. Plenty of smitten damsels, I imagine?”

  What was she doing?

  Was she intentionally engaging in this whimsical conversation, even though there was no need? No need to be this close to Edward, no need to speak to him at all, yet Alice was compelled. Her words were the truth. She had been disquieted about his fate and was relieved to see him. The verity was, it was not only her own welfare that provoked that relief. Yes, Edward would keep her safe, but it was more than that.

  Edward’s lips twitched. “No.”

  His damp hand edged toward her face, and Alice closed her eyes reflexively as his palm caressed the back of her neck, pulling her gently in his direction.

  “No?” Alice opened her eyes to find their bodies so close together, they practically touched. He towered over her, that scintillating glint she had seen the night before back in those blue eyes.

  “No, there has never been anyone. Not in the way you mean.”

  Alice’s lips parted, and for one heart-stopping moment, she thought Edward was going to kiss her. God, she wanted him to. She desired to feel those hot lips crash onto hers once more. She wanted to cede to the authority of his kiss.

  “I suppose you have never had a lady sneak onboard one of your ship’s before though?” Her words were barely a whisper.

  Edward’s brow rose. “That is certain,” he concurred. “Yet I swear I have never had such a beautiful lady in my presence.”

  Alice shook her head as far as his hand would allow. “You are teasing,” she accused playfully. “I am certain you have had many other ladies, sir.”

  Edward inhaled deeply, the intensity of his gaze burning into Alice’s flesh.

  “None as fair as you,” he murmured. “None I have ever wanted to return to.”

  Her breath caught at that, but only for a second—a heartbeat later, Edward descended, granting Alice the kiss she so craved. Their connection was unhurried and passionate, his tongue snaking into her mouth and claiming her slowly. Alice panted when Edward’s lips finally parted from her own.

  “I should very much like to keep you, Miss Jaggers.”

  Alice’s heart pounded with a new intensity, her attention entirely captured by the giant of a man who had hold of her.

  “I should think you have no choice, sir,” she breathed. “Unless you choose to throw me overboard.”

  His eyebrow rose at her quip, sending a shiver of energy down her spine.

  “Say you did not consider doing so?” she implored him.

  Edward laughed gently. “In all honesty, I did not,” he assured her. “You are far too fine a prize to throw overboard, Alice.”

  She gasped at his verdict, uncertain if Edward’s words were reassuring or not, but in the end, she decided to laugh along with him.

  “I am pleased to hear it, for I am not such a strong swimmer, Mr. Law.”

  Edward leaned forward, pressing his temple against Alice’s forehead.

  “You need not concern yourself,” he whispered. “For I am a strong swimmer, Miss Jaggers, and I swear to save you before the waves pull you under.”

  She fluttered her eyelashes at him, aware of his thumb stroking her nape whi
le his words echoed around her head.

  He would save her—was that what he just said?

  “Thank you.”

  He drew back, planting a chaste kiss at the place he had rested.

  “So, what happens now, sir?”

  A part of her was afraid to ask, yet she was compelled to know what plans Edward had. Did he intend to keep her, drop her off at the nearest land mass, or ultimately return her to the only place she had ever known, England?

  His hand lowered to the small of her back, guiding her back toward the bed.

  “We have a long voyage ahead, Alice.”

  She glanced at him. “And what of my fate?”

  His expression hardened. “Your fate is with me.”

  Alice gulped at the way Edward made that sound.

  “As your courtesan?” she probed. “Your whore?”

  Edward chortled at her choice of words. “You are far from that, Alice.”

  He pulled her into his arms, holding her, and she sagged against him.

  “Yet that is what I am,” she insisted. “Now that I am no longer a maid.”

  She lifted her chin. “I belong to you.”

  Edward threw her a salacious wink. “Yes, you do, but that does not mean you are cheap or worthless.”

  Alice lowered her gaze, eyeing the soft hairs on his chest. She wanted to believe Edward’s words—she wanted that more than anything—but how could she? A woman was worth nothing without her virginity intact.

  “But how can that be?” she implored him. “I have no status here.”

  “You have every status,” he corrected Alice. “You are mine, and that means you shall have the best of everything, and no other man shall dare to disrespect you. Word has gotten around after the fate of Smith and Walker last evening. No one else shall dare push their luck.”

  Alice swallowed at the ferocity in his voice. She could tell Edward meant every word, and for some reason, the thought made her absurdly happy.

  “So, I shall remain here with you?” She needed to clarify, her thoughts in total disarray after the events of the last twelve hours. “As your common-law wife of sorts?”

  “I like that,” Edward smiled, his face drawing closer. “I like that a lot.”

  The edge was back in his tone now, the tone that seemed to speak directly to the places Edward had already mastered.

  “And you shall have me whenever you see fit?” Her throat tightened as she asked, and somehow, Alice could not decide if the fate she described was truly awful or actually, the thing she desired most in the world.

  He licked his lips at the prospect. “Whenever I see fit.”

  Oh, Christ!

  “And what of my honor?” Alice’s heart was pounding out of control now, her senses in utter disorder.

  “You are such a contradiction, Miss Jaggers,” Edward purred. “And so completely captivating.”

  Her brow furrowed. “I am?”

  “Oh yes,” he replied with a chuckle. “Entirely so. The only woman I have ever wanted to keep.”

  Alice’s chest rose and fell at speed, her nipples straining to be free of her bodice and permitted to skim Edward’s hot flesh again.

  “So, how about this?” he continued, leaning in to brush his mouth on her cheek.

  She groaned at that sensation, her toes curling as the noise reverberated between them.

  “You will stay by my side and please me, Alice, and in return, I shall worship you, defend you, and on my word, seek to ensure you are no longer Miss Jaggers as soon as we find dry land.”

  Alice gulped, blinking at him wildly. “Sir, what does that mean?”

  He smiled. “You know what it means, Alice.”

  “You’ll take me as your wife?” She could barely believe she was even asking. Alice had spent years avoiding matrimony, and now, the idea was making her heart race with eagerness. This was crazy.

  “I shall make you Mrs. Law,” he confirmed. “If that’s what you want?”

  She stared up into his eyes. Whatever Edward had done to her, she was truly under his spell now.

  “It is,” she determined. “Sir.”

  Edward’s lips curled in response.

  “And I have your word?” she pressed. “That when we find someone to officiate, you shall make me yours in the eyes of God.”

  Edward’s lips parted, and he looked on the verge of laughter once more. Pulling her tender behind into his groin, he gazed down at her.

  “You have my word, Miss Jaggers.”

  Alice panted. The word of a pirate?

  That was everything she wanted.

  About Felicity Brandon

  Felicity Brandon is a top 100 Amazon bestselling author. She loves the darker side of romance, and writes sexy, suspenseful stories, with strong themes of bondage and submission.

  You’ll find her either at her laptop, at the gym, or rocking out to her favourite music.

  Browse Felicity’s books on Amazon

  Visit Felicity’s website to sign up for her newsletter: first eyes on new releases, giveaways and gossip

  Join Felicity’s Facebook group

  Follow Felicity

  On Facebook

  On Goodreads

  On Bookbub

  Pirate’s Ruin

  by Marie Hall

  Chapter 1

  Nox pulled again with all the strength she’d left, but after spending the entire day trying to get free, that was very little. Her arms and legs shook and as her grip slipped on the heavy chain her knees buckled and she was again sitting twisted at an odd angle in the tangled bedding.

  The room was completely dark, even the big glass doors didn’t afford her any light. She supposed, given the sound of rain she’d heard falling most of the day clouds covered the moon. Her stomach growled again. She’d not eaten since the night before and that meager meal usually left her belly aching long before dawn. Twisting about again on the bed, Nox made herself as comfortable as possible. But the short chains holding her arms to the bulkhead of the ship only allowed enough slack to rest her hands on the top of her head. And to think she used to want to complain about having to sleep on the floor.

  She’d no idea why she’d been brought here, hours before the sun rose. She still hadn’t seen the man, the captain of this ship, to whom she’d been given… traded… sold… she didn’t even know, but she’d put nothing past her imbecile of a cousin. When she was dragged onboard the big galleon the man she’d been presented to stood in the shadows. Nox gleaned little of him but for his size. And of course when he spoke, his deep resonating voice. As smooth as velvet and yet darkly dangerous. Like the persistent winds that blew before a big storm came ashore.

  The conversation was brief, little more than reassurance of some vile bargain struck between he and her cousin which clearly gave the man custody of her person. For what purpose she didn’t know but she could certainly guess. Blinking she willed away the tears threatening. No doubt to save his own skin, Nox was about to be sacrificed.

  And maybe she’d no prospective suitors, given her family’s downfall. And maybe, too, she might have gone to her grave never knowing love, marriage or motherhood, but at least before today she still had hope she might. Even if what was done to her now didn’t kill her, it’d ruin her. She’d be good as little else but some whore working the docks for a penny a turn. Again she blinked back tears the best she could, this time a few slipped and as they fell her anger rose. With a growl she twisted back around stood on the bed and started pulling at the chains again.

  She pulled until she was breathless and panting, until her entire body shook with the exertion and sweat rolled down her temples blending with the tears that fell, silently.

  “A more beautiful sight I rarely see.”

  Nox twisted around at the words. Again the only position she could take up was sitting with her hands over her head, but she drew her knees up instinctively for protection. She heard his footsteps as he crossed the large cabin that took up the entire rear of the s
hip, but he kept to the shadows. She could only follow him by whatever sounds he made, and he made very few.

  “A lovely woman in a warm bed, panting,” he went on, amusement clear in his tone. “Though, perhaps you do not pant for the correct reasons.”

  “Who are you, why am I here?” Nox snapped out. Being the object of his amusement annoyed.

  “I am… for the time, your captain…. Your…” he drew it out as if he wasn’t at all sure himself, “host,” he finished like she was here by invitation at her pleasure. “As to why you are here--”

  “Never mind,” Nox shouted suddenly not wanting to hear anyone say it out loud. She knew why she was here. “I don’t care, it can’t matter in the least.”

  “Such easy surrender?” He lowered his voice, perhaps because he stood so much closer. Nox could actually smell him. And oddly it was one of the warmest, most delightful odors she’d ever noticed on a man. “I’m a little disappointed,” he said and Nox felt the bed give a bit as he set a knee on it. “I understood you to be a fighter, Jane, to have a stiff spine.”

  “Nox,” she corrected.

  She heard him chuckle, “A little night goddess, how appropriate.”

  Swallowing down the fear, she added, “No one calls me Jane except for…” She’d not want him to think… What did it even matter what this man was going to call her?

  “No one but that sack full of whale shit that handed you over this morning?” he asked and the matrices dipped significantly as he took a seat beside her. Again the shadows obscured most every feature but his size.

  “I understand whale shit to have value, Robert Hendricks has none,” Nox told him and leaned away when his hand reached out. But she’d no place to go and his fingers settled lightly on her cheek.

  She heard his soft chuckle as he leaned in closer. “Ah, there are the teeth I was told about,” he said, almost to himself, as he leaned so close she could feel his warm breath stir her hair. “Be careful though, you don’t try and bite me,” he whispered directly in her ear. “For while you’ve value, you’re not irreplaceable.” His lips nuzzled a spot beside her ear.