Once a Pirate (Mystical Realm Series Book 1)

by Snyder, Sarah

  If Jake held any hope Anna would be able to accept and forgive his actions, it was destroyed the moment she turned away from him on the deck. Of course, she turned away. Jake ripped his leather jacket from his torso, tossing it to a nearby chair as he crossed to his wall of windows. A woman as sweet and good as Anna would never be able to accept the monster Jake could become. He was a Pirate, the scourge of the seas. Happy endings weren’t for men like him.

  Jake unbuttoned his shirt, untucking it from his leather pants as a knock sounded on his door. “Not now, Sully,” Jake called out. He couldn’t handle the concerns of his mentor and friend just then. The door to his quarters squeaked open and Jake sighed heavily. “No questions, Sully, I’m not in the mood.”

  Jake turned to find Anna standing just inside his bedroom door. “No questions,” Anna promised. “I don’t think I want the answers anyway.”

  “Anna,” Jake’s voice was just above a whisper, his shock at her presence in his quarters stripping any strength from his voice. “I thought you were Sully.”

  “I know, I just wanted to,” Anna trailed off. “I can go if you want.”

  “No, don’t go,” Jake took a small step toward her before he stopped.

  “I wanted to make sure you were alright,” Anna watched him cautiously.

  “I’ve done worse,” Jake admitted numbly, her wince another stab to his chest.

  “I’m sorry,” Anna whispered.

  “Are you apologizing for what I’ve done?” Jake asked with a half-smile at her sweetness.

  “No, I’m apologizing for why you had to.” Anna looked up at him with tears in her dark brown eyes. She slowly crossed the room toward where he stood, her head bowed until she stopped in front of him. “I don’t know why you’ve done the things you have, Jake, and I don’t know what’s going on with you and Char now.”

  “It’s better if you don’t know,” Jake cut off his words with the shake of her head.

  “It doesn’t matter,” Anna’s sad smile was gut-wrenching. “Whatever you’ve done and why you did it, I don’t need the details.”

  Anna took another step closer and placed her hands on the bare expanse of his abdomen. She slid them up over his chest, her liquid brown eyes following their path. “Anna,” Jake breathed her name, his eyes closing at her unexpected touch. An ache followed her fingers, settling beneath where her palms rested.

  “I do know you wouldn’t have done what you did without reason,” Anna raised a hand to his cheek, keeping the other over his heart. “I know you’re not a monster.”

  Her warmth felt so good against the chill of his skin and Jake groaned at the contact. Jake opened his eyes, tilting his head into her palm as he stared down at her. Anna’s hand guided his head lower until their lips brushed; the touch tender and forgiving. A shiver coursed through him, extending from his gut to erupt from his lips in a shaking sigh.

  “You’re not a monster,” Anna repeated in a whisper, her breath fanning across his lips.

  “Anna,” Jake moaned her name as he claimed her mouth with his own, all sense of inhibition disintegrating beneath the feel of her hands and breath.

  Jake knew he shouldn’t give in to his feelings, Anna deserved better than what he could offer her, but he couldn’t stop himself. He pulled her close to him, pressing them together from hip to chest. Anna’s hands extended around his neck, holding him tightly as Jake assaulted her lips. Her soft sigh was Jake’s final undoing and he pressed her back until they reached the side of his bed, following her down onto the mattress. He removed his lips from hers to kiss a trail across her jaw and down her neck, nibbling at her collarbone before reversing his route.

  One of Jake’s hands tangled in the knot of her hair, loosening the strands until it fanned around her head on his pillow. The other caressed downward until his palm grasped the outside of her thigh, pulling her leg up over his hip and granting him more intimate access. He groaned as her hips bucked beneath him, grinding his aching erection at the part of her it ached for. “Jake,” Anna breathed before letting out a small cry as she bucked wildly. The revelation of her desire for him was like oil on a fire and Jake was lost.

  Jake lowered both of his hands, pulling up on the material of her nightshirt and revealing the small pink panties beneath. Jake moaned at her lips as he ground himself against her, feeling a desperation he hadn’t felt since he was a novice teen. His own need terrified him, jerking him back to the reality of his station. Jake ripped his lips from Anna’s, staring down at her as he fought for control. He shook with the force it took to pull away, knowing he could so easily claim what he craved.

  “Jake,” Anna moaned his name in question, her eyes probing his with the same fervor he felt.

  Jake groaned in agony as he lay his forehead on hers, closing his eyes to block the obvious desire in her expression from his view. “I can’t,” Jake whispered more to himself than the woman beneath him.

  “What’s wrong? Did I do something,” Anna’s voice held a hint of pain as she trailed off.

  “No, Love,” Jake assured, opening his eyes to stare down into her confused brown irises. “Believe me, I want nothing more than to rip your clothes off and finish what we started.”

  “Then, why don’t you?” There was no guile or tempt in Anna’s voice, only an innocent curiosity.

  “I’ve done some horrible things in my past, Anna,” Jake frowned at the memories. “I refuse to add this to that list.”

  “Sex with me would be horrible?” Anna gave a small pout which Jake was quick to kiss away.

  “No, Love,” Jake moaned as he pulled away. Surely he could be forgiven for stealing kisses and caresses, but there would be no forgiveness for taking her fully. “Making love to you would be incredible. It’s taking your innocence I wouldn’t be able to live with.”

  “My,” Anna stuttered in shock. “How did you know?”

  “I’ve enough experience with women to know,” Jake assured, smiling at the jealousy which crossed her expression.

  “Oh,” Anna mumbled.

  Jake chuckled at her reaction to his statement, rolling to her side and pulling her into his arms. “No need to be jealous, Love.” Jake assured.

  He tucked her close to him, enjoying the feel of her body pressed intimately to him. They remained wrapped in each other’s arms for what felt like an eternity until Anna pulled back and looked up into his eyes. Jake ran a gloved finger from her temple to her jaw, following the movement with his eyes.

  “Why do you wear these?” Anna asked as she pulled his hand away from her face and held it between her hands.

  Jake stiffened at the question, “Does it matter?” Jake fought the urge to change the subject.

  “No,” Anna shook her head. “I was just wondering. You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.”

  “I told you of my grandfather’s cruelty. One of his methods of punishment was to hold my hands in a fire. Over time, they were, my hands were,” Jake choked as he trailed off, growing nauseous at the memory.

  “Jake,” Jake kept his eyes averted at Anna’s sympathetic tone. “May I see?”

  Jake closed his eyes as he nodded, allowing her to remove the leather glove to reveal the mangled hand beneath. His entire body jerked at the feel of her lips on his damaged flesh. He stared down at her in shock as Anna repeated the movement. “Anna,” Jake’s voice broke on her name.

  Jake carefully touched her jaw with his scarred fingertips, tilting her chin up so he could claim her lips with his. He trembled as her hands smoothed across the bared expanse of his chest. Anna pushed back on the opened material of his shirt, her fingers dangerously close to discovery of yet another of his grandfather’s marks. “Don’t,” Jake pulled away and stopped her hands, his tone anxious.

  “Jake,” Anna’s confused expression melted into sad understanding.

  “I don’t show people,” Jake informed with a stutter. “It’s disgusting.”

  “No,” Anna shook her head as a tear trailed d
own her cheek. “Not disgusting, just sad.”

  Jake watched her with caution as she sat up beside him on the bed, rising up on his elbow as she reached for him. Anna’s hand pressed back the material of his shirt, sliding it down his arms until Jake slipped it off and onto the floor by the bed. He let Anna’s eyes follow the savage line of scars across his shoulders, neck and arms. Jake sighed as her fingertips followed the path of her eyes. He shuddered as her hand pressed on his arm, turning enough to allow her sight of his back.

  Anna gasped at the harsh reminder of his grandfather’s hatred, the raised marks of it clear across the expanse of scarred flesh. “Jake,” Her voice broke on his name as she wrapped her arms around him, burying her face in the nook of his neck and shoulder. Jake felt the wetness of her tears on his skin and wrapped his arms tightly around her.

  “Oh, Love,” Jake moaned. “Don’t cry for me. Don’t ever cry for me.”

  “It’s just so,” Anna sobbed. “How can anyone be so cruel? You were just a child. You deserved better from your family.”

  “I’m not a child now, Love,” Jake stroked her hair. “I became a man without any of them.”

  “You shouldn’t have had to,” Anna whispered harshly.

  “It is what it is,” Jake framed her face with his hands and pulled back to look down at her tear stained cheeks. “I couldn’t stop my grandfather’s hatred any more than I could make my father accept me. I accepted my station long ago.”

  “I’m sure if your father knew what your grandfather was doing to you,” Anna stopped her thought as Jake shook his head.

  “He knew, Love,” Jake smiled sadly. “In his mind it would have been better if I’d never existed.”

  “That’s horrible!” Anna exclaimed.

  “I hold him accountable for much,” Jake admitted. “But, I can’t hold him at fault for his denial of me. My mother was a fool to believe it would be otherwise.”

  “There’s no excuse,” Anna disagreed. “What kind of man has the right to refuse his own son?”

  “One who has much to lose if a bastard son was discovered,” Jake hesitated, wondering if he should change the subject or tell her the secret he carried for decades.

  Anna’s eyes stared into his questioningly; her body trustingly pressed the length of his. He thought of her reaction to his scars and her acceptance of the horrible deeds of his past. Jake didn’t need to keep secrets from Anna nor did he want to. Anna would be gone from him soon enough. While she was in his arms, Jake would enjoy every moment as fully as possible. With a deep breath, Jake revealed his truth.

  “A King.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  “A King,” Anna repeated, her shock at the statement drying the remnants of her tears. Understanding dawned through the pain she felt at the past he suffered. “You mean the King who had your mother’s music box; the King of Meridelle?”

  “Aye,” Jake admitted as his dark blue eyes watched her closely.

  “How,” Anna couldn’t form a question through her shock.

  “King Edward wasn’t the great man his subjects believed him to be,” Jake informed darkly. “He was a selfish, arrogant cad who took what he wanted without care for who was harmed in the process. My mother was young and naïve enough to believe a King would sacrifice his power and wealth for a commoner. She confused his lust with love. She died believing he would return for her one day.”

  “You don’t think he would have?” Anna wanted to believe Jake’s mother could have found a happy ending.

  “When she died, King Edward came to our cottage. He claimed it was to pay his respects, but it was only so he could destroy any evidence of his indiscretion.” Jake’s lip curled in a snarl. “She died believing in him; defending him.”

  “Jake,” Anna hesitated, not wanting to push too hard the man who finally opened up to her. “How did your mother die?”

  “When she found she was with child, my mother moved home to my grandfather’s cottage. He believed she brought dishonor to his family by keeping me.” Jake seemed lost in his memory as he spoke. “She made sure he never laid a hand on me, but never fought back when he laid hand to her. I don’t think it was intentional but when he drank he didn’t know his own strength; he didn’t know when to stop.”

  “He killed her,” Anna whispered.

  “Aye,” Jake nodded.

  Anna placed a kiss on Jake’s cheek, wishing she could take all the pain of his past away. She couldn’t imagine a childhood as Jake experienced. Her family was overprotective and meddling, but they loved her. Jake had no one. A thought occurred to Anna. “So, if King Edward was your father, that means Char,” Anna trailed off.

  “He is my half-brother,” Jake confirmed.

  “Does he know?” Anna asked.

  “No, he has no need to know,” Jake shook his head.

  “He deserves to know he has a brother,” Anna was confused by Jake’s cruel laughter at her statement. “What?”

  “He does not wish for me as his brother,” Jake assured with an indulgent expression.

  “Jake, he’s not like his father,” Anna assured. “Family means so much to Char and he believes he’s lost everyone. He won’t deny you like the King did.”

  “The man who would have me killed not long ago,” Jake laughed. “Char would never accept a monster as a brother?”

  “You’re not a monster,” Anna placed her hand over Jake’s heart, enjoying the steady beat against her palm.

  “Very few would agree with you, Love,” Jake spoke sadly.

  “I know at least a dozen men who would,” Anna spoke of his crew. “I know those who follow you, kill for you and die for you.”

  “The opinions of Pirates aren’t generally considered,” Jake informed.

  “They were considered by me,” Anna argued.

  “Is that why you came tonight, Love?” Jake asked as he pressed a tendril of hair behind her ear.

  “They said you were worth the effort,” Anna admitted.

  “Anna,” Jake looked upset at her comment.

  “Don’t,” Anna stopped his impending argument with a quick kiss. “Monsters aren’t born, Jake, and neither are good men. It’s a choice. It’s your choice.”

  “I choose whichever will keep you happy and safe, Love,” Jake answered with an odd expression.

  Anna wanted to question his response, but Jake’s lips crushed against hers, igniting the fire she caught a glimpse of when he first laid her on his bed. She moaned in response to his probing tongue and caressing hands, wishing he would allow the bad boy to come out and play for just one more night. As much as Anna appreciated his respect and concern for her, she desperately wanted to experience the paradise his touch promised.

  Jake must have sensed her desperation as his hand lowered to her thigh. He leaned over her until Anna’s back was on the mattress, using his hand to spread her thighs apart. Anna moaned as his thumb caressed the sensitive flesh beneath her panties. “Jake,” she whispered hungrily as her hips danced beneath his touch.

  “Hush, Love,” Jake whispered back, his lips trailing down to nibble on her breasts through the thin material of her shirt.

  Anna couldn’t remain still as his thumb continued its torment of her flesh through the silky garment. She felt her need pooling in her abdomen and lower, wetting the material he massaged and allowing him to feel his effect on her with unrestrained clarity. His groan vibrated along her breast as his fingers edged inside of the thin barrier of her panties.

  His calloused, scarred hand was sensational against her bared flesh and Anna arched desperately to feel more of him. He entered her slowly, gently spreading her folds with one finger. The tip of his forefinger pressed into her slightly, testing her acceptance as his other hand speared beneath her shirt to fondle her bared breast. “Oh, Jake,” Anna groaned.

  “Let me pleasure you, Love,” Jake’s tone was thick and strained with repressed need.

  “Yes,” Anna agreed desperately. “Yes, please, Jake.”

>   With a groan of his own, Jake’s fingers penetrated her, stabbing at the most sensitive of her flesh as his teeth bit hard into her nipple through the cotton of her shirt. Anna screamed at the sensation as she was lost to his touch. Her hips tried to match his pace, lifting and falling, pushing toward him with a need for something she didn’t quite understand and had never experienced.

  His free hand lifted her shirt, baring her chest to him. Jake groaned at the appearance of her breasts, the torture of his control obviously causing great pain. “Jake, it’s okay,” Anna assured, wanting to ease his pain as much as reach the peak she was quickly approaching. “Please, it’s okay, I want you.”

  “Oh, Anna,” Jake growled, his fingers continuing to pierce her as his other hand reached for the clasp of his slacks.

  “Yes,” Anna breathed as her legs shifted restlessly on the bed. She felt her body contract and release as his fingers increased their speed and depth. The knowledge he now lay next to her exposed and bare was further turn on. His mouth lowered to her bared nipple, biting at the nub hard and lighting a fuse in her abdomen. Anna gasped as her core exploded, sending a fresh wave of heat to where Jake’s fingers were joined with her.

  Jake growled, burying his lips at her neck and shuddering with his own unspent need. In a moment his hand was gone from inside of her, instead joining his other to spread her legs wide so he could settle between them. “Don’t move, Love,” Jake ordered breathlessly.

  Anna felt the tip of his erection pressing along her folds, rubbing up and down the length of her as he held back from what they both wanted most. Her body trembled with the force of her orgasm, but Anna already felt herself building again at the feel of his cock rubbing against her. His lips stole hers, his tongue delving into her mouth as she knew he wanted other areas of his anatomy to imitate. Wanting the same, she tried to arch her hips, but the weight of him pressed down, keeping her immobile.