Once a Pirate (Mystical Realm Series Book 1)

by Snyder, Sarah

  Jake’s engorged hard-on throbbed where it rubbed her wetted flesh as he shifted. His movement allowed him to pierce her body with the tip of his shaft. Anna gasped at his thickness, wanting to feel more of him inside of her to ease the ache which settled at her core. “Jake, please,” Anna begged, her legs wrapping around his hips in invitation.

  Jake’s groan was pained as he pressed himself into her, retreating before he breached the flimsy virgin barrier within her body. “Anna,” Jake snarled as his body jerked in denial of his retreat. He withdrew from her completely before penetrating her once more, testing the limits of her opening without taking the gift she offered.

  “Jake!” Anna shouted as another wave of pleasure washed over her. Her hips bucked, threatening to take him deeper than he wished to go.

  Jake’s tone matched her own as he roared her name, his body thrusting against her violently as he forced her hips to still. His shocked eyes darted to her as his hands reached between them to rip at the restraining cloth of her panties, shredding them and giving him full access to what he wanted. The head of his cock stabbed her repeatedly, careful not to take the deepest parts of her. Anna looked up at the man rutting over her, the force of his control visible on his face as he refused to bury himself too deeply. Thickness coated her core as Anna realized he would not take her virginity that night and the strength it took for him not to give in to what he wanted.

  His face tensed and released as his body did the same, the wonderment in his eyes bringing her to climax just as much as the feel of his seed spilling along her walls did. Anna’s body exploded, lifting her off the bed and threatening to break the barrier Jake tried so hard to keep intact. Anna screamed his name over and over again as her core erupted into violent sensation, tearing her apart and leaving her breathless with the intensity of it.

  Anna felt Jake leave her, rising from the bed and moving around the cabin. So lost was she in the aftermath of her pleasure, Anna didn’t notice his actions until he returned with a damp cloth to gently clean her swollen body. “Jake,” Anna closed her eyes against his sweetness, feeling tears breach their pressed forms and streak down her flushed cheeks.

  Jake finished his ministrations and returned to her, cradling her in his arms tenderly as he kissed away the escaped tears on her face. Anna sighed in contentment, knowing she would be completely happy if every night was spent just like this one for the rest of her life.

  ***

  The first rays of morning light sifted through the thick wall of windows in the Captain’s quarters. The sunlight chased away the shadows of the room, but not those in Jake’s mind. He stared off into the distance, seeking redemption from whatever would offer it. Finding none, he looked down at the woman curled trustingly in his arms. The sight of her sleeping form caused an ache in Jake’s chest he knew would not soon leave him.

  Jake dreamed of being allowed to hold her as he did every night, waking with the gentle swell of the Ocean and her by his side. He imagined her hair loose and billowing in the sea breeze as she laughed by his side at the wheel. Anna’s brown eyes would glow with happiness and laughter as they had the night of the ball, talking on the beach. He would never allow the sadness of her past to cloud her heart again. However, like all dreams, it was no more than clouds; dissolved by morning’s harsh reality.

  The life he offered wasn’t what Anna wanted. As hard as Jake tried, he would never be the good man she deserved; would never be worthy of her. There would always be someone chasing or threatening harm and Jake would always need to resort to his inner monster to ensure the safety of his ship, his crew and his woman. Sweet, innocent Anna forgave him for his actions the day before, but she would not always grant him such pardon. Eventually, she would see him for the monster he was capable of being and forget any good she saw in him.

  “You look so sad,” Anna’s voice was thick with sleep. “What’s wrong?”

  “I wasn’t ready for morning to come,” Jake answered honestly. “I rather enjoy having you in my bed.”

  Anna smiled at his flirtation, “I rather enjoy being here.”

  Jake’s chest swelled with pride and honor at her comment, pretending for a short time she would always hold the same opinion. He smoothed her hair back with his hand, still unfamiliar with the feel of warmth on the bare skin of his appendage. Jake marveled at how easily Anna accepted his scars. He always found the reminders offensive and repulsive, but she held his hand, ran her hands over his bare shoulders and kissed all of the hateful memories away. A shiver passed through him at the reminder of her tenderness, leaving a trail of sweet heat in its wake.

  With a groan of agony at his lack of control, Jake leaned down and crushed his lips to hers. He rose over her as his tongue delved deep into her mouth, his hands running over her shoulders and arms before digging into her hips. He swore not to take Anna’s innocence during the night, fearing his own damnation should he claim such a gift for such a short time, but Jake hadn’t been able to deny them both the pleasure they wanted. Surely, another taste of her, another moment lost in the sweet folds of her body wouldn’t make him more of a monster than he already was. Surely, he could be forgiven for just this taste.

  A knock on his door had Jake reluctantly pulling his lips from hers. Her moan of frustration at his retreat was like oil to his already enflamed senses. “Go away,” Jake’s tone was part demand and part plea. Jake knew nothing could come of the arousal which now pressed painfully at the leather of his slacks, but he still ached to feel her.

  “We need to talk, Reynolds,” Prince Char’s tone came softly through the door, but the order in the words was clear.

  “Later,” Jake called out as he pressed a kiss on the soft skin of Anna’s neck. Her shudder made Jake smile and repeat the act.

  “Now,” Char’s tone was harder than before and Jake groaned at his persistence.

  “You better let him in,” Anna said with repressed laughter.

  “Are you sure, Love,” Jake’s eyes trailed down her body. “You’d have him see you in such an indecent state?”

  Much to his surprise, Anna shrugged. “He’s not my father,” she stated. “Why would he care how he found me?”

  Jake wondered if it was her innocence which prevented Anna from seeing the Prince’s desire for her or if she simply didn’t want to know. In either possibility, Jake decided not to share the information. He only had a short time with Anna and Jake wasn’t about to spend his time fighting another man for her.

  With a sigh, Jake pushed away from the bed, replacing his shirt and gloves as he approached the heavy wooden door. Jake looked back to see Anna had straightened her clothes and now saw on the edge of his bed. With a smile at her confidence, Jake opened the door, taking a step back as the Prince entered his bedroom.

  “Why are we going to Mermaid Cove? It’s dangerous and certainly no place for,” Char fell silent as he caught sight of Anna, “Anna.”

  “Mermaid Cove sounds like a lovely place,” Anna commented.

  “I’m afraid the Prince is right, Love,” Jake crossed the room to pour a glass of water. “What you’ve read of Mermaids in the past has no comparison to the true creatures they are.”

  “They are violent and dangerous,” Char seemed to forget his shock of Anna’s presence and turned to face Jake. “I will not allow Anna to be placed in danger on some fool’s errand.”

  “It is no fool’s errand, Mate,” Jake assured. “Aye, the Mermaids are all you say and more, but they have something we need. If there were another way I wouldn’t hesitate to change course, but there isn’t.”

  “And how are you so sure?” Char demanded. “Because the man you tortured told you so?”

  Jake winced as Anna paled at the Prince’s reminder. “He wouldn’t have lied,” Jake informed him, setting his glass down before the anxious tremors in his hands became noticeable.

  “You killed him, didn’t you?” Char asked coldly.

  Jake looked over at Anna, who averted her eyes from him. He didn
’t want to answer the question, especially since everyone in the room knew the answer already, but he nodded. Jake hadn’t been willing to release the man back to his Dark Guild. If the man were to escape or find a way to contact his compatriots, Jake and his crew would no longer have the element of surprise on their side.

  As it was, Jake had enough information to destroy the Guild’s plans for Anna. He wouldn’t risk that for one traitor’s life. It wouldn’t matter once they reached Mermaid Cove what Anna thought of his actions against Guardian Maxwell anyway. Anna would never be able to accept what Jake planned to do. She would turn from him. Once she saw the monster he truly was; once he killed a Mermaid.

  Chapter Fifteen

  The bright, promising first rays of sun quickly vanished behind a thick, inky layer of storm clouds. A light mist dusted the deck of the Crimson Jewel, soaking her crew with a dreary display of nature’s misery. Anna watched from the windows in Jake’s quarters, having decided to remain while he tended to the duties of his Captain status. Sully came to keep her company, by order of his Captain by the man’s account. However, she suspected the man made the suggestion himself in attempt to keep Anna from being left alone to wallow in memory. Anna didn’t mind the quartermaster’s attention, laughing at the stories he told of his and Jake’s journeys together.

  “So, what are Mermaids like?” Anna asked as she poured a cup of tea for herself after Sully refused one of his own. “Are they as horrible as I’m told?”

  “Aye,” Sully nodded severely. “And, if it be by Jake or the Prince’s lips you heard from, I’d imagine they are a far sight worse than even they describe.”

  “Will you tell me about them?” Anna asked with a nod of understanding. She knew Jake and Char wanted to keep her in the dark about their mission.

  “Mermaids are the most beautiful creatures in the realm by far,” Sully began with the positive. “Their hair holds the waves of the Ocean and their eyes are turquois pools. Their legs are powerful and look to be made of millions of gemstones in every color.”

  “Legs?” Anna prodded.

  “Aye, the stories you hear tell about their fins are exaggerations. They are just as deadly on land as in water, perhaps more so as they have more to defend.”

  “They don’t sound so terrifying,” Anna remarked over the lip of her mug.

  “Aye, to see one would make the hardest soul weep with the joy of them,” Sully agreed. “But, they aren’t beautiful where it matters. Their hearts are frozen to any beyond their own kind. They would sooner drag you to your death at the bottom of the abyss than speak a word to you.”

  “Why?” Anna asked.

  “Why what, lass?” Sully eyed her with confusion.

  “Why are they like that?” Anna clarified.

  “The why doesn’t matter,” Sully shook his head.

  “Of course it matters,” Anna remarked in surprise. “No creature is born to hate or fear, Sully. Experience teaches them to be that way.”

  “Sully doesn’t indulge in the why and how of a situation, Love,” Jake spoke tenderly from the doorway, his obvious love for the older man clear in his tone. “He only cares what is.”

  “Aye,” Sully nodded and stood to greet his Captain. “I’ll keep an eye on our course, Captain.”

  Jake nodded and closed the door behind his quartermaster. “What do you want to know?” Jake asked Anna as he came to join her at the window.

  “I thought you didn’t want to concern me,” Anna retorted at his offer of information.

  “Personally, Love, I’d rather drag you to my bed and spend the afternoon exploring every inch of you, but since that wouldn’t be very honorable of me,” Jake shrugged mischievously. “We may as well explore the history of the Mermaid.”

  Anna was tempted to tell him what he could do with his honorable intentions, but she still hadn’t forgotten his confirmation of killing Guardian Maxwell that morning. Of course she suspected the truth before, but to have Jake admit to the act was chilling. “So, why do they hate outsiders?”

  “Why wouldn’t they?” Jake asked in return. “Mermaids depend on the Ocean for their very existence. They feed from it, live in it, raise their young and send off their elders. Outsiders interfere with the balance of their home.”

  “It seems a simple answer,” Anna observed.

  “I’m afraid I don’t have a better one, Love,” Jake admitted. “Mermaids don’t speak to outsiders, especially of their affairs. How could anyone know why if they won’t tell?”

  “I suppose,” Anna nodded, accepting his answer. “So, how are you going to get what you want from them if they won’t speak to you?”

  “I’m going to take it,” Jake admitted after a slight pause. Anna’s concern must have been obvious because Jake was quick to assure her. “If they would speak with me, I would ask or offer payment, but they won’t. I’ll only do what I must, no more.”

  “I’m sorry, Jake,” Anna remarked with a sad smile. “That isn’t very reassuring.”

  “I know, Love. If there was any other way,” Jake stopped speaking as Anna slipped into his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck and laying her head on his shoulder.

  “I know,” Anna comforted, placing a kiss on the skin of his neck.

  Jake groaned at the press of her lips, wrapping his thickly muscled arms around her in a crushing grip. Anna smiled at his obvious need for her acceptance. If she needed further proof of his attempt to change, Anna would have had it in that moment.

  ***

  Jake took the sweetness Anna offered him, pressing his erection against her denim clad hip in desperation to ease the agony. He’d suffered with the persistent affliction for hours since leaving her that morning, but Jake knew Anna needed time away from him after his confirmations earlier. The knowledge she didn’t hate him for his act of violence toward Guardian Maxwell eased his heartache and Jake allowed his body to accept his need for her.

  Jake stood, easily lifting her light form in his arms and moved toward his bed; still mussed from their time together earlier. He came down over her, using his knee to spear apart her thighs and allow him to settle between. He fumbled at the stiff closures of her pants, wishing she’d worn one of the skirts he’d seen her in before. With some effort, he managed to free the material, pressing it down her hips enough to reach his hand inside to fondle her panties. The silken material was already wet with need and Jake groaned.

  “Jake,” Anna shifted along his fingers, her legs widening to offer greater access as her hands fumbled to unbutton his shirt and push it from his shoulders.

  Jake’s hand pleasured her as he claimed her lips with his, darting his tongue past her lips to mimic the movements of his fingers. She arched, his fingers pressing deep inside of her at the movement as her body contracted with release. Jake smiled arrogantly at his ability to bring her pleasure so easily, releasing her lips to press kissed down her jaw and neck. He freed his hand, using it to remove the loose t-shirt she wore and reveal her bra-clad breasts.

  His teeth nipped at her covered nipples, standing at attention through the white satin of the garment. Jake’s hands pressed down on her jeans until they fell to the floorboards before turning to his own leather slacks. The material gave painfully, his erection springing free of its confines with force. The feel of her wetness on his shaft sent Jake into a frenzy of need and he rubbed himself along her folds desperately.

  His breath came in pants as he continued to move his hips, his fingers taking the place of his teeth at her nipples so he could taste other areas of her. “Anna,” Jake growled as she arched beneath him, the action forcing the head of his shaft into her warm pussy. “I can’t hold back, not this time, Love. I want you too badly.”

  “You don’t have to,” Anna moaned in return. “I want you inside of me. Please, Jake, take it, take me.”

  Jake sobbed with the force of his want to indulge in all she offered, but he knew there would be no redemption for the act. He pressed his forehead to hers as his cock slip
ped inside of her, staring down into her heated brown eyes. He saw the moment he reached her barrier as her eyes widened; not with fear but with expectation. Jake almost lost control, shuddering with the strength it took to pull away. The grasp of her walls tightened around his cock, demanding reentry which Jake did not deny. Her orgasm came quickly, her eyes widening and darkening with it as it rushed through her. Her legs clamped around his hips as she bucked under him. Jake tried to hold her still, his hands braced on her hips and his teeth grit against the need for his own release.

  The action was futile as her body shuddered. Jake pressed her hard to the mattress, bracing her with his own weight as he pressed his length as far inside of her as he would allow. The tightness of her walls milked him, giving him the orgasm he craved and drinking every drop of cum from his swollen cock. Jake buried his head in her neck, his body aching to press deeper but remaining stiff where it rested. The torrent of his need was never-ending, coating her pussy with his thickness and making them both sob with its power.

  When he was spent, Jake rolled to his side, pulling Anna with him. He wanted to show her concern and clean their indiscretion away as he had earlier, but Jake couldn’t bring himself to move. His legs were weak from release and his body rested in a sated state of contentment.

  ***

  The storm which threatened for the majority of the day opened just after dark, bursting forth with a torrent of rain and crashing waves. Anna watched Jake at the wheel from the safety of the overhang above her bedroom door. His white shirt was plastered to his chest, clinging to every inch of his impressive physique. Jake’s face was set in concentration as he yelled orders to his crew. The confidence in his demeanor gave calm in the storm and the men obeyed without hesitation or question. She sighed at the masculine sight as she grasped onto the wooden braces beside her for support against the violently rocking ship.