“You’ll pay for this, Merric,” growled Daniel, and Edward wasn’t sure if it was real or for effect, but he couldn’t stop himself from chuckling as he carried Daniel out of the cabin. If he was not mistaken there was one part of Daniel’s anatomy now prodding his collarbone that was pleased to see him.
Emerging onto the deck, he saw the crew of the Nightingale had been overwhelmed and his men were helping themselves to its supplies. These sorts of ships didn’t tend to have much of value, and Edward wasn’t one to engage the British for the sake of handing out a bloody nose, unlike some of his fellow pirates.
Daniel did a good impression of trying to struggle without actually risking that Edward might drop him. He strode over the gangplank back to the Opal, shouting to his crew to disengage. Somehow, he managed not to run across the deck, even though he wanted to get Daniel to his cabin as fast as possible, but once below deck and out of sight of the Nightingale, he gave up all pretence and ran down the corridor.
“Put me down,” ordered Daniel.
“Once we’re in my cabin.” He let out a soft ouff as Daniel hit him in the centre of his shoulders to bring home his point that he wasn’t happy. But Edward wasn’t about to let himself be distracted. He needed to kiss Daniel, to taste him after all these months. But before he could fully lose himself in their mutual pleasure, he needed to ensure the Opal was secure.
Once in his cabin, Edward hoisted Daniel off his shoulder but didn’t allow him time to steady himself, instead Edward pressed him against the door. God, it was pure heaven to have him back. “I have I missed you so much it aches,” he whispered, his lips so close to Daniel’s.
“Then show me.”
The kiss was deep and messy, Edward trying to convey how he felt with his lips and body. He ached to push Daniel on the bed, but he was still captain, and he needed to make sure the ship was safe, then he could spend the next few hours reacquainting himself with the love of his life.
He stepped away, Daniel’s lips red from being kissed and his eyes wide. Edward had never seen anything so beautiful in his life. He quickly untied Daniel’s wrists, placing a gentle kiss on each.
“I must return above deck.”
“I understand—a captain’s duty is to his ship. Just remember I am waiting here and hurry back.”
“As if I could forget.” One more blistering kiss, and Edward hurried deckside, wishing with every step that he was in his cabin.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Daniel took several deep breaths to calm his ardour. He knew Edward had to make sure the Opal was sound, but from the moment he’d seen him on the Nightingale, Daniel had wanted nothing more than to be flat on his back with Edward deep inside him. The kisses spoke of their shared passion, and eight months apart had nothing to diminish it. Even being carried off the Nightingale like a side of beef had been enjoyable in its own way, pressed against Edward, in close contact, which he’d been craving like nothing else. He just needed to be patient a little longer. Edward would return as soon as possible.
The cabin hadn’t changed much since he was last here. As captain, Edward commanded a large room, which meant even at sea he was comfortable. Daniel was in no doubt that there would be enough space for both of them if he were to spend his days aboard the Opal in the future.
He picked up a book from the table, pulling it from underneath a pile of maps. Maybe he could distract himself with a little reading, but he didn’t have a chance to investigate further as he was interrupted by a knock on the door.
“Yes?” he called, moving to pick up his sword, which he had deliberately kept close to hand.
“I have your trunk,” said Carlos, his Spanish accent unmistakable even though it was muffled.
Daniel put the sword down and opened the door. “Thank you. Leave it in the corner for now. I’m not sure if I will have my own cabin yet.”
Carlos snorted as he dragged in the chest. “If you think Merric will let you out of his sight long enough for you to need your own cabin, you are a fool.”
“You may have a point. The crew will need to get used to the idea of having me around.”
“You would not be here if they were against it. The captain could only have raided the Nightingale if his men were in support. But then, your presence here will relieve us all of his foul moods, and for that alone your coming is rejoiced.”
Daniel laughed. “Merric is not normally a man of foul temper.”
Carlos rolled his eyes. “Normally he has not been starved of contact for eight months. Do us all a favour, bed him quickly and thoroughly and don’t let him out of his room until he’s his old jubilant self.”
“That will not be a favour to you but to me.”
Carlos’s grin was filthy. “Why, Captain Horton, we may make a pirate of you yet.”
“My name is Daniel; Captain Horton is no longer. And he would have no place on this ship.”
“Then welcome aboard the Opal, Daniel. Make sure you keep Merric happy and you will be the darling of the crew.” Carlos left with a dirty cackle.
Once, Daniel’s cheeks would have flamed with embarrassment at the insinuations, but there was no point being ashamed of what would happen once Edward returned to his cabin.
Now Daniel had his own belongings, he grabbed his copy of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales and tossed it onto the bed. A few minutes later, dressed only in his shirt, all other clothing discarded, he slid under the covers to wait.
On any other occasion, the stories would have been able to distract him, but he’d chosen the wrong reading material if he wanted to stop thinking lusty thoughts. He groaned and threw the book to the floor. He was hard and desperate. Lying in Edward’s bed, he could smell Edward on the sheets, his scent teasing him with every breath.
He heard Edward as he opened the door, his heart soaring and his cock throbbing with need.
“Listen carefully,” Edward ordered to someone in the corridor. “I do not want to be disturbed unless the mizzen is on fire or there is a six-foot hole in the hull, understood?”
Edward slammed the door closed behind him and bolted it shut. “Finally.”
Daniel knelt up. “Took you long enough.”
“But you’ve saved us time by already being in bed.” Edward removed two pistols from their holster and placed them on the table. His sword belt hit the floor, and minutes later his clothes were scattered and he was completely naked.
Daniel drank in the sight greedily and pulled his shirt over his head.
Edward licked his lips. “That is a sight I have been desperate for—every night I have longed to have you naked in my bed, and now I have it. I have missed you so much.”
Daniel lay back, enjoying Edward’s appreciative stares. Knowing Edward had missed him, craved his touched, meant more than anything. “Then come here and prove it.”
Edward climbed onto the large bed. Daniel expected him to pounce but he stopped. “I am half afraid that you’ll disappear if I touch you.”
“I might leave if you don’t.”
Edward laughed, and Daniel had forgotten how much he liked the sound. He reached forwards and pulled Edward to him, pressing their lips together. Edward’s reticence melted away as they kissed. There was nothing chaste about his bruising kiss or the way Edward’s tongue sought access. His raw passion was like a beacon, and Daniel wanted to be devoured by Edward’s flame.
Daniel tugged Edward backwards, making Edward land square on top of him. It felt so good to feel Edward’s skin. He was already achingly hard, and the press of Edward’s equally ardent cock against his own sent a cascade of pleasure flowing through him.
“Oh God, Edward, you cannot begin to know how much I missed you.”
“I think I can. I have been driven mad not having you here.”
Daniel moaned as Edward’s fingers weaved into his hair, the slight pull heightening his pleasure. He ground his hips upwards, desperate to move this on.
“Please tell me you have the oil.”
“If
I went to all the trouble to kidnap you off the Nightingale, I was going to make sure I could take full advantage of my prize.”
Edward moved away, leaving Daniel bereft, but Edward grabbed the glass vial from a box on the table by the bed and returned in an instant. They both had the same desperate need to reconnect, Daniel spreading his legs as wide as possible in invitation.
“It has been too long, my love.”
Edward coated his fingers with the oil and gifted Daniel another bruising kiss, which Daniel readily accepted. He pushed back as he felt Edward’s teasing fingers at his entrance, eager to get them inside. He could barely wait to have Edward fully seated, taking him and claiming him once again as his.
“I’m ready,” Daniel gasped. “I need this—you—now.”
“You ignite me,” growled Edward. “I can hardly breathe. It’s been as if you stole my air when you left.”
Edward sliding inside was incredible. Edward was perfect for him, and Daniel loved the way Edward lost himself in his willing body, the pain of the last eight months peeling away with every thrust. Daniel couldn’t keep quiet, encouraging moans and happy gasps spurring Edward on to take his pleasure, but knowing exactly what Daniel loved to make sure they both enjoyed their reunion to the full. Only Edward had fired a passion so great within him; Daniel could have forgone intimacy when he’d still thought Edward dead, any passing indulgence easily dealt with, but being with Edward was the most wonderful thing. Never again would they be apart.
Daniel dug his fingers into Edward’s back, the thrusts and slapping of skin reaching a peak, and Daniel let loose a long deep moan, his whole body vibrating as he came hard without Edward getting the chance to stroke his cock. Edward cried out, and with one deep final thrust, collapsed forwards, panting loudly.
For a moment they lay there, Edward’s face buried in the crook of Daniel’s neck and Daniel holding on as if his life depended on it. He reveled in the warmth and proximity. The rush of his release and sensation of being in Edward’s arms chased away the months of loneliness. But as he began to lose the feeling in his legs, he needed to move them both into a more comfortable position. He gently pushed Edward off but settled back down immediately with his head on Edward’s chest, their bodies pressed as close as possible.
“You’re not allowed to leave again,” said Edward, wrapping an arm around Daniel’s shoulders. “Hell, you are not allowed to leave this cabin.”
“You do realize you were pretending to take me prisoner when you boarded the Nightingale?”
“That’s what you think. You’re at the mercy of Captain Merric now. I’ll treat you fair as long as you behave.”
Daniel chuckled. “I think you enjoyed sweeping in and spiriting me away.”
“You must admit there was a certain style to it.”
Edward didn’t need his ego inflating further. “Yes, very flashy. You could have found the means to warn me. I might have been able to find a way to stay on deck.”
Edward’s grin was devilish. “You wanted me to send you lavender-scented love letters wrapped in a pink ribbon? Oh, Daniel, how being landlocked has changed you.”
“Continue in that manner and you might as well return me to the Nightingale.”
Edward ran his hand over Daniel’s hair. “I received news that the Westbury was back, and your message about meeting. I had thought to wait for you at Port Royal, but Brillack talked me out of it, fearing I would be captured before we could meet.”
“He is a far wiser man than you! We had discussed that, yet you still thought it an option.”
Edward rolled his eyes but continued. “But there was only so long I would wait to have you back. My patience was already exhausted. Knowing you were so close I decided to act as soon as I could and kidnap you for my own nefarious purposes.”
“You have gone to great lengths to make sure the Opal was in the right place. I didn’t even know until two days before that I would be on the Nightingale.”
“I know the right people and have enough money that I can find out pretty much anything I want to. Once I received your message through Jean-Pierre, well… there was only one thing for it.”
“So you carried me off to do all sorts of terrible things to my person?”
“As I said, you are now at the mercy of Captain Merric.”
Daniel laughed. “I suppose staying in your cabin will prevent the British from finding me. I think I may need to keep out of sight for a while—if I am spotted on board the Opal seemingly a willing crew member, they’ll come after me for sure.”
“I’ve had many months to think about this, and I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s probably wise for Captain Merric to retire.”
Daniel pulled back and levered himself up so he could see Edward properly. “What?”
“You heard me.”
“I know we had talked of it before, but I did not think you would really do it.”
Edward reached up and stroked Daniel’s arm. “I’ve more money than I could ever spend. When I had no one but myself to care about, the danger of boarding raids and fighting didn’t matter. But now I have you, and the risk of not being able to return to you is too great. We have not gone through all this for me to die during a skirmish.”
Daniel could hardly believe it, he’d not dared to hope of such a thing. “I cannot say I would be averse to the idea. But equally I don’t wish for you to regret your decision.”
“I won’t. We can go anywhere. As much as I love the Caribbean, adjusting to being a normal citizen might be difficult—especially on Plesmaya. Although there we have the greatest freedom to live as we wish.” Edward smiled at him as if he was the sun and moon combined. “But we could go to the New World. There are ships that sail for Virginia regularly, and no one would know us there. Or even back to England if you prefer.”
“England? That is a hope too far.”
“You forget that I have had much time to think. I know I once joked about pretending to have lost my memory, but we could spin the tale if we so wish it. My memory returned to me at the sight of my old friend when Merric took him captive. Then I rescued you from that terrible pirate and together we escaped.”
“You are too creative. No one would believe that.” But part of him wanted them to hold on to the option. “There would be too many questions, like how it didn’t happen the first time I was on the Opal.”
“All easily explainable—I was not on aboard at the time, running errands in Nassau, and when I returned you were gone. We would need to still sail back via Virginia, we wouldn’t get far from here.”
“I love that you would even consider it.”
“There is nothing I would not do for you. I may not be able to marry you in the eyes of church or state, but you are the only one I would wish to spend my life with.”
The mention of marriage reminded him of one very important reason why returning to England might not be an option. “Even if we were to go to England, we would need to wait for some time to ensure my betrothed is safely attached to another.”
Edward’s eyes narrowed. “I beg your pardon?”
“My father has made plans for my marriage, plans your timely intervention has prevented. Never fear, my love.” Daniel leaned in and kissed away the frown. “You are the only one for me. I do not care where we are as long as we are together.”
“I still do not like the idea of your having a fiancée.”
“Neither did I, even though her forwardness could rival yours. But the Viscount Roth will not want to wait to marry off his wildcat daughter—that is for sure. News of my presumed death with soon have him seeking out a hopefully more willing suitor.”
Daniel yelped. He found himself rolled onto his back, Edward above him.
“I never thought myself a jealous man, but I find the need to make sure you know to whom you belong.”
“You think I do not feel the same? I will endure the wanton looks of others, only because beneath your clothes you will bear the marks of my passion
.”
“As captain of this ship I pronounce you mine, and me yours. No man nor woman will set us asunder.”
Daniel couldn’t stop himself from smiling. “For richer or poorer?”
“In sickness and in health.”
“Then who am I to refuse?”
Edward kissed him fiercely, and Daniel welcomed it. They were free to do as they wished. Given a second chance, and he would not squander it. Wherever they travelled, as long as the wind filled their sails and they voyaged together, Daniel would embrace his future. Captain Merric might retire, but Daniel would forever have Edward Merriston, and there was no better man for him.
Acknowledgments
A few words of thanks cannot truly convey my gratitude for all the help and encouragement I have received in the writing of Captain Merric, but I would like to say a special thanks to Sue, Emmy, Garrett, Lillian and Elin for helping me bring this project to life. And to Shira and Skylar for your continued support.
About Rebecca Cohen
REBECCA COHEN is a Brit abroad. Having swapped the Thames for the Rhine, she has left London behind and now lives with her husband and young son in Basel, Switzerland. She can often be found with a pen in one hand and a cup of Darjeeling in the other.
http://rebeccacohenwrites.com/
Also by Rebecca Cohen
THE CROFTON CHRONICLES (Historical gay romance series)
The Actor and the Earl
Duty to the Crown
Forever Hold His Peace
Saving Crofton Hall (Contemporary Crofton gay romance novel)
REAGALOS (Science fantasy gay romance series)
Servitude
Idolatry
TREADING THE BOARDS (Contemporary gay romance series based in the UK)
Overly Dramatic
Summer Season
He’s Behind You
Life in the Land (Urban fantasy gay romance novella)
Not All Chocolate and Cuckoo Clocks (Contemporary gay romance novella set in Switzerland)
Captain Merric Page 17