A Pirate's Curse (Legends of the Soaring Phoenix)

by ML Guida

  “I promise, I will.” Her body arched, her nipples pressing against him, and his resolve weakened. Hannah Knight was unsure and scared and he knew that only the lowest pirate scum would take advantage of her vulnerability. Only a pirate scum would bury his lips into the thick, glossy crown of her hair, and only a pirate scum would slide his hand, inch by treacherous inch, until his fingers slipped inside her shirt, sneaking across her flat stomach seeking the lush ripeness of her breast. He brushed his thumb across her nipple, teasing and stroking around the hardening peak and eliciting a moan from his own throat. Kane cursed softly as hot blood pumped through to his shaft, thickening his aroused flesh into a hard and needful swelling, straining him to the point of agony. His hands shaking, he gripped her shoulders and pushed her away.

  “What? What are you doing?”

  “Saving your virtue.”

  “But I want you.”

  He sighed. “I know.”

  He dropped his arms to his side and whisked away from her, before ’twas too late.

  She grasped his hand and she put it on her breast. “Kane, I want your hands on me.”

  He groaned, his resolve weakening. “But lass, you’re a virgin. I can’t…”

  “Yes, you can.” She cupped his cheek. “I’m being forced to marry a man I don’t want. A ruthless pirate. Let me choose the pirate I want to give away my virginity.” She put her finger on his lips. “I chose you. Don’t make me beg Kane.”

  She rose to her tiptoes and kissed him on the lips.

  He struggled to breathe. “Are you sure, Hannah?”

  She took his hand and kissed his palm, her tongue rolling over him. She sucked on each one of his fingers. “Yes, I want you. I want to feel you inside me.”

  Hannah wanted to feel their bodies, skin to skin. She wanted him to give into his passion, to satisfy her every desire, to remember this night while she endured another man’s touch.

  Kane captured her lips, his kiss passionate, demanding.

  He lifted her off the floor and she wrapped her arms around his neck, running her fingers along his skin. He groaned and gently laid her down, his lips never leaving hers. She slowly slid her hands over his shoulders, down his chest. Her shaking fingers unbuttoned her shirt. His large calloused hand clutched hers. His lips left her and he stared down at her with hooded eyes. “No, I want to undress you.”

  He slowly unbuttoned her shirt, the tips of his fingers brushing against her, and she trembled. She wiggled out of it, never taking her eyes off Kane. Her breasts strained against her chemise. Her nipples, begging to be released, pushed against the thin material.

  Kane picked up the ends of her chemise and pulled it over her head. Cold air rushed over her bare flesh as heat rushed over her cheeks. A glint of admiration filled Kane’s eyes.

  “You’re beautiful, lass,” he said, his voice husky.

  She exhaled and grabbed his hand, kissing his palm.

  “Are you sure, Hannah?”

  “I want you. Please Kane,” she said. “I need you. Give me a memory I’ll never forget.”

  “I can’t deny you any longer.”

  He stretched out on top of her, pressing his hands on either side of her face and kissing her softly. His masculine taste fueling her hunger, she needed him, wanting to feel his hands on her, exploring her body. All her senses concentrated on the sultriness of his lips, the bold seduction of his tongue. Her hot skin tightened, tingling sensations swept over her each time he delved deeper inside her mouth.

  He eased away and pushed her back on the mattress. She maneuvered her hands up into his thick hair, parting her lips wider, thrusting her tongue after his, demanding more, demanding everything he had to give, demanding he fulfill his promise.

  A swell of feelings rushed over her, pushing her to unfamiliar heights. Kane was part of her now. She refused to think about tomorrow, leaving for Saint Kitts and being betrothed to another man. Kane wanted to believe her father would send her to England, but he was wrong. Once father got something in his head, he was as stubborn as a goat. Her virginity was hers to give. One she wanted to have control over. A memory just for her.

  His mouth left hers and he whispered in her ear, “I wish it could be different Hannah. I…”

  “No, let’s not think about tomorrow. We have tonight.”

  Kane broke the kiss and stood. His hand brushed along her naked torso. Sucking in her breath, she felt urgent stirrings in her belly and between her quavering thighs. His wicked smile stoked the tingles rushing over her as he removed one of her boots and then the other. He slowly pulled her breeches down past her thighs and calves, his look of admiration quickening her blood. “You’re beautiful, Hannah.”

  Her core throbbed, but she wasn’t sure what she expected. Kane was slow and gentle. He continued to surprise her. A pirate and a vampire, his tenderness left her breathless. Kane climbed on to the bed, and his mouth found her hers, his hair brushing against her hot skin. His lips prowled the length of her throat from her ear to her shoulder, kissing and licking her. He ignited every delicate nerve and every shy heartbeat that she didn’t know even existed, sending her pulse racing. She arched upward, wanting to feel more, feeling no need to pretend she didn’t want him to kiss her or that she didn’t want to kiss him. His hand molded around her left breast, cupping it, his fingers teasing her nipple.

  He kissed his way down to her eager nipple drawing it into the wet, insistent heat of his mouth. She whimpered his name as her hands clawed into the thick mane of his hair, holding him there. She withered with the sensations pouring through her, a flood of sweet, hot tremors, responding to his devilish tongue. Desire for him spread through her, branding the memory, her body aching for his every touch. He stopped when she cried out. “Hannah?”

  “No, don’t stop,” she panted. She was pleased at the desire mirroring in his concerned eyes and she wanted to hear him groan, to have him ache for her, but she wasn’t sure how to do this.

  He kissed her between her breasts. He laved his way down her belly. Hannah quivered. What was he doing? His hands kneaded her buttock as his mouth suckled every inch of her flattened stomach. He rubbed down her slick thigh and she tensed. He paused. “Tell me if you want me to stop?”

  Her hands clutched the blanket as she peered down. “No,” she panted. “Don’t.”

  He gently spread her quivering legs apart and put his mouth on the petals of her flesh. She jerked when he inserted his tongue inside, tasting her. She never knew men and women did such wicked acts, and she could do nothing but dig her nails into the blankets as pleasures hit her like a tidal wave, her body shaking. Sweet merciful heavens. Not knowing what to do, she closed her eyes and weathered the wavering storm of sensations building inside her, reaching an intensity of pleasure that rushed through her body. His silky hair brushed her thighs as his tongue lapped her like a jungle cat licking its mate.

  She panted, her thoughts jumbled. Her sisters never mentioned this sweet pleasure and if their husbands indulged in this delight, they never told her. This was so personal, so intense, so private. She wanted him to stop, but no, that wasn’t true.

  “You taste so sweet, love,” he murmured.

  His sinful tongue left her, and he explored every inch of her perspiring body as he moved up her torso, his hair igniting her sensitive skin to burn hotter. She ran her fingers through his thick locks, trying to brave the next pleasures he stroked inside her. His mouth covered hers silencing any whimpers.

  He slid his fingers down the outline of her hip, and he pet her wet curls. His thumb rubbed the bud of her soft flesh and she clung to him as his finger inserted inside her, slow and skillful, building another fire within her.

  “You’re so tight, love,” he whispered in her ear, kissing her ear lobe. His lips moved down her pulsating neck to caress her nipple.

  Her hips matched the movement of his finger, and she cried out when he inserted two more fingers as his thumb created a demanding need for something more. She could fee
l his hard arousal against her thigh. How could she accommodate him?

  He stopped. “You’re tensing again, relax.”

  “You’re so big,” she whispered. “I don’t know.”

  His mouth covered hers and his hands widened her thighs, urging them apart. Her trepidation all but returned when he nestled between her thighs and the formidable strain of his flesh began pushing forward. He stroked her bud again as he began to thrust forward.

  “It’ll only hurt for a minute, Love. I promise you.” His voice quaked in her ear.

  The tip of his flesh slowly entered her, and she dug her nails into his back against the pain as her feminine muscles expanded over the fullness of his flesh. He rocked his hips back and drove his flesh forward without warning, startling her so completely at its boldness and invasiveness that she didn’t even have the breath or wit to cry out. The next thrust fetched a faint moan from her lips. There seemed to be too much—too much flesh, too much pain, too much sensation.

  She moved her hands over the copious muscles in his back, his shoulders, his arms, his hips as he slid in and out of her. He was so big that for a fleeting moment she panicked as his intensity increased, thrusting harder and deeper, apparently unmindful to the differences in size and shape of their bodies.

  His thumb left her nub, and she gasped as his hands lifted her hips, angling them upward. What was he doing? He plunged deeper inside her, and she had no choice but to move with him as another orgasm of undeniable pleasure surged through her. After this last wave washed over her, her body still cradled around him, clutched him with a fervor becoming keenly sensitive to the heat and friction of moving flesh. By instinct, she wrapped her legs around his pulsating hips, drawing him deeper, harder inside, and he indulged every passionate scream, shifting his hands, his hips, his body to pursue each clasping spasm, groaning when her pleasure brought her rising fiercely, frantically up beneath him.

  Her body was one monumental raw nerve being teased and tormented by muscles so taut, wet and insatiable the aftermath of tingling rushed down to her toes. Her heart pounded, his matching her same beat. His hand played and toyed with her breast. She locked her legs around his buttocks, wanting to hold him to her. He licked her neck and she groaned, not wanting him to stop.

  His pulsing hips rocked faster and faster and with one final thrust, he spilled his seed inside her. He cried out and collapsed on top of her and rested his head in the crook of her neck, his hot breath warming her flesh. She stroked his hair and smiled. She strummed her fingers along his back, feeling his lungs expanding. He shivered as she unlocked her legs and ran her leg along his.

  He elevated himself onto forearms and stared down at her. “Hannah, love, you surprise me.”

  Heat warmed her face. Had she failed? She frowned. “What do you mean? Didn’t you like it?”

  Laughing, he kissed her, his hands exploring her body. “No, I’m afraid I may have to tie you to my bed and never let you leave.”

  Hope filled her. “You mean, I can stay?”

  His eyes clouded and he kissed her again, avoiding her question. He moved inside her again and she gasped, feeling another wave of need rising inside her. His nimble fingers and wicked mouth made her forget about everything, but him.

  Hannah opened her eyes and snuggled waiting to feel Kane’s warm body, pressed against her like she had experienced last night, but disappointment filled her. She jerked up. “Kane?”

  She scanned the room, but he was gone. She scooped her knees to her chest and laid her head on her knees. The core between her thighs ached and her thighs were wet and sticky. She was no longer a virgin, a fallen woman. Would she able to walk? Would his men be able to tell? Would her father be able to tell?

  The morning sun caressed her face. He had been so tender last night, indulging her every desire, but in the daylight, she was cast aside. But it didn’t matter. She made the decision to give him her most precious gift. Her choice. Not Kane’s. Not her father’s. Not Jacques’. Hers.

  She sighed, her heart aching. She didn’t want to leave. Here she was safe. Accepted.… But the man she cared for was sending her away. She had hoped he would have changed his mind, but ’twas fanciful thinking—a desperate woman’s wish.

  She kicked the covers off, headed for the mirror and winced. Tears threatened to burst and she swallowed hard. She splashed water onto her face. Don’t cry. Get over it.

  She strolled over to Kane’s desk and ran her fingers along the smooth surface and peered out the porthole. Blowing palm trees bent to the breeze, the waves rushing up on the beach and the sun brightening the white sandy beach. The sunny vista failed to cheer her dreary mood. A rainy gray day would have matched the pelting emotions twirling inside her. She ambled over to the bed, grabbed the bedpost and leaned her forehead against it. A knot formed in her stomach. “Accept it, you’re leaving.”

  Hannah picked up her shirt and wiped her stained legs, hiding the evidence. What would father do? Or Jacques? She swallowed. Would they beat her? She couldn’t blame Kane. She had wanted it. He had tried to keep her pure, but she insisted. Now, she had no choice but to flee from Saint Kitts.

  She opened Kane’s dresser drawers and pulled out a white creamy shirt and inhaled. Sandalwood. Musk. Salt. Like the man himself. Had last night meant anything to him? Or had she been a simple conquest? Or was this his way of punishing her for being with William? What had she been thinking? That he would declare his love for her and beg her to stay? He was a pirate, for heaven’s sake.

  She slipped on the silky shirt and it caressed her chaffed skin like his kisses had last night. Wiping away a single tear sliding down her cheek, she took a quivering breath and then another, pushing back the dam of tears threatening to break through. Forget him.

  Within the next few minutes, she dressed. She patted the dagger next to her skin and stuck the emerald necklace and earrings into her breeches’ pocket. She glanced at the mirror and half smirked. With her white shirt and three sizes too big red trousers, all she needed was a gold earring and she’d be the perfect female pirate.

  The door opened and Kane leaned against a wall and folded his arms across his chest. He flashed his eyes over her. Heat rushed over her cheeks and ran all the way down to her toes. What they had done last night—what she let him do to her, begged him to do to her…

  She tried to shake the image, but Kane’s unbuttoned dark green shirt opened to his navel, reminded her how she had kissed him, licked his spicy skin. Tearing her focus away from his navel, she concentrated on the long gold chain around his neck. Her gaze lowered to his black breeches outlining his sinew muscles and long black boots hugging his calves. Kane O’Brien looked every bit a dashing pirate and last night he was a devilish one. “A fair mornin’ to you lassie,” he said.

  Hannah held back the urge to rush into his arms, inhale his masculine scent, kiss his sinful lips. Instead she clenched her fists.

  “After today, I will never…” She choked as she remembered his sweet caresses, his lips kissing her, his hands exploring her body. She swallowed, refusing to break down into a blubbering female. There would be time for tears, but now wasn’t the time. “See you again? I don’t think so. So, why be informal?”

  He grabbed her hand and pulled her towards him. His fingers clasped her chin and forced her to look into his emerald eyes. Her heart pounded in her ears, and her breath came out rapid. She licked her lips.

  His thumb slid over her chin. “Hannah, I’m sorry.”

  She tried to free herself, not wanting to hear those words, tearing her dream apart.

  He tightened his hold. “Last night…”

  “Last night was what?”

  “A mistake. You know it. And I know it.”

  His words stabbed her heart. It hadn’t been a mistake for her. It had meant something to her. What, she’d not think about, not now. She refused to cry. “Release me.”

  The back of his hand trailed down her cheek and she shivered, despite not wanting to, she leaned
into his hand.

  He lowered his hand. “I’m apologizing. ’Tis not something I normally do, but you…”

  “I what?”

  “You turn my world upside down. Cloud my judgment.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “Cloud your judgment?”

  He gripped her shoulders and gave her a strong shake. “Hannah, I’d give anything to have you stay…”

  “But…”

  “’Tis not safe. Go back to England.”

  She sighed and turned away. “That makes it easy for you. Does it not? Let me go, Kane.”

  His hands dropped and he gritted his teeth. “We leave after we sup.”

  Hannah nodded. The decision had been made. He escorted her to a chair in the galley and had her sit next to him. He gave her a dazzling smile. “We’re waiting for our esteemed guest.”

  Heavy footsteps stomped towards them. “Leave me be you scoundrels. You don’t have to drag me like this. I can walk.”

  Father.

  Hannah shuddered. Would father be able to tell she was no longer a virgin?

  Her father stormed into the galley and glared. Shivers ran down her spine and she clutched her breeches, her thumb brushing over the blade. She’d be at his mercy again.

  “Ahhh,” Kane said. “Good morning to you Captain. Cook has prepared you some vittles. And before you dump it on the galley floor, let me assure you, you’ll be mopping the floor yourself. Understood?”

  Her father glared and took a seat across from her, but remained silent. She trembled and avoided his gaze. He grabbed a roll and tore a piece, stuffing it into his mouth. Eating was the last thing she wanted to do.

  On the table, candles glowed revealing salt pork, fresh pineapple sprinkled with coconut, hard rolls and a pot of coffee. Kane dished up her plate, and her father snorted. She cocked her eyebrow. This whole experience hadn’t changed him. Still the same pompous man she had sailed with from London. But she was different. She’d not be content to remain in his world, a world with rules that attempted to break her spirit.