by ML Guida
“The hunger is gripping you.”
Not for food, but for her, always for her. “I’m not hungry.”
“Oui, you are. But not for food. For passion.”
William shuddered, not surprised the lass had guessed the truth. He swallowed and stumbled over his few words. “Why would you say this?”
“Sex magic.” Her voice was husky and created all sorts of sinful images in his head––stripping her gown off, burying his head between her breasts, his cock thrusting inside her.
“Grand-mère says that when two witches cast a spell and then have sex, the spell is ten times more powerful.”
He was losing the fight. His muscles tightened, ready to sprang away. “Mariah, I’m not a witch.” His strained voice couldn’t hide the battle brewing inside him to keep his honor.
“I know.” She met his bold stare. “I cannot get what we did out of my mind. I cannot concentrate.”
“’Tis the dragon’s essence.” He hung his head, not wanting to see the disgust in her eyes.
She frowned. “Dragon’s essence?”
He got up off the floor and slammed back down on the bench, needing to put distance between himself and Mariah. “Drakon said when I kissed you—I infected you. You will only want me.” He motioned toward the door. “Don’t you see? ’Tis not real. I’ve cursed you. You must leave and get far away from me.”
“William, I wanted you before you kissed me.”
He sighed and leaned against the wall, staring at the ceiling. “I wish I could believe you, Mariah. I really do. But I don’t.” His heart shattered at the hurt in her eyes.
Chapter 16
Mariah squirmed under William’s bold stare. She blinked back tears that stung her eyes at his harsh words.
His cheek twitched, and he fisted his hands. The man was fighting their destiny. Hadn’t Grand-mère said as much? Why deny the inevitable?
She stood and hastened around the candles to kneel in front of him, placing her hands on his knees. He was so stiff, so rigid. “You are growing weary,” she said. “Every limb is heavy. Your anger is dissipating into a puff of smoke, and a wave of serenity is replacing your anger. You smell lavender and jasmine. It will calm your fears. Take deep breaths, William.”
“Mariah.” His voice was strained.
“Inhale, exhale.” She slid her hands up his thighs and squeezed. Desire for him pulsed through her, and she wished he would lose his self-control and forget about his honor for once. “Breathe. Stop fighting it.”
“You’re relentless.”
“Oui,” she whispered.
He leaned his head back, closed his eyes, and inhaled.
She smiled. Beneath her palms, the tension in his thick legs lessened.
“Your anger is leaving.” She closed her eyes. His heart thumped steady in her mind. “You are ready.” She opened her eyes and frowned at his wary gaze. “Close your eyes.”
“Why?”
“Because we are going to summon your power.”
He shook his head and grumbled beneath his breath, but surprisingly, he obeyed, and his breathing deepened.
Mariah’s mouth curved at the corner. “Now, let your mind wander. Be at peace. Bon. You have magic buried deep inside you. Listen to the dragon.”
His nostrils flared.
“You are tensing again. Inhale the sweet smells of lavender and jasmine. Release the tension.”
He groaned, and his muscles went slack.
“William, bring forth the magic.”
He scowled and shook his head as if he were fighting taking a bitter spoonful of quinine.
“Do not fight it, oui? Your magic is coming. It will not hurt you or me. Trust in the magic. Trust the dragon.”
His hair had fallen over his face, but she could see the spark of panic in his eyes through the silky strands. He jumped up, knocking her on her bottom. “I can’t. I can’t trust the dragon. I’m sorry.” He reached down and pulled her onto her feet.
She knew what he needed. What she needed. Sliding her hand behind his neck, she molded herself closer. “William, kiss me,” she said. “We need to release your magic.”
He glanced everywhere but at her. The lines around his mouth and eyes had tightened. “No, you don’t know what you’re saying. ’Tis not right. I’m a monster.”
She could hear a slight tremor in his soft voice. She cupped his stubbly cheek, wanting him to give into his passion to satisfy both of them.
He panted hard, closing his eyes. “Please, Mariah, I beg you. You don’t know what you’re doing. I…I…don’t know if I…can control myself.”
“I don’t want you to control yourself.” She ran her fingers through his hair. “Kiss me.”
Burning gold eyes peered down at her. She couldn’t turn her gaze away. “The dragon is revealing himself.”
The whites of William’s grew. “He…he…won’t hurt you. But he wants you, Mariah. Wants me to take you now.”
“I know,” she said.
“I’m hanging on by a frayed thread, lass. Go. Now.” His low voice was raspy.
Her nipples tightened and a need pooled between her thighs. She pulled his head down and kissed him. He groaned, his arms wrapping around her, crushing her to him. She pressed her hand on his chest, and his heart pounded wildly beneath her palm. The kiss deepened, possessing her, igniting fiery feelings. He slipped his hand inside her bodice; masterful fingers played and toyed with her sensitive nipple. She panted, moaning.
He broke off the kiss. “Not here, Mariah. ’Tis not right.”
She tried to catch her breath, disappointment beating her. She wanted to feel his lips on her, indulge in more delight…finish what they’d started in the corridor. “William.” She ran her fingers down his hard face. “I am not complaining, no?”
“You’re a virgin and don’t deserve to be taken here like a common prostitute.”
She hung her head. “I did not think you—”
He lifted her chin with his shaking hand, and met her gaze. “I want better for you, Mariah. You deserve to lie in a bed and be slowly worshiped not taken on the brig’s filthy floor.”
“Use your magic, William,” she urged.
He frowned. “What?”
She unbuttoned his shirt and caressed his smooth chest.
“Your dragon is hungry for passion,” she whispered. “Like you.”
“Mariah, I don’t know if I can stop. You need to leave now.”
“Then don’t stop.”
He leaned his forehead on hers. “What if someone walks in? I couldn’t bear for them to see us, to see you being taken in such a dishonorable way.”
“When I’m with you, William, I don’t care what others think. ’Tis nothing to be ashamed of.”
He moved his hands up to her neck and slowly slid them down past her shoulders.
“Breathe in.” Tingles swirled down her arms where he touched her, leaving a trail of goose bumps. “You are fighting. It’s white magic. Pure and good.”
“I can’t transform in here. ’Tis too small.”
She licked his chest. He sucked in his breath and cursed.
She stared up at him to see if he was angry, but the deep worry lines in his forehead had vanished. He licked his lips, and his nostrils flared. Passionate gold eyes held her gaze. No, he was not hungry. He was voracious—voracious for her. She was tearing away at his resistance. “The dragon is part of you whether you are a man or beast. Allow the magic to flow through you.”
William closed his eyes and turned his head away. She leaned her head on his chest, and his heart beat slowed. She held her breath, refusing to move, not wanting to distract him.
He exhaled, and a mist swirled out of his mouth, circling around them. His form flickered and faded as he disappeared. His arms held her, cradling her, but she couldn’t see him.
“Open your eyes,” she urged. “Look at your hand.”
He unwound one arm. “Bloody hell.” His shocked voice made her smile.
“I don’t understand.”
“You were worried about someone walking in on us, and your dragon sent magic to alleviate your fears. Without knowing it, an image must have merged in your head, you channeled it, and manifested it. You need to work on doing this purposely.”
“How?”
“Kiss me.”
“No, I can’t.”
“Oui, you can.”
“Mariah, I can’t stop just kissing you. The dragon…me…we need more.”
“I know. I want more. Love me.”
“I—”
“We do not have to love each other in the brig.”
“What?”
“We are invisible. We can go to my space in the crew’s quarters. The canvas walls will shelter us.” She intertwined her fingers with his and pulled gently. He hissed, but allowed her to unlock the door and lead him out of the brig. No one was in the corridor or the crew’s quarters.
She pulled the blankets off her hammock and spread them onto the floor. “Is this better?”
“You’re killing me, lass,” he murmured.
“Oui, I know.”
Mariah hoped he wanted her as much she wanted him. Energy moved up her arms, and she held her breath. William was doing it! Drawing on his dragon’s powers. He flickered for a moment and vanished.
“William?”
“I tried to make us both visible. But I can’t control the power.”
“Try again.”
She clutched her dress, holding tight, hoping he’d do it. Take control of your powers, she willed.
William reappeared.
“What happened?” She reappeared and blinked at her hands. “You were able to learn the power so soon?”
Deep red stains flashed over his cheeks. “No.”
“Then?”
“Drakon wielded it.”
Mariah stared at him without saying another word. William would not seduce her and ’twas up to her. He was a man of honor, struggling not to give into temptation, a temptation she knew he desperately wanted.
She spread her fingers across the sinews of his chest, marveling at the strength. Sliding up to cup his neck, she pulled him down, and rather than fighting her, he indulged. She helped him slip out of his shirt. His hot skin took her breath away—searing, smoldering, scorching. Yet, her hands remained cooled. Magic.
He trailed kisses down her neck and unlaced her bodice, and she trembled in anticipation, waiting to feel his lips on her. This time, he did not dissatisfy her.
He tugged her dress down and freed her breasts. Cold air rushed over her taunt skin. She wanted to plead for him to worship her with his wicked mouth. Heat swelled over her at the thought. If she were more experienced, she would have moved her fingers over his body, telling him what she wanted. She swept her gaze over his magnificent build, staring boldly at his bulging crotch. She was alive with fervor; her concentration blurred. All she wanted was to become one with William.
He lowered her down onto the makeshift bed, and his silky hair teased her bare skin, sending sensitive tingles through her. When she was on the floor, she arched her back, and her nipples budded. He suckled one tight nipple, and she cried out. She cradled his head to her breast, not wanting him to let go. His velvet tongue swirled around her bud, laving her, and she could not get enough of the sensations. She did not know if ’twas the dragon’s essence or if ’twas her desire for William. But she did not care. She wanted him. Here. Now.
“I want to taste you, Mariah.”
Damp heat gathered between her legs. “Taste me?”
“Aye, your feminine secrets. Take off your dress.”
She had no idea what he meant but was eager to discover.
William shut the canvas flap and tied the laces together. He helped her escape from her dress and bodice, his calloused fingers lightly brushing against her inflamed skin. His warm breath sent shivers down her spine and swept a wildfire of desire through her body.
William slid his hands over the curve of her shoulders, the pads of his fingers caressing her. He pulled her toward him until they were flesh to flesh and her round breasts pushed against his chiseled chest. The cold vanished, and she melted into him. He maneuvered her onto her back, and the soft woolly blankets on the floor warmed her flesh.
He stopped kissing her. “Spread your legs.”
She nodded, eager to please. “What are you going to do?”
“Taste you.”
“Taste me?”
“Aye.” He removed his trousers, and the rustling of clothes echoed in the room.
Her heart beat wildly. What if she disappointed him?
She lay vulnerable on the blankets, and too afraid to move, not sure what to do, she rubbed her arms. He knelt and moved his palms up her calves, and she jumped.
“Nervous?”
“Oui.”
He slid his palms between her thighs.
Feathery flames of desire fanned her inside her, and words faded from her lips.
“I’ve been dreaming of this.” He pressed her thighs wider apart, and his silky hair traced down her legs.
“What are you doing?” she panted, squirming.
“Now, ’tis your time to breathe. I promise you’ll enjoy this. I swear.”
She swallowed, trying to stay still. Warm air blew on her feminine mound. She broke out in a cold sweat, not sure what to expect. He kissed her inner thigh, and she flinched.
He chuckled as he gripped her hips and anchored her buttocks to the floor. Nothing prepared her for his torrid mouth.
“William,” she squeaked and gripped the blanket tight. His tongue swiped a long, slow lick across her folds, wrenching a sob from her. She had never experienced anything so intimate, so tantalizing. “William,” she said, barely audible.
“Do you want me to stop?”
Before she could issue a thought, she murmured, “No.”
He kissed the juncture between her thighs, and all she could do was dig her nails into the blanket. His tongue swirled around her lips, licking her, lapping her, sending her to the very edge of reason. When he darted his tongue inside her, she arched her back, and indulged in the sweet ripples rushing over her. Her body was on fire, burning with a hungry desire. The first surge of pleasure peaked through her, and she cried out, opening her legs wider, allowing him further access to take his fill of her. She gasped for air, trying to breathe, and screamed out his name in a sobbing plea for mercy. William had been right. She’d enjoyed this sensuous torture.
“You taste sweet,” he said. “Just as I knew my little witch would.”
He rubbed his thumb on her nub, and more pleasure surged through her, igniting another wave of bliss. Tears blurred her vision, and flutters raced down her spine. Sensations pulsed with every beat of her heart, and a clamoring need built inside her. Her body fragmented. She arched her hips and screamed.
“Mon Dieu,” she whimpered.
William kissed his way up her stomach. His velvet tongue explored her belly button, licking and kissing her. Her panting echoed in her ears. Everywhere his hands and lips kissed her, she greedily ached for more. She wanted his fingers to unlock hidden desires within her and wanted to feel him thrusting inside her. She lost herself in this man, his touch, his smell, his kiss.
He stretched out on top of her and clasped her hand. “Touch me,” he said. She slid her hand over his hard, slick shaft and could not believe the length and size. Her desire slackened. How could she accommodate such a size within her? She was so small. Surely, she would split in two. For the first time, fear cooled her desire.
“Move your fingers back and forth,” he said. She obeyed and explored him, her fingers brushing his bollocks.
“Aye, this is the way.” His voice deepened.
He kissed her, creating something molten between them, and she embra
ced the magic, matching his, heartbeat for heartbeat, flame for flame. She indulged in his spicy masculine taste. He ran his hand down her curves and brushed over her hips. When he slipped a finger inside her heated core, she stiffened.
“You’re so tight. I will not hurt you,” he promised. “Let me please you.”
His thumb stroked her as he moved his finger in and out. Her hips rocked to his rhythm and her nails dug deep into his shoulders. She worried she’d drawn blood. True to his word, he brought her to steamy heights of rapture that she never knew existed. She had never been so alive, so on fire, her body ruling her mind.
“I want you, Mariah.” He slipped another finger inside her. His thumb stroked her nub, igniting more passion. “I’m about to burst. I want to fill you with all of me.”
“You will rip me apart,” she murmured, fear creeping back as his shaft pressed hard against her thigh.
He closed his eyes and turned away. “I’m sorry. I got lost in the passion. This is wrong.” He put his hands on either side of her head and started to push away.
“What are you doing?”
“Leaving to jump in the ocean.”
“What?”
“Mariah, I’m so hard for you. I need some release.”
Pain and desire gleamed in his eyes. Her feelings ran deep for him, and she could not utter how she felt—scared, excited, unsure. She did not want him to leave. She licked her lips. “It will only hurt a minute?”
“Aye. But we should not be doing this.”
“Oui, we should.” She put her hand around his neck and pulled him closer.
“Mariah, I can’t…”
“I know.” She pecked him on the lips. Placing her faith into her witch’s instincts, she said, “I trust you.”
At least, she wanted to. William scorned magic, including her. She wished he would believe in her.
He settled his hips between her thighs, and his thick, hard flesh pushed against her. She clenched, waiting for the pain.
“It will only hurt a minute.” He rubbed her cheek with his. “I promise.”
She didn’t answer him and stared into his passionate eyes. With one hard thrust, he penetrated her flimsy barrier.