She had only a sense of the caged power she toyed with. Jacque traced her cheeks with the heat of his breath pausing to suck on her earlobe. Fire coursed through her veins as the tip of his tongue taunted the delicate skin between chin and breasts. His lips traveled her softness, ceasing just short of branding the impressionable flesh.
When his lips left her skin and didn’t immediately return, Esa opened her eyes and met his savagely sexy gaze. Her heat gave a feverish thud. With a flare of his nostrils, Jacque clutched the chair a little harder, lowered his head and used his teeth to begin the heady task of unbuttoning her dress.
She echoed his heavenly moan when she finally felt his hot breath on her bare bosom. The flicker of his tongue accompanied by the orgasmic rush of his warm mouth closing over the taunt bud had her crying out his name in that tone only a remarkable lover can bring forth, “Jacque!”
She writhed beneath him when his teeth nipped at her nipple, biting and tugging gently before his mouth covered the taunt bud of her breast.
“Ask me,” he growled, making her wonder exactly which one of them was in control.
~ * ~
Saints alive, he was so blinded with desire he could barely keep his lust in check! With a low growl, Jacque squirmed closer to Esa, though not yet close enough.
The lass knew what he wanted-of that he harbored no doubt. So why wouldn’t she ask? Was she toying with him? Didn’t she realize he was only a man? That he could only stand so much of her teasing before all control vanished, leaving only a primal need that must be fulfilled?
But perhaps that was her reason; she wanted to see just how far she could push him. Testy wench.
In that case, he’d torture her with his mouth, his tongue—whatever it took—until she was certain her very breath depended on his touch. He was much more experienced at parlor games than she. Soon she’d be begging for him to lay hands on her luscious flesh!
Esa looked at him as if she were a tigress in heat. It nearly sent him over the edge of sanity. He would burst with the sheer wanting of the saucy wench if he didn’t have her soon! Her skin was satiny soft and smooth, her bountiful breasts were far more beautiful than what his imagination was able to conjure.
When she leaned her head back, giving him full access to her neck, as well as the plentiful fruits hidden beneath the dress, he’d nearly come undone. He unleashed a primitive moan as he stared, spellbound by her beauty. She was more tempting than a Spanish Galleon with the pillage of more than fifty ships on board lying in wait! He reined in the urge to throw her on the deck and bury his throbbing erection in the hot cavern of her honeyed sweetness.
Damn, but his hands ached to touch her as much as his shaft needed to enter her! His knuckles had gone white from squeezing hell’s fury out of the chair. He slid to his knees in front of her in order to gain better access to her lovely breasts. Her skin was sugary sweet, as he knew it would be.
Please woman! Now! Ask me! He wanted to keep his promise, but damn the troublesome wench, he was just a man.
He captured her tongue between his teeth, drawing it further into his hungry mouth. She wanted him to touch her; he could feel the craving within her. When he paused once again to pull his hunger into check. This would be the last time he’d do it! Esa leaned forward and edged his shirt up, out of his jeans. He raised his arms, allowing her to completely discard the bothersome material.
She smiled and he felt something snap as she caressed his bared chest and traced the outline of his stomach with her fingertips. He growled when she slid down to join him on the floor. Using her tongue, she ran a sizzling line down the crease in the center of his chest. “Godsteeth Esa, pleeeease!”
Her tongue teased his nipple before feathering kisses up to his tightly clenched jaw. Her teeth nipped his ear before she whispered seductively, “Touch me Jacque. “
He heard nothing after touch.
The remaining buttons on her dress made muffled popping noises and shot in all directions as he ripped it from her body. His kiss drowned her gasps as he applied one hand to her generous backside and one to her breast, laying her on the cool wood floor of the deck. The candlelight flickered in competition to caress her flawless flesh.
He touched, tasted and devoured her every crevice. Somewhere along the way, her panties were discarded and he worshipped the sweltering heat between her thighs. She writhed beneath him, crying out as his highly refined tongue caused a wave of erotic volcanoes to erupt inside her.
Unable to suppress his desire another second, Jacque removed the already unzipped and constricting jeans and parted her legs in search of his pleasure. He hoped he wouldn’t explode upon entering her for he intended to savor her delicate warmth as long as possible.
Her body stiffened when he gained entrance to her trembling heat. He paused just long enough for her to grow comfortable with his size, but at the first sign of acceptance he buried his full length in her soft feminine folds, uttering satisfied moans of his own. The feel of her sculpted calf as it chafed his buttocks was addicting in and of itself.
She was tender, wet and so very hot. He moved in her, pausing after only a few strokes, not wanting to spill his seed too early. He began again, soft and slow at first, rising with each lusty moan until he couldn’t hold off the inevitable a moment longer. She screamed his name and dug her nails into the inflamed flesh of his back as he rammed his shaft deep inside her, until they both erupted in a wave equal to that of a tsunami.
Fearing he might crush her with his weight, Jacque rolled to her side and pulled her beneath his arm. Esa rested her head on his chest and toyed with the soft black hairs.
Saints alive, but the lass knew how to please a man!
His finger traced an imaginary line up and down her side, luxuriating in the soft feminine curve of her waist and the roundness of her backside. Instantly, he was hard again.
Esa chuckled. “Already?”
“Aye lass. I’d thought by bedding ye, it might help satisfy my yearning for your beautiful body. But avast, I was wrong. Now that I’ve had a taste of what I’ve been deprived of, I fear I shall never get my fill, though I commit to giving it my best shot, no matter how long it might take.” He winked mischievously and she squealed in delight as he mounted her once again.
Twelve
Even through the phone, Sid’s voice dripped resentment. “What the hell is happening out there?”
“I’m not sure. The captain didn’t offer any details, just said that the upper deck was off limits until morning,” Mike explained as he paced the small cabin.
When neither Jacque nor Esa had shown up in the galley for dinner, they’d assumed they were still brooding over the occurrences of the morning. It didn’t take long to figure out the two were having a private rendezvous on deck.
“If my plan falls through, so help me, neither of you will see a cent of your commission. Is that clear?”
“Relax, Stacy hasn’t pulled out the heavy artillery yet.” Mike beamed at his sultry accomplice, who’d pulled a black sheer teddy from a drawer and waved it in front of him.
“Why don’t you model it for me?” He wiggled his brows.
“In your dreams, Mikey boy.” She snatched the phone from his head and placed it against her ear. “I can guarantee Jacque won’t be able to resist me in this little number. And before it’s all said and done, I’ll have your trinket.” She winked and hung up the phone before disappearing into the hall.
~ * ~
The night air was chilling. Esa reached for the blanket to cover her naked body but only grabbed a handful of air before her hand fell upon something warm and solid. Her eyes flew open. Naked? As was the beefy form beside her. She gasped. What had she done? She was snuggled cozily in the crook of Jacque’s arm.
And it felt perfectly marvelous.
She’d had the night of her life! She studied angelic features while he slept, placing a tender kiss on his cheek. “Mmmm,” was his only response as he absently pulled her closer.
&nbs
p; How long had they been here? Hitting the button that illuminated the face of her watch, she saw that it was four-thirty a.m. Good grief. “Jacque, wake up.” She nudged him gently, though he didn’t stir until she slipped through his embrace in search of her clothing.
The numerous bouts of lovemaking left her sore and pleasantly tender. She snickered when the old saying came to mind as she really did feel like she’d been riding a horse. Hell, with Jacque, she practically had been.
“What’s so amusing lass?” he asked in that sexy sleep-filled purr, having snuck up behind her. He encircled her in his arms before burying his face in her neck.
“Nothing, just thinking,” she answered dreamily, melding against his naked divinity.
“Aye? Well now, what do you think about this?” He spun her around to face him, his stiff shaft brushing against her stomach. She touched him and he grew harder beneath her fingertips, his erection like hot steel under a layer of smooth silk.
“Jacque if you keep this up, we’ll never get any rest. We should get out of here before someone comes up.”
“‘Tis rest ye want, is it, love?” he teased, nibbling her ear. After a thorough kiss that left her heart aflutter, he released her to retrieve his shirt and held it out for her to put on. “Sorry about ye dress. I’ll buy you a new one.” He threw that seductive smile at her; letting her know he wasn’t really sorry, but he would buy her a new dress just the same.
Jacque, clad in naught but black cotton boxers, collected the remainder of their scattered clothing and shoes and escorted her below deck. His shirt hung to her knees and she could see lust rekindling beneath his smoldering stare. He caught his bottom lip between his teeth and hurried her down the hallway.
Esa secured the lock on the door after they were inside and let his shirt roll off her shoulders and crumple at her feet. He’d just deposited the articles of clothing on a chair when she came up behind him and pressed the front of her naked body flush against his back. She ran her hands up his midriff, teasing his navel, then his nipples as she circled them with her magical fingertips. Her leg edged up his calf and she kissed the raw tell-tell signs of their passion on his otherwise smooth back.
“I’m sorry about the scratches,” she whispered.
“Are ye?” he asked, a teasing lift to his brow.
In the next instant, Esa’s back was against the wall while his steeled shaft thrust into her moist haven with deep, steady strokes.
It was almost lunchtime when they finally dragged themselves from the cabin. Esa found showering with Jacque was something she must do at least once a day. Too bad she couldn’t bottle his fervent passion. She’d known he would be a phenomenal lover. The romance novel was surely a tribute to her affectionate pirate.
Jacque seemed to watch her constantly through those sinfully sexy eyes, studied her reactions to his every touch, every move. He made it a point to learn exactly what she liked, and exactly how she liked it until he’d mastered the quest—which seemed almost instantaneous. He wanted to please her, not merely sate his own needs and be done with it.
After dressing, Jacque returned to collect her. He wore a black muscle shirt—must have had him in mind when it was crafted—that hugged iron-clad muscles and a loose-fitting pair of black trousers. His silken hair hung like fine drapery below his shoulders. Simply divine.
He lowered his head and kissed her. “Miss me?”
“Mmmmm-hmmm,” she purred.
“Avast, Miss Keats. I’m seeing you in a whole new light. And I must say, the view is positively spectacular.” More kissing.
“I concur, Cap’n LaFleur,” she teased and he laughed. “Hungry?”
His tongue darted out, wetting his lips before he caught it between his teeth. Dark, ravenous eyes traveled down to rest on her cleavage. “Famished.”
Though it was quite obvious to her food was the furthest thing on his mind, for a change. She sighed. Jacque made her feel as though she were the most desirable woman in the world. Somehow, he’d managed to erase the pain in her heart and replace it with contented joy.
“Jacque, if you expect me to keep up with your pace, I need fuel. Come on.” She chuckled and pulled him out the door, guiding him down the hallway toward the galley.
Like an obedient pet, he obeyed. “Aye mademoiselle, I’ll not have ye losing your stamina.”
~ * ~
The Abigail dropped anchor briefly in Puerto Rico in order to refuel and replenish necessary provisions. Within hours, they were underway again. Soon, they’d be in Guadeloupe.
Esa was so excited she could hardly contain herself; especially after what Jacque had revealed to her about the treasure the other night while they snuggled in her bed.
His bare thigh rested atop the sheet, allowing her to see the butterfly-like mark she’d noticed in the hotel bathroom. “Is it a tattoo? It looks like a small butterfly.”
Consumed with the satisfaction that can only come from sexual fulfillment, he smiled and ran the back of his hand along her velvet-soft cheek. “Aye, lass, ‘tis indeed a tattoo, though not a true butterfly as ye say.”
Upon closer inspection, she could see tiny symbols along a lower portion of the black mark. And…no!
Could it be?
Yes, it was! Right there, in small black letters that seemed to suddenly grow ten feet tall.
Lola.
The woman’s name stamped onto his leg for all eternity. Her heart dumped into her stomach. “Wh-who’s Lola?”
He had the audacity to laugh at the inquiry. “A map.”
“A map? A map? A map to what? Lola’s lair?” Her heart hammered in her chest.
More laughter. “I’ll tell ye all about Lola, in trade for a kiss.” Mischief twinkled in his eyes.
Esa kissed him as though she might kiss a relative, no tongue, just a quick peck but when his hand captured hers and began guiding it toward his eternal arousal, she pulled free of his grasp. “Not until you tell me every sordid detail about that tattoo. And this Lola.”
He snickered. “Ye drive a hard bargain, lass. But if ye insist, I’ll tell you all about me bonny Lola.” He winked, a smug grin playing on his face telling her how much he enjoyed her jealousy. The shameless rogue.
He scooted up on the bed, leaning his back against the headboard. “Hand me that,” he said, pointing to a brochure he’d found in one of the drawers.
She did as he asked and unfolded the pamphlet, allowing them to see the miniature map of the Caribbean Islands.
“Look, ye see there?” Her eyes followed his finger. “‘Tis Guadeloupe, alias Treasure Island.”
“Well I’ll be damned.” The outline of the tiny Island was a replica of his tattoo. It too was shaped like a butterfly.
“I wasn’t sure how long it would be before I was able to return to retrieve the treasure and didn’t want to forget where I’d hidden it.” He lifted his leg for a closer view, pointing a finger at each point of reference. “See that tiny little ship? ‘Tis the Saint-Anne, the same name as the piece of land holding the king’s fortune. I discovered the cove while amongst the band of pirates I happened upon in my youth. They’d named the vessel after a prosperous pillage landed them on the banks of the Island.”
“You drew this? Amazing.” What kind of a question was that? Of course he drew it. She’d seen his work; he was perfectly capable of the task. As a matter of fact there probably wasn’t a tattoo artist alive that could have done a finer job, or been more detailed. She ran her hand across the tender mark marring his thigh. “What are these lines for?”
“It may come as a surprise to ye lass, but pleasing wanton wenches is not the extent of my talents.” He winked. “Those are markers, each line the equivalent of ten paces.”
“Brilliant. Has no one ever noticed this before?”
His grin was wickedly arrogant and she regretted asking such a stupid question. “Lass, the only people that would have been privy to it weren’t interested in that particular part of my anatomy.”
Heat
flushed her cheeks as a vision of Jacque entwined in a lovers embrace with another woman bombarded her mind. Lola. She didn’t like it. He was her pirate.
“Who is she? Another one of your precious booties?”
Jacque threw his head back and unleashed a deep belly laugh. “Avast lass. There’s no need for such jealousy. You are the only woman I’ve come across that turns my innards to jelly and keeps my stick in a permanent state of eagerness. Speaking of which…” He pulled her into his arms, apparently unable to keep his hands off her for very long.
“Tell me,” she urged, breaking the kiss and folding her arms beneath her breasts.
With a sinister snicker, he confessed, “‘Tis no what ye think lass. Lola is not a woman, per say.”
“What?”
“Lola is but a guide to my treasure.”
“What do you mean?”
His finger covered her mouth, “Shhh, not now love. I’ll explain everything in due time.” His mouth replaced his finger and Esa found she could wait. The knowledge that Lola wasn’t a woman and wouldn’t be vying for the attentions of her pirate did wonders to lift her spirits.
~ * ~
Esa relaxed on the bed in Jacque’s cabin, watching as he dressed for dinner. She never tired of looking at his physique. The sight of him in the royal blue shirt caused her liver to quiver, not to mention the way the cotton white trousers hugged those beefy thighs, those buns of steel.
He winked at her, a knowing grin on his face. “Perhaps you’d rather skip dinner and go straight to dessert?”
She laughed. “As appealing as that sounds, I’m going to have to take a rain check. All this physical activity has left me famished.” They’d not eaten anything since yesterday afternoon, unless of course you counted the jar of raspberry preserves they’d shared last night. And as satisfying as it was, she was pretty sure it didn’t classify as a balanced meal.
Jacque pulled her into his arms for a kiss. “Will I never tire of wanting you?”
“I sure hope not.”
He sighed and held her close, their foreheads touching as he confessed, “I was wrong about you, about my feelings. It feels good to be in love. Really, truly in love. The contentment, the freedom it emanates rivals that of the open sea. You’ve seen so much heartache,” he paused long enough to kiss her again.
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