Her Pirate Master (Entwined Fates)

by Michaels, Trista Ann

  “Your father said you’re to meet him at the Vorgan station.”

  Jonah turned to Christian. “We’ll talk later.”

  Christian nodded. “Keep me updated, and if you need my help—”

  “I know where you are,” Jonah said as he turned to leave with Terance.

  “Wait,” Miya called. “I’m coming too.”

  “No,” Jonah snapped. “Absolutely not.”

  “She may need me.”

  “I don’t want any more Marcone women in harm’s way. You stay here.” Jonah cupped her cheeks and placed a chaste kiss on her forehead. “I’ll let you know as soon as I know anything, I promise.”

  * * * *

  Jack stood back and shielded her eyes to better see Haydrien as he called to her from the top of the ladder. They’d spent the morning working on the shops that ran through the center of town. Haydrien was definitely a hands-on leader, which was something she could admit she admired about him. He didn’t just stand back and bark orders. He got his hands dirty.

  “Jacquelyn, sweetheart? Could you hand me that welder on the box behind you?”

  Jack nodded and turned to find the welder. Her stomach fluttered for several seconds at the way he’d called her sweetheart. She tried to tamp down her excitement and her growing admiration of who he was as a leader and a man.

  She had to keep reminding herself that she was his bait. Once he found out who she was, all this would be over. He would either try to kill her or hate her forever for pulling the wool over his eyes. Either way, he would never forgive her.

  And how would she feel about that?

  He’d been so good to her while she was sick. Gora said he’d never left her bedside. She didn’t remember any of that, but she certainly remembered the way he’d taken care of her that first morning. He’d been so sweet, so attentive.

  And the days while she recovered had been even better. Talking and laughing during the day and cuddling at night. During those four days, he’d not once tried to have sex with her. He’d let her rest and had been so supportive, he’d melted her heart.

  “Hey, Jacquelyn,” Haydrien called, amusement dripping from his voice. “Today would be good.”

  “Keep your pants on,” she called over her shoulder.

  The laughter coming from the men on the roof made her smile, especially when she caught Haydrien’s familiar deep rumble.

  Sighing, she grabbed the welder and a bottle of cold water from the ice-filled tub under the makeshift table. She started climbing the ladder, and Haydrien moved to the roof, allowing her room to get to the top.

  “Be careful coming up that thing,” he called down.

  “I’m fine,” she replied as she reached up and handed him the welder.

  Once he had it in hand, she climbed one more rung and handed him the bottle of water. He smiled, and she said, “Don’t read too much into that.”

  His smile widened. “I wouldn’t dream of it. Maybe later I’ll thank you properly.”

  “A thank-you and not a punishment? I’m not sure I would know what to do with that.”

  He chucked her under the chin. “Be careful going down, sweetheart.”

  Jack swallowed and gazed at the rungs on the ladder as she made her way down. She needed to look at something other than his eyes—those beautiful whiskey-colored eyes. She reached the bottom and went over to help some of the women paint the outside wall.

  Things were coming along well. Slow but well.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Jack awoke late the next morning and snuggled closer to the warm body next to her. His arms tightened around her shoulders, and she looked up to see if he was awake.

  He smiled softly at her through sleepy eyes. “Morning.”

  She smiled hesitantly back at him. “Good morning.”

  He cupped the back of her neck and brought her face to his for a quick kiss on her lips. She laid her head back on his chest and sighed. His thank-you last night had been incredible. He’d brought her to orgasm three times before finally sliding his cock inside her. She’d been so aroused from all the wicked foreplay, she’d come twice more before he found his own release.

  “So what’s the plan for today?” she asked.

  “I’m helping some men work on the far end of town. We’re clearing out the rubble and repairing more buildings.”

  He drew soft circles on the back of her shoulder that sent goose bumps down her arm.

  “Would you like to help?” he asked.

  “I thought I would help Gora in the garden,” she replied without looking up at him. She needed that time away to clear her head.

  “She’ll like that,” he murmured. “It’s probably good you don’t come with me anyway. I wouldn’t get any work done. I spend too much time watching that delectable ass of yours.”

  He nudged her shoulder, and she softly snickered. After last night, she was so confused and so afraid she was developing feelings for him. That would be bad. Especially if he still planned to give her back to whom he believed to be Jack.

  She closed her eyes tight against the tears that threatened to spill. What would happen when he found out she was Jack? Would he hate her?

  “Hey?” he asked, nudging her again. “Are you okay?”

  She nodded and bit her lip.

  “No, you’re not.” He lifted her chin and forced her to meet his gaze. His eyes softened when he saw the tears gathering in the corners of her eyes. “What’s wrong?”

  “What happens when they come to get me?” she asked, careful to not say when Jack would come.

  He slid down and rolled to his side so they lay eye to eye. “What do you want to happen?” he asked.

  She thought about it for a second, then said, “I don’t know.”

  He brushed his thumb over her bottom lip. “I thought I knew, but now I’m not sure either,” he whispered.

  “Haydrien,” she said softly, then swallowed. She had to tell. Now. “I need to—”

  “Haydrien,” Lear called from the other side of the door. “I hope you’re decent. I’m coming in.”

  Jack snarled and grabbed the blanket to cover herself while Haydrien rolled over to face the door. He propped himself on his elbow, his wide shoulders keeping her hidden behind him.

  Lear opened the door and stepped inside. “We’ve got a problem on the west end. One of the guys hit a gas line, and it’s leaking.”

  Haydrien sighed. “Get Franks. He can fix it. I’ll throw some clothes on and meet you downstairs.”

  “Make it fast. Good morning, Jacquelyn,” Lear called out, his voice full of amusement.

  Jack threw her hand up over Haydrien’s shoulder and waved. Lear chuckled as he left the room and shut the door behind him.

  Haydrien jumped from the bed, but Jack grabbed his arm, holding him back. She really needed to tell him before he found out another way. “I need to tell you something,” she said.

  “We’ll talk when I get back,” he said just before leaning over and placing a soft kiss against her forehead. “I promise.”

  Jack watched him go, then fell back on the bed with a squeal of aggravation. She needed to tell him that she was the Jack he was looking for. The sooner, the better. She just hoped he wouldn’t be furious when he found out.

  * * * *

  “What do you mean you dropped them off already?” Haydrien bellowed at the screen and his men on the other side.

  This was too soon. He wanted more time with Jacquelyn. Now that her crew was free, her father would contact Marcone.

  “We had to speed things up. We were running short on supplies. Agnus has already contacted someone in the Marcone family. It was the first thing he did the second we let him off the ship. They’re probably on their way.”

  Haydrien sighed and dropped his head in his hands. He didn’t want to give her up yet. He wasn’t sure he would ever be ready to give her up. But what if she didn’t want to stay?

  “What do you want us to do, Haydrien?” the lieutenant asked. />
  “Just come home,” he replied. “I’m sure your families miss you.”

  “We’re on our way,” he said, then signed off.

  “Franks got the leak fixed. Where did you run off to? You were there one second, then gone the next,” Lear said as he walked into the room.

  “Sorry. I, uh…” he began, but his mind was still on Jacquelyn, and he couldn’t seem to concentrate. “I got a call from the other ship.”

  “The one you sent off with Jack’s crew?”

  Haydrien nodded.

  “It must not be good news.”

  “They’ve already dropped Agnus off, and he’s contacted the Marcones. They’re probably on their way.”

  Lear winced as he leaned his hip against the desk. “What are you going to do?”

  Haydrien clasped his hands in front of his face and frowned. “I don’t know.”

  “What do you want to do?”

  “Keep her.”

  “Do you want to keep her bad enough to let Marcone go?” Lear asked. When he didn’t answer right away, Lear nudged him with the toe of his shoe. “I think I might have some news that may help with that. Remember when we first got back and you asked me to check into the possibility that Jacquelyn’s story about the explosion being an accident was true?”

  He looked up at Lear and nodded.

  “I ran some simulations, and what she said is probable. That ship was the oldest in the fleet. It’s doubtful the hull was able to stand even a warning shot. Maybe it was an accident. After all, why would he deliberately destroy the cargo?”

  “I don’t know. I’m not sure it even matters anymore.” Haydrien sighed and rubbed his forehead. “I don’t know what happened, Lear. She was my prisoner, and somehow over the course of just a few days, she’s developed into more than that.”

  “Are you in love with her?”

  Haydrien dropped his head. “I’ve never been in love. I don’t have a clue what the hell it feels like.” He looked back up at Lear. “My mother died when I was young, so the only example of love and relationships I’ve had is my father’s sex slaves.”

  “Ask Gora.”

  Haydrien snorted. “Gora was one of my father’s sex slaves.”

  Lear’s face twisted. “Uh! That was an image I didn’t need.”

  Haydrien chuckled. “That’s one image I’m glad I was never witness to. For some reason he never let me see Gora in his care. What do I know about love, Lear?”

  “You probably know more than me, but why does it have to be about love? You like each other. Just ask her to stay and see where it goes.”

  “She’s a woman. When it’s women, it’s always about love.”

  * * * *

  Haydrien walked down the hall toward his room. Gora said Jacquelyn had gone up over an hour ago to get cleaned up for dinner. She hadn’t come back down yet, so he assumed she was still in the room.

  He stopped at the door and spotted her pacing at the foot of the bed. She hadn’t seen him yet and continued to walk back and forth, wringing her hands. What was she so worried about?

  She’d seemed upset this morning, and he wondered if it had something to do with that. She growled softly and brushed her hair off her face in frustration.

  Damn, she was so cute. Just watching her made his cock thicken with the need to be inside her again. Outside the double doors, the sun slid below the mountains, casting the room in shadow.

  What would happen if she chose to leave? How would he feel about that?

  He frowned. Rotten, that’s how.

  How could he convince her to stay? The sex between them was incredible. More than incredible. But was that enough for her? Would she want a declaration of love? And more importantly, could he love her? He believed he did, but was it possible after such a short amount of time?

  So many questions. Was that what had her pacing? Was she trying to decide if she loved him?

  Maybe he should show her how good things were between them one more time. He stepped into the room just as she turned. She spotted him and drew in a deep breath as though garnering courage for something.

  “Oh, good. You’re back.”

  He smiled slightly and dropped his gaze down her body. “I’m back,” he murmured as he took a step toward her.

  He liked how she looked in those gray pants and white top.

  “I need to talk to talk to—”

  Haydrien shook his head as he stalked his prey. “No talking.”

  She visibly swallowed. “No talking?”

  “Nope,” he replied. He grabbed her waist and pushed her against the wall. “The only words I want to hear from you is ‘Haydrien, I want you.’” He sucked her bottom lip into his mouth and let it go with a pop. “Or better still… ‘Haydrien, fuck me, now. Harder. Faster.’”

  He kissed her lips, and she smiled. “Deeper?”

  “Oh, yeah,” he growled against her neck. “Definitely deeper.”

  He kissed the side of her throat and felt the tremor in her body as she wrapped her arms around his neck. He grasped her hands and pushed them over her head, lifting her to her toes.

  “I want to tie you up,” he whispered and watched her pupils dilate. He pressed his groin into her stomach, pinning her against the wall. Her arms being up forced her breasts out, and he rubbed his chest back and forth over her nipples. “I want to spread those gorgeous legs and lick your pussy till you scream.”

  Her breathing changed, becoming shallower. Haydrien smiled. He loved how she responded to him. How she took everything he gave her and usually begged for more. He loved hearing her whimper as he thrust his cock inside her. He loved how she wiggled when he bit down on her nipple.

  “What about dinner?” she whispered.

  “You’re my dinner. What Gora cooked we’ll eat later.”

  “Oh,” she breathed.

  “Maybe this time, I’ll feed you,” he murmured against her lips.

  “Haydrien,” she sighed.

  “No talking,” he whispered in her ear as he nibbled gently on the sensitive spot below her lobe.

  “But—”

  “I said no talking,” he commanded as he lifted his head and gave her a firm look. He ground his growing cock into the firm flesh of her stomach. “Do I need to put something in your mouth to keep you quiet?”

  Her lips twitched as she shook her head.

  “Good,” he murmured, then brushed his lips over hers. “Although the thought of those perfect lips wrapped around my dick is definitely a turn-on.”

  He slid his tongue into her mouth and tasted the sweet berry flavor of the pretty blonde who consumed the majority of his thoughts. She twirled her tongue around his like she had around his cock. If he hadn’t been leaning against her, pinning her to the wall, his knees would’ve buckled. Damn, he loved the way she kissed.

  He finally broke away and released her hands. “Lower them. Let the blood back in your fingers.”

  She dropped them to her sides and wiggled them slowly.

  “Good girl,” he purred.

  He reached for her shirt and began to undo her buttons. He popped them one by one, each release exposing a little more of the firm breasts she had hidden beneath the thick material.

  “No bra,” he whispered. “Where you trying to tease me?”

  “Maybe.”

  He smiled softly and pushed the shirt off her shoulders. He brushed his fingers over her nipples and watched as she arched her back, pushing her breasts closer to his touch. He turned his hand and palmed them. The moan that escaped her lips was like a firm grip around his cock. That grip was quickly moving to engulf his heart as well.

  “Finish undressing; then get on the bed,” he said as he released her breasts.

  The adorably sexy look on Jacquelyn’s face as she walked toward the bed, slowly stripping as she went, made blood rush harshly through his ears. Her back was to him as she pushed her pants down her hips. She bent forward, giving him a perfect view of her ass and pussy, and he instantly realized
she hadn’t worn any underwear either. Cream glistened against her labia, and his heart skipped a beat in dark excitement. He wanted to lick that cream.

  She straightened and kicked her pants aside along with her shoes before throwing him a hungry look over her shoulder. He grinned.

  Don’t worry, little minx. You’ll get what you want soon enough. After I’ve played a little first.

  Jacquelyn crawled to the center of the bed and stretched out on her back.

  “Put your hands over your head,” he commanded as he pulled lube, an anal toy, a long, thin paddle, a ball gag, and a blindfold from the drawer next to the bed.

  He set the ball gag aside, deciding to use it only if she talked after he’d told her not to. The other toys he laid on the pillow by her head. She eyed them skeptically but didn’t say anything.

  He pulled the cuffs from behind the headboard and secured them around her wrists. She tugged but couldn’t bring her arms down. He nodded, satisfied, before pulling out the second set. These were a little different. Instead of wrists, these were designed to hold her legs out and back by wrapping around the backs of her knees.

  Haydrien secured them in place, then stood back to admire his handiwork. He smiled at the sight of her spread before him, her hands above her head, and her knees close to her shoulders.

  “Are you okay?” he asked. “It’s not uncomfortable?”

  “I’m okay,” she whispered.

  Haydrien grabbed the blindfold and wrapped it around her head. He placed a soft kiss on her forehead, then her nose. Her lips parted in anticipation of him kissing her there, but he deliberately didn’t. He moved off the bed, and she sighed.

  “What are you—”

  “Remember what I said,” he exclaimed as he grabbed the thin paddle. He reached between her legs and swatted her pussy. She gasped and bit her lip. “No talking. I will, however, this time, give you a safe word.”

  She licked her lips, and Haydrien’s whole body tingled.

  “Your safe word is ‘star.’ Say it.”

  “Star,” she breathed.

  “Good.”

  She visibly swallowed, and Haydrien wondered if she was nervous.