by Jewel Adams
He took a deep breath and moved over to the four men who watched over Corin in his absence.
“Rogan?”
“Yes, Dan.”
“Where is the Tempest?”
“On her way to New Orleans with a new crew; I think we should catch up to her before nightfall.”
“Do you think Diamond will find her first?”
“I hope the man has a few flaws and is headed to Galveston in order to meet up with his horde.” Rogan watched to see how Dan and his sons took this news. “He has another stronghold there, one close enough to reach out and touch Desireè. Haste is what we need on our side.”
“Then you think he is still going to try and take over.”
“I’m sure of it… the man’s pride is at stake; he won’t just sail away.”
“And what of…” Dan looked over Rogan’s shoulder to his brother stirring to his feet.
“I hope he will start listening to reason.”
Rogan didn’t miss all three sons’ mumble of disagreement. Brian seemed to be consumed with hate, not that Rogan could blame his brother. “Tell me, why does he hate Corin?”
Chapter Twenty-six
A Storm is Coming
Even if it were only for an hour, Corin wanted nothing more than to lean back into Rogan’s strong hold and feel his warmth invade her being. Rogan announced to everyone that the rest of the day was his wife’s, and her wishes were all he planned to attend to until they reached the Tempest.
She felt his chin come to rest on the top of her head, and she closed her eyes, letting the sun envelop them. A fool she would never be… the decisions as to where they were headed and what would transpire were already set in motion. She woke to find Rogan sitting in the chair staring at her.
“You are beautiful, my wife.”
“I am a mess, and you know it.” She flinched over the pain her smile caused. Rogan moved out of the chair so fast she couldn’t contain her giggles. “I am all right, Rogan, honest.”
The gentleness in his touch as he dabbed his bandana against her lip silenced her protest. The deep furrow in his brow over the blood made her hand reach out and take hold of his. “It is over, Rogan, and I am a firm believer in karma.” The cocked rise of his eyebrow made her laughter flow. “Let’s see how to describe karma. Basically, it is a philosophy that what goes around, comes around. Whitney may think he saved his pride, but he will get what he deserves in the end.”
Rogan’s mouth opened, then snapped shut, never voicing the question she felt he wanted to ask. The gentle but firm pull to bring him closer silenced them both.
With infinite care, Rogan kissed Corin as if she were made of glass. The taste of her blood on his tongue forbade what he wanted to do.
Corin pulled back and looked into the worried gaze devouring her, and she wanted to scream. She reached up with both hands and cupped his face, forcing him to look at her. “Rogan, I will mend. I want you, Rogan. I want to feel you devour me with the love I see in your eyes. Don’t deny us, and never because of what someone else may have done. I refused to let Whitney destroy our love, and I’ll not let him or Diamond come between us. I love you.”
His large hand brushed back the wild mass of waves and curls from her face, marveling over the strength in the woman he loved. “You will never cease to amaze me, Corin. Every day I thank God for his gift in bringing you to me.”
He didn’t hold back his kisses, and Corin arched against him over the fire he lit inside her. Her arms wrapped around him, holding him as if he would vanish should she let go. The tenderness she dreamed of in his absence moved over her as he joined her on the bunk. His lips caressed and nipped their way down her throat to her chest. She felt the air flow over her bare skin and wondered when he removed her shirt. The warmth of his bare skin melding with her own brought joyous moans of pleasure to her lips.
Rogan’s tongue traced the dark bruises and cuts on her breast, burying his fist into the sheet beneath her. That anyone would hurt her in such a way made his gut twist in agony for what she suffered. “Never again, Corin. I swear I’ll be there to protect you.”
The silent tears rolled down her cheek as he moved lower. To feel his lips kissing her stomach soon captured her full attention, and when he started tracing her belly button before moving lower still, her fingers drove into his hair to halt him. But Rogan already suspected her reaction and took hold of both her hands, weaving his large fingers through her smaller ones before placing them over the swollen mound of the child growing inside her. His kisses made her stomach quiver.
Rogan smiled over the uncontrolled reaction coming from Corin. If he didn’t know better, he would swear she purred under his caresses. With one hand, he held hers over the growing evidence of their love. But Rogan wanted more than gentle purrs from his wife. He became determined to make up for the weeks they were apart. He slid his muscled body over hers, entwining his legs with her petite limbs. What she could do with her toes and feet proved unspeakable.
He smiled and blew into the soft mound of dark hair over her protest before his lips closed over the pulsing bead of her pleasure. His tongue licked the slick lips of her sex, causing her to jump and arch against him under the need he drove her to. “My cat…”
When he pulled her legs up, Corin locked them about his neck, giving him more room to devour her. “Oh, Rogan!”
“Let it come, Corin. I can feel the pleasure rippling through you.” Her cries answered him, and Rogan drove his tongue deep into her sex, loving every new experience he took her to. When he latched on and kissed the powerful nub, he caused her to climax. Rogan held onto her hips so he could suckle her.
As he slowly calmed her, he moved back up her sweat-sheened body, keeping his hand over the still pulsing mound of her sex. Rogan pressed his ridged cockhead against her heat. His cock immediately released some love drops, moving over and around her sex, and he knew she was ready for him.
Corin sucked in her breath as his large cock drove into her sex. For only a few seconds, he held himself there, deep inside where she swore he touched her womb. It became the most thrilling feeling she could ever imagine. Her fingers gripped his powerful shoulders as he started a slow pull back only to push right back into her heat. The fluids flowed, and she couldn’t say if they were hers or his; regardless the canal accepted his full length with each ramming push as the rhythm mounted.
He rubbed his lips over her damp brow, savoring her low satisfied moans of escalating pleasure. The faster he went, the more she wanted. She felt wild and hot, taking it all and wanting more. She rose and met him with as much force as he dared use so that the full length of his rod sliding into the hilt earned his own cries of ecstasy.
When her legs locked about his hips, Rogan couldn’t stop ramming into her. He felt her fingers close around his balls, ever so gentle in their caress, one that sent him over the top of sexual excitement.
Their mutual cries filled the small cabin, and neither cared who might hear them. Together they rode each other as if it were the first and last time.
~ * ~
Corin smiled dreamily over the memory of their lovemaking this afternoon. She’d been insatiable, and he ravenous for her body. Corin never realized how many different ways there were to make love. His arm tightened under her breast and she wondered if he knew of her thoughts.
The touch of his lips against her ear earned her attention. “You are a glutton, my cat.”
“Hmm, I won’t deny it. I could make love to you all day and night and still want more, my rogue husband.”
“Really? Can I not satisfy you?”
She spun around in his lap to face him. “You and only you can always satisfy me.” She rained kisses over the exposed area of his chest and up his neck until she reached his waiting lips. “I never knew there were so many ways to make love, Rogan. I want to experience them all in your arms.” She kissed him long and deep; feeling his body responding, she pressed her sex against the hardening evidence of his own desire.
“I want it all, Rogan.”
Rogan started to rise with her in his arms and head for their cabin when Jacob called out.
“Ship ahead! Caleb, can you see her colors?”
Both Rogan and Corin froze in motion, waiting for an answer.
Caleb called out, “`Tis the Tempest!”
Corin hugged Rogan and gave him a quick kiss. “You may not be a pirate any longer, but you are still a captain.”
She watched as Rogan took over the wheel and started shouting orders. Corin also felt Brian’s burning gaze on her but refused to acknowledge him. Rogan could take care of his brother. He said as much today in the cabin. She told him all that happened, even knowing that he heard it all from Dan and his sons. Corin also told him all that transpired at Dèsirèe after he had left.
Corin sat back down on the deck and leaned against the mast. So much happened over the last few days she felt like she had jet lag. Her hand reached up and massaged her neck… she usually got a stiff neck when a storm was coming. She scanned the sky and other than a few puffy clouds there wasn’t much evidence of a storm. Yet Corin couldn’t shake off the feeling, deciding she better go tell Rogan.
Brian stepped between her and her destination. She stopped and looked up at him, and sighed over the anger still glaring out at her. “What is it, Brian?”
“I want to know who you are.”
Corin decided his foul mood couldn’t be trusted, so she didn’t dismiss him and walk away as she wanted to. “I am your brother’s wife. I love him with all my heart, and we are going to have a child. I think that brings you up to date. Now I need to speak with Rogan.”
“No, I want to know where you come from, and where this ship came from. No woman I’ve ever known could sail something this fine or own her.”
“I hate to disappoint you, but I do own her and sail her.” She dealt with his rage more than she wanted and pushed past him. The tight grip he took of her arm nearly pulled her to the deck. “Brian! What the heck is wrong with you?”
“I suggest, brother, that you release my wife. NOW!”
Once released, she took Rogan’s hand and moved to his side. “It is all right, Rogan.”
“No, no it isn’t.” His lips brushed her forehead before turning his attention back to Brian. “If I ever see you act in anger against Corin again, I will wipe the deck with your worthless ass. She risked her life to save yours, and for some untold reason you hate her for it. Stay clear of her, Brian.”
Rogan didn’t wait to hear whatever argument Brian wanted to start. He went back to the wheel with Corin beside him. He looked at Jacob and the man nodded in understanding. Rogan and the boys suffered enough of Brian’s foul temper; he refused to let him take his anger out on Corin. Rogan already understood Jacob’s feelings for his wife. If he didn’t know the man, he would be jealous of the bond the two of them carried. Rogan also knew Jacob would protect Corin even from Brian.
“I’m sorry, Corin. He never used to be like this.”
“He has suffered more than most.”
“That doesn’t excuse his misplaced anger with you.”
“I think I hurt his pride, Rogan.”
“I think my brother needs to go up to the mountains and figure out how to get rid of his hate.”
Corin nearly forgot what she wanted to tell him. “Rogan, I wanted to tell you I think we have a big storm coming.”
He didn’t say anything for a few minutes, forcing Corin to finally look up at him. His smile told her he heard her.
“I have a feeling this must be one of your woman’s intuition moments.”
“Aye, Captain Drake, it is definitely that.”
His arm came about her waist and pulled her between him and the wheel. “Take the wheel, Corin, and I will get the boys… we will check and make sure we are ready for this storm of yours.”
Before he turned to go, he stopped and leaned towards her. “And Corin, when we reach the Tempest you and I are going to board her.” His finger silenced her. “Please don’t argue, love, I would feel better if you were on her.”
Corin kissed his finger and smiled as he pulled it away. “I truly wasn’t going to argue; I just want a chance to get the charts and some other personal things.”
“Done. You can do that once we have everything tied down.”
She giggled to herself over the change in her. She loved the Tempest and its huge captain’s quarters. Caleb called out the distance he felt they were behind the ship, and Corin focused on steering the Raven in a race to catch Rogan’s ship. She couldn’t help but look up and check the sky… thankfully nothing changed.
The men were all over the deck and below, securing the schooner. They would probably tease her forever if no storm appeared. She did feel better knowing they would be ready. She heard Rogan tell Dan they would transfer to the Tempest. Jacob and the boys would take the Raven to Muddy Banks Plantation. Corin could feel the relief filling her. All of Rogan’s actions were to keep them all out of danger.
She rolled her tongue over the healing cut on her lip. The troubles filling her mind all rested on Diamond and where the man might be. How far will you take your obsession, Diamond?
Her gaze drifted to the solitary man at the rail, and her heart cried for Brian. She wished they’d met before his capture, sure they could be best of friends. Dan kept saying the boy would come around… if only he could have done so before getting Rogan mad.
Soon Corin lost all her thoughts to the Raven. The wind suddenly shifted, and she called out the warnings as she tacked against the unexpected force, finally bringing her about.
The Tempest seemed to move in union with the Raven, putting a smile on her face. Caleb put out the flag asking permission to board. She called out orders to reef the main sails and slow Raven down. The Tempest’s sails also started to lower. It wasn’t long until she saw the anchor drop from the Tempest.
Corin called to Jacob to take the wheel as she needed to gather the items she wanted. She knew Rogan well enough to know he wouldn’t want either ship dead in the water for long.
She raced about the cabin, gathering the charts, carefully folding them in an oiled leather pouch and stuffing it in her shirt. The remaining jewels were next. Corin grabbed one of the jackets off the peg and put it on to hide her treasures. She also packed some clothes, knowing she didn’t have any of her lovely dresses. She missed the finery and couldn’t wait to get home… Home, it is that now. Rogan and I have a home.
She took the last of the medicine from the kit and the needles she found in the desk and other silly items only important to her.
Rogan opened the door just as she reached for it. He pulled her to him and kissed her as if they had all the time in the world. It took an enormous amount of willpower from both of them to end what shouldn’t have started.
“Are you ready, Corin?”
“Yes, I have everything I could think of.”
He took the duffle bag and proceeded out the door. Corin stopped and looked about the cabin one last time, making sure she hadn’t missed anything.
She kissed her fingers and pressed them against the door. Stay safe, Raven.
Chapter Twenty-seven
Fury in the Wind
Corin watched out the cabin window as the Raven moved ahead of the Tempest with the speed she sailed under. She could hear Rogan’s orders being shouted out across the deck as he started securing the Tempest for the storm they both felt coming.
The wind picked up more speed, and quicker than usual, making Corin wonder if it were the start of a hurricane. She told Rogan her feelings, and he surprised her by agreeing. He also told her they would be heading for the Florida coast. They would meet the Raven in Tampa Bay. She heard Dan’s concern about the pirates in that area because his sons were on the Raven. Rogan said facing a hurricane out in the Gulf would be worse.
Corin shivered over the thought of facing either. She hoped they would make it up the coast far enough to avoid the full force of the storm. “Let it go
to Texas just this once.”
The Tempest carried twenty guns; Rogan said Jacob would not get too far in front of them just in case he needed help and firepower. Corin never realized how vulnerable the Raven might be in open waters. She told herself that Jacob could avoid almost anything with Raven’s speed. “Except in rough seas.”
Already she could feel the increase in the waves. She walked back to the window and chewed her cheek over what she saw. The waves looked to be ten feet or more in depth. Corin found some relief that the Tempest rode high in the water, and said a silent prayer that both ships would be all right.
Brian stayed on the Raven, and Corin felt it best. Rogan couldn’t understand Brian’s attitude and anger towards everyone. She knew Rogan talked to him for a long time before coming to the cabin. Maybe going to their land in the mountains would help Brian.
She turned when she heard the cabin door swing open. Rogan looked at her and smiled; she didn’t interrupt his thoughts.
She stayed by the window as he checked the charts.
“I think we will just make the bay before the storm hits. The sky is beginning to turn dark on the southern horizon, and it will be following us up the Gulf.”
“Can I do anything to help?”
He walked over to her and gently pulled her into his arms. “Just be here with me, Corin, that is all I need.”
They kissed each other, not with passion but with love. When he finally pulled back, his lips rested on her forehead. “You should try and get some sleep, my dear wife, before it gets too rough.” He looked deep into her eyes, “The water is already churning and I fear we are in for a rough sail.”
Her hand came to rest on his cheek. “I will be all right. I will try to rest until then.”
“Good, my son needs his mother to remain well.”