by Haley Travis
O’Doule turned to the Captain, who gave a nod. “The storm swung south much faster than we thought. Davy, put out the lamps. Flora, stay with Larry," the Captain commanded.
As most of the lights went out and the men all bolted for the deck, Larry took my hand and helped me navigate the swaying steps.
"Don't be scared, Miss," he said, flashing me his warm smile even in the near dark. "We are perfectly safe. Just come up for a moment and I’ll show you how to watch the sky properly."
There were no stars to be seen. The sky was a menacing rolling blanket of deep black and gray clouds. A few last blue streaks showed the sunset to the west, but from the north, the winds were blowing briskly.
Larry pointed to where it looked like the edge of the sea had become blurry. "That's the line of rain," he said. “If we had any land in view, we could calculate how long it would be before we got there. But without a reference point, all we can say is that it's coming soon."
The waves were becoming choppier, and I had to see them for myself. Clutching the railing, I held tight to look down at the waves that were now topped with frothy white peaks.
The wind seemed to take three seconds to turn from a stiff breeze to an outright gale. Before I could even pull in enough breath to squeal, the clouds released. The rain hit us in sheets. It didn't seem like it was falling, more like it was being fired at us from a canon. It was freezing. My bones began to shake before I even fully realized that I was wet.
Larry's strong arm gripped my waist almost roughly, hauling me down below decks.
Before I could even wipe the frigid water from my eyes, he had me wrapped in a blanket, sitting on the Captain's bed. "Promise me you'll stay right here," he said urgently.
"Yes, of course."
Even over the roar of the rain, I heard the Captain bellow, "Where is–"
"She’s safe in your quarters, sir," Larry hollered.
Then all I heard was a blur of voices yelling back and forth to each other as they lashed down a few stray barrels, quickly changing course.
I couldn't tell how much time had passed, as the room was nearly pitch black. I was shaking, afraid to try to take off my wet things when I couldn’t see. The chill began to wear through me, and my bones felt brittle.
After what seemed like a long time, the swaying of the ship settled back to a gentle roll. Not too long after, the door opened and the Captain came in with a lamp. “My sweet girl, we’re anchored in an inlet for the night. Everything’s fine.”
“Ok-kay.”
“You’ve survived your first storm, my lassie.” The way he called me his warmed my heart, though the rest of me was so chilled I couldn’t feel my feet.
“Lass, is that your teeth chattering?”
“Yeth,” I muttered, trying to stand up to get out of my cold, wet clothing now that I could see.
As soon as the Captain saw that I was wet, he took over. Ripping everything off of me, he threw me naked into the bed, ignoring my shocked gasp. He turned the lamp up high, and lit another. Then he tore his own clothing off, getting under the blankets with me.
“Now is not the time for shame,” he said. He turned me away from him so that my entire back was pressed against his wide chest, his strong legs up against mine. His arms curled around me so that his hands were flat against my stomach, pulling me tight. “Skin on skin is the fastest way to warm you through.”
“I bet-t-t you’re g-g-glad it’s me that’s frozen, and not-t-t Larry,” I chattered, with a little giggle.
“You have no idea,” he said with a snort.
It didn’t take long for me to warm up, and soon the quaking stopped. But the feeling of being naked in his arms was starting a different sort of trembling. His hands parted. Slowly the right slid up to my breast, as the left glided down to rest against the mound between my legs.
Gently running his fingers through my short curls, he asked, “Lassie, are you warm?”
“Yes,” I breathed.
“Should I let you go now?”
“No.”
His hand cupped the soft skin of my breast, squeezing gently, traveling lazily around in a circle as my head tipped back against his shoulder.
I’d never experienced such raw feelings, as if my body had completely taken over and my normally fretful mind had washed overboard.
His other hand slowly moved lower, taking hold of my right thigh and pulling it upward. Then he pushed down the left so that my legs were spread, my feminine parts open. His fingertips wandered along my inner thigh. The butterflies I usually felt in my stomach when he kissed me were now much lower.
Hearing myself moan softly surprised us both. My skin felt like it was on fire everywhere he touched me.
His thick dark voice murmured, “Shall I stop, lassie?”
“No. Please...” I arched over my left shoulder to kiss him, as his hand possessed the space between my thighs.
His fingertips cautiously swept through the soft curls, dragging along the tender folds of my most delicate skin. As he gently stroked me, I felt things simmering deep inside, as if everything were tightening.
The need for him to touch me came from a place so deep inside I’d never known it was there. A part of me was waking up. A yearning so intense that it nearly frightened me.
The way his lips hungrily captured mine sent shivers through my spine. I couldn’t stop moaning and gasping into his mouth. His fingers found my sensitive passage, and he slowly, gently slid inside. I was surprised at the sensation of wetness, and found that it somehow aroused me even more that my body was taking over.
There was a feeling of fullness as he entered me with one finger, moving in and out. His rough hand brushed against my softness, making my breath hitch as my heart raced. Bringing his thumb to the bit of skin just above the opening, he swirled against it, sending sparks straight through me. My belly tightened and everything felt strangely raw.
Having him possess my body in this manner was enchanting, as he controlled me completely. The heat inside me grew until I was burning, tense, feeling like I was about to fall over a ledge.
“Oh, what...” I tried to ask, the trembling beginning in my core and hips at the same time.
“Let go, precious. Come for me.” His dark command washed through me, as his fingers worked deeper and faster. Suddenly I was falling, explosions behind my eyes as I squealed in bliss.
“Oh, oh...” I cried, gasping for air as I shook in his arms.
When my trembling stopped, I rolled over to face him. I felt half-crazed. He seemed both proud and delighted. “You sounded like you enjoyed that, lass.”
I nodded, euphoric and dumbfounded. “Oh my,” I managed.
He pulled me closer, and I could plainly feel how much my arousal had affected him. Somehow, that made me feel even more excited. Taking a deep breath, I moved the hand that had been pressed against his chest, and slid it down. I moved past the taut ripples of his stomach to feel the thick shaft of his manhood.
My hand fluttered along his skin, which was softer, sleeker than I had expected. It felt a bit like a rod of iron wrapped in silk. As I worked my way downward, I became worried as my hand went farther and farther. I would never have thought it would be that big.
The more my hand ran along the surface, the more the Captain’s eyes softened. He wasn’t relaxing, it was as if he were partially in a dream.
“Do you like this?” I asked, unsure.
“Yes, lass,” he said gently. “But what if you used both hands?”
I sat up, wrapping both hands around his shaft. Now that I could actually see it, I was intrigued. There seemed to be a layer of skin that moved over the tip strangely. He reached down, and showed me how to pull it back, then run my palm across the top.
It was like playing a strange game, as I listened to his breathing. When I slowed down, he seemed dreamy. When I sped up, or increased the pressure, his breathing quickened. I was delighted that he appeared to be enjoying my touch so thoroughly, and I tried increasi
ng the pressure and the speed at the same time.
His low moan surprised and delighted me. “Yes, lass, keep doing that.” I grinned up at him to see his dark eyes tense. Having his huge body under my control was a strangely intoxicating power.
It didn’t feel dirty or wrong in the slightest. It felt like I was bringing him the greatest pleasure, which thrilled me to pieces. I stroked faster, feeling his shaft throbbing in my fingers.
His muscles clenched, and his dark eyes were burning into mine. When I looked down, I felt his organ shudder in my hands, then pump thick bursts of white cream across his chest, while he groaned, clutching the back of my hair.
He lay still for a moment, blinking, as his breathing returned to normal. I waited patiently until he spoke. “That was lovely, my sweet girl.”
“Did I do a good job?”
He chuckled. “The best.” Grabbing a rag from behind the head of his bed, he wiped off his stomach, then turned back to kiss me.
I wrapped my hands around his shoulders, but it wasn’t enough. Rolling on top of him, I instinctively found myself straddling him, legs wide, but this time there were no knickers between us. Feeling the urges of my body take over, I pressed the end of his shaft between my legs, nestling him inside my little folds of skin.
It felt so natural, so right. Grabbing my behind he moved with me, beginning to push the tip of his shaft into my tunnel, then his eyes grew wide. He shifted me back to the side, rolling me away. “Lassie, we can’t.”
“Why not?” I whispered, terrified that I’d displeased him somehow.
“At least, not tonight,” he said gently. “You’ve had a chill and a fright, and we’ve explored enough for now.”
I nodded, trying not to feel rejected. At least he’d finally touched me in that way, which proved that he did indeed want me. That was a great relief. I’d never felt so drawn to a man before, and the thought of him not wanting me was horrific.
He must have seen the confusion in my eyes.
“Lassie,” he nearly growled, “Don’t you dare think I don’t want you. I’ve never desired a woman this much in my life. We just need to take some time. Can you trust me?”
I nodded. Then he kissed me until I was nearly dizzy before tucking us in to sleep.
~ Chapter 10 ~ The Captain ~
* Paperwork *
I was grateful to have O’Doule on board to take care of the paperwork and sums. Although I was fairly accurate at scheduling and keeping the accounts straight, it was an annoying task. It gave me a bit of a headache just to think about.
I enjoyed the planning, the plotting, and deciding on the routes. I seemed to have a knack for keeping large amounts of information in my mind at once so I could pick and choose the best routes for what we needed.
It was a great relief that this group of men agreed we should do less outright thieving, and more smuggling and trading. Since we certainly appeared like a scurvy band of pirates, local authorities in small towns wanted nothing to do with us.
This made it extremely simple for rum running, and quick shipments of slightly illegal supplies such as various pistols that would otherwise take far too long to procure through official channels.
We also happened to meet a few rigs who were running exotic spices up from the south. Just because they were undocumented didn't make them any less delicious. It was extremely lucrative. Since spices were only classified if people had heard of them, it also wasn't quite illegal, technically.
Once people had seen us travel by the port several times, they entrusted us to run regular goods from town to town as well. Loads of grain, seed and farming supplies, and hand-knit sweaters were not the most exciting cargo, but it was fair money.
Although we didn't want to get into the habit, we even ran a young man back to his hometown a few months ago, so that he would arrive in time for his sister's wedding.
I never told the boys I barely charged him for the passage, just the equivalent of regular room and board. O'Doule had given me that fatherly smile and nod at the time, understanding. Since we were passing through anyway, best that the young lad save his bits of silver to fetch his sister a nice gift.
It was still best that we avoided the authorities as much as possible. But since we weren't flying the black, and we did have legal cargo aboard, I was reasonably certain that we would pass inspection.
Still, with Teeth and Davy and their sharp eyes on watch as much as possible, we simply avoided all large ships. The Fortune's Favor was extremely fast and very maneuverable. This gave us the ability to blink out of sight quickly.
I would never have kept Flora with us if I thought she’d be in danger. A few years ago, when the outfit was quite dishonorable and often chased by men with bayonets, I would have dropped her off in the nearest town where we had some acquaintances to care for her.
Now, I was fairly certain that she was safe with us. If we were arrested, we would say she had simply purchased passage to a nearby port, and beg the authorities to take her there safely.
Which reminded me that I’d have to speak with Flora about learning how to act. All of the boys were able to turn into a character when need be. It was astounding how Davy could suddenly look like a boy small enough to be still in britches. Or McGee could instantly become the drunken uncle that we were all caring for on our way back from the pub.
Part of our shady life was learning how to get through awkward moments. I never planned to put Flora in that position, but I should attempt to prepare her in case the occasion cropped up.
I was glad that the wee lass was finally going to be able to visit another town. Long ago, I vaguely recalled how exciting it was the first time I explored an entirely new village. There was nothing terribly different, but every single thing was just a tiny bit new. Everything seemed fresh and more interesting.
It was extremely disappointing that I was unable to accompany Flora on her first little expedition, but I’d send Larry to watch over her. They seemed to get on quite well, and there was nobody I could trust her with more.
~ Chapter 11 ~ Flora ~
* Shopping in Parrinport *
That afternoon, while I attended to the pile of sewing projects, I found myself distracted. I stabbed my finger a few times with the needle as my mind wandered away, and I found myself unable to focus.
After that amazing night with the Captain, I felt closer to him than ever before. Yet I was confused as to why he wouldn’t take me completely. I didn’t know much about the ways of men. From what I had gleaned back in my village, it was all that most men wanted from women besides a good meal.
Years ago, my mother had awkwardly told me about “the snake in the cave”, and I’d listened with rapt attention.
“But how does it work?” I had asked, the curiosity overtaking me even more than my embarrassment.
“Just let the man do as he will, and try not to fight back,” mother had said.
“Is there only one way?”
Mother’s lips tightened, and her hand had fluttered to a tiny scar on the side of her left jaw. “Sometimes he might try to get you to put his manhood into your mouth like a common whore.” She stroked the inch of disturbed flesh without even thinking. “Sometimes it’s worth fighting back, and sometimes it isn’t.”
The memory had always upset me terribly. But now that there was an actual man in my life, the conversation took on more meaning. The thought of pleasing the Captain thrilled me on a level I didn’t even understand. I wanted him to want me. I wanted to satisfy his every need. Yet I could barely get my hands around his… piece. The thought of it sliding between my lips... looking up at him while he smiled his encouragement...
I dropped the sewing needle, grabbing it just before it disappeared between the floorboards.
“Something wrong, Miss?” Larry inquired as he came into the room to check on me.
I felt my cheeks flush, which likely told him that my mind had wandered far from my task. “Sorry.”
Larry nodded in underst
anding. “There are many things here that are very new to you, aren’t there?”
“Yes.”
“You seem to be handling it better than most. You’ve not even been seasick,” he said with a touch of admiration.
“When I was small, I would sneak down to the docks and lie in an old boat at the end of the pier, where nobody could see me,” I recalled dreamily. “It was my secret place to run away from the world. The rocking of the waves, the lilt of the water has always calmed me.”
“Even the way you speak is pretty,” Larry said.