Crushing Desire

by April Dawn

  Gunner was a terrible liar, and when he’d returned from her room with the story about Reena being superstitious, it had instantaneously rung false. Reena had never been superstitious, and she wouldn’t start that silliness now. She was too intelligent for that. No, something had happened that they didn’t want him to know. Joshua had surmised that it wasn’t anything too bad, because if it had been, Gunner would have told him. Still, he wanted to know what had happened that would instigate such a lie.

  Joshua had also noticed the Captain’s anger and wondered if it had anything to do with that. Joshua wouldn’t push her yet. He would give her time to tell him.

  “Well, gentlemen, if you would excuse us,” he said, finally too impatient to wait. “I should like to be alone with my wife.”

  The men laughed and ribbed each other, whispering bawdy comments as Reena’s cheeks heated. Joshua smiled at her embarrassment. She could heal more men than she could count and not for one moment appear embarrassed, but just the insinuation that he wanted to be alone with her made her blush.

  She’s a hell of a woman.

  Taking her arm, he led her through the men toward their cabin at the base of the narrow stairs. When they were finally alone, he turned to her, the throbbing pain in his legs meaning nothing to him, and pulled her into his embrace.

  “I missed you, Mrs. Sinclair,” he said, staring down at her misty eyes.

  “I love the sound of that, my husband, and I love you.” Her eyes became pools as tears gathered.

  Joshua brushed away the tears as they fell, kissing her lips, cheeks, eyes, ears, every inch of her face.

  “No tears now, my love. This is a moment for happiness, love, and passion.” His words were thick with need even to his own ears, and he tugged her soft curves against his hard length, fitting them together like a finely made puzzle.

  Reena’s eyes darkened, becoming a silvery grey like a storm cloud that is almost spent. The flush that covered her cheeks and reddened her lips made his insides tighten.

  “And there will be passion.” He used his shoulder to press the door closed behind them.

  A rush of desire made Reena’s knees buckle. His strong arms held her upright, and she clung to him in response. The small room, the ship, the crew, the world, all of it slipped away. The only thing that she saw was Joshua. His deep blue eyes, his strong, handsome face. He rubbed his lips over hers, taking her bottom lip into his mouth and sucking gently, teasing the soft surface with his tongue. Heat moved through her, pooling deep inside. She wanted him more than she had ever wanted anything. He rubbed his lips softly against her cheek, making her body shake with need. The heat of her desire flashed to a bonfire as his mouth came fully over hers. His tongue found its way to hers, and Reena’s knees gave. The next moment, she was in his arms, and he held her to him as he carried her to the bed.

  “Joshua!” She cried out, alarmed that he might hurt himself, supporting not only his own weight but hers too.

  “Hush love, kiss me.” His sensual voice, the way his mouth moved when he spoke, the desire in his eyes, all of these combined to drive away any common sense. The bed depressed beneath her, and she forgot all about his injuries.

  He moved over her, carefully removing the ties that held her dress, exposing more of her flesh for exploration. So slow, as if she were in a dream. His mouth, his hands, his body brought pleasure to hers with every touch. Reena flung her head back in abandon and gripped the coverlet beneath them. Joshua’s fingers moved down her sides, then dipped lower, finding the sensitive nub that drove her wild. She gasped and writhed, her passion stoking the fire to a raging inferno inside. The warmth of his tongue trailed over the curves of her body, following his fingers. She moaned, and when his mouth came over that sensitive spot, Reena nearly arched off the bed.

  “Joshua!” White-hot sparks of desire shot through Reena as he devoured her, holding her tightly and overloading her senses. Suddenly, the inferno burst forth, incinerating everything in its wake. Her body shook and arched out of her control.

  When she’d calmed some, Reena found herself in Joshua’s arms. He held her close, kissing her temple and letting her body still. His arousal pressed against her thigh, yet he made no move to enter her. She reached for him, wanting to touch him. To give him the same pleasure that he had given her.

  “No, love.” He grasped her hand, kissing each of her fingers in turn. “Tonight, I am going to give you more pleasure than you ever thought possible. Tonight, I’ll make sure you never regret becoming my wife.”

  “I never could, and I never will.” She turned her body into his.

  He lowered his head, his lips sliding over hers in a slow and thorough exploration. Her body responded instantly, and the fire was once more building inside.

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  After two wonderful days and nights of lovemaking, Reena lay in Joshua’s arms, watching him sleep. The room was filled with the sounds of the ocean and the rough choppy waves that signaled the closeness of shore. Reena slipped from the bed and donned a gown. They would no doubt sail into the port within moments, then depart from the ship and return to her family home. She and Joshua were both packed and ready to leave.

  The door opened and Gregory walked in.

  “We’re in port. Get off my ship,” he muttered.

  Joshua stood, pulling on his breeches and a shirt. Not giving her a moment’s pause, he dragged her with him through the crowded ship, past all the sailors as they said their goodbyes. She smiled and waved when she passed Fish, but Joshua didn’t stop to allow her a proper goodbye. It was as though now that they were safe, he intended to get her away before something proved they were not.

  As Joshua pulled her down the plank to the dock, her shoulders relaxed for the first time in days. Footfalls behind them sped their decent. Glancing over her shoulder, Reena caught sight of Gunner racing after them carrying their bags.

  “Love,” she panted, trying to keep up with Joshua’s long strides. “It’s Gunner.”

  When they’d safely reached the shadows of the building at the end of the dock, she insisted that they find somewhere for him to sit.

  “Thank you, Gunner. I’ll take those.” She reached for the bags he held, wondering how she would manage their bags and her exhausted husband.

  “Ye can leave them with me, lass. Ye’ll need my help.”

  “Oh Gunner, that’s sweet, but you really needn’t—”

  “Gunner’ll do what ye need. Me Da always said: ‘if a man saves your life, your t’ be his man ‘til ye repay that life.’” Gunner inclined his head, a sharp movement that seemed to be a humble gesture, but allowed no disagreement.

  “Very well, Gunner. We have to get a room and give Joshua the time he needs to recover before he can endure the trip to my family’s home.” Gunner nodded, reached down, and helped Joshua to his feet.

  Reena couldn’t miss the pain her husband tried to hide as they continued, and it reaffirmed her decision to let Joshua rest. Making love was one thing, but the abuse he would suffer to his wounded legs in a carriage ride over miles of rough roads was something all together different. There was the very real possibility that Joshua would need a cane for the rest of his days, and she didn’t want to tax his legs and ensure the worst outcome.

  9

  Joshua woke some time later. He remembered arriving at the inn, but he couldn’t recall falling asleep, despite the heavy exhaustion which had plagued him. The room was bare, with only a trunk, a writing desk, and an armoire. The furnishings were not ornate, but they were functional. The bed was quite comfortable, and the sheets appeared clean. He looked around, wondering where Reena was. He knew that Gunner had stayed with them, and was most likely at her side, but he wanted to see his wife. Wanted to know she was safe.

  His legs throbbed. He hadn’t realized how hard he’d pushed his injured legs. Joshua had enjoyed bringing his wife to ever greater heights of pleasure, and he’d gotten Reena safely from the ship as well. That had been worth
any measure of pain.

  He was certain that he hadn’t been in bed long enough for the Pampered Princess to have left port, and Reena shouldn’t be wandering. The men might have respected what Reena and he had done aboard ship, but they had known Gregory for a long time. Some would be loyal enough to help Gregory complete what he’d started, and the others would be none the wiser. Joshua had seen many battles and knew that it wasn’t over until you were far from it or no man remained standing. Obviously, he and Gregory both still stood.

  He needed to find her. To make sure that she hadn’t been discovered by any of the men loyal to Gregory. Moving to the edge of the bed, he ignored the aching throb that radiated throughout his legs. His feet touched the floor as the door opened.

  Gunner stepped inside, holding huge mounds of packages.

  “Ye shouldn’t be doing that. Ye’ll hurt yourself.” Gunner dropped the boxes on the table. He marched over and pushed Joshua back down onto the bed.

  “Where is Reena?” Joshua shoved the sailor’s hands aside, trying to get back to his feet, but his legs, weakened by all the recent activity, gave out.

  “She went out t’ do some shoppin’. Ye both needed new clothes, but me hands could only carry so much.” He indicated the packages with a shrug.

  “Don’t worry about that, Gunner, you did well, but is she out there alone?” Joshua glanced at the door.

  Gunner smiled, and his eyes sparkled. “Don’t ye worry about the lass, she’s safe. I willna stay overlong.”

  9

  Reena stood in the small shop, taking in all the items as she waited for Gunner to return. The dark shop contained sundries that they would need before they could take the short trip to her family home. She’d considered going to her home alone and bringing Joshua the next day, after all, her home was mere hours away. Reena had always begged her mother to take her to this particular shop when she was a girl. She held a lovely statue of a cherub she’d purchased, thinking of the child that grew within her.

  “There you are,” a firm and familiar voice said behind her.

  She whirled, brandishing the cherub.

  “Are you going to fight me?” Fish asked with a grin. “Would you save a man only to kill him, doctor?”

  Reena smiled and lowered the statue.

  “I’ve been searching for you, but truth told, I wish I hadn’t found you.” Fish looked at the door, muttering. “Damn him for a stubborn fool.”

  “What is it, Fish?” Reena’s gaze followed his.

  “I’m sorry to say it, but I heard him order a few loyal men to find you and kill you both. He won’t give up this insane quest for vengeance,” Fish said. “You have to leave as soon as you can. I don’t think his anger will cool until he has wreaked some punishment upon you both.”

  She reached out and gently touched Fish’s forearm.

  “Thank you, Fish. Without you, I don’t believe I should have survived this journey.”

  “Likewise.” Fish continued toward the door and Reena followed.

  “I must go for the lass. Get ye some rest.” Reena heard Gunner say as she and Fish entered her room a moment later.

  Gunner stumbled back as Joshua nearly knocked him over in his attempt to stand.

  “Fish? What are you doing here? Gunner, find Reena, now!” He took a step toward the captain’s son, his legs shaking.

  Fish carried the generous sundry package into the room, and Reena walked in behind him.

  “Joshua, I’m here.” Reena ran to his side and put a hand to his chest.

  She settled him back into the bed as Fish set the package in the corner, grateful that he was finally awake then proceeded to rain kisses all over Joshua’s face.

  “You’re awake,” Reena said, more relieved than she ever could have told him. He eyed her and arched an eyebrow.

  “How long was I asleep?”

  She kept kissing his face as she answered. “The whole day.”

  He gaped for a moment but only asked, “Now, how is it that we find Fish in our room today?”

  “Fish came to warn us about his father. We have to leave soon. He isn’t done with us yet,” she said, knowing that this was exactly what Joshua had expected.

  “You should leave by the week’s end, no later,” Fish said, and Reena nodded.

  They said their goodbyes, and Joshua thanked him heartily before Fish left the room. That was when Reena recalled her packages.

  “I must show you something, my love,” she said.

  Grabbing up the bundles, she then carried them to the bed. His soft smile filled her heart as she came up onto the bed next to him. He would be happy about the babe. She knew he would. He just had to be.

  She proceeded to pull out all the clothing that she’d gotten him, telling him why she chose each. Reena slowed somewhat as she came to the last package. She stood, drawing the tiny cloth from her pocket and then sat it on the bed. She waited for a moment, watching Joshua stare down thoughtfully at the cloth.

  “And what, my dear heart, is in there?” he asked.

  Taking a deep breath, she prepared herself as Gunner slipped quietly from the room.

  “A gift for you,” she said.

  Reena tugged the shawl from around her neck and sat next to him on the bed. Placing the cloth in his hand, she bit her lip. When she had come across the ribbon, it had been so perfect, but now that the moment had come…

  His fingers move to the small cloth, and he removed the ties. The bundle fell open, and inside sat the blue ribbon that she had been so excited to find. He plucked the ribbon free, and his quizzical expression made her laugh. Joshua lifted the ribbon from the box and held it to his head, his dimples making an appearance.

  “How do you like it?”

  Reena giggled and slapped at his arm.

  “It is for me to wear, my dear, and I shall never be seen without it,” she said. “You see, love. The deep blue is exactly the color of your eyes, and the light, the color of mine.” She pointed as she showed him.

  “It’s a symbol of our marriage”—she took a deep breath—”and the tiny blue stripe, running down the middle, the one that is like a mix of the two, is the babe that has come from it.”

  Joshua’s eyes widened.

  “We’re going to—are we… “

  “Yes love, we’re going to have a baby.” She grinned at him and nodded.

  His eyes lit with excitement for an instant but then darkened almost as suddenly. He pulled her to him and kissed her softly, holding the ribbon reverently in his hands.

  “My wife.” He drew her to him so forcefully, she thought she might break.

  “Husband,” she breathed, then deepened the kiss, letting all her love and desire show in the meeting of their lips.

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  Reena sat on the small chair by the table, not really reading the book she held. Instead her finger toyed with the page. Gunner had gone to hire the coach they would need for their travel to her family’s home. Joshua had been quietly watching her for hours. He hadn’t spoken to her much since she’d told him of the baby, and he had become more and more brooding. He would sit and hold the ribbon, staring at the stripes, and saying nothing. This brooding thoughtfulness wasn’t exactly in his nature, and Reena was almost certain that she knew what it was about.

  After some time of this, she’d finally had enough. She dropped her book onto the table and moved to where he lay on the bed. He watched her, his eyebrows coming together as she approached. He was going to pick a fight.

  “Joshua, what’s wrong?” She sat on the bed next to him and waited for the storm to come.

  “Nothing is wrong.” His gaze roamed the room.

  “Joshua, you’ve been sitting here for hours, just staring. You don’t want to do anything, and we should be leaving soon.”

  “I don’t need you to fill my time for me,” he said, standing from the bed.

  Reena held onto the side of the large four poster bed, hoping to weather the storm.

&nbs
p; “You’ve done nothing but try to find ways to entertain me. I’m not a child, and you needn’t treat me as though I am.” His voice rose a bit, but he didn’t yell. Yet.

  Joshua picked up the small tray of fruit that sat on the table and looked down at it, picking through the fruit. He was trying to avoid the conversation that she knew needed to happen. Reena knew that he needed to talk, or it would eat him alive. She closed her eyes.

  “I don’t want to fill your time, Joshua. I only want you to talk to me.”

  “Well, damn it, I don’t want to talk!” Now he was yelling.

  He stormed across the room, limping on his not quite healed legs.

  “Leave me alone, Reena. I’m fine.”

  Reena peered up at him, still gripping the post.

  “Joshua, I’ll be fine. So will the baby—”

  The tray of fruit in Joshua’s hand flew across the room and crashed into the wall above the table, and then he stomped out the door. The door slammed behind him and Reena jumped. She took a deep breath and moved to clean up the mess. It had gone much better than she’d expected.

  9

  It was nearly dawn when Joshua returned, and Reena lay quietly in their bed. He moved across the chamber, and she knew at once where he’d spent his afternoon. The smell of liquor wafted across the room and filled her nostrils with its sour stench. She rolled over and studied him standing in the doorway. When she saw his face, her heart broke into a thousand pieces. The pain she saw there would be etched into her memory forever. He kicked the door closed and came to her, his arms reaching for her well before he neared the bed. Reena got to her knees on the bed, reaching for him when he neared. Moving into her arms, he held her against him, tighter than he’d ever done before, as though by holding her fiercely enough, he could keep her with him even beyond death.