by Kate Hill
He gasped and wrapped his arms tightly around her as she drank. His warm, potent blood was shockingly sweet. Not what she had expected at all but a very pleasant surprise.
When she finished, she pushed away, licking her lips. His eyes were closed, his breathing slow and even, as if in the aftermath of an intense orgasm. She wiped the droplets of blood from his neck and sucked her finger to clean away the traces.
Andre grasped her waist and rolled her toward him so they were nose to nose.
“My turn,” he whispered against her lips, but instead of kissing her tilted his head so that she could easily bite his throat.
Her eyes slipped shut and she ran her tongue along the side of his neck. A low growl rumbled in his chest as she continued licking and gently scraping her fangs over his flesh, just shy of breaking the skin. For several moments she teased him until his grunt of frustration told her she’d postponed the delicious moment long enough. She bit him swiftly and lapped his luscious bittersweet blood while they clung to each other, their legs intertwined and hearts beating as one.
Chapter Three
The following day, the trio purchased the ship Chantel had told them about and selected their crewmen who immediately prepared for the voyage. By dawn they were ready to set sail.
Crispin gathered a few personal belongings from his cabin and stuffed them into a leather bag. He glanced at Jolie who sat dejectedly at his desk.
“I can’t believe you’re going off and leaving me here alone.” She pouted.
“Alone? Syd is here with you and will take you back to my island where you’ll be safe until I return.”
Of all his crewmen, Syd was the only one Crispin trusted to see that Jolie was properly protected. If not for Jolie, Syd would have accompanied him on the search for Morall’s Treasure. That was the price of taking responsibility for the girl.
At one time his own needs would have come before anyone and anything. He knew taking her under his wing, so to speak, had been a foolish move, but he’d never had children of his own and most likely never would. He refused to fall in love and mate for life, so legitimate offspring were out. And whenever he bedded whores he took precautions to ensure no children would be conceived. For years he had used an herb that prevented male wolves from fathering offspring. He knew all too well how difficult it was to grow up without parents or clan and wouldn’t wish such a fate on any innocent child. Jolie was the closest he’d get to family, and once he had Morall’s Treasure, he intended to see that she had the chance for a decent life.
“I don’t want to go to the island,” she continued. “It’s boring.”
“I don’t have time to argue with you. We’ll talk more when I return.”
“What if you don’t?” she said softly. “Cris, you’re sailing off with Andre and Chantel Fire Eyes, the worst bitch in the sea.”
She actually looked worried. This touched him. Damn, he was going soft after all. Perhaps this adventure was exactly what he needed to keep his edge. He approached Jolie, gently cupped her chin in his hand and tilted her face so their gazes met. “I will be back. When I do, it will be with the treasure I have spent my life searching for. Then we’re taking you off the island and making a proper life for you so you can find a decent mate from a good clan.”
“Mate!” She jerked away from him and stood abruptly, her wolfish fangs gleaming and her eyes aglow with fury. “I’m not the marrying kind. I’m too much like you, Cris.”
“You’re not like me. I know I haven’t been the best example for you and I’ve indulged your wild nature as well as my own desire for a protégé, but believe it or not, Jolie, I have shielded you from the worst parts of piracy.”
“My clan was destroyed. What more evil could I possibly witness?”
“I know it’s hard to believe, but there is more. You could have lost your soul, like I have.”
“You have a soul.”
“If I had a soul, I’d have dropped you at the orphanage of the first wolf clan we passed.”
“I love life at sea!”
“I won’t have you making the same mistakes I did. End of discussion.” He slung his bag over his shoulder and headed for the door. “Don’t give Syd any trouble while I’m gone.”
“I’ll make his life hell,” she snapped.
Turning on his heel, he glared at her. “Don’t push me, girl, or you’ll regret it.”
She lowered her gaze.
“You will behave,” he said in a soft, dangerous tone. When she didn’t reply he growled.
“Yes, sir,” she murmured.
“A smile, please.”
Glancing at him, her lips parted in a forced grin, her wolfish fangs exposed.
He curled his lip and left. There was no time to deal with the brat’s hurt feelings. Jolie rarely held a grudge. By the time he returned she’d have forgotten all about this conversation. Once he arranged for her to live with a decent family and meet handsome young wolves who were looking for mates, she’d forget all about living on the ship. She’d realize Crispin wanted what was best for her. Syd came from a good family and his sister had, at his last visit, offered to take Jolie into her home and help her find a mate.
* * *
In spite of his doubts about sharing leadership with Crispin and Chantel, Andre had to admit the first day of the voyage went rather well. They realized that presenting an image of strength and unity in front of the mixed crew meant everything, so they managed to keep their tempers in check and not undermine each other’s authority. This was especially difficult when dealing with Crispin. Regardless of what he said, he emanated the scent of challenge. Andre knew he did as well. There was generally one alpha male per family or business unit. Two simply didn’t mix, at least for extended periods of time. The best they could hope for was to find the treasure quickly before tempers exploded.
Chantel didn’t appear in the least affected or intimidated by her precarious position between the two wolves. She actually seemed amused by their agitation toward one another. This annoyed Andre while at the same time arousing him. Truly she was a magnificent woman. Beautiful, confident, intelligent. Already he ached to bed her again. Strangely, he didn’t even mind sharing her with Crispin. Though a mere vampire female, she was vigorous enough to satisfy both wolves.
Standing by the rail, Andre gazed at the water without really seeing it. In his mind, he was once again in bed with Chantel, her voluptuous brown body writhing beneath him as he filled her with long, powerful thrusts of his stiff cock.
His excitement kindled at the image and he resisted the urge to adjust his crotch. Grunting, he turned and headed below. When he’d last seen her, she’d been sitting in their cabin, pouring over the map and a book of notes left by her mother. Crispin was on the quarterdeck giving orders to several crewmen, so if Andre wanted a try at the beautiful Chantel alone, now was the perfect time.
When he stepped into the cabin, her gaze shot up. Since meeting her, he’d realized why she was called Fire Eyes. Large, tilted up at the corners and a deep reddish brown, her eyes were absolutely breathtaking. When her lust or temper rose, those eyes did indeed resemble flames. He could lose himself in her gaze if he allowed it.
“Miss me?” She smiled, a sultry curve of her full lips.
He recalled the softness of her lips and her luscious taste. A low growl rumbled in his chest and he closed the door behind him and strode toward her. “Would you be happy if I did, Fire Eyes?”
“What do you think?”
“I think I want to hear what you feel.”
She used a ribbon to mark her place in the book and leaned back in the chair, staring at him with such passion that he actually felt his temperature rise.
“I feel like I want to be fucked,” she said in a husky voice.
“How convenient. I feel like fucking you.” He began undressing efficiently in spite of the almost desperate need coursing through him. He tossed his weapons onto the desk. His shirt followed. Next he removed the boots, socks and
trousers.
The entire time Chantel remained in the chair, one arm slung lazily over the back. Though at a quick glance she appeared as calm and collected as Andre, the rise and fall of her chest, the lust in her eyes and the tightness of her nipples pressing against her shirt revealed the depth of her passion.
Their gazes never left each other as he approached and dropped to one knee beside her chair. He slipped off her boots and tossed them aside. Her socks followed. When he unbuckled her belt and unbuttoned her trousers, a slight smile touched her lips. Bracing her hands against the arms of the chair, she arched her hips off the seat so that he could slide off her trousers. Placing them aside, he took a moment to stare at her.
She looked absolutely gorgeous with her bare bottom and smooth thighs resting against the wooden seat. The sight of her shapely calves and the curve of her ankles aroused him even more.
Unable to resist touching her flesh any longer, he grasped her foot and massaged it gently. He raised it at the same time he lowered his head and kissed the top. His tongue rolled over her ankle, tracing its shape, then he kissed and licked her calf and shin. He took as much of her kneecap as possible into his mouth and swept his tongue over it before continuing the sensual journey to her thigh. The scent of her desire was strong in the air, mingling with his own. He shifted position and knelt between her legs that eagerly parted to accommodate him. Without hesitation, he buried his face in her soft mound.
“Oh, Andre,” she breathed, her hands roaming over his scalp. At moments like this he was truly glad he’d decided to shave his head. The sensation of her palms and fingers stroking and squeezing his bare flesh was too good for words. Grunting with pleasure, he ran his tongue over her clit and sucked on it. He lapped and kissed the swollen nub as well as her inner thighs. Placing his hands beneath her ample bottom, he raised her slightly off the chair so he could thrust his tongue into her heated pussy. Again she braced her hands against the chair arms and supported some of her weight, though he knew this had to be difficult when so overwhelmed by passion. Already her body was trembling and her panting breath filled his ears.
“Yes, yes, yes!” she gasped. “Andre. Oh, Andre. Oh baby, don’t stop. Please don’t stop. Please…” Her words faded to an extended groan of raw lust. After several more thrusts of his tongue into her hot, wet pussy, he once again fastened his lips over her clit, sucking and licking in a steady rhythm that drove her headlong into climax.
She cried out sharply, every muscle in her body tense, then collapsed against the back of the chair. Andre sat up and slowly lowered her bottom onto the seat. Sitting back on his heels, he watched her for several moments. Her eyes closed and her entire body sprawled in the chair, she looked sinfully beautiful.
He unbuttoned the ties on her shirt and she groaned softly as he removed it, her sleepy eyes refusing to open even as he lifted her in his arms and carried her to the bed.
Straddling her, he kept almost his entire weight supported on his knees and began fondling her breasts. This got her attention and she gazed at him through half-open eyes. Her hands came to rest gently over his as he stroked and squeezed her large, warm breasts. He moved back, his hands moving down her ribs and over her hips.
Chantel watched him with interest as he spread her legs and guided them around his waist. Her bent knees pressed against the sides of his chest as he thrust his rock hard cock deep inside her.
“Andre,” she breathed, her hips moving in time with his slow, steady rhythm.
The door burst open and Crispin stood, his violet eyes blazing.
“Well, I see the partnership seems to have changed,” he said his voice rough with combined fury and arousal. His gaze lingered over their locked bodies. The aroma of Andre and Chantel’s lovemaking was heavy on the air, but Crispin’s musky, lustful scent joined it. As powerful as the aroma of his desire was the pungent scent of his animal rage. Not that Andre could blame him. This was, after all, a three-way partnership. Strangely, the idea of both of them fucking Chantel again aroused him even more than this one-on-one session.
By the way Chantel was staring at Crispin, she felt the same way.
“Nothing’s changed,” she said and groaned softly as Andre continued thrusting into her. She cupped her breasts and rolled her thumbs over the nipples, her gaze fixed on Crispin.
“I’m not about to fight my urges, Snaghand,” Andre said, forcing himself to speak steadily in spite of how his heart pounded with impending orgasm. “Nor do I expect you to.”
“I won’t,” Crispin stated, undressing quickly and joining them on the bed. Lying on his back beside Chantel, he reached between her legs and began fondling her clit while Andre continue thrusting deep inside her. As he pumped, his cock brushed against Crispin’s rubbing fingers and though he wasn’t attracted to other men, the sensation wasn’t unwelcome. The idea that they were both stimulating Chantel aroused him to the point of bursting. She was completely lost in passion’s embrace. Her eyes were closed, her gorgeous neck arched back, the veins and tendons straining as she neared her climax. Suddenly her cunt throbbed rhythmically around Andre’s cock, pushing him over the edge. With a savage cry, he lunged fast and came, his body straining into hers.
Andre sat, his eyes closed and chest heaving. When he finally opened his eyes, he found both Chantel and Crispin staring at him, each lustful though for different reasons. He sensed Crispin’s need to fuck her and noticed the other wolf’s pole hard erection.
Grunting softly, Andre pulled out of Chantel and dragged her toward the middle of the rather large bed.
Crispin sat up, shoved his shoulder hard and growled, “My turn.”
“I know,” Andre said, his tone just as vicious, and sat behind Chantel. Her reddish brown eyes, softened by her release though still burning with arousal, watched him carefully. He grasped her wrists and held them firmly above her head.
An almost wicked grin spread across Crispin’s lips. “Good idea.”
He began covering her breasts with kisses while stroking the enticing curve of her belly. Crispin’s good hand gently pinched and rolled her nipples. He took his time, covering her entire torso with nibbling kisses, then he moved to her legs. The tip of his tongue visible against his beard, he lapped and stroked her thighs, paying particular attention to the sensitive flesh where they joined her pelvis. Chantel’s eyes slipped shut and her breathing deepened. By the time Crispin mounted her, she was once again teetering on the edge of climax. She strained against Andre’s hold, but he tightened his grip, bent and thrust his tongue between her lips. She responded feverishly, moaning and writhing while Crispin grunted and thrust atop her.
His rhythm was so fast that Andre wondered how he could possibly keep it up for any length of time, yet he surprised him by continuing to plunge deep inside her even as she shook in climax. Crispin’s violet eyes shone like bursting stars as he lunged fast, his throat working with scarcely repressed cries of ecstasy and his chest heaving with each labored breath. He must be close to orgasm, yet he managed to harness his desire until Chantel came again. Their cries mingled and this time Crispin came as well. His neck arched and eyes closed he surged into her, his hips pulsing, drawing out the very last bit of pleasure.
Just as Crispin pulled out and collapsed onto his back, someone pounded on the door.
“Captain?”
“Yes!” all three shouted. They glanced at each other with annoyance, but Chantel stood.
“It’s my first mate,” she said, reaching for her robe. “One moment, Belden!”
Andre and Crispin also stood and pulled on their trousers before Chantel opened the door.
“Sorry to disturb you, but we’ve got a bloody stowaway,” Belden stated, not seeming the least bit sorry that he’d interrupted. In fact he looked terribly angry and Andre could understand why. Beside him, her wrists trapped in his tight grip, was a young female wolf. She howled and seethed. Though dressed in trousers and a white linen shirt, she was in full wolf form. The chestnut pelt visible o
n her face, neck, and hands, shone in the lantern light. Her fangs snapped though Belden held her at a safe distance -- or at least safe from her teeth. She kicked him repeatedly so he was forced to keep shifting position to avoid being struck in the family jewels.
“Let me go you oversized wolfswine!” she raged.
“Jolie!” Crispin roared and the girl stopped struggling and stared at him with wide brown eyes. “What the hell are you doing here? Let her go, Belden, she’s with me.”
Chantel folded her arms beneath her breasts and raised an eyebrow. “Isn’t she a little young for you?”
“Don’t be disgusting,” Crispin sneered. “She’s just a child.”
“This child nearly rammed a silver dagger through my heart when I found her hiding in the galley,” Belden said. “I’m not releasing her, Chantel. She’s dangerous.”
“I gave you an order,” Crispin snarled and advanced on Belden. A hint of fear crossed the man’s eyes, but he looked to Chantel.
“You know the rules, Belden,” she said. “His word or Andre’s is the same as mine.”
“Fine.” Belden shoved Jolie at Crispin who grasped her roughly by the shoulders.
“Leave us, Belden,” Chantel said and he obeyed, seeming grateful to be away from Jolie.
“Care to explain this, Snaghand?” Andre asked, somewhat amused by the entire situation.
“This is Jolie,” Crispin said, glaring at the girl. “She was given strict orders to remain on my ship.”
“Cris, I couldn’t just let you go off with --” the girl began, but Crispin cut her short.
“Quiet! I’ve had enough of you, Jolie. When I give an order, you obey.”
“Is she your daughter?” Andre asked.
“Close enough to it,” Crispin replied.
“My clan’s territory was raided almost a year ago,” Jolie replied. “Everyone was killed, except for me, though I was badly hurt. If Cris hadn’t found me, I’d have died, too.”
The girl was staring at Crispin like a lovesick cow and the stupid bastard didn’t even notice. He continued scolding her like she was nothing more than an obstinate child.