Capturing the Pirate's Heart (The Emerald Quest Book 1)

by Seaton, Annie

  “Sébastien.” Her voice was low and husky. “I want you. I want you in every way a woman wants a man. I may know nothing and you will have to guide me, but it is what I want.” She turned her head and pressed her lips against his and he groaned against her mouth. “It is what I need.”

  Sliding her hand around to the front of his breeches, Madeleine pressed her hand against the hardness that was throbbing there, almost unbearably. He had never wanted a woman with such ferocity. Before he could move, she dropped her other hand and unlaced his breeches without taking her lips from his. Warm soft fingers encircled his bare flesh and he was lost.

  He lifted her hands above her head and spoke against her lips, pushing his doubt aside. “Madeleine, I will be gentle with you, I swear.”

  “I know. Take me to your bed.”

  His fingers ran though her luxuriant auburn tresses and he was surrounded by the sweet rose smell. Sébastien deepened the pressure of his kiss and as her mouth opened beneath his, he kissed her slowly. He would not rush this, her first time. Promises of exquisite pleasure, words of reassurance interspersed his kisses and finally when she trembled in his arms, he lifted her and carried her across to his bed. For a long moment, he stood at the side of the bed and gazed down at her. Her beauty was remarkable and a tender ache filled his chest. The unfamiliar feeling tugged at him and Sébastien let the warmth spread through his blood. Madeleine’s hair fanned out on the pillow around her head and her eyes had taken on a dark and mysterious haze; her lips were dark, red and inviting him to return. As he watched, she unlaced the silken red chemise and slipped it over her head.

  Ah, God. Her nipples were a dusky pink and erect. His gaze lingered on the pale skin of her breasts. They were like alabaster, pure and untouched. Slowly he reached down and cupped each of her breasts in his hand, and they were warm beneath his fingers. A groan tore from his throat as a tremble ran through his body. Slowly and gently, Sébastien ran his hands lower and untied the laces she had fashioned at the side of the black skirt and slipped it down over her feet.

  She wore nothing beneath it and he held his breath, fighting his own need, determined to pleasure her before giving in to his own pressing desire. He lay beside her and her hands touched his shoulders, lingering on his chest and moving down to his manhood. He grasped her fingers before she could touch him again, fighting the greed that threatened to overwhelm him.

  “Slowly. I will pleasure you slowly.” He lifted his head and held her gaze. Her eyes drew him in deeply, inviting him to take her, but he smiled and shook his head. “So sweet, so beautiful.”

  He lowered his hand to the curls between her legs and cupped her sex, and her body bucked beneath his fingers. Slowly he searched for the hard nub and smiled at her as he found it. Her eyes were wide and her lips were open with wonder. Gently, he circled around it, teasing her and lightly brushing his hand in the fine silken hair that covered her.

  She shuddered beneath him each time his fingers brushed her. She pushed her hips higher.

  “Please don’t stop. I need more.” Her voice was ragged and he lowered his head and laved her nipple at the same time as his finger entered her hot, damp folds.

  Her scream surprised him as he drew her nipple into his mouth and sucked. She shuddered beneath him.

  ***

  Madeleine was floating above the soft feather mattress as the last of the exquisite tremors rippled through her. Sébastien had moved up beside her and whispered soft endearments softly as his lips grazed her neck. Gentle caresses warmed her as his fingers continued to explore her body. Sweet sensation such as she had never imagined.

  What new passions will my lover find me today? What pleasures unheard of, undreamed of? Now, for the first time, she understood the words Aunt Josephine had written in her diary. Slowly, Sébastien lifted her until his arms were around her and his hard body was pressed along her length. In one swift roll he was on top of her and he lowered his head and took her mouth. He used his tongue to lightly open her lips and as he thrust it firmly between them, he moved one hand between them and plunged his fingers inside her. She could not get enough of the feel of his fingers touching her, stretching her and she waited, knowing he was preparing her.

  “I am afraid of hurting you.” His words hummed against her lips as the tip of his hot manhood pressed against her, replacing his gentle fingers. She smiled as he murmured what was going to happen, sweet promises of how he would take her to heaven and back.

  “I am all right.” Madeleine could not help but smile at his gentle words.

  Cherished. He made her feel cherished and protected. It had been many months since anyone had cared for her well-being, but no one had ever cared for her like this. He was not the pirate who had frightened her days ago. This was a man who was slowly and lovingly showing her the magic of her body, and the magic that could be created between them. He knew where to touch her and to kiss her softly so she craved more. He knew how to make her quiver as she waited for him to take her. Her body was humming with anticipation as Sébastien lifted her and her breath quickened.

  A slight sting, a stretching until she was gloriously full and a shaft of pleasure so intense struck her that she forgot about the brief discomfort. She gasped and he took his mouth with hers. Madeleine’s senses were heightened as each new feeling built on the next exquisite wave of pleasure until she again reached the sweet crest his gentle fingers had taken her to. This time the pleasure was more complete as he filled her, and slowly withdrew, teasing her with his heat at her core. Her body showed her how to move with him, move for move, kiss for kiss, and shared looks that were as pleasurable as the sensations rocking her body.

  Sébastien held her gaze as he slipped deeper into her, all the while whispering endearments.

  “You are so beautiful.”

  His reverent whisper washed over her and the throbbing between her thighs built almost unbearably as his hips pushed against hers and instinctively she opened her legs wider. Light flashed against her vision and she closed her eyes as the pleasure peaked and held as he moved inside her.

  With a guttural cry, he thrust once more and Madeleine trembled as his brown eyes darkened with pleasure. Sébastien dropped his head to her shoulder and she reached down and touched his chest where she could feel the beating of his heart against her breast.

  Rolling her, he took her in his arms, and Madeleine rested her head on his shoulder. The last thing she was aware of before she fell asleep was the feel of his hand gently stroking her hair as he held her close.

  Chapter Eighteen

  “Tell me more about the islands.” Madeleine lifted her head from Sébastien’s chest and he ran his fingers through her hair. They were only half a day’s sailing from New Orleans and he had left the wheelhouse three hours ago to come down and check on her. As they had done for the past four days and nights, they had ended up in his bed. There had been no further problems with the crew, and he and Mr. Abrahams had kept a close eye on the new men. They had worked as hard as the rest of the crew and had given him no problem but he would pay them off once they docked.

  A shaft of sunlight shone thought the aperture in the hull and bathed Madeleine’s head in a soft light. Her green eyes were wide and fixed on him and as he watched, she trailed a finger down his chest, and would have continued further down had he not captured her fingers in his.

  “I must go up and let Mr. Abrahams have some rest. I have turned you into a wanton, madam.” He pulled her hand to his mouth and kissed her fingers. She laughed softly and slid up in the bed alongside him until her soft breasts pressed against his chest.

  Sébastien groaned. “I must go above deck.”

  “Just five more minutes…please? It is lonely down here without you.” Madeleine had only gone above deck once a day on this return journey, to keep her out of the sight of the suspect crewmen. And each time she had been in Sébastien’s company. If the crew had previously doubted that she was his woman, they had no doubt of it now. He had held her
tightly as they watched the sun set each night and she had clung to him.

  “Tell me again about the island you are going to live on.” Her warm lips nuzzled into his neck and he was lost.

  Sébastien pushed her away gently and rolled over to the edge of the bed. “I will tell you if you stay over there where you cannot tempt me, wench.” He grinned at her as he propped himself up on one elbow, marveling at the confidence she had discovered in her body since he had introduced her to the world of pleasure between a man and a woman.

  Was it only four days ago? She had bewitched him. Never before had he experienced the need for a woman such as she had raised in him. Last night he had lain beside her, listening to her soft breathing, her hand curled safely in his. He could not let Madeleine go. That realization had hit him like a thunderbolt from the storm that had woken him as it roared above the vessel. He would try to persuade her to come to the islands with him. If he could not persuade her, he would accompany her back to Bellerose, although the thought of delaying his trip to the Hawaiian Islands was not attractive to him.

  “There are many islands, but the last time I visited I chose the land which I shall purchase. I will have the best sugar plantation in the islands and it will be worked by free men.” His breath caught in his throat as she lowered her hand enticingly and brushed it through the auburn curls nestled between her thighs.

  “I shall marry and I shall raise a family.” His mouth dried as he watched her fingers move slowly in a circle before she slipped one finger lower. “Perhaps I can find a suitable wife before I leave. Do you know of any woman who may like to marry an old pirate, Madeleine?”

  He lifted his gaze and her eyes were wide as she raised both of her hands to her mouth.

  “What are you asking, Sébastien?” Her voice was husky.

  “What do you think?” He sat up and put his hands behind his head as he watched her. If he did not restrain his hands, he would not be able to resist touching her and he must go above deck sooner than later. “Give it some thought as we wait for the tide to take us up the river.”

  Madeleine was quiet and he wondered if he had spoken too soon.

  “Before I can suggest a suitable woman for your needs”—she shot him a sultry smile—“I would have to think more of my quest to find Great Aunt Josephine’s necklace.”

  “Josephine?” He narrowed his eyes as he realized what she had said. “Was your great aunt was Josephine du Bois?”

  Madeleine sat up and moved over beside him, her expression alight with interest. “Yes, why do you ask? Did you know of her?”

  “Yes, I knew her briefly.” He wondered how much Madeleine knew of her great aunt’s story. There had been quite a scandal when she had taken up with the Russian fur trader. Sébastien had not been long in New Orleans when he had met Josephine at a soiree at the governor’s residence. After that he had attended a few receptions at the du Bois house. He did not want to tell Madeleine too much; he would have to give some thought to what he said. Swinging his legs over the side of the bed, he reached for his breeches.

  Madeleine’s eyes were bright and she smiled. “I cannot believe that you have met my Great Aunt Josephine. I met her once when I was a small child when she and her husband, Uncle Francois visited us at Bellerose Hall. Her eyes clouded as she mentioned her home. Sébastien had been pleased to see her laugh and smile often over the past four days.

  He reached for his shirt and pulled it over his head. They would talk of her great aunt later. “I will be above deck until we navigate the turn of the tide and dock safely at the wharf. “Ensure you lock the door while I am gone, and don’t open it to anybody.” He leaned over and put his hands either side of her and satisfaction warmed his chest as she raised her lips to his.

  “Stay safe. We shall be in New Orleans by nightfall.” Reluctantly Sébastien left her and crossed to the door and waited. “Come and draw the bolt while I am still outside the door. And ensure you open the door to no one.”

  Madeleine slid from the bed and Sébastien shook his head as he watched her walk across the carpeted floor. She was not self-conscious in her nakedness and her thick red hair fell to her waist as she walked slowly toward him. Her breasts bobbed gently as she crossed the room and his eyes were drawn to the dusky pink nipples. He tried to put a stern look on his face but knew he failed miserably as a grin tugged at his mouth.

  “You are a wanton wench, my dear.” He pulled her into his arms and pressed his mouth to hers. “But I still want you to give serious thought to my question.” He lifted his head and stared at her. “Will you promise me you will consider coming with me.”

  “Why would you ask me to come with you?” Her eyes were wide and despite her nakedness, they were guileless. She truly had no idea of what he felt for her.

  “Because, my love, I cannot imagine my life without you beside me.” He stared at her. “I know it has not been a long time, but I have fallen in love with you, Madeleine. Think about that while I am gone.”

  A small gasp escaped her lips and as she pressed against him, her mouth was warm against his neck. She stood there for a moment and her body trembled against his. When she pulled away her face was wet with tears. “I will give it some deep thought, I promise.”

  Sébastien lifted his thumb and gently wiped her tears away. “Happy tears, I hope?”

  “Happy tears.” Madeleine nodded and smiled sweetly at him. “Now go and see to your boat, Captain. I am going to have a wash and try to repair my clothing so I can walk the streets of New Orleans as a lady.”

  “As soon as we dock, I have to make a brief visit to the town. I will only be gone a short while but I will come back down to dress before I go ashore.” Sébastien wanted to get this task over quickly, collect his payment from the governor and then focus on Madeleine. “Get some sleep. When I return we shall leave the Maiden together and find some lodgings in the town.”

  He looked around and spoke quietly. “And then I shall leave this life behind. Shall we do it together? Think on that, Madeleine.”

  Sébastien waited in the passageway until he heard the snick of the bolt on the other side of the door.

  ***

  Madeleine leaned against the door and closed her eyes. Her life had changed so much over the past weeks. Was it too soon to make a life changing decision—forgo her quest and move to the islands that Sébastien spoke of? Was it selfish to think of her needs…or had she been thinking of her needs all along? The past four days in Sébastien’s bed had brought her truly to adulthood and now she had to think of what she must do.

  It was an impossible choice to make. In her heart, she knew it would be very easy to follow this man to the ends of the earth. But what would she do about Bellerose Hall and the necklace? She could not give up on her promise to restore the estate.

  When Sébastien had called her, ‘my love’, the emotion that had filled her had been as satisfying as the heights to which he had taken her in his bed over the past days. Madeleine shivered and hugged herself, looking down at her breasts and bare legs in disbelief. She was naked in her pirate’s cabin and she was smiling. Had she changed so much she could forgo her quest?

  No, I must complete it.

  Confusion filled her as she slipped into the curtained alcove and poured the water from the pitcher to the bowl. The light was fading and Madeleine squinted into the looking glass that was propped on the cupboard. Never did she remember her lips being so red and plump and she brushed at a small red mark on her neck where Sébastien’s beard had scraped her white skin.

  She had experienced many new feelings in these few weeks on the Maiden. Should I not let them take over my thoughts? Perhaps Sébastien would tire of her when he had satisfied himself in her body? The first glimmers of doubt began to pierce her euphoria. She was inexperienced in the relationships between a man and a woman.

  Did he really mean what he said? Am I his love? Perhaps she should take some time to consider her own feelings. To get back to shore and see if he stays true
to me? Madeleine had no doubt that her feelings for Sébastien were steadfast but could she risk being left alone…once more in her life?

  Why would a man like Sébastien truly be interested in a young inexperienced woman such as I?

  She could not accept his proposal. She would seek Great Aunt Josephine’s necklace, she would sell it and send the proceeds home to Bellerose Hall so it could be restored. Mayhap then she could consider Sébastien’s proposal…if it still stood.

  She had promised she would find the necklace. Although the promise was more to myself than to anyone else.

  Perhaps Sébastien would change his mind and help her? Once he realized she was determined to find the necklace? He had not elaborated about how he knew Josephine and another niggle of doubt snaked through Madeleine’s mind. He had displayed scant interest in the necklace, yet when he had recognized Aunt Josephine’s name he had not really been forthcoming about his knowledge of her. Did he know more than he was telling?

  Why, oh why, do I doubt him?

  Dismissing the thoughts from her mind, Madeleine lifted a handful of clothes from the chest and proceeded to look for something befitting a lady to wear into New Orleans.

  Some time later, a light tap at the door interrupted her as she braided her hair. She had found a modest dress and was awaiting Sébastien’s return. When he came back from the governor’s, she would put her slippers on. Her meager possessions which had been in her reticule and sewn into her black dress were now safely wrapped in a woolen shawl she had found at the bottom of the chest. Crossing to the door, she went to unbolt the latch and then she remembered his warning.

  Do not open the door for anyone.

  “Who’s there?” she called softly.

  “It’s Cook. I have some food for you. The captain said you may be hungry, miss.”

  Madeleine reached for the latch and hesitated. The man’s voice sounded different to the cook that Sébastien had called Crawford. “What do you have for me?”