The Pirate's Jewel Read online

  Merrick sensed her resistance and very nearly grinned. No, he would not give her control of this. This was his. He opened his mouth wide and covered the soft flesh above him, sucking roughly until a strangled cry pushed from her lips.

  He continued to lick at her until her body ceased its trembling, then urged her to lie on the bunk. When he moved between her thighs, purposely rubbing against her still sensitive flesh, she sucked her breath in sharply. One quick thrust and he pushed deep inside of her.

  Her muscles tightened, held him within her and she moaned softly. And then he moved. Long, soft, rough, short. He would not let her become accustomed.

  Terrible tension pulled a cry from Rafferty's lips and she moved her hips trying to catch his rhythm. He made it impossible and the swaying of the ship over the ocean only added to the sensations of movement in and around her. Her breast rose and fell with ragged breathing and when her nails dug into his shoulders, he rocked forward, thrusting inside of her, driving to the quick. A half cry growled from her chest.

  "Hurry.” If he'd had any control, she took it back when he obliged. She was like harsh liquor, smooth to the tongue but burning the throat so that a man must take another drink. And another, until he was consumed and drunken.

  She thrashed beneath him as dark pleasure mounted and Merrick's eyes slid over the droplets of sweat on her temple, down to her parted lips, panting softly. Her breasts pushed against him as she bucked, hard nipples rubbing his chest with each movement. She was as unkempt and wild as the storm that raged around him.

  Rafferty's stomach tightened and she lifted herself up as an explosion of pleasure rocked her body. She didn't want to scream but it pulled from her anyway, trembling around them. Her nails raked down his back, and she felt as if she was being washed away.

  Merrick rode her until her cries became soft whimpers. He'd done it. He'd held control of himself long enough. Leaning forward, his movements became more deliberate and a moment later tension flared and broke. His jaw clenched as he thrust forward and held, jerking within her. Then he slumped forward, their heavy breaths the only sound outside of the pounding rain

  Chapter 5

  Rafferty groaned as she opened her eyes, then she stiffened when she was met with the light of morning. Her head snapped around and her eyes swept the room, but Merrick Cole, to her relief, had already risen and left her. She had acted stupidly the night before. Desperate. She could not do so again.

  She started to rise, then cried out with surprise when she found her wrists bound above her. Angry heat flooded her. The bastard had tied her up and left her! She jerked at the rope with all of her strength, however, it held firmly and she could not work her fingers around the knot that secured her.

  Damn him! She let her head fall back against the bunk again. He'd been good. Her body still felt heated. No. Rafferty shoved the memories of the night before from her mind, but something he'd said nagged at the back of her mind. Once something is mine, it remains mine until I release it. Was that what he was doing by binding her like this?

  The door opened and she instantly closed her eyes. She would not give him the pleasure of knowing she'd already seen what he'd done. Heavy steps sounded into the room before the door closed again. She felt the bunk give slightly beneath his weight and readied to kick at him but her fight left her when his hand touched her stomach lightly.

  "I know you are awake,” he whispered, but she did not open her eyes. His fingers trailed down her stomach to the triangle of dark hair. His fingers curled there and tugged slightly.

  "Look at me,” he commanded in a low voice, and she pressed her lips. She would not and he could not make her. She would do nothing he told her; show him that she would not be ruled, that the night before meant nothing.

  He removed his hand from her, and she heard rustling of his clothes. Her heart quickened. Did he desire her again? Suddenly a tangy but sweet scent filled her nose.

  "Are you hungry?” Her stomach growled loudly and he chuckled. “Then open your eyes and see what I have for you.” Rafferty thought a moment, then smiled and parted her lips.

  Merrick stared at her mouth, wanting to curse at her and kiss her at the same time. She was defying him, but in a way that stirred his body, so that he felt like leaping upon her. Her pink tongue slid across the fullness of her bottom lip.

  "Another week and there will be no fruit left,” he tempted in a thick voice. “You can do as I command and enjoy it now or do without later as well."

  He grinned when her lips pressed again. Her lids opened, and those green depths glared up at him. He nodded approvingly and held up a large orange half.

  "Why am I bound?” Rafferty watched him produce a dagger and began slicing the fruit in long slivers, holding his hands over her so that the juices missed the blankets and pooled on the flat of her stomach.

  "Are captives not bound?” he asked, and then smiled when she made a low sound in her throat. “I like you this way."

  "So you may take advantage of me.” It was apparent she was trying to goad him into a fight.

  "I gave you the chance last night to take a different path. I told you that once something is mine, it remains mine until I choose to let it go.” His mouth slanted with a grin of amusement. “And I doubt you've ever allowed anyone to take advantage of you.” He dropped the few pieces of fruit on her stomach and held one to her lips for her to eat.

  "I know what you are doing."

  Merrick kept his gaze on her mouth. “I'm trying to feed you. Open.” After some hesitation, she parted her lips. He slipped the fruit into her mouth and against her tongue. She opened wider and took the entire piece, closing her lips over his fingers, sucking at their tips when he withdrew his hand.

  Damn her. She smiled sweetly up at him as she chewed and swallowed. When her pink tongue slid across her bottom lip, catching the juices, he wanted to strangle her. She continued to defy him. He had to respect that, but she was making it damnable hard for him to keep his end of control.

  "More,” she said softly ... too softly.

  He steeled himself against the lust that she evoked and fed her another. “I did not kill your crew."

  Rafferty stared at him. “What?"

  Merrick held another piece of fruit to her lips and waited until she took it. “I did not kill your crew. I burned that piece of a ship you were sailing about in, but I made the crew go ashore before I had it set aflame.” She said nothing and he watched her mouth part for the next piece. With each slice of fruit that disappeared between her sensuous lips, his will weakened and his body grew warmer.

  "Are you going to keep me here like this the entire way to England?” she demanded once the last piece was gone. Her gaze darted to the juice on her stomach. Merrick smiled recklessly before leaning forward and licking the juice from her body. Her muscles tightened beneath his tongue and he heard her suck in her breath. Good. She deserved a bit of agony. But when he looked up at her face, her gaze was darkened and she dragged a breath through her glistening, parted lips.

  "At night. During the day, you will work or remain here,” he said when he straightened. He reached forward and untied her hands. “But the first sign of trouble and you shall find yourself right back in here, bound,” he warned. He'd heard of her taking over ships. He wouldn't give her the chance to do a thing without his noticing it.

  "Anything else?” she growled as he stood. She reached for her clothes and began to dress quickly.

  "Yes.” Merrick crossed his arms, gaze hardening. “If any of my crew become injured or killed you will answer to me."

  "So you can add another charge to the ones you already have? I believe the sentence would be the same.” Rafferty rolled her eyes.

  "There are worse things than being hanged.” Merrick said in a low, dangerous voice. He must show her that the night before had no effect on his command of his ship.

  Rafferty snorted in response. “Shall we go up or do you have any other threats you wish to issue?” She didn't seem any
more impressed with him than she had been the day before. Perhaps, the way she behaved the night before was not a ploy, Merrick decided, though he wasn't letting his guard down for a moment.

  "After you."

  Rafferty smiled broadly as she stepped past him. “Afraid you will find a blade in your back? You are not as stupid as I thought, Captain.” Damn that woman! Merrick felt like boxing her as he followed her up the steps onto the deck. No, he corrected silently, boxing her wasn't exactly what he had in mind.

  As they stepped onto the deck, many of those working cast careful eyes in their direction. Rafferty watched them repair the mast that had been splintered in the squall, as she breathed in the salty morning air. Gray clouds still hung above them, but the sun still forced its way through in places. And below them, the water, though still moving with the cool breeze that kissed the surface, looked as if no storm had happened at all. Her gaze returned to the nervous glances of those working around her.

  "Your men look ill at ease, Captain."

  "Because a prisoner is among them,” Merrick answered absently. “They know your crimes. You killed two of their mates."

  Rafferty cut her eyes up at him. More than likely, they wanted no woman on the ship. She'd seen it before; women aboard were bad luck. Ignorance, but still she could use it to her advantage if she wished to escape successfully.

  Rafferty walked across the deck, and Merrick's gaze slipped over her. Her balance and movements were of those belonging to someone who had spent years at sea. Her hair lifted with the wind as she stood, looking out at the water. He could see the peace in her expression. It had been wrong to lock her beneath. This is where she belonged; where she drew life. That is how they were alike, and it made him nervous to be able to understand her so easily. It also aroused him.

  His eyes dropped to her feet, slightly apart. The stance of a seaman, legs carrying each sway of the ship, as if the movement belonged to her, rather than the ocean. Her hands planted on the curve of her hips, and her hair danced around her. Just looking at her, like this, made him want her even more.

  "Stay where I can see you,” he told her.

  "Surely you don't expect me to take your ship in one day.” Rafferty snorted and Merrick almost smiled. “Such takes time, patience, and a solid plan. None of which I have."

  "You took over Major Elroy's ship in half an hour.” Merrick crossed his arms as Rafferty turned, tilted her head to the side, and looked up at him.

  "You heard about that, did you? Well, it was a fluke, and he was an idiot.” She shrugged. “Clearly, I don't find myself in the same situation."

  "That is true. Now, you find yourself a captive upon a ship of men who should not be left alone with you,” Merrick pointed out.

  "You still think they wish to assault me?” She glanced around, and then faced him again. “Give me a weapon to protect myself with, and you would not have to worry of such an incident."

  "If you think that I would do such a thing, you are more fool than Ernest Elroy.” He dropped his arms to his sides and started across the deck. “Stay within sight."

  Chapter 6

  No stars. Rafferty stared up at the dark sky. So black she could not tell where the heavens ended and the ocean began. She'd tried to escape her life before, to seek something less dangerous that would save her neck from the noose, but the ocean always brought her back. It was as much a part of her as the blood in her veins.

  "Come. It is time to go to below.” Merrick's voice interrupted her peace.

  "A few more minutes,” she murmured, staring at the dark water. She felt him step to her side, and his stare burned into her, but she did not look at him.

  "Why didn't you arrest the others on my ship?” she asked, tilting her head. She'd wondered about that since he revealed that they were alive.

  "Thornton's instructions were specific. He only wants Rafferty Jones,” Merrick answered.

  "Rae,” she said after a moment. “Most that know me, call me Rae."

  "I am not calling you by a man's name.” Merrick leaned forward, crossing his arms over the railing.

  "A man's world.” She shrugged.

  "Not if you arm yourself correctly."

  Rafferty pressed her lips. “When I did that, I was arrested for murder."

  Merrick looked at her and nodded. “If you are correct, then there is nothing to be done about it.” She snorted and looked away from him.

  "I am correct. The only way to survive is to become one of the men."

  "You are no man.” Merrick suddenly chuckled. “Wild as this ocean, perhaps, but no man.” Rafferty faced him, eyes narrowed.

  "I killed two of your men. A weak woman could not have done so."

  "I did not say you are weak,” he corrected, shaking his head. “You may be the strongest woman I've ever met, but anyone who mistakes you for a man is blind.” His gaze met hers. What she saw there was blatant desire, and it brought a hot shiver racing her spine.

  "It cannot happen again."

  Merrick grunted, “It already is."

  "No.” She forced her voice to remain firm. “If you force yourself on me you will find no pleasure. I'll do nothing but lay there."

  Merrick laughed at that, the sound rumbling across the deck. “Would the water remain still while the storm raged above it?” He slid towards her, “You like sex too much, as much as the ocean loves a squall."

  For the first time in many years, Rafferty felt her cheeks burn. She looked away quickly, hiding her embarrassment from him. He compared her to an ocean, a whole ocean, and saw her as a woman.

  "It cannot happen again."

  "Now you are just repeating yourself.” His hand touched her chin, turned her face towards him again. “Who are you trying to convince?” His gaze searched her face then softened slightly as it locked with hers.

  He found himself weak to his own will. There were men around them, watching them. They saw him as someone without weakness. He could not lose that among his men. Still, the glittering green of her eyes beckoned to him.

  "I'm going to kiss you now.” He leaned forward.

  "No.” But her voice betrayed her, too soft to be taken seriously.

  "Yes.” His lips brushed hers gently, the hairs of his beard tickling the corners of her mouth. “Yes.” His warm breath rushed against her lips and the hand that held her chin moved to cup her face.

  Rafferty's heart pounded as his tongue slipped between her lips, tasted her. “Kiss me, damn it. You know you want to.” Merrick shifted so he she was trapped between him and the railing. Rafferty moaned when he pressed against her. His body was hard, ready for her and a small fire began to ache in her abdomen.

  "Damn you,” she whispered against his mouth as she gave in to her body's desire and slid her hands up his chest and around his neck. His arms circled her, pulled her hard against him, and she returned his kiss.

  Heat climbed from the pit of her stomach to vein through her breasts, pulling her nipples taut against his chest. She couldn't kiss him deep enough and her hands trembled as they curled in his hair, pulling at him to do what he wished.

  "Captain."

  She heard Hogg's voice but ignored him as she ground her hips forward so that Merrick growled in the back of his throat. His fingers fisted in her coat, knuckles kneading into her back. And his lips. She marveled at how they could be hot and soft but firm in the same breath. The devil's mouth, and she wanted more of it.

  "Captain."

  "Go away.” Merrick spoke against her lips, his deep, thick voice filling her mouth and making her tremble with arousal. She realized he had her pressed against the railing now, his hands lowering to caress her through her clothes.

  "Captain."

  Rafferty shouted with frustration and tore her lips from Merrick's as her hand dropped and found the weapon on his belt. “He said go away.” The point of the dagger rested just below Hogg's chin when her gaze met his. “Leave us."

  Hogg's eyes fixed on the blade then lifted to Merrick. “T
he men have hunger in their eyes, Captain. You can't keep her up here in front of them."

  Cole inclined his head slightly and Hogg's gaze returned to the dagger before he turned and walked away. “Give me that.” Before Rafferty could think to do anything with it, he twisted it from her hand. His hand wrapped around her arm. She matched his stride easily as he started for the stairs that led below.

  In moments, they were in his cabin and he was closing the door with her back, but it had been enough time for her to shake some of the lust that filled her away. “Stop. I don't want this,” she protested at first, then cried out when his hand dipped between her thighs to press through her trousers. What had cooled suddenly flared with heat. His eyes glittered down at her. He turned her away from him and grasped her arms, pulling her back against him. Slowly, he stepped backwards, bringing her with him.

  "Do not fight me, or I will stop,” he warned before releasing her arms. One hand snaked inside the collar of her shirt, covering her breast. The rough pads of his fingers teased at the hardened peak of her nipple, and Rafferty closed her eyes, while his lips made a path around her neck. Never before had she met a man who made her forget herself and feel so very much alive all in one breath.

  "This ... this means nothing,” she ground through her teeth, struggling to remember that she must have a plan of escape. When he rubbed himself against her, and her core flared to life, though, she lost her thoughts.

  "Nothing,” Merrick echoed as he released her breast and tugged the shirt down, trapping her arms at her sides. He kissed her shoulder blade before turning her around to face him.

  He leaned forward for a kiss, but Rafferty turned her head, unable to help wanting to feel his strength and passion again. When she cut her eyes up at him, she found him regarding her thoughtfully. Her lips curled slightly, causing his gaze to narrow with apparent realization.