The Siren's Song Part 25

She fluttered out of her trance. "I was merely admiring the artillery."

He chuckled at her wit. "'Twould only be fair to allow me the same privilege."

"But I haven't seen all of your weapons."

Drake raised his eyebrows. Oh, how he enjoyed this trifling. She pushed her boundaries, cutting loose the ties of inhibition. He saw it in the way she wet her lips, how she held her breath two beats too long.

"Very well." He kept his stare on her as he toed out of his boots, smirking as he unlaced his trousers and shoved them to his ankles. Her cheeks blazed the most charming rosy color. She tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and looked away. Aye, he was growing by the moment, all for her.

He gently traced a finger down her cheek and turned her face to look at him again. Another chaste kiss was in order. A delectable kiss to rea.s.sure her he would not ravage her. If only Gilly knew she could undo him simply with her soft lips. Never had he imagined keeping his appet.i.te in check would be this endearing. "You dally where you shouldn't."

"I know what I want."

"As do I." He gathered her s.h.i.+ft and pulled it up and over her head. Glory be, she was perfect. His fingers twitched to touch her creamy skin and his tongue danced to explore her dips and curves. Their first coupling happened too quickly. Now, to be able to admire her body here, with the sunlight streaming into their room, was divine. To feel her without primal l.u.s.t driving him would be more than he could ever desire.

"You're so beautiful."

She awarded him a demure smile and he could deny himself no longer. The smooth slope of her hip stirred his erection. He took her hand into his and, crooking her arm behind her back, pulled her against him. He would not at all tire from kissing this woman or hearing her soft moans. They stood in a delicious and compromising position as she fit nicely into him. With his wandering free hand, he skimmed the cleft of her back just above the rise of her bottom. He always found that to be an incredibly sensual spot.

The flesh around his deadened scars tingled under the curious study of her fingertips. Gilly rubbed over the ancient wound, not stopping on the one, but finding and carefully stroking every battle scar of a once untrained, reckless mercenary. Her tender touch on the most hideous parts of his body rocked Drake. This woman was going to destroy him completely.

He guided her down onto the bed, slinking over her until she lay in a ma.s.s of her golden tresses upon the pillow. Seeing her that way, the blush of her cheeks, her wet inviting lips, the rise and fall of her freckle-dusted chest, he could gaze upon her forever. To h.e.l.l with the rest of the world.

"Are you sure you want this, Gilly?" It would kill him if she said no. Drive him to wander the oceans alone. She had already tarnished his soul with thoughts he cared not to entertain. He sent a silent thank you to whichever G.o.d or demon felt inclined to listen when she smiled that coquettish smile and nodded. He crushed his mouth to hers for a quick farewell before his tongue traveled down her neck, pausing along her collarbone, and down to her breast. She squirmed as he suckled her nipple, kneading the soft dome of her other breast and fingering her puckered nipple. His eager c.o.c.k jumped and strained to bury deep within her. He must keep himself from unraveling.

Enticing feminine sighs encouraged him to travel farther below. He nudged her legs open, easing himself between them, and stroked the soft flesh of her inner thighs, kissing along her hip. Promises lay within her flaxen thatch of curls. He needed only to unlock her secret with a kiss. 'Twas necessary he give her unimaginable pleasure where he was sure she had not experienced it. A wee squeak chirped on her sharp intake of breath. He relished stimulating a woman with his tongue, devouring her very essence. Fortunately, he was a master at love play. He brought his doxies to their knees, and while there, they gladly returned the favor. But this, this was solely for his songbird.

Gilly's intoxicating scent drove him mad. He wanted her to enjoy this intimacy as much as he. He wanted her to feel how much he desired her. With her, he'd expect nothing in return. Having her this way was all he required. "You're so warm, so wet." Drake deepened his kiss, swirling his tongue across her wet folds, slow and gentle at first. But soon he suckled and lapped faster, unable to taste enough of her sweet juices.

She writhed in a rhythmic motion to his tongue. "Please, Thayer. Oh G.o.d, please have mercy."

Her cresting moans grew louder and she grabbed his wrists holding tight to her hips. Arching off the bed, Gilly cried out. Drake held her steady, delivering one last kiss whilst her body shuddered. He kissed her thigh and gazed over her heaving bosom. What a sublime sight, watching his la.s.s float down with the ebb of her peak. A smile played upon her lips as her eyes fluttered open.

"Thayer."

Hearing her whisper his name was sweeter than the hypnotic lull of the seas.

"We're not done, love." He crawled up her body, dropping kisses along the way.

"Mmm. No. I need you."

What had he done to deserve this woman's heart?

Gilly lost the use of her limbs and her mind had been reduced to mush. What Thayer had just done to her...well, there were no words to describe it. Amazing wasn't adequate. What she knew for certain was she didn't ever want to leave Thayer and this bed.

"I need you. Inside me."

"I promise to stop if you-"

"I won't." She splayed her hands down the hard planes of his back, skating over the concavity between his hips and outer thighs. His body was hard as stone but under her touch felt smooth as polished bronze. Hovering over her with his fists in the bed on either side of her, he resembled a feral animal about to eat his catch, and she wanted nothing more than to be his spoil. "Please, take me." End the maddening ache between her legs.

His ebony eyes darkened-if that were possible. A l.u.s.ty smile drew at the corner of his lips. "Then I shall."

He eased inside her. A crease in his brow betrayed his concern of hurting her. In no way did she want him to govern his actions in fear of causing her pain. She bit her bottom lip and smiled. Once he was all the way in, she let out a sigh. Filling her completely, he slid out slowly. Again, his tip pushed through her opening, going deeper within, and again, he pulled out slowly. His unhurried plunges were pure torture. Her hips rose of their own accord to meet him. She grabbed his a.r.s.e to push him still deeper. He flashed a mischievous grin and descended upon her lips.

The salty scent and taste of his lips roused her carnal needs. Thayer quickened their motion, the pleasure almost too much to bear. He abandoned her mouth, for which she was grateful, as she gulped shallow breaths floundering with their rocking bodies.

Thayer fondled her breast while he grazed his teeth across her puckered nipple. She had no idea pleasure such as this existed. But then, Thayer's other hand slipped down to where their bodies joined. Heaven help her, Gilly nearly exploded. He stroked her wet lips in circles timed with each embedded thrust.

She twisted and pitched, driving up to take more of him. Every last bit of him. She couldn't breathe, couldn't think. She had nothing but desire. The rough pads of his fingertips rolled faster over her tender folds, and she climbed higher and higher. And higher. And, sweet mercy, still higher.

Suddenly, waves of rapture racked her body. She dug into the flesh of Thayer's back and screamed. He, too, soon seized, following her cries with throaty moans of his own.

Thayer rolled off and drew her close. His hot breath upon her neck matched that of her racing heart. Their damp skin melded together and the moist air smelled of their lovemaking and sweat. He kissed her under her ear. She marveled at how quickly his wantonness turned into sweet tenderness.

It's done. I've fallen in hopeless love. This revelation scared her beyond measure. Though, she had suspected it before, he unknowingly took complete control of her heart.

"That was a hard fought battle, love." His voice draped her ear with husky richness, causing her toes to curl.

"Who do you think is the victor?"

He chuckled. Their teasing had ended and her heart sank, heavy with the realization nothing had changed. He would refuse to let her stay. Surely that was what his silence meant. And now she had gone and fallen in love.

His hand left a warm trail across her belly and tucked under her side, pulling her closer. "I meant what I said to you days ago, Gilly. You have brought me a sense of peace like I've never known existed. No other woman has affected me like you. You're a complete distraction, a distraction I cannot afford."

Her heart was breaking, splintering into a million pieces. Why couldn't he see what he was doing to her, to himself? Why did he have to be so pigheaded?

She rolled over to look into his breathtaking face, rubbing her hand along the stubble of his cheek. "Thayer, I'll do whatever you ask. Please. I'll help Henri with the cooking. I'll mend the sails. I'll scrub every inch of your s.h.i.+p. Just please don't send me away."

"You must understand, I've no choice. I won't put you in danger."

"When you abandon me in some seaside town, what will you have me do? I'll be forced to find work in a tavern. Wasn't it you who said working at a tavern was not safe? Wasn't it you who condemned Hyde for being reckless with me?" Was she being unfair? Perhaps, but she didn't care. She would meet his repartees t.i.t for tat if it could mean changing his mind. 'Twas obvious she wasn't above groveling. So she certainly could strike him low.

He blew out a frustrated sigh. "The brethren are a fierce bunch strewn throughout the Caribbean and Atlantic. We are oath bound to protect what belongs to us. Should you decide to sing at a tavern, you will be watched over by those loyal to us. You will never be in need, I'll see to that personally, and you will be safe."

The insufferable rake had an answer to everything. d.a.m.n him. She should feel relieved that her future would be managed. It was what Hyde had done for her. Instead, a clump of anger coiled in her gut. She didn't want someone else deciding what was best for her any longer. Starting now, she would take control of her life and she was determined more than ever not to give up. Gilly McCoy would tame Captain Thayer Drake. Somehow or another.

"If it will make you happy, then I will do as you wish," she said.

The muscles in his arm wrapped around her relaxed ever so slightly. "Thank you." He planted a kiss upon her forehead. "'Tis unfathomable why you would want to lie here with me. Nonetheless, I will cherish the gift you shared with me always. My nights will be filled with dreams of you, my sweet."

"And I will lay siege to your defenses." She smiled, hoping to bring back the lightness to their conversations.

"Will you bring rum?" A mischievous tug pulled at his lips. How she adored that wily glint in his eye.

"Oh I'll bring rum and rope."

"You naughty little siren."

A knock at the door disrupted their cozy sanctum. Thayer rose from the bed and snapped his pistol off the table. "Announce yourself."

Gilly didn't wait for the reply. She'd already stepped into her s.h.i.+ft when Valeryn answered.

"Give us a minute," Thayer said.

"Give 'im a minute? Why the devil does he need a minute? He's gonna leave us out in the hall?"

Thayer quietly cursed at Henri's grouching.

"Tut! You ol' bard slab," Valeryn barked.

"I will not. Me leg is killing me and I want to sit. Open this door, Drake!"

"It'd be impolite to witness Drake without a st.i.tch."

"I've seen 'im bare-a.r.s.ed 'fore."

"Aw, criminy, Henri. Miss McCoy is in there."

Gilly dropped her jaw whilst Thayer stifled a laugh.

"What's Miss McCoy doing in there while Drake's nak-Why, fetch me up a preacher man. An' stop shus.h.i.+n' me, Sam. Doncha give me that look, ya giant mollusk."

Oh dear. Sam was out in the hall, too? Would she be able to brook her embarra.s.sment?

Thayer gave her a quick glance over. "Now?"

Not by any means. But she nodded anyway.

Heat flushed her cheeks as the men paraded in. She looked to each man. Valeryn wore an expression of approval, though she couldn't imagine why. He patted Thayer on the shoulder and was received by a near inconspicuous nod from his captain. Sam spared her embarra.s.sment by not making eye contact, granted amus.e.m.e.nt cracked his usually stoic features. Henri, however, he vacillated between her and Thayer as if he were a chaperone prepared to give them a tongue las.h.i.+ng for being caught behind closed doors alone. Instead, he smacked his jowls in a manner that she could only a.s.sume was his approval.

Suddenly, her positively scandalous circ.u.mstance vanished. These men accepted her. Not as Drake's charge, but as Drake's woman. A new revelation sprang to mind. They could be allies in her quest.

"Brandy," Henri said, rather excitedly.

"'Tis quite watered down." She poured him a cup. "I told Thayer 'Twas an inexcusable sin to dilute fine brandy with water, wouldn't you agree? 'Tis terrible isn't it? I see you replaced your bows. They look very nice. They're a lovely shade of green."

Henri's lopsided grin tickled her. "Glad to see ya unharmed, la.s.sie."

Thayer hemmed and rolled his eyes. "Set the chest down there, Sam," he said.

The box's girth would have been c.u.mbersome to maneuver for a man of average build, but Sam, the behemoth, handled it with ease.

"How's Quint?" Thayer asked Valeryn.

"You know her, hard to understand what's going on in her head. Sancho obviously meant something to her." Valeryn folded his arms. Gilly wondered if he'd been bothered by Joelle's relations.h.i.+p with her crewman. "She wants us to send for her when we go after Machete."

"You lads know we're going after the diamonds," Thayer said. "But I can't have Quint seeking retaliation. Best we let her mourn her first mate."

"Are you planning to use the chandelier to lure Machete out of his fortress?" Valeryn asked.

"Not exactly. The chandelier is what's going to get us in." Thayer donned his bandolier. "Word of the Rowena's s.h.i.+pwreck and Machete's furnis.h.i.+ngs are at least another day out. Sam will gain entrance posing as a dock worker delivering the crate." He checked his pistols, slipping each one into place. "I've been paying a trusted man on the inside of Machete's garrison for some years, now." He sent Gilly a knowing wink. "I'll find out the best time to gain entry with the least resistance, probably during the guard's s.h.i.+ft change, and reconnoiter the castle. Once in, we'll dispatch any lackeys we come across."

"You don't think he'll want to trade the diamonds for the chandelier, do you?" Gilly did not like Thayer's plan thus far. It seemed too vague and foolhardy.

"Nay. But knowing I have his fine French ornaments and trappings, he'll be ill and unmannered with anger. He'll likely go into a rage. Won't that be a grand sight?"

The men chuckled, but Gilly didn't find the humor. Uneasiness lingered around her good judgment like a thick fog. "I don't like this, not at all."

"Mistakes are born from anger, love. Machete will make an error, sure and certain."

"Mistakes are made out of arrogance, too." An image of Hyde flashed in her mind and fear of Thayer meeting the same fate wedged in her gut.

Thayer strapped the last firearm to his chest. "Arrogance duly earned."

So it had been said, and Gilly believed true. Though the pirates chuckled in concurrence, Thayer remained unsmiling and serious. She couldn't shake the baneful feeling something would go horribly wrong. "It's too dangerous," she said.

"Few things get a man's heart pounding than danger." He gave her a heated, slow smile. She swallowed, hard. "We live for danger. The pirate's way is a short life and we accept it." He shot a look to crusty, stale Henri wiping brandy from his h.o.a.ry beard. "But there are some jack tars who live forever."

"If I am to understand, you four plan to storm Machete's fortress, provoke him and just take the diamonds?"

"Aye."

"And kill him," she added.

"Henri, with your leg, you'll have to keep watch."

Thayer was quick to avoid her statement. No matter. She knew he'd take the opportunity to vindicate his family's deaths. She couldn't say she wouldn't do the same if she were in his position.

"Don't try to argue," Thayer added.

Henri argued just the same. "I can shoot."

"I can shoot, too," Gilly blurted.

All eyes fell upon her. None of the men believed her. "My papa taught me."

Perhaps she fibbed a tiny bit. Gilly had only shot a gun once in her life. She aimed the gun just as Papa showed her. The sound startled her, smoke had gotten into her eyes, and the darn snake still slithered away. When Papa had returned to the house and saw the gaping hole in the floor, he'd been beside himself.

"You're not coming with us," Thayer said.

"Of course I am."

"You'll stay."