Part 15 (1/2)

”I can get you warm,” he captured one of her nipples in his mouth and lapped it, then pulled back, ”unless you'd rather sleep alone?”

Sparrow wrapped her arms and legs around him. ”Don't even think about leaving this bed!”

”Not right now,” he nipped her shoulder and slid a hand between her silky thighs, cupping her crotch and rubbing gently, ”but it might get a little dull for the whole night.”

Before she could speak, his mouth covered hers and he kissed her as if he could draw her very essence inside him so they would never part.

He rolled onto his side and propped his cheek on his hand, gazing down at her. The fingertips of his free hand danced over her flesh, tracing every inch of her shoulders, b.r.e.a.s.t.s, and belly. He outlined each rib, stroked the thatch of dark, coiled hairs between her legs, and explored her soft, moist core.

She sighed, watching him through half-closed eyes. She trusted him implicitly, he could see it in her expression, in the way she opened her body and spirit to him. No one had ever trusted him like that, nor had he ever trusted anyone-until now.

”I love looking at you,” he said, his touch making her writhe. Her eyes slipped shut and she uttered a soft, kittenish sound that made his pulse race.

Suddenly the kitten became a tigress, and she pounced on him, her thighs clasping his waist, her fingers gripping his shoulders.

”G.o.ddess, I want you, Lock!”

”I'm yours, Princess!” He grasped her waist as she rode him hard, her b.r.e.a.s.t.s bouncing and her thighs clasping his hips as her wet p.u.s.s.y clenched his c.o.c.k.

He willed his body into submission as he watched her tremble above him, her b.r.e.a.s.t.s thrust forward and her head thrown back. She melted onto his chest, and he felt her giggle.

”You're a little animal.” He grasped her shoulders and kissed her.

She purred, curling her fist around his c.o.c.k and squeezing. ”I think I like this weapon. How's about forcing me to walk the plank, Captain?”

”I've done it before, girl. Off the plank and into the deep green sea.”

She shrieked and laughed as he jerked her into his arms and stood, carrying her across the room and dropping her on the table.

”Not here again, Lock!” she complained, but clutched his shoulders as he pressed her onto her back and ravaged her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. He rubbed his cheek against the soft, warm flesh, took one of her nipples between his teeth and tickled it with his tongue until she moaned. He teased her other breast while he entered her with a swift, hard thrust. She gave a cry of raw pleasure and raked her nails down his arms.

Lock closed his eyes and pinned her hands on either side of her head as he lunged fast and hard into her straining body. He felt the beginning of an incredible climax and lost all reason, until something hard and bristly cracked him over his head.

”Get off her, you SothSea swine!”

Lock's eyes snapped open, and he glanced over his shoulder in time for the straw end of a broom to crack him across the face.

Shea-Ann stood, poised to do battle, her eyes gleaming with anger in her rounded face.

”Shea-Ann!” Sparrow drew her knees up to her waist and tried to hide her full b.r.e.a.s.t.s with both hands.

The nanny drew back the broom, but this time Lock ripped it from her grasp and flung it across the room. ”Are you mad, hag?”

”How dare you attack My Lady when she saved your worthless life! I will rip you apart with my bare hands!” Shea-Ann flew at him. He caught her and twisted her arms behind her back, restraining her as gently as possible. He felt like breaking the old witch's arms, but knew Sparrow would hate him for it.

”Sparrow, run while you can!” the nanny screamed.

”Shea-Ann, will you calm yourself!” Sparrow ordered, retrieving one of Lock's s.h.i.+rts and tugging it over her head. ”He didn't attack me!”

”He didn't?” Shea-Ann stopped struggling and stared at Sparrow in disbelief.

”We have much to talk about,” Sparrow told her.

”I dare say! Let me go, you big oaf!”

Cursing in his own language, Lock released the older woman who spun, rubbing her arms, and glared at him.

”What's he doing unchained? And why was he... He didn't force you?” Shea-Ann asked weakly.

”No.” Sparrow stood beside Lock and took his hand.

”Don't tell me the two of you...”

”Are together as man and woman,” Sparrow finished.

The nanny slapped a hand to her forehead and moaned. ”G.o.ddess help us! Where did I fail?”

Lock raised his eyes to heaven and reached for his trousers. He dragged them on along with a s.h.i.+rt, not bothering to fasten the ties.

”Shea-Ann, so much has happened since you left. I have things to tell you.” Sparrow pulled out a chair, and Shea-Ann dropped into it. Sparrow continued, ”I'll make tea and we can talk.”

Lock glanced at Sparrow as she boiled water and fixed the mugs, then he turned back at Shea-Ann. If looks could kill, he'd have been dust. He couldn't help the broad smile that spread across his face.

”I suppose you think it's going to be an easy life for you, living as a kept man?” the nanny snapped. ”All you need to do is please her with that breeder bull's body of yours!”

”Shea-Ann!” Sparrow said.

”I'll never be a kept man,” Lock said, all traces of humor disappearing with the old woman's accusation. He'd spent his childhood as the worst kind of slave and any implication that he would enjoy peddling his flesh made his temper boil. ”I agreed to stay here until you returned because Sparrow has feelings for you. We'll be moving on, and I'll make a life for her.”

”What kind of life can you give her? She already has a good, honest life. You're nothing but a pirate!”

Lock's teeth clenched. How he'd love to wring Shea-Ann's scrawny neck! What bothered him most was she was right. He'd always lived the life of a criminal, and Sparrow was a good woman. How could he possibly change into a respectable mate for her? How could he provide for her in the manner she deserved, and if they should have children, how could he set an example for them? No child of his would lead the life he had.

”Is it true? Are you going away with him, Sparrow?”

Sparrow approached the table and took Shea-Ann's hand. ”I want to go with him.”

”Why?”

”Because,” Sparrow glanced at Lock, ”I love him.”

Lock's heart pounded, and he stood, heading for the door. He needed air.

A whipping and the rack hadn't made him feel faint, but the responsibility that accompanied Sparrow's words was more than he could tolerate.

”You say you love him and he goes walking?” Shea-Ann said. ”Sparrow, don't ruin your life with the likes of him...”