Total pages in book: 173
Estimated words: 163328 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 817(@200wpm)___ 653(@250wpm)___ 544(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 163328 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 817(@200wpm)___ 653(@250wpm)___ 544(@300wpm)
“What proposal?” I asked. “Why Jobah? I’m the captain of this ship.”
“I’ll tell you once I’ve worked out the details. Lay aside your impatience and give me your trust, woman.”
“Fine.” I blew out a breath. “You have it.”
“Very good.” He stood and motioned at me to turn. “Bend over the desk.”
My pulse sped up, and a chill gripped my spine. “Last time you gave that order, you beat my arse until I couldn’t sit.”
“Then you know what’s coming.” He clasped his hands behind his back and stared down his haughty nose at me.
“You’re going to spank me? For what reason?” I looked at Priest as if he might have the answer.
“Don’t make him wait.” Priest didn’t move from his sprawl on the bed, the bastard.
My blood tingled as I turned and bent over the desk. “Is this you, establishing your role as my captor in the bedchamber?”
“This is me, beating your arse for the unforgivable bargain you made with Madwulf. For putting yourself in his hands and away from our protection. And for leaving me a week ago after making demands and trying to run our lives on your terms. This relationship is a three-way democracy, not a dictatorship ruled by one insolent woman.”
“Says the man who dictated that I bend for his—”
The slam of his palm against my backside shattered my thoughts and stole my breath. Then he struck me again. And again. With a large open hand and a ruthlessly strong arm, he spanked me brutally, passionately, and without quarter. He set fire to my flesh until I felt every ounce of fear and rage he’d experienced as a result of my actions. By the time he straightened and adjusted his clothes, I was properly apologetic and equally aroused.
He wasn’t finished.
Before I could rise from the desk, he impaled himself inside me. With his thrusts and his kisses, he demonstrated how much he’d missed me as Priest watched with approval.
Here now, at last, I possessed what Ashley had warned was so ruinous.
Love had hunted me, captured me, bred madness, and yes, it left a sea of ruin in its wake. But the devastation washed away. The skies cleared, and now we were calm, free, sailing on the winds of our hard-won peace.
Later, we dressed, ate, and left the cabin so that I could make my rounds through the decks.
The three of us strolled side by side in the salty air, talking about the weather, my father’s detailed map, Ashley’s trip to London, and the life he was leaving behind. We laughed and gossiped and basked in the freedom of one another’s company.
Freedom. We all felt it.
It was the beginning of a new life, a new voyage, with an exciting destination.
The thrill that hummed beneath my skin was intoxicating. Given the smiles in their eyes, I knew they were soused on it, too.
That night, I watched them reach for each other. Not out of anger or aggression. They came together in a language of closeness, tightening their arms around a bond that had been forged through twenty years of trials and loyalty.
As their hard, muscular bodies joined and moved as one, I was awestruck, mesmerized, unable to look away.
They took turns inside each other, stroking, grasping, mating. They tried to draw me in, but I found an inordinate amount of inclusiveness and pleasure in watching them. It was profound, poignant, deeply beautiful.
When I was a child, I promised my father that I would marry a man of his fortitude and spirit. A man who loved me above all else.
As it turned out, I doubled up on that vow.
I married two.
October 1721
Oak Island, Province of New Scotland
It took us nigh two months to cross the Great Western Ocean and sail north along the coast of New England. Another month was spent hauling heavy tools and provisions across the uninhabited oak-covered island, setting up camp, and digging. Endless goddamned digging.
My father had always told me I was an adventurous lass. Seven years after his death, he’d gifted me with the adventure of a lifetime.
The map led us deep into the wilderness and stopped at a natural indention in the ground. Excavation was required. Perhaps I’d expected that. But I hadn’t realized just how deep we would have to hollow out the forest floor.
My one-hundred-and-twenty-man crew worked in shifts from sunrise to sunset, taking turns shoveling dirt and watching the ship. The air thrummed with excitement with each passing day as we dug through layers of sand, silt, clay, and years of overgrown foliage. With the promise of wealth so close at hand, there were few complaints and a whole lot of smiles.
“We’re there.” Priest stooped at the bottom of the twenty-foot hole—as deep as it was wide—and swung a pickax at the layer of rocks. “I can feel it.”
The dozen pirates around him shook their heads and kept digging.