The Jezebel (Taskill Witches 3)

Ashamed of himself for such a base reaction, he turned aside and reached for the bottle of rum that was wedged between the maritime books on one of the lower shelves. Swigging heavily from it, he offered it to her. When she declined, he had her portion, as well.

She pushed her hair back from her face. “Do they think it means I am bad in some way? Because I know some of the old Pictish songs and sayings?”

Would she confide if he was more honest? “It raises their mistrust.”

His own level of trust was far from stable when it came to this woman, and yet Roderick still wanted her. Wanted her with a passion. The movement of her fingers through her hair as she eased it back made him want to do that, to have her sitting in his lap while he studied and explored her.

“And you? Do you mistrust me?” Her expression was challenging in its intensity, almost as if she wanted him to confess he did.

“I know nothing of you, Maisie, not even your family name. And when I try to understand you, you battle me every step of the way. That’s what makes this situation difficult for me.”

Her lower lip trembled. “Forgive me. My family name is Taskill. Maisie Taskill. I didn’t tell you before because I thought it would be safer for you that way. A powerful man wanted me for his own, and if he discovers who it was that aided my escape from London, he will show no mercy. I said nothing about myself because I didn’t want to endanger you or your men.”

Their gazes locked, and it seemed as if nothing else existed to him, only her and the way she looked at him, as if his good opinion of her was the most important thing in the world. He felt that way, too. While the circumstances that brought them together had been uneasy, he had managed them well enough. Now it felt as if everything around them was in danger of fracturing. He didn’t know what the morning would bring, but even if he kept the crew in check until he could get her ashore in Scotland, the men did not trust her and wanted rid of her, and that tore him apart.

“I couldn’t bear it if you came to any harm because you aided me.” Her eyes shone with tears. “I find I have fast grown to care for you.”

Roderick had to hold her in his arms, had to claim every part of her. Inside a moment he was against her, his arms enclosing her while he devoured her mouth. She clung to him, just as frantic and eager for him as he was for her. He didn’t care what had been said about her, didn’t care if it was true. That problem could wait. This could not.

“Make me yours,” she whispered.

“I will.” Taking a deep breath, he set her at arm’s length. This time it would be no hurried coupling, and he wanted her completely naked so that he might know every part of her. It seemed imperative.

In the gloom of his cabin he undressed her, carefully dealing with each fiddly hook and eye, each complicated lace and tie, until all that was left was her woolen stockings, fastened with ribbons above her knees, and her boots. Roderick could scarcely bring himself to take them off because she looked so pretty. Her hair had fallen loose down her back, and she gazed at him intently. The whole time he’d undressed her, her eyes had followed his every move, and when he smiled at her, her head lifted and she looked deep into his eyes, as if she could read his thoughts. Could she? If it were possible, she would see only how much he wanted her.

Lifting her onto the bed, he slipped off her boots, then undid the ribbons above her knees and rolled the stockings down, discarding them. He undressed hastily, because he knew that when the time came, he might not be able to pause long enough to do so, and he wanted to feel her naked skin against his.

When he was stripped she held out her arms to him. Roderick took her hands in his and kissed each palm in turn. Every moment seemed precious. Folding her arms across her chest, he noticed the fretful look in her eyes. “You will have me soon enough, eager one. I mean to kiss every part of you first.”

Her eyes widened. “That sounds as if it might test me somewhat.”

He nodded.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, he explored her, tracing every inch of her body. He followed his fingertips with his lips, kissing her everywhere, from the soft skin behind her ear down across the curves and planes of her figure until he reached the top of her feet, and back up. When he nudged his jaw around the curve of her breast, she moaned.

“My beard is too rough on you?”

“No. It feels...good. It arouses me immensely.”

How very much that pleased him, and he decided to kiss the soft warm crease beneath h

er breast, scuffing her with his beard there, too.

“Oh, oh, Roderick, you master me so easily.”

Could he be happier? When he ran his tongue over the taut surface of her erect nipples, each in turn, she reached for him and clutched him to her. While she was distracted, he slipped his fingers between her nether lips, where he found her slick and hot.

It was so inviting that he rearranged his position. Opening her legs, he looped one over his shoulder so that he could access her there. The soft pink folds of her pretty cunt gleamed with her juices and he bent to devour it, his tongue scooping her up. Her essence was like nectar to him, the aroma and taste of it making him harder still, mindless in his desire for her.

Her body arched and she pushed her fingers into his hair. Glancing up at her, Roderick saw that she was close to coming, and he centered his attentions on her tickler. Lapping the swollen ridge from beneath, he was fast rewarded by the sound of her strangled cry of submission, her body shuddering in release.

He lifted his head to watch her, adoring the way her head rolled from side to side and a flush bloomed on her cheekbones and chest, as if the heat of her release flowed through her entire body from the place where he’d stimulated her.

Moments later, she opened her eyes and looked at him.

Those eyes of hers seemed to reflect the candlelight for a moment, as if the flame was right there inside them. He drew back in wonder. Then she blinked and it was gone.

She sat and looped her arms around his neck, squeezing him tightly.