The Jezebel (Taskill Witches 3)

She nodded. “I have not sung that song since I was a child.”

“Now that you are Scotland bound it has come back to you.”

“Yes.” She lowered her voice. “I was discouraged from thinking of my homeland for many years.”

“Why was that?” As soon as he’d asked, he knew he shouldn’t have.

Pressing her lips together tightly for a moment, she turned her face back out to sea. “The people I lived with, they didn’t want me to go back there. But it’s in my blood and I must see the place again and find my kin...come what may.”

Roderick knew he had intruded, but her puzzling comment made him want to know more, and he decided that he would discover her hidden story by hook or by crook. Curiosity had ahold of him. It was neither the time nor the place, though, for she was still in sight of the crew and he must remedy that quickly. “The men will accept you now, now that you sang so sweetly to them.”

Her head lifted. “Thank you for your kindness. I hope that is the case.”

“Don’t ever repeat this, but your song was much better than what the men roll out to make the time pass more readily. A worse noise you have never heard, especially when there is rum involved.”

A soft laugh passed through her open lips and her eyes twinkled at him.

Roderick was pleased he had shooed her fretful mood away.

Then something in her expression reminded him of that point the night before when her fear of their coupling had turned to pleasure, and his whole body responded, the need to hold her growing once more. It seemed that would be the case whenever she was near. Roderick groaned beneath his breath, for it was a dual-edged sword. As captain he could not afford to lose his faculties to lust every time he saw her, and yet it did feel exceedingly good when he was put in that state.

As she looked at him something in her expression changed. Had she sensed his increased need to hold her? Her lips curved, and her chin lifted as if she was ready to accept a kiss. What he saw there in her eyes reflected his desire.

“You have a canny way of capturing my interest, my lady.”

“Do not let me distract you from your duties, Captain.”

“It is too late for that. The moment you stepped on deck I could think of nothing else but claiming you again.”

Her eyes widened and a flash of color lit her cheekbones. “Truly?”

“Could you not tell?”

“I did wonder.” How beguiling she looked, now that she was sure. Her eyes grew dark and her lower lip pouted, as if in expectation of a kiss.

Her gaze lowered to his chest. “You are a fine lover, Captain Cameron, and I remembered every moment of it this morning while I dressed. As soon as you came close to me on deck, the memory was rekindled once more.”

Roderick’s loins heated. Her candidness lured him. “I am close to you now.”

“And I find myself ready for you again.” Her eyes shone, and her bosom rose and fell rapidly as she breathed.

Roderick put his hand to the small of her back and guided her back below deck.

It took all his restraint to proceed at a leisurely pace. What he wanted to do was lift her in his arms and cart her off with the utmost haste. Once they had descended the ladder and he’d closed the hatch behind them, Roderick let loose his yearnings. Grabbing her by the hand, he pulled her toward him and covered her mouth with his.

She hummed in approval, returning his kiss.

How soft and supple she was, and how she arched against him, pressing her hips to his. Every bit as eager as he was, she plucked at his shirt with her hand, suggesting through touch that they disrobe. He had to feel her wrapped around him.

Barely breaking their embrace, he maneuvered her to the door to his quarters, and grappled for the handle. Inside, he lifted her in his arms, put his hands around her buttocks and pressed her back to the door, closing it in the process.

Sighing, she clutched at him and her legs shifted around his hips.

“Aye, this is a good fit.” Thrusting his hips to hers, he felt charged, exhilarated as never before. Was it because she wanted him so, that they shared this pleasure so joyously? Bending to her exposed neck, he rained kisses on the soft skin that led down to her collarbone.

She embraced his head with her hands, holding him close, her hips rocking against him. “Oh, Roderick, you have made me this way.”

“No.” He kissed the swell of her bosom. “This was in you, but I’m glad it is myself who is discovering that.”