Pirate's Persuasion - Lisa Kessler Page 0,44

the keys.

“Now,” Drake whispered. “Fire.”

Heather gave the command, and the cannons came alive on the computer screen. Smoke and gunpowder turned the blue sky into a thick gray. Across the screen, the cannonballs hit their mark, opening giant holes in the Spanish ship.

“It worked!” Heather exclaimed, bouncing on the sofa.

“Fire one more round, then we plunder the ship.”

She bumped against Drake’s chest. “I love the way you think.”

“Fire!” the virtual captain shouted.

Wood splintered and exploded from the Spanish ship. Heather clicked the screen to lower the boats. Her virtual crew piled into them, rowing over to the wounded Spanish galleon.

She turned toward Drake with a grin. “You’re a genius.”

“Nah.” He chuckled, shaking his head. “I’m a pirate.”

He stared into her eyes and slowly kissed her. She set her laptop aside as her lips caressed his. His arm slid down her back, and he pulled her closer. She didn’t resist, in fact, she pivoted toward him, sliding her leg over his until she was straddling his lap.

His growl of approval sent a tremor of lust through her entire body.

Whatever insecurities had taunted her earlier, her desire for this man blotted them out. He stood up, taking her with him. His strong hands gripped her ass as she clasped her legs around his waist. He carried her toward the stairs, and from the couch came the familiar ping of the Skull & Crossbones messenger.

Queenie could wait. She’d tell her all about it tomorrow.

Chapter Fourteen

Drake reached the top of the stairs, Heather in his arms like she’d always belonged there, and forced himself to break the kiss. “Which way?”

“You can put me down,” Heather whispered, her lips brushing his.

“Just guide me.”

She pointed to the left. “My room is at the end of the hall.”

Her teeth teased his neck, and the heat of her tongue on his skin had his erection threatening to burst through his jeans. He lurched forward with a steady pace toward the mahogany door. Freeing one hand from her backside, he twisted the knob and stepped into her room, but as he turned to close it, she reached over and gave it a push.

“I got it.”

The breathiness in her voice added to his hunger for her as the door slammed behind him. If he wasn’t buried inside of her soon, he would go mad. He headed for the antique queen-size bed, and even delirious with desire, the carpenter in him couldn’t help but admire the polished walnut sleigh-style bed.

Sturdy.

He lay over her on the mattress, his hand sliding up underneath her skirt. Her skin was soft against his calloused hands, and he struggled to keep from gripping her too tight as he claimed her lips again. Heather’s hand covered his, encouraging his fingers to be anything but gentle.

Smiling as he moved his hand farther up her leg, he kneaded the curve of her arse. Her moan tempted him to strip off her thong, open his jeans, and take her right now. He ground his teeth struggling to slow down. He hadn’t been with a woman in…decades. And never a woman he had real feelings for, not since he’d been mortal, not since Lucy.

Heather was special. She made him yearn to be the man he’d thought lost centuries ago. Tonight, he needed her naked in his arms. He wanted to lose himself in her. And he ached to give her more pleasure than she’d ever had in her life.

Even if it killed him to take it slow.

He traced his other hand down her body and removed her underwear, dropping it on the floor as he lifted her skirt even higher. Her pale skin seemed bathed in eternal moonlight, and it called to him like a siren song.

“You’re so beautiful.”

Her lashes fluttered over her bright blue eyes, her breathing coming faster the closer he got to her core.

“You have too many clothes on,” she whispered.

“Patience, lass. I’ll take them off soon enough.” He settled between her legs, pressing a kiss to her silky inner thigh, his stubble grazing the smooth skin. “Sorry…I didn’t shave today.”

She lifted her head, her gaze locked on his. “I’m not a porcelain doll. You don’t need to be gentle with me.”

“Good.” He grinned and settled between her legs once more. “Because I’m famished.”

He buried his tongue inside her, moaning at her taste as he gripped her arse and angled her hips up to give him better access. Her smooth legs tightened against his rough face while he explored her until he found the spot that made her