The Red Drifter of the Sea (Pirates of the Isles #3) - Celeste Barclay Page 0,19

bring forth another. When her fingers bit into his upper arms and her back bowed off the bed, he pulled back to watch her climax.

“Kyle, more,” Moira begged.

“Wheest, Moira. Soon, but not tonight.”

“What? Why?” Moira pleaded.

“Because you’ve been through too much today, and I’ve pushed you too hard. When we come together, it will be solely your choice.”

“And if I choose now?” Moira demanded.

“You said you trust me with your body. Trust me with this. Trust that I want to care for more than just your body.”

Moira stared at Kyle in the flickering candlelight. Just before the candle burned out, she nodded. Kyle wrapped Moira in his embrace and pulled her against his side. It was the first time either of them slept through the night with someone else beside them.

Seven

Moira came awake once more, but she knew she was alone in the bed, in the cabin. As she sat up, her eyes swept the cabin. Someone, assumedly Kyle, laid a tray on the table with more bread and cheese. But as she looked around, she couldn’t spy the leggings he’d stripped off her the night prior. She suspected someone found her sack of clothes while they raided the MacDonnells’ ship. As she climbed out of bed, a groan escaped. She’d slept on her side and stomach all night, so she hadn’t realized how sore her backside was from Kyle's punishment. Heat flooded her as she recalled the feeling of his hands on her—in her. She felt the blush creep into her cheeks, and she was relieved she was alone. She’d given in the night before and been more wanton that she ever was with Aidan.

As she moved around the cabin, still in search of her leggings, Moira was forced to accept that they were missing. She gazed at her calves that showed below the leine’s hem. She glanced around, wondering where her boots were.

Bluidy bastard. He gives me more than bread and watered ale, but not by much. Then, rather than stringing me up like a butcher does a heifer, he’s taken my clothes. He knows I won’t dare leave the cabin without being properly covered up.

Moira squinted her eyes as she glanced at the door. She would give Kyle the time it took for her to eat before she tried the door. She sat down and gobbled the food before her, not aware of how famished she’d been. She shifted her gaze to the door several times, wondering when Kyle might return. When she didn’t look at the door, she looked out of the porthole. She estimated it was midmorning. She never slept that late, but then again, she’d never hidden from pirates, feared for her life, or been tortured by a man she was ready to couple with only hours earlier. She figured she was entitled to being a little tired.

I wasn’t exactly tortured. The pain might have felt like it, but it was more neglect than anything else. I doubt that man Snake Eye realized what he was doing; he was only doing what he’s undoubtedly done many times before. Kyle didn’t know until he finally decided to give me his presence. Arrogant bastard that he is. But a handsome, arrogant bastard at that. I blame my willingness to give in so easily on being distraught. But were you really all that distraught? Not once you realized he wouldn’t kill you immediately. Not once he touched you. But damn it, I didn’t have to give in that easily. Aidan wooed me for months before I gave in. Kyle didn’t woo me at all, and it was a matter of minutes.

Not again. Not unless it’s on my terms.

Moira searched and found a small comb on the washstand that she ran through her hair. She’d had it pinned up and under a cap while she was in the hold. Her hair had fallen out of its braid sometime while she waited for Kyle to return to the cabin the first time. She attempted to make herself as presentable as possible before she crossed the cabin and tried the door.

Idiot. He really does believe I won’t leave this cabin without being properly covered. I spent the night in a pirate captain’s cabin. I shred any reputation I might have had the moment I stepped aboard this floating prison. And what do I care about these men and what they think of me?

Taking a deep breath and firming the resolve she pretended to possess, she stepped into the passageway and