The Red Drifter of the Sea (Pirates of the Isles #3) - Celeste Barclay Page 0,22

lowered her to her feet once again, and motioned for her to raise her arms. Still sore from the day before, she groaned as Kyle pulled the sodden leine over her head and tossed it onto the back of a chair tucked under the table. He looked over Moira’s shivering body, and just as it always seemed to do when she was within reach, his cock took notice.

Kyle watched Moira as her eyes settled on the bulge within his breeks. She glanced up at him, and he could read the question in her eyes. It nearly killed him to shake his head. He might not have any qualms about denying Moira her pleasure, but it was agony to deny his own. He pulled the MacLean plaid from the foot of his bed and wrapped it around Moira, rubbing her arms and back. She’d spoken the truth that only her arms were bruised. He’d noticed her grazed chin, but there weren’t any other noticeable injuries. At least, there were none on the surface.

“Moira, you knew what you were doing by coming above deck in nothing but a man’s leine. You did it to instigate trouble and to gain my attention. You disregarded the common sense I’m certain you possess by traipsing around half naked in front of not only men, but pirates!” Kyle took a calming breath as he felt his blood pounding in his neck. “While I may not have explicitly ordered you to remain here, you knew that’s what I wanted because I removed your boots and leggings. You defied me, Moira, and I will not tolerate any defiance aboard my ship. I don’t allow it from my men, and I won’t allow you to inspire mutiny because they suddenly think I’m weak. If you were a man, your defiance would earn you the lash before the rest of the crew. Instead, you shall receive your punishment in the privacy of this room. But do not doubt that I will mete out justice, Moira.”

As Moira listened, she only half-heard what Kyle said. Each time he used her name, she wanted to cringe. In the space of a day, she’d grown accustomed to him calling her “sweet one,” and it was jarring to hear him address her any other way.

“Are you listening to me?” Kyle demanded.

Moira looked at him blankly before hesitantly shaking her head. “How do I earn back being called ‘sweet one?’”

“What?” Kyle expected her to beg for forgiveness, to blurt out an apology, to even sulk. He was unprepared for her question.

“I don’t like you using my name,” Moira confessed.

“I’m displeased with you,” Kyle stated flatly.

“I know. And I want to know what I can do to earn back your—” Moira didn’t know if it was his trust, his affection, or his lust that she wanted to earn back. Whatever it was, it was a need that threatened to swallow her just as the waves crashing against the hull would.

“Kneel in the corner until I return, Moira.” Kyle waited until she was positioned in the nook, with her nose inches from the corner. He crossed the room and bent over her, tugging back on her hair. He pressed his lips to hers, plunging his tongue into her mouth as she immediately surrendered. His other hand pulled the plaid apart and cupped her breast, squeezing gently as his thumb ran over her nipple. Just as Moira made to reach out for him, he once again pinched her nipple until he knew it was painful. He pulled away and stalked back to the door. “And don’t you dare touch yourself.”

Moira watched the door swing closed and heard the key in the lock. She turned back to face the wall and contemplated what she’d gotten herself into.

Eight

Kyle shaded the candle with his palm as he turned in the direction of the goods they’d stolen from Moira’s ship. Looking between containers, he finally found what he sought. He reached for Moira’s sack, then placed the candle on top of a barrel. He opened the bag and rummaged through it, finding only a few changes of clothes. There were no coins, nothing personal.

Where could she have been going that she didn’t need more clothes or any money? Who would take her in with just the clothes on her back and nothing to offer in return? Maybe she intended to work wherever she went. Would she find a village and claim to be a widow? As far as I know she doesn’t know