Emerald [Pyrate's Treasure 2] (Siren Publishing Classic) (8 page)

“Shhh, Emerald mine. We’re alone, and we’re going to talk about all the things that we’ve said we would talk about,” he said, nuzzling his nose up and down the side of her neck. “My job, your writing, and why you won’t leave this island are the biggest ones I can think of. After that we’ll go on to other things, like whether you’ve ever dreamt about having a man worship your body and eat your pussy until you scream with pleasure.”

Emerald swore her heart stopped for a few seconds and then began to race. His words not only filled her ears but also rumbled through his chest and into her side, sending warm shivers through her in response.

“Okay,” she said softly as the arm around her body reached up and gently pushed her head to rest against his chest.

“I am a very good literary agent and currently work and live in New York. A month ago I received six of the most amazing stories from someone who said they were you,” he said softly as the fingertips at her neck stroked up and down before taking her earlobe and toying with it.

“What did you think of them?” she asked hesitantly, half afraid to hear his answer.

Only a portion of her thoughts centered on his words. The rest of her focused on the long, hard erection pressing into her hip, and what she would rather be doing instead of talking even though they really needed to talk.

The hand between her legs slowly stroked down to her knee. His hand brushed the skin of both inner thighs before it slowly traveled back up to stop just an inch from her pussy. She moaned softly and shifted on his lap, hoping he would close that last inch and stroke her clit and pussy.

His voice was low and intense in her ear. “I thought they were the most amazing stories I had ever read. Once I started reading, I could not stop until I reached the end. And then I wanted more. I still want more. If you allow me to represent you, I can see you as the next giant in the children’s publishing industry.”

She shivered as her arousal grew at his tone. She could barely take in his words and their meaning. Pushing from his arms, she climbed from his lap, stood and walked across the clearing. When he stood and started to follow, she held up a hand to stop him.

“No, until we finish talking you have to stay over there. Otherwise we’ll never get this talking business and such out of the way.”

Looking like he wanted to argue, Nick took a deep breath and then nodded. Another moment passed before he returned to the bench.

Emerald looked at the log, but felt too restless to sit down so she began to slowly pace. She took several deep breaths to focus on what he had been saying.

“So, you think a publisher would be interested in my books? That people would buy them? That I could actually become a published author?”

Looking at him, she held her breath as she waited for him to answer. He stared at her then nodded with a wide, confident grin. “Absolutely. I think that your books could be the biggest thing to hit the market since the
Goosebumps
books came out about twenty years ago.”

She released her breath on a whoosh, but did not know what else she should be asking. So she remained silent.

“I also think that your stories will be more than just books. Comics, video games, maybe even a movie or television series. The sky is the limit with something. But we need to move fast. I’ve got several publishers who are rabid crazy to have a look at your stories, but unless you agree to let me represent you…”

“You can’t do anything?” she finished for him.

He nodded. “That’s right. I have a representation contract in my bedroom with your name on it. All it needs is your signature and I can make you a very rich, very famous, very successful author of children’s fantasy books.”

“But you have to go back to New York to do that.” Emerald turned away as tears filled her eyes.

She did not realize Nick had left the bench until hands grabbed her upper arms. She squeaked in surprise as he spun her around then moved his hands to her shoulders to hold her in place. “Yes, I will have to go back, and I’d love for you to go with me. Which brings us to the subject of why you won’t leave the island.”

Though she wanted to wrap around him like a kudzu vine around a pine tree, Emerald broke from his hold and began to pace again. Instead of back and forth, she walked around the edge of the clearing as she worked up the courage to tell the story that kept her tied to the island.

Finally, she took a deep breath as she stopped and collapsed onto the bench. Wrapping her arms around her middle, she looked at Nick.

“The island is the only safe place,” she started softly. “Our parents went on a ski weekend when I was eight. They died when their van got swept away in an avalanche. Grandfather brought us here, telling us we would always be safe and protected here. The only time we left was to go to high school. Several of us were in school at the same time, so during the year we lived with a friend of Grandfather’s who took care of us like a mother would. During that time, guys were always hitting on me, asking me out, but I always turned them down.”

She began to rock back and forth, her tears coming faster. Nick took several steps, but stopped again when she shook her head at him. “The night I graduated from high school, two of the boys in my class invited me to a party and kept at it until I agreed. I didn’t realize it was a private party for just the three of us until they picked me up and drove out to a secluded beach house. They were both real happy and friendly. I didn’t realize they were drunk before they ever showed up at my door. Once we got to the beach house, they put some hard moves on me and refused to stop when I said no.”

Emerald closed her eyes and folded forward until her body rested along her upper legs. A moment later, she stiffened when Nick lifted her off the bench. He took her place and cuddled her in his lap.

She took several deep breaths before she could continue. “I was too scared to shift, but fought hard and dirty and got away. Instead of walking on the road, I ran back to town and hid at the marina until the ferry left the next morning for the island. I haven’t left it since.”

Nick’s arms tightened around her as his head dropped forward so his cheek brushed over the top of her head. “And you’ve never told anyone?”

Emerald shook her head as her tears continued to fall. “If I had, Cash and Silver would have killed the boys, and that would have caused the pack all kinds of problems. It was easier to say nothing, come home, and avoid the humans. The others knew something was wrong, but never asked and eventually just allowed me my eccentricities.”

She stopped again. After wiping away her tears, she straightened her spine and lifted her head. “I started writing stories in grade school and found a happiness I had never felt before. So when I returned to the island, eight years ago, I took over most of the computer work for the resort and spent the rest of my time writing my stories. I had never thought to do anything with them, but Silver has been after me for the last few months to get them published. And now, because of my writing, I have found and claimed my mate.”

With a sigh, she found herself feeling light, weightless, almost dizzy, as she shook with relief of finally sharing her secret. Leaning deeper into her mate’s arms, she nuzzled her cheek into his chest and breathed deep, filling herself with his calming scent of fresh cut spring grass and rain.

* * * *

Nick held her securely, feeling her entire body quaking. He slowly, gently rubbed one hand up and down her arm, hoping to soothe her. Long after she stopped trembling, he tightened his hold slightly, wishing there was more he could do as she unburdened herself of this past horror.

He was not sure what else he could do to help his beautiful mate. He was tempted to track the two assholes down and give them a beat-down they would remember for the next eight years. He was sure Silver would help him, once the other man knew what had happened to Emerald.

But he could not do that. Emerald had not told anyone, and it was not his place to break her confidence. If she wanted her family to know, would she have not already told them?

Taking a deep breath to calm the anger welling within him, he hugged her even tighter. The past was the past. It was time to help his gypsy mate heal and look forward to the glorious future they would have together. The first step to getting her to New York was to get her off the island.

“Do you know anyone who has a boat we can use for the day?” he asked gently when Emerald had calmed completely and rested limply in his arms.

She shifted, but did not try to move away. “Caleb has a boat that he and Goldie sometimes take to the mainland,” she answered softly.

“Would you go with me to spend a day on the mainland? I’ll be with you the whole time.” He brushed a kiss over the top of her hair.

He waited patiently until Emerald slowly moved her head up and down. “You promise you won’t leave me alone?”

“I promise. I’ll be right beside you the whole time.”

Emerald stiffened before saying, “Okay.”

“Good girl,” he murmured.

Knowing she was pushing well past her comfort zone and showing bravery had his cock filling with renewed arousal. Wanting to get her mind off what she had agreed to, he shifted his hold so one hand cupped her breast while still holding her securely against his chest. His other hand dropped down to cover her near thigh just above her knee. He shifted it so his fingers slipped down between her legs then slowly began to stroke upward.

Her thighs pressed together as if to stop him, but he ignored the silent protest. He continued up her thigh and under her short dress until his thumb brushed against the fur covering her pussy.

He stroked his thumb up and down in the silky hair, not moving any further until he felt her sigh and her legs parted slightly. Only then did he move his hand closer, his thumb stroking through the hair until he found wet and spread pussy lips. Then he stroked down between them, pushing his hand even further between her thighs. He dragged the tip of his thumb down the valley formed by the lips until he reached her clit.

Emerald sucked in a breath as he slowly flicked the tip of his thumb over the knotted up bundle of nerves. She then moaned when he shifted his hand and pushed the tips of two fingers into her hot, wet, open pussy. In the next heartbeat she grabbed his hand and pulled it closer as she canted her hips forward until his fingers sunk deep into her.

Her instant response surprised him, but he could not help but follow where she led. Remembering her inexperienced status and the fact that they had spent the night before fucking like bunnies, he decided he would hold onto his control and let her set the pace. Afterward they would find Caleb and see about setting up a trip to the mainland for one day this week.

He found himself trying to think cold thoughts when she slid a hand down his chest to brush over the front of his slacks.

“Need you,” she murmured as she lifted her lips to his.

“You got me,” he returned as his thumb pressed against her clit. “How do you want me?”

“Right here, right now.”

“Okay.”

With his easy agreement, she climbed from his lap and stood in front of him. “Drop your pants,” she said with a sexy smile.

Nick stood quickly, almost overbalancing as his hands went to his waist to deal with the fastenings of his pants. As soon as he had them open, he shoved his pants and boxers to his knees. He hissed as he sat back down again. The stone bench was fucking cold on his bare ass even though he had been sitting there for several minutes.

“You okay?” she asked, looking concerned.

“Cold bench,” he responded with a smile as he wrapped his hand around his hard cock and slowly stroked it from root to tip. “Now what?”

Emerald dropped her gaze to watch his hand stroke his length a second time. She licked her lips when a drop of liquid appeared at the tip. “Now I’m going to ride my stud mate.”

Now that her mate knew her deepest, darkest secret, Emerald felt like a heavy weight had slid off her shoulders. Though her family had tried to get her to talk about what had happened that last night, she had never broken her silence. But now that her mate knew and promised to help her overcome her fear of being away from the island, need to thank her mate replaced the fear.

“Lean back so you’re resting on your hands,” she said as she reached for the hem of her dress.

She took her time unbuttoning the front panel from hem to waist. Then she took the hems and pulled them back, framing her pussy and thighs as she tucked the corners of the dress into her pockets so they were well out of the way.

She smiled as Nick’s eyes dropped to her legs. He licked his lips and swallowed hard. When she did not move any closer, he leaned back and wrapped his hands around the back edge of the bench. His cock jutted up from his groin, the tip glistening with drops of pearly fluid.

“Mmmm, pretty,” she murmured, her eyes locked on the head of his cock.

She crawled onto the bench so her thighs straddled his. Wrapping her index finger and thumb of her right hand around the base of his cock, she smiled when he gasped and his cock jerked in her hold. She slowly stroked from base to just under the head and then back down again. Releasing his shaft, her fingers trailed down and tickled at his balls before returning to his cock.