Her Pirate Master (Entwined Fates) (6 page)

Haydrien didn’t answer. Instead, he kept his gaze on Jacquelyn as she stepped outside and stared at the surroundings. What did she think of his home or at least what was left of it?

He frowned, wondering why it even mattered to him. She would be gone as soon as Marcone showed up to rescue her. He hadn’t been able to catch the son of a bitch any other way. He just hoped this worked and didn’t backfire in his face.

He would have to plan carefully and really watch his back. He had no idea how many men Marcone would bring with him, so he would need to be prepared for any contingency. He was hoping for a trade, but would Marcone be willing to give himself up for his namesake?

Jacquelyn walked over to the edge of the landing pad and studied the city below. The wind caught the tendrils of hair that had fallen from the clip and blew them around her cheeks. She absently brushed one aside and pushed it behind her ear.

Haydrien’s fingers flexed at his side. What would her hair feel like sliding through his fingers? Did it curl? Or was it straight? The small pieces that had escaped curled. He imagined one wrapping around his finger.

Shaking his head, he dislodged the thoughts and walked over to join her.

“So much of it is…” she murmured.

“Is what?” he asked.

He knew what she was about to say. Destroyed. He sighed sadly as he stared down at the once vibrant city now in ruins.

“It doesn’t really even look livable,” she replied.

“It looks better than it did.” He pointed to the north end of the city, the section that had the most reconstruction. “We’re slowly working our way south and east.”

“What about west?” she asked.

“West was the most damaged. It will be the last repaired, I’m afraid.”

“That’s so sad,” she whispered. “All those people without homes.”

“We’re managing.” He shrugged and turned away from the edge. “People moved in together. We took care of each other. We believe it will get better and refuse to accept anything less, so when you see my people, do not look upon them with pity. They’re proud of what we’ve accomplished so far.”

She looked at him as though she was offended. “Of course. I would never…” She shook her head and frowned. “Never mind. Like you would believe me anyway.”

Haydrien didn’t bother to answer. “Lear is going to take you to my quarters.”

She glanced at the mountain fortress and frowned. “Not there, I hope.”

“Careful, sub. That’s my home.”

He turned and walked away, leaving her in Lear’s care. Yes, it was falling down, but the backside and most of the eastern-facing walls were still intact. The fortress would be the last place fixed. His people and their homes came first.

Chapter Seven

Jack stood inside Haydrien’s quarters and glared across the room at the doctor. He’d run every scan possible on her and declared her fit to sexually please his liege.

Was he serious? She’d be damned if she would sexually please the arrogant ass, although she never said that out loud to him. She’d finally gotten at least some control of her tongue, for now.

She turned her back to the doctor and walked around the oversize room, examining the walls. On the far side was his bondage area. She refused to look too closely at the toys that lined the shelf and the shackles that hung from the wall.

Would he use those on her? Most likely.

She shivered despite the warmth in the room and hugged herself as she walked to the double doors that opened onto a large balcony. Although the outside of this massive home had been built of stone, the inside was very modern and rivaled her home on Tilarus.

According to Lear, all the rooms except for the ones they used regularly had been emptied and the furniture given to those who’d lost theirs. Jack hated to admit it, but she admired his loyalty to his people. Apparently he stole to take care of them. Did that make it any better?

She stepped outside and stared over the railing to the valley floor below. They were so high up her head spun, so she stepped back and sat in one of the two cushioned chairs. A small table sat between the chairs, and she ran her fingers over the smooth polished stone of the tabletop. Muted tones of gold, red, and brown swirled together, creating a pattern that looked almost man-made, but had obviously been done by nature.

Had this stone come from here?

Sighing, she dropped her head back against the cushion and stared out over the mountains. To her right a massive waterfall slid down the mountain to the river below. She closed her eyes and listened to the water as it fell. It created a cool breeze that ruffled her hair and lowered the temperature around her.

No wonder he’d chosen this room as his. It was peaceful here. Too bad she couldn’t relax. All she could think about was her punishment to come.

“Morning, Doc.”

Jack’s whole body tingled at the sound of Haydrien’s deep, booming voice. She stiffened but kept her gaze on the mountains.

“Morning, Haydrien,” the doctor replied. “You’ll be happy to know she’s in perfect health.”

“Excellent. Birth control?”

Jack bristled and frowned.

“Already implanted.”

“Perfect. Where is she?” he asked.

“On the terrace.”

Haydrien’s footsteps echoed on the stone tiles as he walked outside to join her. Jack kept her gaze straight ahead, determined not to look at him.

“I wasn’t able to get my clothes off the ship,” she said, still not looking at him.

“You won’t need them here,” he replied as he sat in the other seat.

“So you’re going to keep me naked the whole time?” she asked sarcastically. Turning slightly in her seat, she faced him.

“That would certainly make it easier for me to have you anytime I wanted, now wouldn’t it?” he replied.

Jack tried to determine if he was serious or not. Unfortunately he had too good a poker face. “Are you trying to scare me?”

He snorted. “I think it’s obvious that would be a waste of time.”

“You have my clean bill of health. Do I get yours?”

“If I’m going through all the trouble to make sure you’re clean, then most likely I am as well, don’t you think?”

She scowled and turned her attention back to the view. “What do you want with Marcone?”

“Worried about him?” he countered.

“Of course.”

“I want him to pay for the destruction of my ship and the death of the hands on board.”

Jack closed her eyes briefly at the sadness that gripped her chest. “That was your ship?” She swallowed the lump of sadness that threatened to choke her. “It was an accident.”

“And you know this how?” he asked. “Because he told you?”

“I was there. Those ships were old, but we didn’t realize how old until we fired. The shot was only supposed to be a warning. The hull couldn’t withstand it, and the ship blew.”

Her voice cracked, and she quickly swallowed the tears that threatened to spill over. The destruction of that ship had haunted her ever since. She’d never meant for that to happen.

Maybe she deserved this.

“Tears for your captain?” Haydrien taunted.

Jack sniffed and stood to walk back into the bedroom. “Screw you,” she snarled.

Haydrien caught her wrist as she walked past. She winced at the small bite of pain that traveled up her arm when he pressed against the bruises that had formed from his rough grip just eighteen hours before. With so many boys in her family who liked to roughhouse, she was used to bruises.

He lifted it and studied the light purple marks. In a move that surprised her, he gently rubbed his thumb across them, and a warm tingle began to travel upward. She watched in stunned shock as he brought her wrist to his mouth and kissed it. The feel of his full, warm lips against her cold skin sent a shiver of awareness up her spine. She quickly jerked her hand free.

He met her gaze, and Jack hardened her resolve. He may be handsome. He may be sexy. He may even, at times, show a gentle side, but she refused to let her heart soften toward him. He was her captor. Nothing more.

“I believe you have a punishment coming,” he murmured.

Jack tensed and took a small step back.

“Strip,” he commanded.

Her eyes widened. “What?”

“I said strip.” He smiled. “Or would you prefer I do it for you?”

“Neither.”

“That’s not an option.”

He reached for her hand, and Jack jerked away. His eyes narrowed dangerously, and it was all she could do to keep from shaking.

“Are we really going to play this game again? You’re only making it worse. Wouldn’t it be better to get it over with?”

She swallowed and lifted her chin. “Fine, but keep your hands to yourself.”

Haydrien laughed as he walked past her and back inside. “You may undress without my help, but I can assure you, I will not keep my hands to myself.”

Jack stood still, hoping he would change his mind. That he would leave the room. It was a fruitless hope, she knew, but she hoped nonetheless.

“I’m waiting,” he said as he stood by the wall just inside the door and watched her.

He reached for one of the wrist cuffs hanging from the wall, and Jack swallowed. Her stomach knotted in both fear and a sickening kind of excitement at the idea of being bound. What was wrong with her?

She still hadn’t moved, and he frowned. “Now, Jacquelyn.”

With an angry flick of her hands, she lifted her shirt over her head and threw it at him. He dodged it easily, then grinned. “Missed. Try again.”

Jack bit her lips and decided this was getting her nowhere. She kicked off her shoes with a huff and let them land where they may. Taking a deep breath for courage, she unbuttoned the fly on her pants and lowered them down her hips. Haydrien’s gaze followed her every move, and the heat in his eyes made her heart race.

She’d had men gaze at her that way before, but never once had their looks left her with the same breathless anticipation that Haydrien’s did. Was it her situation, or was it him?

Keeping her gaze on his, she reached behind her and slowly unclasped her lacy bra. The weight of her breasts felt heavy as she lowered the garment and let it fall to the floor. Haydrien’s appreciative stare dropped to her breasts before shifting to her panties.

“The rest of it,” he commanded.

With trembling fingers, Jack pushed her panties down. Once she’d stepped out of them, she kicked the flimsy material aside. She might be all regulation uniform on the outside, but underneath, where no one could see, she liked satiny, lacy garments against her skin.

And despite how much she tried to fight it, she really liked the hungry way Haydrien was looking at her right now.

Chapter Eight

It took everything Haydrien had not to pull her into his arms and kiss the very breath from her lungs. She looked incredible. He let his gaze travel the length of her body from her toes to her shaved pussy to her perky breasts to her beautiful gray-blue eyes. He could never get enough of looking at her, especially the way the sunlight shone behind her, highlighting her hair and giving her skin a warm, golden glow.

“Come here, sub,” he said.

She took a hesitant step. He watched her breasts lift as she took a deep breath before continuing forward. Once she reached his side, he took her wrist and placed it in the cuff. She stared at the soft, cushioned material and then glanced at him in surprise.

He ignored her look and grabbed her other wrist, placing it in the opposite shackle. He squatted, then spread her legs, placing each ankle in a shackle as well. He stood up, then stepped back so he could admire her spread-eagle against the wall.

“Now that is a lovely sight,” he murmured.

Jack frowned, and he couldn’t suppress the grin that tugged at his lips. She was such a spitfire. He walked forward and brushed the backs of his fingers over her nipples. She flinched, and he pinched them hard, making her gasp in surprise.

“Relax, sub. You may find that you like this punishment.”

She snorted softly. Haydrien moved to grab a few toys from the shelf closest to him. He pulled down a long, thin dildo and held it up. He peered at her around the rod. Her eyes narrowed slightly. “No?” he asked, just before setting it aside. “This one I think would be better.”

He pulled down a thicker one and covered it with lube. He walked over to her and placed the toy between the legs. She gasped as the cold lube hit her folds. He gave her a second, then pressed the toy deep inside her. She visibly swallowed. Haydrien didn’t miss the tremor that skimmed along her flesh or the flare of heat that made the gray in her eyes deepen like storm clouds.

Her face flushed as Haydrien turned the rod, positioning it so the flare at the base would rub against her clit. He used his fingers to spread her, making sure the toy fit perfectly against the tiny nub.

He looked at her face and was fascinated by the play of emotions. She was angry—that was obvious—but she was also aroused and slightly intrigued. He moved his palms over her breasts, lifting them as he squeezed. She narrowed her eyes, and her breathing became more shallow and quick. He lowered his hands to her waist and dipped his head. He slowly swiped his tongue over an extended nipple.

She gasped, and her whole body tensed. He gently sucked the tip of her breast into his mouth, then rubbed his tongue back and forth over her hard nipple until he eventually heard a soft moan escape her lips. He shifted to the other breast and repeated the motion, smiling to himself at the hitch in her breathing as she struggled to not show how much she was actually liking this.

JACK COULD HARDLY breathe when Haydrien covered her second breast with his mouth. Every part of her body burned from the feel of his hot lips against her skin. Without intending to, her hips shifted slightly, forcing the base of the rod to rub against her clit. She gasped again at the spark of lust that touch sent to her core.

This was what he considered to be punishment? God help her.

He moved away, and despite the heat lingering on her breasts, a blast of cold air hit her moist areola, making her shudder. She watched out of the corner of her eye as he brought two devices from the shelf. One was a flogger; the other was a small box he put in this pocket. He again reached toward the shelf and pulled down what looked like two gold pieces of jewelry.