Unexpected Treasure: A High Seas Adventure (8 page)

“Slow down, Mrs. Masters.” He bit playfully at her lip.

“You are completely dressed, while I am decidedly not, and I need to slow down?” She quirked a brow at him.

He stepped back, his eyes smoldering, as he unbuttoned his shirt and let it fall to the floor. The sight of his bare chest made Sarah gasp with delight. Corded muscle came off broad shoulders, tapering down to a trim waist. She reached her hand out to touch his chest.

“You’re not afraid?” he asked as he stepped closer, gathering her back in his arms.

“Of you? No. I trust you.” Her camisole fluttered over her head as he removed it. She stood, naked before him, completely comfortable. She was meant to be with this man. “My head has finally caught up to my sense and I know that you will never hurt me.”

“Oh Sarah, I spent the first part of this journey lamenting that I had lost you. I never thought I would find you out here. What an unexpected treasure this is, to have you here with me now.”

He unbuckled his pants and slipped his remaining clothes off as Sarah stared at him in fascination. They stood before each other stripped of all clothing and, for Sarah, it was as though she saw clearly for the first time who he was. “Tell me we can always be together. Tell me I am a treasure you will keep forever.”

He pulled her back into his embrace, as their skin met, Sarah shivered with need. Her fingers twined into his hair, pulling his face closer.  “Always. You are mine Sarah and I am yours.”

Gently he picked her up and placed her on the bed. Her legs automatically wrapped around him as he slid inside of her. She let out a small gasp of pain, but there was something so satisfying about the sensation too. A connection to him from her very center was forming. She didn’t have the words to describe it.

“Oh Rex, I want…” she sucked in her breath as he moved inside of her.

“Does it hurt, love?” He trailed kisses along her neck as he stilled his pelvis.

“No, well only a little. But more than that…” she paused holding him closer. “Don’t stop.” She breathed as he moved again.

As the pain subsided the pleasure built and she was swept away on waves of passion. Everything tightened as they moved together, grasping each other. “Rex,” she cried wrapping her arms tighter around his neck tighter.

“Oh love,” his lips found hers as he spoke. “Even this afternoon, I never imagined it would be like this.”

Too swept away by passion, Sarah couldn’t ask what that meant or how he felt. She could barely hold on as she shattered into a thousand beautiful pieces. She felt, deep inside her, the moment he joined her in ecstasy.

They lay there, entwined together, breath mingled until Rex rolled to his side, pulling her with him. Tucked against him, Sarah closed her eyes. Her mind, for the first time in weeks, was deliciously blank. Safe and warm, she fell fast asleep.

UNEXPECTED TREASURE

CHAPTER EIGHT

Rex did not.
He lay awake for the longest time looking at his wife’s face. Wife? He could hardly believe it. She was as near a miracle as he would ever experience in his lifetime. How could the Prince Regent have possibly known that this was the perfect woman for him? He couldn’t have. But he must surely have understood that Sarah was on the Anna Marie and that was why he sent Rex after the vessel. All that time, he thought he was being punished for losing Sarah when actually he was chasing her.

Why hadn’t Rex been told? Would he have done things differently? He held Sarah tighter. Neither her uncle, nor anyone else, would ever hurt her again. He didn’t blame her for not trusting, but he would find a way to prove to her that she could trust him.

His hand whispered along the skin of her back. He didn’t want to wake her but he couldn’t keep his hand still. The more he touched her, the greater his need. His other hand tangled into her soft golden tresses. They were softer than silk and they slid easily through his fingers. He knew exactly what was happening to him. With every touch, glance, he was falling more in love with her. With that love came a certainty that no one could tear them apart. Not ever.

***

Sarah woke as the first rays of sun peaked into the room. She was still curled into Rex’s side. Her head rested on his shoulder and his arm nestled her against him, while his hand curled around her backside. One of her hands was splayed out in the hair of his chest. He had said they would sleep like this every night. It filled her heart to know it. Being with him like this made her more certain that he would never hurt her but would protect her as he had promised.

She lifted her head to look at his face. His lips parted as he breathed, the hard angles of his chin and cheeks softened by sleep. Warmth spread though her. Sarah loved this man, he had restored her life and her faith.

Her hand moved over his torso, longing to touch him more. Even in sleep, he was strong and muscular.

Laying her head back down, she snuggled closer. He inhaled deeply and gave her a squeeze. “Good morning,” his deep voice rumbled through her body. Sleep added even more roughness to his timber. The vibration of it sent little shock waves coursing through her body.

“Good morning,” she purred back.

Quick as a snake, he pulled her body on top of his. “I’d ask how you slept but I know it was well. You didn’t move for hours.”

“How do you know that?” she gasped.

His lips feathered over the skin of her neck, “I watched you.”

“You weren’t sleeping?” Her breath came out in short pants as his hands travelled up and down her back, his lips caressing her collar bone.

“No love. I couldn’t resist watching my angel.” His fingers found her soft core.

She moaned as he pulled his digit out and slipped his member inside of her. “You’re teasing me.”

“I’m not.” He guided her movements. “You are more perfect than I could have ever imagined. We have a week before we reach London. I plan to spend many more nights watching you sleep.”

She forced herself to focus despite the mind shattering sensations shooting through her body. She knew they had to return to face her uncle but it still filled her with dread, “Whatever happens, I want you to know--”“

He rolled them over, so that he was on top of her. “I’ll keep you safe, I swear to you.” 

Sarah forgot to answer as her body took over. She held on tight to him as they came together in a perfect union.

Slowly, Sarah drifted back to reality. Rex sat up, getting out of bed. “Where are you going?” she cried.

He grinned back at her, taking her breath away all over again. “To get you some breakfast. You’ll need your energy.”

Raising her eyebrows, she arranged her features into an innocent look. “Whatever for?”

Now in his breeches, he climbed back onto the bed, pinning her down and giving her a long kiss. “You’ll find out after breakfast.” Jumping back up, he tossed on a shirt and his boots before heading out the door. “Now, don’t move, my angel. I’ll be right back.”

As soon as he was gone, Sarah jumped out of bed. Washing up, she brushed her hair and checked her reflection in the mirror. Taking a deep breath, she returned to the bed. She pulled the covers up over herself and then slid them down. Shifting onto her side, Sarah brought the covers to just over her breasts. Looking down, she tried to assess how she looked.

Last night had been the most amazing of her life. More than anything, she wanted Rex to feel the same way. She bit her lip. He was the son of a duke and a man of the world. He had probably been with many women and this was just one more time. But the things he had said about her being his angel and watching her sleep. Surely, she meant something to him.

The door opened and Rex walked in with a tray full of food. Her stomach growled loudly at the sight and Sarah groaned. All her careful arranging had been for not.

He chuckled. “I’m hungry too. It takes a lot of energy… we’ll have to keep you well fed.”

He set the tray down and Sarah sat up, pulling the covers up as she went. Her thoughts had made her bashful. “Have you… have you done this with many women?” She looked at the piece of bread she pulled from the tray, picking at it. She couldn’t bring herself to look at Rex, afraid of what she might see. It was silent for so long, that finally, she lifted her head.

His look was soft. “I won’t lie to you, Sarah. There have been others. But never like this and never again.”

“Oh,” she muttered because she didn’t know quite what to say. Her feelings were a jumble. It somehow hurt to think of him with other women but that wound was salved by his promise to be with only her.

“We are meant to be together, Sarah.” He sat next to her bringing his lips to hers. “I knew it even before I knew who you were. Everything about you fits me. And I think you felt it too. I know you were at ease with me even when you trusted almost no one.”

“I did. Though I doubted it whenever we weren’t together.” She clutched the blankets tighter.

His arms wrapped around her and Rex pulled her into lap. He grabbed a fig and held it before her. He raised his eyebrows in question and she nodded her ascent. His fingers gently placed the fig between her lips and she closed her lips around it. Its sweet flavor was only enhanced by the delivery into her mouth. Squeezing her, he gave the blankets a slight tug. “We’ll never be apart again.”

She let him pull the blankets away, no longer feeling shy. “What shall I do when you sail the pirate ship to my uncle’s?”

Popping another morsel of food into her mouth, he asked, “What do you want to do?”

“I want to face him.” She sat straighter.

Rex gave her the most beautiful grin she had ever seen. “We had better make some time for shooting lessons. If you’re going into that, you’re going to be armed.”

“I agree. We can go out in just a little bit?” she squirmed in his lap and his made a soft growling sound, his hands began running down her back.

“A little bit.” The tray of food was forgotten as Sarah lost herself in her husband’s arms.

A few hours later they stood on the deck as Sarah fired round after round. “You’re getting much better.”

Taking a final shot, she lowered the weapon and gave a satisfied nod. She was better and learning to fire the weapon made her feel more in control than she had in a long time. Maybe ever.

“I suppose you teaching me how to shoot proves you’re motives are not nefarious. Who teaches a woman they are kidnapping how to defend herself?” She giggled but Rex did not appear to share her humor.

He gave her a fierce scowl, “That is what proves to you that my intentions are honorable? Not marrying you? Protecting you from pirates or spending the night―”

“Have you had honorable intentions for every woman you’ve spent the night with? Or saved from pirates? I suppose I am the only one you married…” Her grin deepened. The entire relationship, she had been insecure. It was nice to see the shoe on the other foot, though she wouldn’t make him squirm too long.

His scowl went from dark to black. “Of course you are the only woman I have ever married. Sarah, how could you think otherwise?”

“Rex, I am teasing you.” Her laugh was swallowed by the waves.

By degrees, his expression softened until he joined her in the laughter. Then, in full view of the crew, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. “I like this side of you,” he whispered in her ear.

She liked it too. Just days ago, her life had been comprised of fear and worry. Thanks to Rex, that had been replaced with laughter, love, and confidence. Giving her husband an alluring smile, she wrapped her arms around him too. “So what shall we do now?”

“I think I know just the thing.” He swept her into his arms and headed for the hatch.

UNEXPECTED TREASURE