First Comes Desire. Tina Donahue

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СКАЧАТЬ Footfalls and loud laughter sounded from the main deck. The pirates possibly drinking as they had on the beach, egged on by Tristan.

      He’d saved James’s life, yet earlier Tristan had said the man had done the same for him. “How did he save you?”

      James spit on his fingers and wiped blood off his chest. “No time to get into it now.”

      “Then how did you save Tristan? He told me you had.”

      “He would. That’s the kind of man he is.” Finished with cleaning his chest, James grabbed her arm.

      She pulled back. “What are you doing?”

      “Checking for marks.” He shoved up her sleeve, studied her forearm, and nodded. After examining her other arm, he tugged her shirt over her right shoulder, exposing her breast to the edge of her nipple.

      She squirmed away. “Stop it.”

      “Quiet. You want the others to come in here to watch?”

      “No, only Tristan so he can see what you’re doing.”

      James’s face flamed bright red. “I’m not trying to rape you. Now be still.”

      Wasn’t easy. He pulled her shirt over her shoulders and viewed her bare skin as a physician might.

      At last, he nodded. “No harm done.”

      To her. The scratches she’d left on him were deeper than the ones she’d given Tristan. “I suppose I should apologize for what I did to you.”

      He shrugged. “I’ve known worse.”

      She believed him. “Who lashed my brother?”

      Footfalls neared the door. James glanced over.

      She tapped his hand. “Who harmed him?”

      “Ask Tristan. It’s his place to tell you, not mine.” He stood and faced the door.

      Peter slipped in first, followed by Tristan. He stared at the claw marks on James’s chest and neck, then frowned at Diana.

      She deserved his anger for doubting him but wasn’t in the mood to ask for his forgiveness. She padded to Peter. “Are you all right?”

      “Peter’s fine.” Tristan pulled her to the other side of the room.

      “Let go of me.”

      He tightened his grip, not enough to bruise but enough to imprison.

      She yanked her arm. “I want to speak to my brother.”

      “Speak to me. You’ve yet to thank me for saving you.”

      “I shall when you promise to return Peter to England.”

      Tristan released her arm and looked over. “Peter, come here.”

      He did so without pause.

      “Even if it would be safe for you, do you want to go back to England?”

      “No.” Peter glared at her. “You ain’t making me, neither. You try, I’ll run away to be with me captain.”

      This was a nightmare she couldn’t awake from. “You can’t be serious about staying in this uncivilized land.”

      “I’m a man, Diana. You’ll not tell me what to do.” He made a face like a petulant child, but lost his nasty expression before he faced Tristan. “Anything else?”

      “Stay in here until I tell you otherwise. Keep close to James at all times.”

      “Aye.” He joined the man.

      Diana strode to the cabin’s windows.

      Tristan followed and touched her arm.

      “Don’t.” She pulled away. “You’re not my husband.”

      “I will be.” He spoke as a pirate would but there was also yearning in his eyes.

      Her frustration warred with desire until she recalled what Peter had said about Canela. Diana had no idea whether the girl was the only woman Tristan had or if there were a dozen more. Nor did she know the life he led, except as a pirate. She doubted marriage would make him want her and no one else. She wrapped her arms around herself. “How right you are.”

      “About what?”

      “That you’ll be my husband. However, only because you’ve given me no choice in the matter. By poisoning my brother’s mind against his own country and taking over my crew, you’ve forced me to remain here. I’ve no means of returning to England without this ship. I’m quite certain your mates intend to take or scuttle it. So, I will be your wife, Captain Kent. But by no means will you have me. You will never have me. Take what you wish, use me as a husband uses a wife, for it will surely be your right, but it’s all you’ll get.”

      He lifted her braid and kissed the ends. “If I demand more?”

      Her belly fluttered when she should have been immune to his charm. “You’ll be sorely disappointed.”

      “Is that what you think?” He stroked her bottom lip. “Know this. I’m never discouraged because I never give up until I get exactly what I want.”

      Warmth flooded her.

      “Tristan.” James motioned him over.

      He crossed the room.

      * * * *

      Tristan huddled close to James who had his ear to the cabin door. “What is it?”

      “Some of the men are back and drawing straws to see who’ll have Miss Fletcher after we’re supposed to.” He spoke as quietly as Tristan had. “Best you herd them to the main deck and get as many spirits into them and the others as you can. Otherwise, I may have to put my back into this.”

      “Allow me a moment with the lady first.” He joined Diana. “In my absence, do whatever James says. He’s helping us escape. Don’t fight him, and no matter what he does to the others, don’t scream.”

      She looked appalled. “What is he planning to do?”

      “Just follow his orders and keep quiet. Now give me a fond farewell.” Without waiting for her to obey, he slanted his mouth over hers and slipped his tongue inside, enchanted at her glorious heat and wondrous taste.

      Soft moans escaped her. Their tongues danced. No matter how close she was to him, she was still too far away. Her scent captivated, making him long for more than a simple kiss. When he angled his head for greater access, she pressed against him, her mouth willing and wanton beneath his, denying him nothing.

      His ears buzzed.

      At last, Tristan needed a full breath and so did she, their mouths parting. His cock was painfully hard, his balls so tight they ached. СКАЧАТЬ