Chapter Twenty-Six
The lights of Tortolugaglinted in the darkness. A sliver of moonlight peeked from behind the clouds overhead as the last of the crew drifted toward shore in small boats.
“Are you certain about this, Captain?” Smee asked, his hand on a rope ladder draped over the side of the ship.
“We have a debt to pay.” James ran his hand over the curve of his hook. “Be sure you bring the Mapmaker when you return to the ship at dawn.”
“Is it wise, Captain? Someone could—”
“A bargain is a bargain.” He clapped his hand on his first mate’s shoulder. “Speaking of bargains, what of the one you made with Madame Tinker?”
Smee clenched his jaw, averting his gaze. “I do not wish to speak of it.”
“I would not put it past her to hunt you down should you not fulfill your end of the agreement.”
A soft curse crossed Smee’s lips, but James chose to ignore it.
“Go. Enjoy your night of revelry. Remember, we leave at dawn.”
“Aye, Captain.” Smee climbed down to the waiting boat.
James stood at the railing, watching as the dinghy drifted away from the Raven. This was the final piece. Once their bargain with the Mapmaker was fulfilled, he could begin his new life.
“Have they gone?” Celeste’s sweet voice wove around him.
He turned to find her standing on deck, bathed in moonlight, wearing only a white chemise. As she walked, the hem slipped, revealing a delicious expanse of skin along her neck and shoulder. One tug and he could easily take her nipple in his mouth.
“You know the answer, otherwise you would not have come on deck wearing that.” He crossed the boards and brought her into his embrace.
Her pliant moan sent a shiver of need through him. Even though he’d explored every inch of her body, heard every sinful moan from her lips, plundered her completely, he craved more.
“Well, Captain, the ship is ours.” She raked her fingers through his hair, tugging gently and earning a groan from deep in his throat. “I believe you promised me something?”
He bent down, hoisted her over his shoulder, and carried her to the highest point of the deck. When he set her on her feet, they stood at the helm. She gripped the sturdy wheel to steady herself and turned.
The gown slipped further, revealing her creamy breast and a pert nipple, ripe for plucking. He licked his lips and reached out to cup it.
“James.” She gasped as he rolled the peak between his fingers.
“Aye, my queen?” He relinquished his hold and slowly dropped to his knees.
Celeste threaded her fingers through his hair as he gazed up at her. Their eyes locked, brimming with hunger.
She gathered her skirt, lifting them, revealing with careful measure. First her thighs, then her center.
“Is this what you want?” he murmured, his voice hoarse as he traced his fingers over her cunt. He leaned closer, inhaling her sweet scent.
“What I want is for your mouth to be occupied.”
Celeste gasped as he descended upon her, delving his tongue between her folds. She opened for him, granting him access. He devoured her, licking and sucking until she trembled against the helm. Her hands gripped the wood, her nails biting into the polish. He teased her pearl until her head lolled back against the wheel.
Before she could protest, he rose and pinned her to it. She writhed against him as he freed himself from his leathers. Fitting his cock to her center, he drove deep, delighting in the way his name spilled from her lips in a cry of ecstasy. She rocked toward him, meeting his thrusts with eager kisses punctuated by gasps.
This was his queen. Wild and untethered as they fucked beneath the moon, surrounded by the sea. She was bound to this ship, to him. Forever.
Her moans echoed in the empty air around them. Uninhibited, she clung to him as they raced headlong into pleasure.
Celeste was his star. His guiding light. With every bargain, their bond deepened, while every betrayal tested their mettle. And yet, they’d sailed through the storm, emerging stronger than before. Twice, he had saved her life, and he’d do it a hundred times more if it meant he could keep her by his side until he drew his final breath.
James kissed her, swallowing her desperate sounds, letting them merge with his own as they sought their pleasure. He drove deeper still, wanting to sear this moment into her memory for as long as they lived.
“You are mine, little star.”
“Yours, James. Always.”
She gasped when his fingertips grazed her sensitive pearl.
When her body clenched around him, he surrendered to his own driving need for release. He came with a groan, filling her.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him close, their breaths mingling in darkness as the moon disappeared behind a cloud.
There was nothing but her and this perfect moment.
“Will you miss it?” she asked, the question barely a whisper.
“What?” He drew back and rested his forehead to hers.
“Being a pirate.”
James chuckled. “I will always be a pirate, love.”
“You know what I mean.”
“Aye, there will be things I miss.” He kissed her, a gentle caress of their lips, before he sighed. “But if I have you, there will be more than enough adventure on my horizon.”
“When we return to Nevarro, they will announce our wedding.” She bit her lip. “Are you certain this is what you want?”
“Aye, my queen.” He smoothed his thumb along her cheek. “Smee will make a fine captain. He will take care of the Raven and the crew.”
“Have you told him?”
“Not yet. Once we return to Nevarro with the Mapmaker, I will.” He noted the way her expression shifted to unease. “Are you regretting your bargain with him?”
“I know so little about him, and the stories I’ve heard leave me questioning the wisdom of our arrangement.” She shifted, rolling her hips against his, and his cock jumped at the movement.
James suppressed a groan. “Perhaps we should discuss it later.”
“Why?” Her eyes sparked at the challenge when he rocked his hips. “You are insatiable, Captain.”
“I blame it entirely on you, my queen.” He kissed her again, stoking the flame to life until he made her cry out with pleasure once more.
When they retired to his cabin, he stripped her bare before doffing his own garments. He drew her to him as they lay in his bed, swaying with the motion of the ship in the tide.
“Rest, love. We weigh anchor at dawn.”
Celeste stretched over him, curling her fingers over his heart. “You do not have to give her up, you know.”
“Give who up?”
“The Raven.”
“Are you saying I can continue being a pirate?” he asked with a laugh.
“Of course not.” She sighed. “But you could lead my fleet. Nevarro has a navy in desperate need of a leader.”
“Not the same, love.”
“True. But you would still have the sea...and your crew.”
“I shall think on it.”
“It would come with a new title.” He heard the smile in her voice.
“And what title would that be?” His fingers trailed through her hair.
“Admiral.”
His hand stilled. “I doubt the sea could handle two Admiral Hooks.”
“Just a thought.” She snuggled closer. “For the record, he is not invited to the wedding.”
“Noted, love.” He chuckled. “But he’ll make an appearance, regardless.”
“Will this also be a test?” Celeste asked, rising on her elbow to look down at him.
James ached at the sight of her. “Everything is with my father.”
He pulled her down and kissed her again. “Now rest.”
Celeste climbed onto his lap, and all thoughts of sleep slipped into the night as his queen proved she loved him and a bargain once made can never be broken.
But it could be up for negotiation.
THE END