course I have changed.’ She held out her hands, showing him the ridges that had been caused by hard work. ‘I have learned what it is to work if I want to eat—and I should not want to become the lady I was.’
‘But you must.’ His expression was serious. ‘What else can you do?’
Maribel stared at him. Tears were brimming and she felt like screaming. Why could he not see? Why would he not love her as she loved him?
‘You are impossible! An arrogant, stupid…pirate!’
She ran from him, not heeding his cry. He called her name, but she would not look back. Her heart was breaking, because she knew there was nothing she could do but return to England and hope that her family would take her in.
Rushing down the iron ladder that led below decks, she entered her cabin and flung herself down on the bed, covering her face with her hands as the tears broke. Her life was ruined and all because he had stolen her heart with his kisses and his bold looks. Why had he kissed her so if he did not love her?
‘Maribel. You must not weep for me. I am not worthy of you.’
‘Go away. I hate you!’ she cried without looking round.
‘It would be much better if you did hate me.’
‘Do you imagine I love you?’ She raised her tear stained face, blazing with anger. ‘You are an arrogant, stupid—’
‘Pirate,’ he finished for her and laughed. ‘You have told me so many times that you do not like pirates. How can you love a pirate, Maribel?’
The softness in his voice broke her. She rolled over and got to her feet, flying at him in a temper. Her fists beat against his chest until he caught them, his eyes gleaming with humour as he looked down at her. She wanted to weep and scream, but most of all she wanted to be kissed.
‘I don’t love you. I hate you.’
‘Liar…’ Justin bent his head, his lips caressing hers softly. ‘You know you want me, my sweet, beautiful temptress. You know that you have driven me to the edge with your smiles and your beauty, but I swore that I would not take you unwillingly.’ His fingers brushed against her breasts and her flesh tingled beneath the silken material. Her body swayed towards him, heat building deep inside her as she felt the need sweep through her.
‘Justin…’ Her lips parted on a sigh. ‘I am not unwilling. You must know it. You took me captive, but for a long, long time I have been your willing captive. Surely you knew?’
‘Perhaps…’ His hand caressed her cheek, his voice husky, throbbing with desire. ‘I want you so much, but I am not worthy of you, my love.’
‘You are a wicked pirate,’ she said, her breath catching on a sob or a laugh. ‘But I want you…I love you. Make love to me, Justin, for I cannot bear it if you do not. Your kisses lit a fire in me, but you did nothing more.’
‘Only because I gave my word. You must know that I burn for you? You have kept me restless in my bed many a night.’
‘Justin…’ she breathed, moving closer, offering herself. ‘Make me yours. I am asking you. Please, make me your own…love me.’
Justin gave a little moan; reaching for her hand, he led her back to the bed and sat down, pulling her down beside him. For a moment he sat looking into her lovely face, then he reached out and drew a finger over her lips, tracing their fullness.
‘You have such a sensuous mouth. It begs for kisses.’
He leaned towards her, bending his head so that their mouths touched. His kiss was soft at first, setting little butterflies of sensation winging down her spine; then, he pulled her to him, holding her so that her sensitised breasts pressed against his chest, his kiss intensifying, becoming hungry and demanding.
‘My love,’ he murmured in a voice made deep by passion. ‘Let me look at you without these clothes, pretty as they are.’ His fingers pulled at the lacings at the back of her gown, loosening them. As the bodice came free he pushed it down over her shoulders. Maribel unfastened the hooks that held her skirts in place and let them slide down over her hips. Now she was clad only in a shift made of such fine material that the pale tones of her flesh showed through. He touched the bruises, which had begun to fade. ‘Do these still hurt you?’
‘A little, but I do not mind them. Do not fear to touch me. I have longed for this moment so many nights.’
Justin smiled down at her. ‘So beautiful, but I want to see you.’
With a swift upward movement, he tugged the shift over her head, his eyes feasting on the glorious body revealed to his eyes. Maribel was slender but full breasted, her nipples pink and pert as he leaned towards her, stroking first one and then the other with his tongue. She sighed with pleasure as his hands cupped her breasts and he buried his face against them, breathing in her scent and using his tongue to give her pleasure. Her body was melting in the heat of his desire, no longer her own to control. She gave a cry of intense pleasure as he licked his way between her breasts, down her navel to the damp moist hair that covered her femininity.
‘You smell gorgeous…’ he murmured huskily, his hands on her buttocks, pulling her in closer so that he could inhale her. His tongue seemed to set off little explosions of sensation within her, making her weak with desire so that she moaned, her fingers tangling in his hair and working at the back of his neck.
‘Let me see you,’ she said urgently, and reached for his shirt, ripping at the ties so urgently that it tore and he laughed at her impatience. He took it in his hands and ripped it apart, shrugging it off. Maribel drew a shuddering breath. ‘I thought you were beautiful when I saw you chopping the wood. I should have liked to do this…’ Her hands smoothed over his back, making him shudder and cry out. She pressed her mouth to his shoulder, sucking at him and then nipping him with her sharp white teeth. ‘I want to taste you…’ she murmured.
‘Little witch…’ he muttered hoarse with desire.
He bent to tug off his long boots, then stood and released his breeches. Maribel reached out, pushing them down over his hips so that they fell to the floor and he kicked them away. Now they were both naked. Her eyes feasted on his slim hips and strong thighs, then moved to the male glory that was fully erect and ready for her. She reached out to touch him, her hand stroking that part of him with tentative fingers. His manhood seemed to move and pulsate beneath her touch and she laughed as she heard his indrawn breath of rapture.
‘Does that please you?’ she asked, her eyes holding an appeal she was not aware of. ‘I want to please you, Justin, but I am not sure…’
‘But you were married?’ His eyebrows arched. ‘What are you telling me…have you not been with a man this way?’ She shook her head and he frowned.
‘My husband was a boy. He did not love me in this way, but as his childhood friend.’
‘You should have told me. I thought…but you are virgin…’
Maribel reached out, catching his wrist, as he would have moved away. ‘No, do not leave me now, I beg you. I want to be yours, Justin. I want to know how to please you, but you must teach me.’
‘You are certain?’ His eyes glowed with blue fire,
