Fiery Pursuit (Passionate Pursuits, Book One) Page 6

  “No, and I hate to say so, Captain Stevens, but I don’t want him flogged. I want you to keep him secure, but as uncomfortable as possible. And then detail a good man to follow him on land. I need to know his contact, much as I’d like to flog him myself. As many strokes as he deserves might incapacitate him and I don’t want him to hole up to recuperate. I want him disciplined enough to be angry, but still scurry to report to his boss while I’m around to follow him.”

  The captain stared at him, disapproval oozing from his scowling face. “Aye, sir, if that’s what you want. Though it’s not good for the rest of the men to see him get away with this.”

  “I didn’t exactly order that, did I?” Lars’ tone was mild as he quirked one eyebrow. “I think I said as uncomfortable as possible. But walking.”

  Stevens’ face cleared. “As uncomfortable as possible? Aye, sir, that I can do.”

  “What’s the bastard’s name?”

  Stevens snorted again. “He signed on as John Smythe. I should have been suspicious right then.”

  Lars turned away. They were about five days from Dover, and he knew they’d be hellish days for the captive. As they should be. The brute would probably prefer the flogging if he had his choice. Lars loosened his tight fingers that had fisted themselves and went back to the cabin and Sophie. He’d take care of the wharf rat eventually. Now he wanted to be with Sophie.

  * * * * *

  Lars tried to stay away from her, fearing he’d taken advantage of her vulnerability when under his protection. His resolve didn’t last long. The next night he waited until she was in bed, giving her time to fall asleep, and then entered the cabin and went to his chair. Whether they were lovers or not, he’d protect her. He’d take no chance of leaving her alone again.

  After he’d pulled a blanket over himself, cursing the firm erection produced every time he neared her, he bid her a strained “good night.” She tossed and turned in the bed and finally rose, her long pale hair glowing in the light of the candle he’d left lit for her.

  Sophie was having none of his rectitude. Padding over to him, she stood beside him, ridiculously close, as if hoping his long shirt exposed more of her legs than he could ignore.

  “Lars, I can’t sleep. Can’t we do what we did last night? I so enjoyed it and I slept so soundly afterwards.”

  He was gifted with many supernatural powers, but not the one of denial he needed now. What man, elf or mortal, could resist Sophie when she pleaded for what he ached to give her?

  He wrapped his arms around her waist.

  “Then come to me, my Sophie. Come to me.”

  He sat upright in the chair and pulled her toward him until she stood between his legs. His cock throbbed and grew so hard he wondered if he’d be able to draw his trousers down over it.

  “I don’t have the strength to deny you, my love. May the gods forgive me but you’re irresistible. Come to me now, my Sophie.”

  He hauled her to him, slipping his raging cock from the flap in his trousers, and settling her with her knees on each side of his hips. His easy access fired him anew, and with throbbing pleasure Lars set about getting her ready for him.

  To his delight, she was already warm and wet under his probing fingers. Pulsing and hot to his touch. He parted her folds and massaged that most sensitive spot, her already protruding clit, delighted when she started to buck against his fingers.

  He kissed her eager lips and muttered against them, “Sophie, my love, hold still so I can pleasure you into wanting me as much as I want you.”

  She was hot and ready, but he wanted more than a quick climax for both of them. He wanted to brand her with his love and his cock. He wanted her to acknowledge she was his. That he would never let her go.

  He let his cock knead her pulsing clit. Guiding it with his hand, he used his rigid tool as a massaging stimulant. He hoped it was making her as horny as he already was.

  He set about loving her with every skill he possessed. His hands caressed her body, his lips moved incessantly from one spot to another, his hips almost without control as his cock circled her clit again and again.

  Sophie gasped and took hold of his about-to-explode cock, fingering it with what seemed to him to be almost awe.

  “You’re so big. I love to feel this huge thing. Whether it’s in me or about to be, to me it’s purely beautiful.”

  He fought the urge to climax and instead concentrated on her. He took her nipples into his mouth, worshipping first one and then the other. She clutched him, almost sending him to the heaven her instinctively erotic actions promised.

  Lars was aghast at the thought of coming without at least trying to give her pleasure, so he pulled her down on him and surged into her, hoping she was as ready as he.

  She was. Only a few pounding strokes were needed before Lars felt himself starting to lose control again. He tried again to slow down, but Sophie wouldn’t allow it. She clutched his hair and thrust her hips against his to urge him to move faster, and he surrendered to their mutual desire. Sophie shrieked as she started to climax and Lars joined her in a simultaneous and stunning orgasm.

  Their breathing finally slowed as Lars held her tightly, reveling in the way their gasps became more normal breathing at the same rate. Stunned with overwhelming sensation, Lars held her clutched to him, not wanting to ever lose the joy of having her as an intimate part of him. If they could only be forever linked like this.

  She collapsed against him, still shuddering as she put her head on his shoulder.

  “Oh my. I’m sure I can sleep now. That was beyond wonderful. I had no idea, none at all, of how joining could be with the right man. Thank you, Lars.”

  She started to lift herself from his lap but he grabbed her hips and held her still. Her body still clenched his but he held rigidly to his objective.

  “Sophie. Please, will you marry me?”

  She reared back and stared at him.

  “Of course not, Lars. You don’t want to be married any more than I do. You’re again being the noble person you always are. I must avenge my father before I even think of anything else.”

  Desperate, he tried to keep from sounding pleading.

  “Are you sure I don’t want to be married? I can help you with your vengeance, you know.”

  She gave him a brilliant and knowing smile.

  “Of course I know that. You’re my wonderful champion. I know you’ll help me as my lover and because you’re such a compassionate man. I can’t tell you how much I adore your magnificent body. All those muscles and your sinewy strength. You give me pleasure I never even dreamed of. You’re so beautiful, Lars.”

  She leaned back to examine his cock, stroking her agile fingers over its veined sides. Then she shifted back and leaned over to suck at its head as he jerked in her hands. She watched with a gleeful expression as he immediately swelled and drops of cum wet her seeking fingers.

  “Lars, I hope you don’t mind,” she gasped. “I want you inside me again.”

  He lifted her, carried her to the bed and pushed her back against her pillow, then slipped two fingers into her hot cunt as she sighed and clutched at his shoulders.

  “Lars, no more talk.”

  With a triumphant smile she wiggled against this first penetration, gasping as he inserted another finger and pressed down against her the walls of her vagina. She was already dripping wet, and the sheet beneath them soon was soaked. Glorying in her passion, he withdrew his fingers and entered her with no further foreplay. Lars exerted control he wasn’t sure he had as he pounded into her. As a gentleman, even a randy one, he’d have to let her rest a little tonight. He wanted this night of fucking to go on forever, but didn’t want to hurt her with his insatiable desire. Although he grinned at the way she’d led him on.

  Powerless with his passion, he felt himself getting close to climaxing. Kissing her breasts and then her lips, he fingered her cunt even as he pounded into her, carrying them both to an ecstatic culmination. When she started to scream out
her pleasure he buried her face against his chest and tried to stifle his own groans in her hair.

  * * * * *

  The next few days drifted by as the lovers savored each other every night. And many times a night. Sophie proved to be an eager lover, participating with every part of her body with an innocent abandon that devastated Lars. Whenever they both needed to catch their breath Lars brought out the accordion he kept on board ship. Music was one of his chief pleasures, and the accordion at least meant he had no strings to deal with in the salty air. He grinned as he saw Sophie’s delight in his playing. Music was an integral part of his life, and any appreciation from Sophie was wonderfully satisfying.

  Lars refused to allow her to go on deck without him, but he spent every spare minute with her. He was still haunted by the image of the black-bearded man pinning her so ruthlessly against the wall. He’d soon find out more about that, but in the meantime he was taking no more chances with his love. While the captain gave all the sailing orders, Lars kept checking the tides and the winds, quietly informing Captain Stevens of his results. A great deal of mutual respect existed between them, as with all the crew as well.

  Everyone on deck loved to hear him play. Some nights he took his accordion and joined them in the mess, serenading them while they ate. Sophie went with him, always wrapped in her blanket, but still drawing appreciative looks.

  The lovers spent as much time as Lars could manage with each other, both longing to get to Dover even though Lars sometimes wished they could stay in the seclusion of the boat forever. He talked frequently to the men manning the engines. Everyone seemed to understand he was not the usual passive owner of a magnificent yacht, but a man to be respected. They all were quite comfortable with his pointed ears as Sophie. They accepted him as he was.

  It delighted Lars that Sophie liked to finger his hair and stroke his ears.

  Besides, she often told him those ears were unbearably sexy. She loved to kiss the lobes, smiling as she soon had him grabbing her in amorous play.

  He’d provided Sophie with pads of paper and plenty of pencils. She’d thrown her arms around him and kissed him with such passionate thanks he had to force himself to remember it wasn’t a sexual encounter she wanted at this point. Holding himself rigid, he watched as she quickly went to the desk and pulled the paper toward her.

  “Lars, you angel. I’ve had a new theorem running around my head I was afraid I’d forget. Now I can put it all down and then decide if it’s worth pursuing. I think it is, actually, but I’ll have to check and re-check.”

  Lars stood silent as the love of his life smiled at him, and then forgot he was there. Sophie bent her shining head over the desk and began to write. Lars could see in his mind what she was writing. He didn’t have to move and look over her shoulder. Her rapid pen strokes were moving with precision, setting down an algebraic formula evidently blossoming in her head.

  He was not powerless. He could easily call upon his elfin power to help him decipher her swift scribbling. But that was not the point. The crux of the matter burst into his mind like an elf’s arrow. He’d fallen in love with a woman whose mental life might be more important to her than her physical one.

  He respected her brains and her dedication. But could she ever give him her whole self, with no reservations? She was brilliant, even if she’d masked the truth from the world. He meant to see she was acknowledged as the beautiful brainy woman she was. But would she ever cherish anything as much as she did her intellectual life?

  Would he ever mean as much to her as the ideas whirling around in her lovely head?

  * * * * *

  They both stood on deck, watching the Angelina move slowly into shore at Dover. The famous white cliffs shone in the brilliant sunlight, and the huge harbor, filled with ships from around the world, curved in a large arc. It was an impressive sight. Lars grinned, knowing they were home safely, and Sophie stood silent and in awe.

  As soon as the Angelina docked, Lars ordered the captive’s release. He watched with satisfaction as the brute hurried away. Lars didn’t regret Smythe was limping. He was damn lucky Lars or the crew hadn’t killed him. He ordered Smythe followed and then turned to the problem of how to get Sophie to his cottage without ruining her reputation. He could hardly take her wearing a blanket. Finally he told her to stay on board while he went shopping. He wanted this task for himself, although he asked the captain to be extra careful of her until he returned. If anyone picked out clothes for her he intended to be the one.

  Luckily his mental measurements made it easier than he’d thought to pick up a traveling dress. He used his formidable mind to remember the names of two dress-makers his mother used, summoned the addresses with elfin power, and went to the nearest one. He wore a hat that kept his hair in place so it partially covered his ears. Calling on his elfish powers always unveiled his ears, but he wanted no inquiring stares. He intended to remain wary while he was gone. Not that he minded curiosity, but he wanted his errand to be as little noticed as possible.

  He’d picked the most French of the shops, and found his description of Sophie’s figure to elicit only small, knowing smiles. Luckily a customer had ordered a driving outfit of deep blue, which Lars coveted at once. A shocking amount of money later, the head of the establishment was persuaded to make another for the customer who was coming to collect her purchase soon, and Lars walked out with exactly what he wanted. He’d even persuaded the madame to make up the client’s outfit in a deeper shade of blue, and to tell her client there had not been a sufficient amount of the material she’d chosen. He didn’t want anything his Sophie wore to be identical to another’s.

  Bringing the dress back to the boat and presenting it to Sophie made the extravagance well worth it. Sophie gazed at the beautiful cloth with awe when he presented it to her. She stretched out one hand to touch it, and then pulled back.

  “Lars, it’s gorgeous. I’ve never had anything half so fine. What you must have spent! And the underthings are as fine as gossamer.”

  She finally fingered everything delicately, then rushed to him, threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. Delighted with her reaction, Lars swooped her up and held her body against his, returning her kiss as he pressed her hips against him. His instant erection widened her eyes, but she didn’t back away. Instead, he did.

  “I want to get you off this boat and take you to my home. Can you dress and call me when you’re ready? I wasn’t sure of your boot size, so I hope they fit.”

  He’d noticed before how small her delicate feet were, but looking at them now he thought maybe the boots would still be too big. Still, they were rather dressy boots and would hold stuffing better than delicate shoes.

  “Don’t worry so, Lars. I can ram paper in them if I must. Now go away, I’m dying to dress like a lady again. Although I’ve never had anything nearly so gorgeous.”

  “Sure I shouldn’t stay and help? I’m a dab hand with buttons.”

  He grinned and she batted one hand at him. “These buttons look easy to manage. Now go away.”

  She fingered the material of the dress and camisole, her expression dreamy. When he didn’t move she shoved him toward the door and Lars grinned, went to the hall, folded his arms and waited.

  Sophie didn’t take as long as he’d expected. But then when did she ever do what he expected?

  She opened the door and he straightened to full attention. So damned beautiful she literally stole his breath, she motioned him back into the cabin and looked at him anxiously. She’d braided her hair and now wore it in a large coiled bun at the back of her neck.

  “This dress is so gorgeous.” Her breathy sigh of appreciation brought his cock to full attention. “But I can’t finish fastening the back buttons after all. Will you do them for me?”

  He’d instantly gone hard as a stone. Touching her without ravishing her was going to be damned difficult. She looked so happy, glowing with the feminine delight of beautiful new clothes. She might very well respond if he pus
hed her back in the cabin and made love to her. He had no doubt she’d always found satisfaction with him and that he could pleasure her again. Then he shook his head at his foolishness. He was an idiot. The last thing she wanted right now was to take off her lovely new clothes.

  He silently went to work fastening the buttons.

  She looked quite regal with her coiled hair, but he could hardly wait to loosen it and watch it flow in sinuous waves around her nude body.

  Angels in heaven, he’d never dreamed he’d fall in love this deeply. He’d never even thought it possible.

  Chapter Four

  Lars directed his captain to take the yacht a little farther east to his private dock. He had wired ahead to make sure his carriage and driver were waiting for them. He’d given instructions to the captain to keep a watch for an attempt of revenge by Smythe, and to post extra guards around the Angelina when they were in dock.

  Hand in hand they stood on deck, watching the sights of Dover grow smaller. They docked at his private harbor as deckhands with smiles rushed out to help pull the small ship in and anchor her.

  Lars ushered his lady to his carriage, noticing her start of surprise when she saw the luxurious coach and the liveried driver and footman.

  “I have a Swedish title that I use when I’m in England.” He spoke in the most casual of tones. “It means little to me, but now and then I find it useful to display some of the accoutrements. Please, do not let it disturb you.”

  Sophie stared at him and folded her arms in a classic stance of belligerence.

  “Don’t you think it’s time to tell me more about yourself? What kind of title do you have? I’ll not take another step unless you promise to answer some questions. Do you realize I know nothing about your background and you know everything about me?”

  She looked so adorable in her new outfit and her defiance Lars grinned. Which didn’t go over well with Sophie. Lars refrained from telling her he’d already planned to explain everything to her on the ride. Let her think she’d won a significant victory.