He shouted. At least he thought he did. The force of the orgasm left him speechless, struggling for breath.
Chapter Twenty
Samantha’s shoulders heavedas Christian panted against her.
She still stretched tight around his manhood. Quivering. Aching.
He didn’t move when she pulled her face from his. With his eyes closed, she let her gaze roam across him. The dark stubble along his jaw verged on a beard, and his hair stuck to his cheeks in wet ringlets. Muscles bulged in his upper arms where they wrapped around her. All the disapproving lines had slackened, softening his face.
Power surged through her. She had done this. He’d stopped and it had nearly driven her mad. So she’d taken the reins. Not bad for an inexperienced pirate. Not so inexperienced anymore. A wide smile broke free.
His eyes opened, and her grin faltered at the intensity blazing in the dark green depths. He shifted his grip and his arm brushed across the welt on her back, sending a barb of pain slicing through her. She jerked, sucking in her breath and he released her. A rush of warmth spread between her legs when he pulled out and she grimaced at the strange sensation.
“I’m sorry.” His voice rumbled across her, breaking the silence. “Let’s get you to the beach.”
A hand settled in the small of her back, pressing her forward on wobbly legs. When the waves lapped around her waist, she paused. He wanted to walk all the way to the beach. Naked.
“You know you’re beautiful, Red. Don’t be shy.”
How was it he always read her mind? Still, she didn’t move. Itdidn’t matter that darkness cloaked the beach, the pale crescent moon above providing little light. She turned to ask him to turn his back.
And his lips closed on hers in a soft, yet unyielding kiss. She tilted into him, still unsteady on her feet.
He pulled away a fraction. “Plus, you’re not the only one unclothed here.”
Swatting at him, she stepped back. “But you’re...”
Perfect.
The word died on her lips and his eyes twinkled like the stars strewn across the sky above them. The cad knew.
Straightening her back, she twisted toward the beach and strode forth.
His chuckle echoed after her and she quickened her pace. Once on shore, she hurried to the pile he’d left on the ground and swept up the blanket, wrapping it around her. She turned in triumph.
And the smirk fell right off her face.
He exited the water in long strides, water sluicing off him in streams. Her gaze flew to his face, definitely not lingering on the very male part of him on full display. Or the flat planes of his stomach. Or the delicious line of dark hair stretching down from his navel.
Her legs turned to jelly as he approached with a sly grin.
She raised her face heavenward. “You, sir, are no gentleman.”
He stopped in front of her and ran a finger along the edge of the blanket, just above her breasts. “So you keep reminding me.”
A shiver ran through her and he winked. Bending, he retrieved a roll of fabric from his pile of clothes. “Let’s get you bandaged.”
She shifted, her toes digging into the still-warm sand. “I’m fine.”
“I’m sure you are, but I’ll feel better if the worst of it is covered.”
“I’d feel better if you were covered.” She blurted the words out and he laughed.
“You wound my pride, Red. I’m not sure any of my lovers have asked me to cover myself before.”
“We’re not . . .”
Good God, were they?
