Atticuslifted a brow,but said nothing as hetook her hand and led her away from the prying eyes of Sean’s crew. As they passed the captain himself,theIrishmanoffered her a torrid wink, which caused her cheeks to burn unabashedly. She didn’t care if everyone knew what they were about to do. Shejust cared aboutbeingin Atticus’s arms again, without anything separating them.
No more lies. No more secrets.
No more masks.
Her heart was pounding furiously asAtticusled her to a cabin that looked particularly familiar, asit should, for it was the same one she had used during her journey to England the first time. It appeared she would be in the same space again, butthe situation was decidedly more welcome.
As soon as the door shut behind them,he captured her lips in a kiss so magical that she was sure she drifted into the clouds. By the time he pulled back, her mind was too scrambled to do anythingbutfeel. Within moments, clothes were discarded, neither of them caring if seams popped or material tore.This was adesperatefrenzy, a combinedunion of souls, and Fallon gaspedat the passion flowing through her veins, for it was right and beautiful and wonderfully… perfect.
Theycollapsed onto the single cot, but before they came together as one, Atticus lifted his head where he’d been feasting on her breast and said, “I don’t want to rush this. Tonight, I want to savor every inch of you.”
Fallon groaned at the possessive note in his voice. “Yes.”
With a delicious murmur of approval that sounded suspiciously like a purr, he traveled down the length of her body, kissing and suckling the bare skin revealed there. By the time he’d reached the apex of her legs, she wasn’t sure she was completely coherent. When he set his mouth at her aching core, she lifted her hips, unprepared for the joyous sensation that slid through her veins. Every nerve ending came alive as he licked her center. Combined with the slight abrasion of his beard on her exposed thighs, it was too much. Her toes curled and she shuddered in a burst of light and ecstasy, caught somewhere between the realm of reality and fantasy.
Heappeared tosavor every singletremorbefore he slowly crawled back up her body. “I’ve wanted to do that for months,” he admitted huskily.
Fallon placed her hands on his shoulders and reveled in the strength there and gave a slight murmur. “If I would have known, I might have encouraged your attentions a bit more.”
He chuckled and then slowly started to enter her.
Fallon gasped, for she seemed even more sensitive and aware of him than ever before. She sighed as the pleasure began to build, until she was moving restlessly beneath him. “Please…Atticus…”
He bent down and kissed her soundly on the lipsand her hips lifted of their own volition. “So impatient, my love.”
She thrilled at the endearment, but refused to dwell on the possibility until they had a chance to talkfurther. When he slid deeper, her breath caught and coherent thought was no longer possible.
He quickened his pace until they were both covered in a light sheen of perspiration, until finally, the dam burst and she convulsed around his cock at the same time he found his release on a rush of warmth that flooded her womb.
Afterward, they lay cradled in each other’s arms on the small cot, awoolblanket thrown haphazardly over their nakedness to ward off the chill. The ship pitched slightly beneath them, making Fallon’s eyes become heavy. She sighed, tucked beneath Atticus’s strong arm.She had so many questions about the Raven and how he’d managed to avoid suspicion, but thesinglething thatmanaged toescape her lips was a soft admission. “I missed you.”
“Did you?” His chest rumbled beneath her cheek and it made her smile. He gently brushed the hair away from her forehead. “That’s a relief, because I missed you too.”
“I’m glad,” she murmured sleepily. “We should talk.”
“And I promise that we will.” He kissed the top of her head. “But you should rest now.”
Fallon didn’t want to leave him, even in sleep, but her eyes closed of their own volition and she drifted off.
***
Atticus reluctantly left Fallon’s side once her breathing had turned deep and even, but he needed to talk to Sean.
He dressed and quietly left the chamber and went above decks. It wasn’t long before he found his former first mate, for the Irishman was generally at the helm leading his own ship. Flannery liked to be in control ofhis crew and his vessel.
Sean didn’t release the wheel, but he must have sensed his presence, for he said, “I hope you’re here to confess that you’re making an honest woman of her. If not, I may just toss you over the side to become fish fodder.”
Atticus stood by the other man and crossed his arms, sharing the view of the horizon that was still covered by dark water and a dark sky. The stars and the moonlight shimmering on the waves were thesolelight in an otherwise dark bubble. It was his favorite part of sailing and he realized that while he would miss certain aspects of his time as the Raven,he had found something more enticing on land. And perhaps someday, that would also include a family of his own.His lips twitched, picturing the elation on his mother’s face when she learned he was finally settling down. Even his father would undoubtedly be pleased.
“Aye, that is my intention, if she will have me.”
“I wouldn’t worry about that,” Sean snorted. “The lass is as smitten with you as you are with her.” He finally glanced over at him. “I assume you’ve told her you love her?”
Atticus resisted the urge to fidget, but his silence was damning enough.
“Clare…” Sean began in warning.
He held up a hand. “Calm down. The lady was… tired. But I promise that as soon as she wakes up, we will have a long talk and everything will be revealed.”
