Page 65 of Mardon

“Mardon,” she said in a breathy whisper, a tingling sensation running through her. Her anticipation made her knees weak. And as the ship listed, she grabbed on to his shoulders. “I feel like I’m going to fall.”

“I won’t let that happen.” He stood up, bringing the tunic up and over her head. Then he stared down at her breasts and slowly leaned over, pulling one of her nipples deep into his mouth. His hands closed around her waist, making her feel safe and secure.

“Have you ever made love in a hammock?” he asked her.

“Up there?” Her eyes opened wide as she looked up to the hammock in front of the window.

“Nay, not that one. The net hammock used to be mine, before Tristan left.”

“That one?” Her heart raced as she looked at the other hammock made of rope and netting. “Oh, I don’t know.”

“You’ve never lived until you’ve tried it.”

“I don’t think – oh!” she squealed as he picked her up in his strong arms and carried her across the floor. He gently laid her in the rope hammock and when he let go, she swung back and forth as the ship creaked and leaned in the waves. She could hear the water hitting against the side of the ship in a rhythmic manner.

He removed his braies and hopped up into the hammock, leaning over her, kissing her again.

“I think it would be better in this case if you were on top,” he told her.

“Me? On top? I didn’t know a woman was allowed to do that.”

“Mayhap with most men, it’s not accepted. But it’s different with me, Emmaline.” He reached out and stroked her cheek with his thumb. “I like to do whatever it is that pleases a woman. What is it that would please you?”

“Well, just going by how I felt the last time we made love, I’d say that whatever you do, Mardon, would please me just fine.”

“Then let me please you, my lady, in any and every way possible. All night long.”

“All night long?” Her eyes opened wide and she giggled, thinking he was jesting. “Oh, you’re serious?”

“More than you know.” He managed to lie on his back and pull her atop him. Her nipples were hard and so was his manhood. It excited her immensely. He continued to please her by stroking her, kissing her, and even licking her, making her feel as if she couldn’t wait any longer to feel him inside her.

“Please, don’t tease me anymore,” she said, breathing heavy, feeling hot, wet, and ready. “Make love to me, Mardon. I need to feel you inside me. Please. I can’t wait any longer.”

“And neither can I.”

His hands closed around her waist and he held her steady as he slipped his hardened shaft inside her and slowly pulled back out. Then, with the swinging of the hammock and the rocking of the ship, they made love in a new way that she’d never experienced before.

Chapter 16

Mardon woke up the next morning atop the pallet under the hammock with Emmaline in his arms. Sometime during the night, they’d decided that they’d be more comfortable if they slept together on the floor instead. He felt sated and happy after making love with Emmaline several times during the night. Holding her close to him, he smoothed back her hair, kissing her atop the head.

“Last night was . . . wonderful,” she said, cooing like a dove, pressing her naked body up against his.

“And this morning, too,” he said, nibbling at her ear, making her giggle. Mardon was glad now that they’d locked the door so no one could disturb them. Aaron hadn’t been happy that he’d been thrown out of the cabin once again. He’d spent most of the night pounding on the door and insisting that Mardon let him in to sleep in a hammock. Emmaline wanted to agree, but Mardon refused. He told her Aaron would eventually give up, and he had. The knocking had finally stopped.

“Oh, Emmaline,” he said, feeling like it was never going to be the right time to tell her that she couldn’t stay, and neither did he want to do it. Still, he knew he had to say something before they made love again. Each time they coupled, he was losing his resolve more and more to let her go.

“Emmaline, get dressed. There is something I need to talk to you about.”

“Aye, let’s dress. There is something that I’d like to talk to you about, too.”

“There is?” he asked, now curious as to what she wanted. Whatever it was, he’d let her talk first.

They both dressed, and Mardon decided to stick his head out the door before they talked, just to make sure everything was in order on deck. It sounded a little too quiet out there and this worried him.

Mardon opened the door to find Aaron crumpled up on the ground, leaning against the door, fast asleep. His little brother fell into the room and landed in a heap at Mardon’s feet.

“Aaron? What the hell are you doing?”