The garments were dry, and he slung them over his arm and started below. A sudden strong gust of wind changed his mind, so he decided to stop by the engine room and see if the ship should unfurl sails and take advantage of the wind’s power.
Finding Captain Stevens already issuing orders, he watched a moment, then complimented him and left. Grinning, he imagined Sophie in the boy’s pants. At least she could be comfortable in the cabin, but he knew with certainty she’d still need the blanket if she went on deck.
Going down the steps, he heard a muffled scream. Tossing down the clothes, he rushed toward Sophie’s cabin, drawing his dagger as he ran at his elf’s speed and threw open the door.
The black-haired man hulked over her and pinned her against the wall, the blanket tossed away. His beefy hands clutched her throat and his body thrust in lewd rhythm against hers as he sought to subdue her. Lars didn’t need to call on any of his elfin powers. Furious, he put one hand on the brute’s shoulder, twirled him around and slammed his fist into first his chin, and then his stomach. With only a grunt the brute slumped to the floor.
Lars turned to Sophie and held out his arms. Her eyes were wide with shock, but as Lars silently enfolded her and held her close, he felt her gulp for air, and then draw a jagged sigh. He kept his arms around her, kissing her hair but saying nothing until he felt her shaking quiet.
“Did you kill him?” She raised her face and Lars almost laughed at her hopeful expression.
“Not yet. If he makes a move toward you again I doubtless will. I’ve put him to sleep for now, but I’ll see he’s kept tied and guarded until we reach Dover. I’m so sorry, love. I didn’t remind you to lock the door. I never dreamed a member of my crew would be so wicked.”
“Is he a new crew member then?”
Lars stared at her. “You know, I think he is. I don’t remember seeing him before. I’ll question him as soon as being tied and helpless makes him feel cooperative. We must have taken him on in Constantinople. I don’t like the implications of this at all.”
“Don’t go yet, Lars. Hold me a little longer.”
She was still shaking in his arms and he set her gently in the chair, covering her again with the blanket.
“Let me call for some men to come get this piece of vermin and see he’s secured. Then I’ll be more than happy to oblige.”
He stuck his head outside the door and shouted in a commanding voice. Two of the crew immediately clattered down the steps. In a few minutes the cabin was cleared of the big sailor, and Lars turned to Sophie and held out his arms again.
Always in a state of partial erection when near her, Lars felt his unruly cock swell as she rushed and clung to him. He held her—indeed, how could he not?—but he did try to angle his lower body a little away from hers.
“Hold me closer, Lars. Please.”
With a groan, he backed her against the desk and held her hips against him, kissing her face with half-leashed passion.
“This is not nearly as close as I would be, Sophie.”
It was all he could do not to strip her of that ridiculous shirt and take her against the desk.
“Lars,” she breathed. “Please.” Her sultry tones showed no fear, no disapproval, merely a willingness to follow wherever he’d lead her. Her voice was husky and inviting, and he summoned every ounce of willpower he possessed.
Holding her slightly away from him, he kissed her hair and then stepped back several paces. Still the scent of her beckoned to him, the clean fragrant smell of a desirable woman, mingled with an aroma of sexual desire that sent his hopes soaring. He’d no perfume to offer her and she needed none. He thought he’d know her in the dark for the rest of his life. Sophie and the scent that would always lure him to her arms.
“You’re feeling the aftermath of being in danger once again, love, and this time due to my carelessness. I can’t take advantage of that feeling.”
“I think this attraction to you is more than a result of my fearing that wicked man. Why do you denigrate how I feel?”
This time his groan seemed to originate in his boots.
“I know how danger brings forth emotions that might be temporary. Get some rest, Sophie. I’ll not leave you alone again, but I’ll not take your virginity when you’re emotionally off-balance.”
He turned away from her and, grabbing the cast-aside blanket, settled himself in the only chair in the cabin. A chair drawn up to a desk, but still comfortable looking, with wide arm rests and a well-cushioned back. He didn’t intend to leave her. He knew he’d find little comfort this night. His swollen cock showed no signs of diminishing, even though he no longer held her in his arms. Still, there was nothing to be done in this deplorable mess except what he was doing. Dear god in heaven, why had a fit of nobility struck him just now?
He must guard her, and control himself while she got some much-needed rest. Throttle the unruly emotions making him throb with desire for her even if he stayed awake all night with a rampant cock.
She started to speak, and then stopped. Slowly, she turned from him, her expression so blank he’d no idea what she was thinking. If he only could persuade himself he’d probe her mind, but she’d become too dear to him to ever do that again. He could no longer invade her privacy. Still not speaking, she walked to the bed and, lying on it, pulled the cover over her and turned her face from him.
Surely this was for the best. Now she would be free to start a new life. All her future was ahead of her, and she should not be tied to anyone because of gratitude.
But damn, if she left him his world would be a desolate void.
He tried to get comfortable in the wretched chair, but not even discomfort could stop his longing. He sighed and resigned himself to a miserable night.
Wanting Sophie, knowing she was willing, and yet unable to convince himself to have her. He couldn’t imagine a purgatory worse than this.
His rebellious body refused to obey him, and he groaned softly.
Chapter Three
Lars finally fell into a fitful and uncomfortable sleep. Even so, he dreamed of Sophie, his beautiful Sophie. He’d fidgeted in the chair for hours after she’d fallen asleep, finally reaching one unalterable conclusion. He’d not let her go without trying to convince her they belonged together. Whether it seemed to be taking advantage or her or not, he knew he must tell her how much he cared for her. His brave, beautiful, brilliant girl.
He woke with a start, not sure of what had roused him.
A light kiss lingered on his forehead. The dim light of pre-dawn showed him a willowy figure. Sophie, dressed only in his shirt, stood in front of him. Her hair streamed down her back in an array of glory, and he thought she must have brushed it before waking him. Her bare legs were perfect in shape, although the light was too dim to admire her skin. He’d already locked her in his arms and knew her body’s softness.
He straightened to a better posture, ignoring the ache in his abused back.
“Sophie my dear. Has something frightened you?”
“Not exactly.” Her voice quavered and he narrowed his now-alert eyes.
He started to rise, but she held out a hand to stop him.
“No, don’t move yet. I have something to ask you and it’s easier if you don’t touch me.”
He reached out one hand to grab her to him, but she took a step backward. She let out a deep breath and rushed through her request.
“Lars, would you please rid me of my virginity?”
He knew he was staring, and he tried to regain control of his rampant body. Blessed angels, but his cock had softened somewhat only a short time ago. Now it grew hard and throbbing at her provocative words. Why was she doing this to him?
She gave a half-sob. “Please, Lars. Now.”
Stunned, he swallowed a groan. Did she have any idea at all of what she was doing to him? Hell, with the iron state of his erection he could take her ten times straight and not be satisfied.
“Sophie. My darling Sophie. What’s going on in that brilliant mind of yours?”
“Don’t you want me, Lars? If you don’t…” She didn’t finish because he’d sprung to his feet and wrapped her in a tight embrace.
“I’ve wanted you since the moment I saw you, proud and defiant in that hellish slave market. But I need to know why you’re asking this. I can hardly think, my desire for you is so strong, but I also need to protect you. Surely you see I can’t protect you and violate you at the same time.”
A hopeful smile flashed across her face. “But that’s the problem. My virginity has brought me nothing but trouble. A man seems to prize that, although I can’t see why. A woman’s herself no matter the label you give her. But if I’m no longer a virgin I’ll feel more protected. There will be no prize to claim. And I’d like you to be the one to take care of that for me.”
Lars had seldom felt so wordless. He’d lived his years in pleasure and with pain. More pleasure than pain certainly, as his elfin abilities gave him immeasurable advantage in most situations. But always with honor. And now, to be offered the one thing he wanted the most, masked in a reasoning he could not quite dismiss.
As he hesitated he looked at her. He noticed the distress in Sophie’s eyes as tears filled them, but she didn’t waver. She looked lost as a child in a dark forest, and well she might. Her life as she knew it had been ripped away. She’d suffered for weeks at the hands of uncaring brutes.
She needed the cherishing he’d longed to give her. And the lifelong protection he’d commit to at the same time. He’d not tell her yet of his sudden and complete certainty they were each other’s destiny. But he realized it to the depths of his soul, and he’d go to her with that conviction.
He moved quickly, wrapping her in his arms. He’d give her what she wanted, and gladly, and he’d not tell her yet that in doing so he was committing himself for whatever length of life remained to him. He’d pleasure her—oh how he’d pleasure her—even though she wouldn’t know he was giving her his total love and his soul.
Elves loved only once, and deeply. He’d almost decided he’d never find the one girl for him.
Swinging her up in his arms, he carried her back to the bed and gently set her on the edge.
“May I take my shirt back, my love? I want you naked.”
Her eyes questioned him, but she held up her arms and let him lift the shirt from her body.
Although he’d seen her dressed as an almost-naked slave and houri, still the loveliness of her complete nudity astonished him. She was perfection. Every curve exactly fashioned to incite a male beyond his endurance. The slave trader had shaved her pubic curls, but they were starting to grow back. A honey-colored fuzz covered her mound. Somehow the small tuft of hair made her even more irresistible. He couldn’t wait to nuzzle her on that little bush and smell the essence of Sophie.
Sophie trembled as she looked at him, awed by his male beauty. He’d taken off his boots and his outer coat before he’d slept and she could see his strong arms outlined under the thin shirt. The occasional lighter strands in his brown hair added to its healthy shine. One intriguing pointed ear peeked through the locks hanging to his shoulders. His loose cravat hung around his neck. She could glimpse the dark curly hairs on his chest through his opened shirt.
He was gorgeous. She had no idea a man could be this beautiful. And virile. No man could project more male power than Lars. Looking at the huge bulge between his legs, she doubted any male possessed more potency.
Assailed with the knowledge she was doing what she was meant to do, she stood and kissed him on his neck, glorying in the way her touch seemed to pleasure him.
“Lars, I don’t know quite how this works, but I do know you have to get some clothes off. All of them, I’d guess.”
He shuddered, and although she wondered why, she became engrossed in watching him disrobe. He was a glorious man. Lean and fit, muscles flexing with every move. He stripped off his shirt and trousers. He wore no undershirt, and his bronzed chest showed he exercised in the sun. When he put his hands to the bands of his inner underwear he stopped.
“I don’t want to frighten you. I’m a perfectly normal man, but tonight you inspire me.”
His words made no sense to her, and then he peeled off his last remaining garment and stood before her, cock erect and throbbing. Of a size Sophia had suspected, but still feared. Long and thick and looking as stiff as a stone. He kept his eyes on her, and when she took a small step back he came to her swiftly, folding her in his arms. Still she could feel that huge thing pulsing against her stomach, and she raised her eyes to his.
“Lars, are you sure we’ll fit?”
He smoothed her hair. “Sophie, you must have seen men react to your beauty before. But when the male is nude and aroused his organ rises and becomes more prominent. Nature planned us to fit. I’m longing to join with you, but if you’ve changed your mind, tell me and I’ll stop.”
Then he paused and grinned. “At least I’ll try to stop.”
She looked at his throbbing cock, raised almost against his flat stomach, then at his hopeful expression and laughed. She had to trust someone and this powerful male had shown her nothing but consideration. It would probably hurt, but she’d endured pain before. And this time the pain would be to her benefit.
Almost without her volition, the tip of her tongue traced a wet path on her full lower lip, and she watched his eyes smolder. His closeness made her shiver again, and she watched in awe as his eyes grew ever darker. She gave in to her sudden desire and raked his hair with worshipping fingers.
“Touch my body, Sophie. Feel your power over me. Know how I crave your touch.”
She looked at his earnest face and ran her hands over his chest. He grabbed them and put one at each nipple.
“You can pleasure me the same way I pleasure you. I am yours to explore as much as you want.”
She stared at him, and then fingered his dark brown nubbins. Groaning, he reached for her and kissed her nipples, sucking each one while she quivered in half-pleasure and half-fright.
“You are so beautiful, Sophie. So unbelievably beautiful.”
She gulped, assailed by new sensations that both alarmed and frightened her. The hungry gleam in his eyes and the clenching of his jaw fascinated her. Surely these meant he desired her as much as she did him. And she knew her request was based mostly on sheer desire for this beautiful man. Six feet of awesome strength that would soon teach her all she wanted to know. She ran her fingers over his nipples again, watching as they contracted to small pebbles, and he groaned. Moving her hands down his body, she began to explore his powerful physique. Sculpted muscles defined a masculine power that fascinated her.
Down, down, over his corded chest and lower still. She couldn’t resist exploring his huge cock, now standing straight out from his body. At her first touch his whole body heaved as if his cock was trying to get closer to her fingers. Grasping him, she obliged. She explored the rock-hard shaft in wonder. Dark veins were pulsing and a clear drop of liquid seeped from its tip.
Suddenly Lars took both her hands in his and held them, whooshing out a sound that was part groan and part pleasure.
“You tempt me too much, love. Leave off or this will be over for both of us far too quickly.”
Sophie tried to take her hands back.
“But, Lars, I’m feeling so good. In a scary sort of way. And I’m hot and feeling wet between my legs. I’ve never felt like this before. I don’t understand but please, Lars, take me now. Before I lose my nerve. I want to do this now.”
Her words rattled Lars for a moment, and he stared at her in indecision. He really had no choice. If he didn’t plunge into her he’d shoot his sperm over her. There was no way in hell he could stop. Her anxious look reinforced his resolution to make this memorable for her, but he knew it would be difficult to pace himself as he would like. And she was probably correct—her virginity added an extra fillip to her beauty. Then the thought of how experience might enhance her loveliness made him pause. She might give off an even more enticing glow.
Oh damn his restless mind.
Trying to slow himself, he grabbed her hand and placed a warm, openmouthed kiss on her palm. Licking her hand, he begged the gods to give him patience.
She clasped her hands around his neck, and for a moment all he could hear were the gusts of their deep breaths. Lars closed his eyes, willing every ounce of his body into some sort of control. He couldn’t thrust into an untried virgin as he would a courtesan. Still his cock reached out to her in pounding appeal, and her eyes glowed with a begging light.
She tugged at him with impatient hands, pulling him tight and wriggling against him. “Please, Lars. Now.”
He was lost and they both knew it. He also knew he had to slow himself down. Grabbing her to him, he held her lower body against his, letting her feel his eager cock throbbing against her mound. Keeping one hand on her body, he shifted the other to the back of her head, kissing her with all the expertise he possessed. His tongue laved her lips, licking her and begging entrance, and she opened for him. Delighting in the taste of her, the sweet and spicy flavor of Sophie, he devoured her mouth. She tasted of orange honey and some secret herb, and he licked her lips before invading them again. She seemed to hesitate, and then her tongue gingerly met his. A deep rumble he didn’t even hear reverberated in his chest as he indulged in a dance of their tongues that made his ready cock harden even more.
“Lars, you are so beautiful. I could look at your handsome body for hours. I love all those muscles and ripples. Why are you so much more enticing than I ever dreamed a naked man could be? I want to touch you every place at once.”
For answer he turned his hot eyes to her rounded breasts again, sucking on her nipples as his hands wandered over her flat stomach and then below, centering at last on the pussy he’d been aching to explore. She started and heaved her hips when he thumbed her raised bud but made no move to stop him.
He wanted to prolong this delightful foreplay, but knew he was on the verge of shooting his cum all over her.
He took a deep breath and found strength to speak. “Love, you will unman me if we continue this delightful play much longer. I don’t want to rush you but I can’t wait any more.”
He laid her back and stood gazing at her for a few seconds, drinking in her beauty of both body and mind. Then he came down and covered her. There was such a mingling of trust and fear in her eyes that he elected to get his penetration over with. For both their sakes, and even though he suspected she might not be as ready as he’d like her. He didn’t want to spurt all over her body, and he was perilously close. He, who’d always been in complete command of any sexual encounter, was as little in control as a horny teenager. Feeling between her legs, he found her wonderfully wet and breathed a small sigh of relief. Raising his body a little, he propped himself up with one arm and guided his cock to stroke her pussy.
Her response was to grab at him to bring his body down to hers but he held her off. He caressed her with hands, hot wet mouth and rigid cock as she moved her hips frantically against his expert fingers. Guiding his cock with one hand, he used it to stroke against her wet clit and stimulate her even more.