“I swear, I’ve never felt like you had a hold on me. And I’m plenty grateful for all you’ve done. But if I’m going to be a woman of the world and the sea, I want to be my own woman as well as yours. Do you understand?”
“Yes, my love.”
Flora’s eyes grew huge. I realized I may not have used that word before. I’d hoped that I’d been showing her my feelings all along, but I was scarcely an expert with women. Perhaps they needed to hear things more clearly.
She reached up to stroke my brow, running her thumb around my eye, down my cheekbone, to my bottom lip. My tongue darted out to touch it, and she giggled.
“And now, as your equal and not your possession, I have a demand.”
“Anything, my fine lass.”
“Anything? You promise?” She looked up at me with more determination than I’d ever seen from her.
“Aye, ye have my best word.”
Standing up, her fingers trembled as she unbuttoned the cuffs of her fine new dress and began to slide it off.
“I don’t think I’ve told you how bewitching you look in that bright blue,” I said gently. “When I first saw you in the jail, it took a moment for me to breathe.”
The blush that washed over her cheeks caught my attention. Then she slipped the dress off, then her knickers, standing in front of me absolutely naked.
Flora was perfectly still, delicate at a flower at dawn. My eyes raked over her fair skin, her sweet womanly curves. Indeed, she’d changed a bit over the past few months. Her thighs were more shapely from running around the ship and the beaches. Her hips were curvier from solid meals. Her breasts were round and soft, and in my hands before I could think, pulling her against me.
“Lassie, I cannot believe what a fine woman you are. You truly take my breath away.”
She was obviously enjoying my touch, as I caressed her skin, circling her nipples until they were delicious little points. I leaned in to suck one, the sound of her tiny gasp making me smile against her.
“Mmm, please… sir… I need to say something.”
I sat up straight, placing my hands around her waist. “I’m listening.”
“It’s just that... well, sir…”
I could feel her nearly shaking. “Lass, you can say anything to me. Take your time.”
“You purchased me, but never used me for what I had assumed in the beginning I was intended for. Which is fine. Your ship, your rules. If you don’t want me in that way, that’s for you to decide. But I just can’t help but wonder why you haven’t taken me completely.”
I interrupted by pulling her into a soft, wet kiss. My hands gently caressed her lower back, then shi
fted lower to cup her behind almost roughly. My lips traveled south, kissing down her chin, her throat, down to nip the top of her breast until she gave a tiny squeal.
“Lassie,” I said, in a voice thick with lust, “Don’t ye think for one moment that I don’t want you the way you’re thinking.”
“What are you waiting for?” she whispered.
“I already have everything I want. You, my little treasure.”
“You don’t think I’m ready?” She seemed so determined. I loved how fiery the once timid lass was becoming.
I scooped her up, sitting her in my lap, still wandering my hands all over. “I suppose it’s time for us to have a talk.” She nodded nervously.
I reached out to tuck the loose strands of hair behind her ear. “My sweet girl. You’re so tiny, so fragile. The thought of hurting you hurts me terribly, do you understand?”
She nodded. “Yes. You always take such good care of me. But why don’t you want... that?”
I rocked her gently. “I do. Very much. But if we were to do that, it would hurt you.”
“Why?”