Free The Black Morass (Pirates of the Coast Book 1) by Barbara Devlin

ability to fulfill her fantasy, and that hurt him more than he wanted to admit.
    Emitting a sob of impatience, she nudged him.
    “Very well, Mon Chou .”  He spat on his hand, wet the tip of his cock, spread her bottom cheeks, positioned himself at her opening, thrust, and gave her all he had to offer.
    #
    It was late in the afternoon when Madalene rose from a nap and frowned.  At the washstand, she poured water into the basin and wet her fevered brow.  The cabin seemed to spin out of control, and she soaked a cloth, carried it to the bunk, pulled back the covers, and gasped.
    A small crimson stain marred the white sheet, and she twisted and turned, only to discover another mark on her nightgown.  Unsure what to make of the curious development, she stripped the mattress and collected clean bedclothes.  After refitting the bunk, she piled the soiled cotton at the basin and attempted to scrub out the blemish.  But once again she lost her balance, and she sat on the floor to gain her bearings.  That was where Jean Marc found her, when he returned to his quarters for lunch.
    “Maddie?”  To his credit, he ran to her.  “What happened, Mon Chou ?  Are you all right?”
    “I am not sure.”  She shifted.  “But I am bleeding.”
    “ Merde .”  He lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bunk, where he deposited her with care.  “Merde.  Merde.”  He raked his fingers through his hair.  “I hurt you, my delicate flower.”  As he retraced his steps, he said over his shoulder, “Wait there, as I will be back.”
    Confused by his reaction, she drifted on the fringe of sleep when he stomped into the cabin.  Bearing two steaming buckets, he stomped to the tub and emptied the water, and she yawned.
    “But I am too tired to bathe, Jean Marc.”  Stretching long, she wiggled her toes.  “I fear I might drown.”
    “That is no concern, as I will not leave you.”  That brought her alert.
    “You wish to remain?”  She blinked.  “You would wash me?”
    “Mon Chou, I have taken your bottom too roughly, to the point that I injured you.”  He snorted.  “Do you think it not a little late to be shy with your body?”
    “But, it is not done.”  Before she could protest, he drew her to her feet and whisked the linen garment from her.  Covering her breasts, she pulled her legs together.  “Upon my word, but you are the bawdiest buccaneer I have ever known.”
    “I wager I am the only true buccaneer you have ever known, so that is not saying much.”  With his hands at her waist, he hefted her into the bath.  “Now you will take a long soak, and I will fetch our meal.  Then you will retire early, as you must get better, and there will be no night games for us until you heal.”
    “You cannot mean that.”  She sank beneath the warm water and sighed, as she ached in places she never realized she could ache.  “I shall tempt you, sir, and you will take me.”
    “Do you presume to give me orders, Maddie?  As I recall, I am the captain of the Black Morass .”  No doubt he intended his brooding expression to incite fear, as he planted fists on hips and stared down his nose at her, but she could only giggle.  “What am I to do with you?”
    “Why, what you always do with me.”  Yes, she baited her rogue pirate, as she loved his particular brand of ravishment.  “Is that so wrong, because you claim it is quite natural?”
    He opened his mouth and closed it.  “I have well and thoroughly corrupted you, Mon Chou , and I am not certain that is a good thing.”
    “You liked it last night and this morning.”  She could not help but laugh, as he muttered invective in French and stormed out the door.
    After a lovely respite, she perched atop a fluffy pillow, in Jean Marc’s lap, and he fed her bits of goose and truffle pie, interspersed with tantalizing kisses and tender caresses.  And in those quiet moments of cherished overtures, she opened her heart and let it sing.
    Indeed,