Free Her Gentleman Pirate (High Seas & High Stakes Book 2) by Tamara Gill

then to keep her?”
    “It won’t come to that. I shouldn’t think Lord Montague wants to marry her that badly, especially as she’s not his preferred type.” Stephen took a long swig of his brandy. “If the debt is paid, of course I’ll have to let her go. What reason would I have to keep her here then?” Other than love…
    The duke nodded, his gaze compassionate. “Indeed.”
    “Tomorrow we should know.” Stephen pushed away the thought that tonight could possibly be the last time he was ever with Arabella. Such musings didn’t warrant thinking over.
    “That you’re having dinner with the chit, conversing with her and no doubt warming her bed at night tells me your indifference to what tomorrow could bring is false.” He sighed. “That is all I’ll say on the matter, but you need to take care. This could end badly for her and yourself.” The duke leaned back in his chair. “As you know, Eloise is with child and I must leave you tomorrow morn, but should you need me, you know where I am.”
    Stephen nodded. “Aye. I know and I thank you.” He poured them both another brandy and settled back in his chair changing the subject to discuss their mutual interests in investments in London. He tried to concentrate on what his friend was saying, but his mind kept venturing upstairs to where Arabella slept waiting for him…
    …possibly for the very last time.
    He inwardly swore and left the duke, mouth agape, alone to converse with himself.

    S he was asleep when he made it up to their room. The moonlight cast a hazy shade of blue over the covers highlighting her silky, white skin. Her hair looked ebony and cascaded over the pillows to frame her beautiful face. The bedding had slipped low on her chest, giving him an ample view of her nakedness and his cock twitched.
    He sighed knowing he’d made a mess of things. He should never have kidnapped her and dragged her back to England with the sole purpose of ruining her and her family. Because now, that’s exactly what would happen should the scandal break out across London.
    If it hadn’t already.
    She fidgeted in sleep and her eyes fluttered open. She sat up and kneeled on the bed, beckoning him to join her. Stephen needed no cajoling and went to her willingly, took her mouth in a searing kiss and dragged them both into an inferno of desire.
    After the weeks of being together, she’d learned a few things and quickly she disposed of his jacket, pulling his shirt out of his trews before sliding her hand inside and clasping his ass.
    Stephen grinned through her fun. His body ached to take her, to lift her up and impale her on his hardened shaft. Playfully she pushed him away a little and slowly lifted her shift, exposing a body that had captivated him from the first moment he’d seen it.
    Unable to stop himself he toppled her onto the bed and wrapped her legs about his waist. His cock slid against her moistened heat, teasing them both for what was to come.
    Them. Literally.
    She sighed his name and his control snapped. He thrust within her over and over again, the frenzied need thrumming through him unable to sate. She met his every stroke with awe, her gasps, moans for more and scoring nails down his back only making the interlude hotter, more enjoyable.
    Her fingers tangled in his hair, tugging slightly. Stephen kissed his way down her neck, slender shoulder to eventually pay homage to her breasts. A lovely handful with nipples the colour of roses on a summer’s day.
    She squirmed as his kisses moved farther down her person. Her stomach was smooth, soft and a beacon for more delights. Stephen pushed her legs apart, inhaling her sweet scent before kissing the glistening flesh before him.
    “What are you doing? You can’t do that.”
    He chuckled at the shocked but inquisitive tenor of her voice. “Lay back. Relax and let me love you.”
    Gradually the muscles in her legs relaxed. To have her, laying before him, open and trusting was the most delicious elixir