he echo of waves hitting the hull beneath Garson's cabin nearly soothed Evie back to sleep. She adjusted herself within his arms and smiled with her eyes still closed.

 "Good morning," he said with a kiss to her forehead.

 He wrapped his arms tighter and patted her back. He laughed as she grunted and turned to lay on her stomach.

 "You seem exhausted," he grinned. "Did I keep you up too late?"

 She only mumbled something into the pillow as she tried to open her eyes to the light filtering in. They'd awakened during the night and made love again more passionately than before.

 Garson pulled the blanket away to softly caress her skin. He stopped when he noticed an odd line running diagonally across her back.

 "What happened here?" he wondered.

 His fingers stroked it from top to bottom.

 "Hmm?" she mumbled. "What do you mean?" she asked with her face turned so he could hear.

 "There's a scar here," he remarked. "It's faint and I only see it now that the sun is shining on it, but it appears to be from something like a strap."

 "Oh ..." she muttered and sighed. "I didn't know there was a scar since I can't see it. I suppose it makes sense that there would be."

 He stared at her and waited for her to continue. When she didn't, he turned her over to face him, her breasts now out for him to see and hold.

 "What's it from?" he asked as he massaged both and toyed with her nipples.

 She placed her hand over his and smiled at the feeling.

 "My uncle," she answered, then moved closer before telling the story. "Edgar often made crude jokes around me. I tried to ignore them but one day, he wasn't joking. He shoved me against a wall and grabbed my breasts.

 Uncle walked in just as he was about to reach down my dress to touch them. Uncle was angry and began swearing at Edgar. He threw a vase at him and ordered him to leave.

 I thought Uncle would finally see how tormented I was by Edgar, but he blamed me. He called me a harlot and said I bewitched his son. He beat me with a strap. The mark is from a strike that tore my dress open.

 Uncle wouldn't allow a physician to see to it, but he did send in one of his maids. She did the best she could, and she promised it wouldn't leave a mark. I guess she was wrong."

 Garson clenched his teeth as he listened.  Once more, question about her uncle arose.

 "Did he always strike you?" he asked, looking down into her eyes to see if she would lie.

 She shook her head.

 "Not like this," she replied honestly. "He even surprised Edgar. The maid suspected it had something to do with the fear of the church hearing rumors of incest and excommunicating him. He gives the church a lot of money to have privileges, like deciding the fate of sinners," she said with a roll of her eyes. "He uses my inheritance."

 "Inheritance?" wondered Garson.

 He straightened against the pillows and pulled her up to rest beside him. He was more confused than ever about her cousin's act if his father relied on her money. It would mean Edgar was benefiting from it, as well, so why sell her to pirates?

 "My mother and father ..."

 Evie took a slow breath as she wondered how much she should reveal. She toyed with the hair on Garson's chest as she thought it through. It was black and only covered the top. She followed the thin trail it created down to his belly button, then stopped and stared beneath the blanket that was somewhat lifted. She wanted to continue, but she didn't know if she should touch where it led. It wouldn't be lady-like.

Garson watched as her hand slowly went down to his lower belly. When it stopped, he could hear her breathing become louder. He wanted to learn more about her parentage, but he decided it could wait as he felt himself begin to harden and throb.

 "Keep going," he whispered against her temple. "No need to be shy after last night."

🌺 She felt him kiss her softly, then his lips move down to press more soft kisses near her ear. Her fingernails combed through the thickening tufts beneath his belly button as she let them slide down. When she felt his hardness suddenly press against her, she gasped and pulled her hand away.

 He laughed and squeezed her close, turning her over to her back so she would be somewhat beneath him.

 "Your teasing is making it grow," he growled against her neck.

🌺 She held onto him as his hand went between her legs to make her ready. His fingers slid across her sensitive flesh and her little nub, already swollen with yearning. He bent to kiss her, and she returned his kiss with the same hunger.

 "Dammit, woman," he growled as he pulled away. "I can't get enough of you."

🌺 He moved between her legs and gently pressed himself inside. When he felt her already hot and ready, it made him yearn for more.

🌺 Evie clung to his back as he began thrusting into her. She spread her legs and pulled her feet up behind him.

🌺 "I can't go slow this time," he breathed against her ear. "I need you too much."

🌺 She moaned loudly as he completely filled her over and over. He waited for her hesitation that never came. Instead, she was just as eager as him.

🌺 He held onto her tightly as he rolled them over until he laid on his back with her atop his chest. She gasped at the change but as he continued, she relaxed and let herself enjoy it.

🌺 His hands went up and down her back, caressing her as he pushed urgently into her. She bent her arms over his chest and lifted slightly to look down at him.

🌺 "Are you all right?" he asked, holding onto her bottom to thrust harder.

🌺 Her eyes widened and she gasped again. Her fingers gripped his chest as she nodded and moaned more.

🌺 One of his hands released their hold on her to pull her head down for a deep kiss. His knees lifted to press her legs open more, and he quickly wrapped his arms around her waist.

🌺 Just as he felt her inner walls tightening around his manhood, he orgasmed inside of her. He buried his face into her hair and grunted against her neck. She held onto the bed beside his shoulders and moaned over and over as she climaxed with him.

 Her body rose and fell as he took a deep breath. He held her head in his hands and kissed her cheeks, her forehead, her nose, and her mouth. He looked up into her soft eyes, her cheeks flushed and her lips swollen. He smiled warmly and brushed her hair to the side.

 "I think I know what you are," she said as she crossed her arms over his chest and rested her chin on them. "You're a mountain when you take command of your ship, but at night, you become that mountain's beast."

 He chuckled at first but then worried she was being serious. "Do I frighten you again?"

 She shook her head and smiled. "Not anymore because now I know you're my beast."

 He laughed again and turned them over. He kissed her just before shouts were heard from outside.

 "Is something wrong?" she asked as he pulled away and looked toward the window.

 "Crew's awake," he answered as he caressed her side. "Would you like to go to the island?"

 She briskly nodded.

 "I'll find you something to wear," he told her with another kiss. He stood and pulled on his trousers. "You'll want something comfortable, but I don't want you looking too feminine."

 She smiled as he winked and left the cabin.