Page 17 of Shiver Me Timbers

“I won’t.” Duncan’s hips snap against mine, like he’s punctuating his words. His tone darkens, and a pleased shiver rolls down my spine. “This is final. You’remine, Ellie May.”

Yes.

That’s all I want. To claim this man, and be claimed in turn. ‘Til death do us part… and maybe even after then.

“Prove it,” I breathe, and Duncan’s snarl fills the wheelhouse. He pounds harder between my legs, stool creaking, flesh slapping, and sweat trickles down my spine. My heartbeat thumps between my legs, hot and languid, and my insides twist tighter and tighter, coiling with every punishing stroke across my sensitive spots.

My dad’s best friend scowls above me, thrusting into me like a man possessed, his movements rough and choppy. The man who kept me safe for all those years; the man who saved me when the whole world felt dark and cold.

It’s raw, the way he fucks me. Primal.

Perfect.

“Mine,” he grunts again, shoving one hand between us and rubbing at my clit. I cry out, back arching and toes curling in my soaked sneakers. His strong arms are the only thing keeping me from toppling back onto the floor.

And when I come…

It’s like those storms that build for days and days, the air crackling with electricity, warm and humid. And it drags on and on, everyone eyeing the gathering clouds, until finally, when it feels like the rain will never come—the heavens open, and the storm unleashes its fury.

My body shudders and quakes, lost to the throes. My ears pop for the third time tonight, and I let out a ragged wail.

I clamp down on Duncan’s shaft, like I’m trying to keep him inside me forever, and he bellows… then fills me with a warm, sticky flood.

* * *

Ten months later

The Belladonna Bay marina is lively at this time of evening, with music drifting from a few tethered boats and bursts of laughter floating up to the pink sky.

Seagulls circle and boats clink. The sun is a burning red ball of fire, sinking below the horizon, and the air smells like brine and sun tan lotion.

In the distance, Duncan weaves across the jetty, a stack of pizza boxes held above his head like the spoils of war. Penny spots him first, whooping and clapping, and little Poe joins in, cackling and flailing in his mama’s lap. Beside them both, Arthur beams at his excitable little family, his wire frame glasses practically fogging up with adoration.

They’re super cute. A year ago, the sight of that would have given me a pang, where I was happy for my friends but… kinda jealous. Secretly sad.

Not anymore. I’ve got a whole sexy sea captain to myself, and he isdevoted.So worth the wait.

“Show off,” I yell, though my husband is too far away to hear me yet.

Still, I can’t hide the way my heart leaps at the sight of that man—and it’s not just because of the pizza. Nor his broad shoulders, clad in a gray shirt, and the thick shadow of his beard.

No: my cheeks flush warm, already stained pink from a full day in the sun, and I wriggle on my bench, legs squeezing together.

Because Duncan joined me in the shower this morning—just slipped into the bathroom without warning, then freakingdominatedme against those slippery tiles. I’ve been having flashbacks all day. Losing my train of thought without warning, my body clenching down on nothing, while the pleasant soreness down there makes my blood heat.

…Ahem.

“So how’s the writing going?” I ask Arthur, because there’s a famous horror author on our boat, damn it, and Icanmake conversation without picturing Duncan’s delicious scowl as he shoved two fingers inside me this morning. I absolutely can.

“Ah… it’s going well, thank you.” It seems to take Arthur just as much effort to drag his gaze away from his wife to focus on me. He blinks several times, like he’s coming out of a trance. “This town comes with a lot of inspiration.”

True. Practically every street corner of Belladonna Bay has some mystery attached. Some eerie rumor or cold patch or mysterious buzzing sounds.

This town is not for the faint of heart, but for those bold enough to live here… well, it never gets dull.

“Pizzaaaa,” Penny groans as Duncan nears theEllie May, the breeze flapping his shirt against his strong chest. We can smell the hot, savory scent from here.

“You sound like a zombie,” I say.

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