Page 16 of Shiver Me Timbers

“Uh-huh.”

And… I knew this was probably her first time. From the way Ellie never dated for all these years, never even looking at another man, I figured there was a good chance she was untouched.

Didn’t let myself think about it before. It was none of my business, after all, and it’s not like it would change how I felt either way. Felt like a pervert just for wondering.

Now, though… I’m sure as sure can be, because her body grips me tighter than a tailored glove as I sink inside her, and Ellie gasps and blinks up at me in pure, startled wonder.

There’s so much trust in that look. So much love.

She waited for me. Waited for me to get my head out of my ass and claim my soulmate. I’ll never deserve such a gift.

Jaw aching from gritting my teeth, I rock deeper, hands gripping her hips and holding her in place. The stool scrapes an inch over the floor, but the boat is mercifully still after that storm, the ocean flat as a mirror through the fogged up wheelhouse window.

Body thrumming with pent up longing, I thrust all the way inside.

Seven

Ellie

Duncan Matlock is inside me.

Duncan Matlockisinsideme.

Splitting me open; stretching me to my seams. He’s hard and thick and hot, the world’s sweetest intrusion, and I can feel the blood pumping through his shaft. Can feel his every twitch and throb.

He’s on edge. From the outside he looks as sternly controlled as ever, face stoic and shoulders tense… but Duncan can’t hide the desperate throb of his length inside me. He can’t hide the faint tremble of his muscles, his whole body jittery with the effort of holding still.

A sheen of sweat shines on his craggy forehead. Reaching up, I smooth away the line etched between his eyebrows.

“Don’t scowl at me when you’re popping my cherry, Mr Matlock. It’s bad manners.”

He puffs out a strained laugh, eyes crinkling as he smiles. Woof, he’s handsome when he smiles. No wonder he doesn’t do it often: there would be fainting fits all through the town. They’d have to pile the bodies at the edge of the sidewalk.

“I’m not scowling at you, Ellie May.” His deep voice rumbles right down to my bones. “I’m trying not to blow inside you after a single thrust. Your body… the way you feel, sweetheart…”

I know. I feel it too.

Biting my lip, I rock my hips up.

“Christ,” Duncan grits out, squeezing my hips hard enough to bruise. His eyes screw shut. “Wait a second. Just… wait a second. You feel too good when you do that.”

Fighting a smile, I do it again. And I’ve never wielded power like this; have never made a powerful man beg, his strong muscles quivering beneath my palms.

It’s heady. Addictive.

Leaning forward, I kiss Duncan’s throat below his beard.

“You smell like peppermint,” I say against his skin, tilting my hips up again. Humping against him in a slow rhythm, sparks skittering through my veins. My belly tightens, and the backs of my knees are sweaty. “You always smell like peppermint. It’s my favorite smell now. I spray it on my pillow at night.”

“Ellie,” Duncan heaves, still holding my hips in a death grip. His thick length throbs inside me, and he shuffles forward an inch, pressing our needy bodies even closer. “Ellie. Have mercy, you beautiful little witch.”

“Nope.”

He’s breathing harder now, chest rising and falling beneath his shirt, and I’m not the only one grinding us together. Duncan’s doing it too, dragging me closer by the hips and stuffing me full, then rocking me back. Full, then back. The moonlight casts dark shadows over his face, and a tendon stands out in his throat. He’s so much bigger than me, filling the wheelhouse with his bulk.

He means this, right? It’s not a one time thing?

“If you change your mind,” I begin, my voice quavering, “I swear to god—”

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