Page 11 of Forbidden Desire
I couldn’t wait to take her back to my chamber and slide her onto my thick shaft. We had established this wonderful cycle where her decision to transgress led to punishment, and her penance gave way to passion. In the frenzy of our desire, I had not yet learned the methods required to resist her allure. When she enticed me, I had her, knowing our endless pursuit only fueled my goal of an infant.
“Maighstir?” she croaked.
“You heard me.” My tone was firm. “Do you seek my forgiveness?”
“Yes, Maighstir.” Her head fell lower. “Please forgive my insolence.”
I smiled at her admission.
“I am still learning.”
“You shall do better,” I growled, aware I had sent the warning on more than one occasion before this week but also conscious it did not matter. She would learn to comply, but in the meantime, this was all part of the game—what she needed to yield and take my cock once more. Nothing was more vital now than that mission. Desiree must become with child.
“The punishment is over,” I declared, tipping her from my lap and flinging the fur back in Willum’s direction. “Thank you for bearing witness to her suffering, but now, go about your business.” I did not lift my chin at the low murmur of agreement, my gaze fixed on the quivering woman at my feet.
“And as for you, nighean bheag.” Reaching for her chin, I hooked one digit beneath it, bringing her concentration back to her master. “It is time you were filled with my seed, then once you are full of my deposit and crammed with my wax plug, we shall eat.”
Chapter Six
Elodie
LOOKING OUT FROM THE shore, I couldn’t imagine what had drawn my sister to this godforsaken part of the world. She wasn’t the greatest traveler at the best of times, and based on the two ferry crossings I’d already endured, I knew Desiree would have abhorred this. Blowing out a breath, I wrapped my coat around me as my gaze searched the coastline for Conrad, allegedly the last person to have seen her and Charlie. My eyes scanned the dark water, seeing no allure in its murky depths. If this was the way they’d come and they hadn’t been heard of since... God help them.
I reached into my pocket and pulled out the piece of paper the travel agent, Tom, had given me, containing the details of all the transfers Desiree had been booked to take. The boatman I was waiting for had been the final leg of the journey. Wherever he was, he was important.
“We ain’t much for strangers round ‘ere.”
Turning at the male voice, I tensed. The wrinkly old man who approached looked ancient but moved with disturbing agility.
“Conrad?” I asked hopefully, ignoring my repulsion and moving closer.
“Aye, but who wants to know?”
“I’m Elodie.” I forced a smile, even though my every fiber wanted to recoil at his shriveled face. “I believe you took my sister and her friend across to the other island a few weeks ago?” Pausing, I waited for a flicker of recognition on his weathered face, but no sign came. He just stood there staring at me, his gaze dark and soulless.
“Do you remember?” I prompted, determined not to give up. I hadn’t traveled all this way to be browbeaten by a belligerent local.
“Nay.” He shook his head. “No such folk came this way.”
“That can’t be right.” My brows knitted as my gaze fell to Tom’s instructions for the fifteenth time. “You were scheduled to take them, and I know they came this way.” Edging closer, I glared at the ugly little man. “You are the only ferry crossing here, right?”
“Aye.” His chin lifted, though I couldn’t decipher if the gesture was a sign of defiance or pride. “Ain’t no one else brave enough to take on these waves.” He signaled toward the sea. “I’m the only one.”
“Then you must have seen them,” I implored, raising my voice. “Please, try to remember. Desiree, my sister, is about my height, slim with dark hair and light brown eyes, and her friend, Charlie, is—”
“I told ya, I ain’t seen them, lass.” His lips stretched, revealing a line of yellowing, crooked teeth. “I know every soul I’ve taken, and your sister ain’t one of them.”
“I need to get to the next island.” I sensed he wasn’t telling me the truth. “When are you next crossing?”
“Not today, lass.” His dark laughter rang out, disappearing on the sea breeze. “There’ll be no one traveling from here today.”
He glanced out at the relentless crashing waves and fury knotted in my belly. How dare this stupid twerp try to dictate. How dare he think he could dissuade me. Men were always the same—trying to take control and force things. It was one reason I was so happy being single. I only had to answer to myself.
“I wouldn’t stand so close to the shore, lass.”
I straightened at his jocular warning, resentment for the gnarled stranger growing.
“It might look pretty to you, but the sea is a hard mistress. She’ll drag you down and keep you for her own.”