Page 56 of Devil of the High Seas
It was a long while later when Jada brought them a tray of food and the two of them ate naked in bed. Josephine was enjoying this new side of Gavin, the teasing playfulness that was so gentle, combined with his fierce passion when he made love to her.
“Must you really leave tomorrow?” she asked as she lay atop him. Their bodies were still joined intimately, and neither of them moved. He stroked her hair back behind her ears and smiled softly.
“I must. We need a vicar for our marriage to be official.”
“What happens after?” She nibbled her bottom lip with worry.
“After what?”
“After we’re wed. What of theSiren? Aren’t you worried about your ship?”
Gavin’s eyes darkened for the first time in days as his contentment seemed to vanish.
“I am, but I want to marry you first. Once I’m certain you are my wife and not Griffin’s, I will go after my ship and return thePixieto your brother.”
Another woman might have thought Gavin’s comment about marrying her first was a matter of sibling rivalry, but Josephine knew it wasn’t. He wanted her not because of her belonging, at least by contract, to Griffin, but because shewantedGavin. Their mutual longing had deepened into true love, despite how quickly it had formed.
“I wish you didn’t have to go,” she mumbled.
He tipped her chin up so that she looked at him. “I will hurry back with the wind full in my sails.”
His sweet promise hung in the air, while outside the birdsong faded into the gentle Caribbean night and the breeze and rolling of the waves became a pirate’s lullaby.
* * *
Gavin slipped outof bed just before dawn and paused to stare down at Josephine as she slept. Never could he have imagined the night he first met her that he would be here with her now and would see her as his other half.
The ocean could give a man her mysteries, but there was no greater or more wonderful mystery than the heart of a woman. He thought about Charity and Brianna, two women who were much like Josephine in some ways. He’d loved them both, despite how the relationships had ended. Now he saw those relationships not as failures but as practice. He hadn’t been ready or worthy to love a woman like Josephine then. Now he knew what he wanted from life and what love truly meant. In just a month and a half, he’d found something more precious than silver or gold. He had Josephine’s heart.
He bent and pressed a soft kiss to her brow, then quietly slipped from the room. Jada was waiting for him downstairs by the door. The pale morning skies lit her brown eyes. Those eyes of hers had seen all of his secrets, no matter how much he wished to hide them.
“You will give it up for her, won’t you?” Jada spoke softly. She’d never judged him for his unlawful activities. Jada saw the best in people, which never ceased to amaze him, given that she’d been taken from her home in Africa, destined to be sold on an auction block before theSirenhad intervened.
“Yes, I suppose I will,” he agreed. He hadn’t thought about it until now, but he would have to. A pirate’s life was dangerous. He was a wanted man in many waters. It would be hard enough to stay out of the noose evenafterhe left pirating behind him. He was thankful that the island provided enough to live on, and he did have some money set aside in a few banks on the other islands, as well as banks back in London. It was why he returned to England at least once a year, to add to his investments.
Jada nodded. “That is good. Love her and you will heal your soul.”
He embraced Jada. “Take care of my lass until I return?”
She chuckled. “Of course. Go on, Ronnie is ready to leave.”
Ronnie was waiting for him in the shallows with a few sailors who had a boat ready so they could return to thePixie.
He climbed aboard, and the crew started to row. He turned back, staring at the island, at his home, picturing the woman he was leaving behind. It made him want to hurry all the more.
“This is the first time you’ve ever looked back,” Ronnie mused.
Gavin realized with some surprise that his friend was right. Before, he’d looked ahead to the next adventure, where the wind would take him, but now he knew where he truly wanted to be. A life with Josie was the only adventure he wanted now.
“We’d best kidnap a vicar, and fast,” Ronnie muttered. “I expect a wee babe will be here before Christmas.”
Christ, he had not even thought of that. Josephine could be with child even now. He’d certainly made love to her enough times that it was a possibility.
“Oh, aye, you didn’t think of that, did you?” Ronnie laughed. “You had better get married quickly,Papa Gavin.”
He kicked Ronnie in the shin, and both men laughed as he took his position with the men and rowed. Even though it felt like he’d left his heart behind, the thought of having children with Josephine filled him with an incredible joy. This beautiful life he wanted with Josephine was within reach. All he had to do was beat Griffin to the altar.
CHAPTER14
