Crushing Desire (26 page)

He sat in the sturdy chair with his leg propped on his knee, silent. She examined the unusual man. With his bulging muscles, shaven head, and large tattooed body, one would think he would be impatient and prone to violence, but he’d seemed level headed even in the most stressful of situations.

“Gunner, I must tell you something, but you have to promise to listen until I’ve finished before making a decision. Is this acceptable to you?”

Gunner looked at her for a moment, and then squinted, as if he were trying to see into her. After a few seconds, he nodded, his spine stiff, and his muscles tensed in preparation.

“Gunner, the Captain has been insisting I dine with him since Joshua’s injury.” Reena paced the small cabin, tapping the book she held against the fingers of her other hand. “Last night he came here.” She turned toward him.

“Did he hurt ye, lass?” Gunner’s eyes softened, but his body was that of a caged animal, ready for action.

“He tried.” Reena shivered as she faced the wall where Gregory had held her. Gunner was at her side in an instant. She held up a hand to him. “I’m all right, Gunner. Please sit and let me finish.”

This is how she would have expected Joshua to react. She was deeply honored that this man would so care for Joshua that he would take her fiancé’s cares and concerns into his own heart. When she swiveled in his direction with her continued pacing, he was sitting once again.

She sat in the chair across from Gunner, shaking a bit as she conveyed the story, leaving nothing out.

“The captain has confined me to my quarters until the wedding. I think I shall be safe, if he doesn’t have to see me, but would you please come by and check on me on occasion.” Reena returned to feet and stood before him, to stare intently into his eyes. She needed him to understand the seriousness of what she had to say, and to know the truth of his reply as only his eyes could tell it. “And Gunner, Joshua cannot know. If he found out that the captain tried to harm me, he might do something foolish.”

She bent her knees, bringing her gaze in line with his and rested her hand on his arm, oddly like a mother with her overgrown child. “You must promise not to tell him. I need you to tell him that I said it was bad luck to see the bride before the wedding. Tell him that I shall see him when we are married.”

“The men will surely hear that I have been confined to my room, but you must keep them from speaking of it in front of Joshua. Promise me?” Reena held her breath for his response.

“Ye can count on me t’ keep watch at the door each day ‘til mornin’, lass.”

Cool relief flooded her limbs. “You would do that?”

“Aye. T’ protect ye I would, lass. Joshua would want ye safe.”

And stand guard he did. Every night, shuffling noises would sound outside her door. Her heart would pound until the small double tap sounded. That was Gunner’s signal. More small shuffling noises woke her from time to time until finally at dawn, his footsteps would move away down the hall.

Chapter Twenty-six

By the day before her wedding, Reena had become certain that she was with child. Pacing her room, she struggled with the decision of when and how to tell Joshua.

“He lost his first wife in childbirth.” Her nail found its way into her mouth as she confided in Fish.

She’d seen him every day since she’d been shut up in her cabin. Part of her knew that he was checking to be sure that his father hadn’t done anything foolish, but she also knew he was a good man, and he enjoyed her company as much as she enjoyed his.

“You will have to find a way to tell him. In fact, you should have told him before telling me.” His eyes gleamed mischievously. “Why, if it was my child, I would be very angry if you told another man before you told me.”

Fish winked. Glancing down at the floor, she considered the truth of what he said. She had come to find that he had an age and wisdom beyond his years, which Reena had learned were twenty. His youthful air and charm hid a man that was cunning and wise. He would make a good captain one day.

“You figured it out. If you hadn’t been here so often, helping me when I felt ill…”

“I can’t resist cleaning out chamber pots.” He grinned, his eyes shining. “There is something so chivalrous about sneaking a woman’s sick above decks to dispose of it.”

 
After the hours they had spent together, they’d become fast friends, and Reena found herself looking forward to his visits. He was a lot like her brother, and he filled the roll quite nicely.

“Let’s not worry about it now.” Fish stood as he spoke. “You are to be married tomorrow. Don’t think on it again until after the wedding. The time will come, and you will know what is right.”

“All right,” she said. “What do you think of this?”

Holding up her wedding attire for him, she bit her lip. She had done her best, under the circumstances, to make her wardrobe presentable for her wedding. It would be a contracted marriage, no more than a sharing of vows and tokens, so she knew that she shouldn’t be worried about it. Besides, she couldn’t imagine that Joshua would cut the most dashing figure either, but she would be glad to see him. To share her room with him. And her bed.

“You will look fantastic in it. You’ve done a wonderful job, and you are a wonderful woman.” Fish held the door open while he paused to study her. “You saved my life, and you’ve taught me things I didn’t know. You were a great friend, during my recovery, and a great doctor on top of everything. You deserve to know my name.”

Reena gawked at him, her mouth agape. She didn’t think he would ever tell her, and though it didn’t matter to her what it was, she was honored that he would consider telling her. He glanced around conspiratorially, adding great flourish to each move. Reena couldn’t help but smile.

“It’s Horace.” He grimaced. “A family name on my mother’s side.”

“Why, I like it. I think it’s a strong name,” Reena said, her grin a bit wider than she could control.

Fish rolled his eyes and shook a finger at her. “Not a word.”

She held up a hand and crossed her heart. He nodded with a smile and stepped out of the room, leaving her to think about what the next day would bring.

9
 

The ocean stretched around them, blue and peaceful. The sky kissed it on the horizon and lightened as it went heavenward. The sun was warm and comforting, and the few fluffy clouds in the sky kept their distance from it, as though not wanting to darken their nuptials. It was the perfect day for a wedding.

Reena stood before the Captain, pronouncing her love for Joshua to the whole crew. Her lovely white gown was covered in peach ribbon, and since no fresh flowers could be found, she had made a bouquet out of the ribbon and lace that she would have added to her dresses. She no longer cared so much about her manner of dress. She was marrying the man she had loved for as long as she could remember, a man who had taught her that she was more beautiful and desirable than she had ever realized. Reena would soon be home with her family, and she suspected that Joshua would be as joyful as she to learn that they were starting a family of their own, once his fear subsided.

Best of all, Joshua was walking. Something he should not have been doing for some time given the extent of his injuries. The ornate bone and silver cane that he used to support his weight was lovely, and Reena wondered where he had gotten it. He stood now, declaring his love for her. He appeared so strong, proud, and able to face any danger, calling to her mind knights of old. His body betrayed no hint of his injury, even though they’d been standing before the captain for quite some time now.

Life was getting better every day. Reena only hoped that she would continue to have good luck until the ship reached port, and she could reach her father and be assured of his good health. Most of all, she hoped that the captain would cause them no further trouble.

Reena turned her gaze to the captain. Though his voice was strong and clear, his lips bowed in the slightest downward tilt whenever he looked at her. Reena tried to ignore his displeasure and focus on her wedding. She’d thought, planned, and imagined this day for so long, but now it seemed as if was passing her by in a whirlwind. Reena tried to concentrate, to make memories and not think about their situation. However, when her mind came back to the ceremony, Joshua moved in and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her to him. Her heart jumped at the longed for contact of his hands on her body. She leaned in. His head lowered, lips brushing hers. The men cheered. At the sound of their shouts and whistles, Reena and Joshua broke off their kiss and smiled at the crew. The solemnities were over, and Reena’s dream had actually come to life. She was Mrs. Joshua Sinclair.

9

Joshua gripped the cane’s head as the congratulations of the men stretched on without foreseeable end. He would prefer that they allow him to pass with his wife, but the crew had fought for them even against their own captain, and they deserved their moment.

Wife.
He loved how that sounded. He watched her laugh as the men congratulated her. Reena was beautiful. Her whole face brightened when she laughed, and he couldn’t help but love her all the more for it. The sailors shook their hands and continued their congratulations, but Joshua couldn’t process all of their words. His mind turned to the larger problem at the moment, aside from how to get his lovely wife to their room before he lost control of himself. Reena had been lying to him, and she had been using Gunner to do it.

Gunner was a terrible liar, and when he’d returned from her room with the story about Reena being superstitious, it had instantaneously rung false. Reena had never been superstitious, and she wouldn’t start that silliness now. She was too intelligent for that. No, something had happened that they didn’t want him to know. Joshua had surmised that it wasn’t anything too bad, because if it had been, Gunner would have told him. Still, he wanted to know what had happened that would instigate such a lie.

Joshua had also noticed the Captain’s anger and wondered if it had anything to do with that. Joshua wouldn’t push her yet. He would give her time to tell him.

“Well, gentlemen, if you would excuse us,” he said, finally too impatient to wait. “I should like to be alone with my wife.”

The men laughed and ribbed each other, whispering bawdy comments as Reena’s cheeks heated. Joshua smiled at her embarrassment. She could heal more men than she could count and not for one moment appear embarrassed, but just the insinuation that he wanted to be alone with her made her blush.

She’s a hell of a woman.

Taking her arm, he led her through the men toward their cabin at the base of the narrow stairs. When they were finally alone, he turned to her, the throbbing pain in his legs meaning nothing to him, and pulled her into his embrace.

 
“I missed you, Mrs. Sinclair,” he said, staring down at her misty eyes.

“I love the sound of that, my husband, and I love you.” Her eyes became pools as tears gathered.

Joshua brushed away the tears as they fell, kissing her lips, cheeks, eyes, ears, every inch of her face.

“No tears now, my love. This is a moment for happiness, love, and passion.” His words were thick with need even to his own ears, and he tugged her soft curves against his hard length, fitting them together like a finely made puzzle.

Reena’s eyes darkened, becoming a silvery grey like a storm cloud that is almost spent. The flush that covered her cheeks and reddened her lips made his insides tighten.

“And there will be passion.” He used his shoulder to press the door closed behind them.

A rush of desire made Reena’s knees buckle. His strong arms held her upright, and she clung to him in response. The small room, the ship, the crew, the world, all of it slipped away. The only thing that she saw was Joshua. His deep blue eyes, his strong, handsome face. He rubbed his lips over hers, taking her bottom lip into his mouth and sucking gently, teasing the soft surface with his tongue. Heat moved through her, pooling deep inside. She wanted him more than she had ever wanted anything. He rubbed his lips softly against her cheek, making her body shake with need. The heat of her desire flashed to a bonfire as his mouth came fully over hers. His tongue found its way to hers, and Reena’s knees gave. The next moment, she was in his arms, and he held her to him as he carried her to the bed.

“Joshua!” She cried out, alarmed that he might hurt himself, supporting not only his own weight but hers too.

“Hush love, kiss me.” His sensual voice, the way his mouth moved when he spoke, the desire in his eyes, all of these combined to drive away any common sense. The bed depressed beneath her, and she forgot all about his injuries.

He moved over her, carefully removing the ties that held her dress, exposing more of her flesh for exploration. So slow, as if she were in a dream. His mouth, his hands, his body brought pleasure to hers with every touch. Reena flung her head back in abandon and gripped the coverlet beneath them. Joshua’s fingers moved down her sides, then dipped lower, finding the sensitive nub that drove her wild. She gasped and writhed, her passion stoking the fire to a raging inferno inside. The warmth of his tongue trailed over the curves of her body, following his fingers. She moaned, and when his mouth came over that sensitive spot, Reena nearly arched off the bed.