Seized by Passion Read online

  Just as he finished speaking, the third Piratiran jerked loose and rushed toward the water. Achates didn’t bother to race after him. Too many years of hatred and anger ran through his people. And just as he expected, someone threw a spear into the man’s back.

  Achates turned to Seamus. “I’d rather kill you for what you have done to Livia and the rest of my people, but you will serve a purpose instead. You’re going to tell your people that the next time one of them sets foot on Orinjal, we will kill them—and Poseidon help you if you don’t believe me.”

  Seamus nodded nervously. Achates waved to Lycus to release him. With one last look at Livia, the Piratiran moved into the water to begin the long swim back to his island.

  Achates’ rage was still too raw for him to face his people. He had nearly failed them, again. If it hadn’t been for Livia, more children would have been taken. How she knew the Piratirans had come he didn’t know, but it had saved them. He owed her a great debt for alerting him.

  He didn’t need to look behind him to know she was there, for he could still feel her. Ever since he had rescued her, he had felt her. Wherever she was. “How did you know?”

  “I’m not sure,” she answered softly. “I thought it was just a dream. But when I went outside, I knew it was real.”

  He turned to face her, not surprised to find the others had left, leaving them alone. “You saved those children.”

  “Nay. You did.” She raised her gaze to his, and it was then he saw the terror in the depths of her blue eyes.

  He wrapped his arms around her to comfort her, as well as himself. She felt so right against him, as if she had been molded just for him. Hesitantly, her arms came around him, and she turned her face to lay her head on his chest.

  Achates didn’t know how long they stood in silence. With each heartbeat, her presence helped to ease the pain and fury that had overtaken him.

  Then she moved, and he looked down to find her face tilted toward his. It seemed the most natural thing to lean down and kiss her, to feel her breath mix with his. Her body melted against him as she released a soft, sensual moan.

  Achates couldn’t stop the groan that passed his lips. Livia’s mouth was soft and tempting. The more he tasted of her, the more he wanted. Her body was warm and yielding. Her curves too enticing to resist. He wanted to lay her down on the sand and run his hands all over her body.

  He deepened the kiss, demanding that she give all. She eagerly met each of his kisses, taking as much as she gave.

  Achates was breathless with desire, his cock aching to be inside her, to feel her wet heat. Livia was his, and Poseidon demanded that he take her for his own. Achates crushed her against his chest and swept his tongue into her mouth, stroking the desire growing between them.

  She moaned and raked her nails down his back. His already straining rod jumped, and when her hips rubbed against him, he gripped her bottom and pulled her close.

  “By the gods, you taste good,” he said as he rained kisses down over her throat.

  Her head fell back to expose her slim neck. Achates held her as she arched over his arm. He kissed and licked down her neck. Her breathless moans excited him, feeding his out-of-control desire.

  He moved his hand from the swell of her hip to the indention of her waist, and then up to her breast. The feel of the soft mound wrenched another groan from him. Beneath his hand, her nipple hardened, and she sighed. Achates could no more ignore the desire that demanded he take her than he could hold back the tides.

  He lowered her to the sand, his blood pumping furiously. For so long, he had dreamed of finding Livia, of securing the future Poseidon himself had decreed. And now, he would finally have that chance. Finally...he would have his woman.

  The rustle of a palm alerted him that they were about to have company. With a sigh, Achates released Livia’s breast and brought her to her feet.

  Her gaze searched his. “Is something wrong?”

  “Someone is coming.”

  “Oh,” she said breathlessly and touched her kiss-swollen lips with her fingertips. She smiled up at him, her eyes dilated and so full of passion he nearly threw her over his shoulder and walked into the water.

  But duty called.

  * * * * *

  Livia didn’t bother to try and find sleep once Achates left. He and his warriors had gone to check the perimeters, but she knew that was just an excuse. It had been obvious even to her that there was something going on with the Orinjals, and she had an idea that one of them was somehow involved with the Piratirans.

  Left alone, she wandered through Achates’ home. It was a large structure with many rooms, and she wondered what the quiet house would be like if it were full of children and laughter.

  In the morning light, she ran her hand down the banister as she descended the stairs. Many hands had run across its smooth surface, and every now and again she would find the wood nicked, showing that the house had been through several families.

  Once again dressed in the pink gown, she walked through the double doors at the back of the house and watched several small boats row out into the waves. The men then tossed anchors over the side before diving into the water. They were gone for several moments, making Livia’s heart race as she pictured them drowning.

  But each time, they would surface with something in their hands they would then put into the boat. What could be so precious that the men risked their lives for it?

  “Oysters,” Achates said as he came up behind her. “They are diving for oysters.”

  She swung her head around to look at him. He was shirtless once again, his tanned skin shining in the morning sun. She recalled the way he had kissed her last night, as if he had all the time in the world and he wanted to learn every inch of her.

  Her stomach fluttered just thinking about it, but instead of running to him and throwing her arms around him, she asked, “Oysters?”

  He chuckled and took her hand as he led her down the path to the shore. “You’ll see.”

  Along the way, he picked a piece of fruit from a tree and handed it to her. Livia bit into it and nearly sighed at the sweet taste that filled her mouth. Time and again she found her gaze drawn to Achates, thoughts of last night’s kiss filling her mind and making her body heat.

  He had touched her in ways she had never thought to feel. His kiss had been heart-stopping, his touch, soft and exciting. And she wanted more of it, more of him.

  Many times after he left, she had cursed their interruption. She wanted to know what he had planned to do to her body next. Deep down, she knew she shouldn’t feel this way about a stranger, but she couldn’t ignore her feelings any more than she could ignore the breath in her lungs.

  She finished her morning meal by the time they reached the shore. Juice from the fruit was on her fingers, and when she started to lick it off, Achates stopped her and brought her hand to his mouth instead.

  He sucked one finger inside. Livia’s lips parted as his hot tongue swirled around her finger, and he sucked seductively. By the time he’d finished the second finger, her chest rose and fell rapidly and her legs could barely hold her up. Once he reached the third finger, a strange feeling grew between her legs and unfurled low in her stomach.

  She licked her lips as he pulled her fourth finger from his mouth and kissed the back of her hand.

  “Delicious,” he whispered

  Chapter Five

  Livia tried to respond, but her throat refused to work. Achates flashed her a knowing smile and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

  He called to one of the divers, and the man smiled before tossing something at Achates. Livia looked down at the ugly shell, and then up at Achates.

  “Sometimes, if we’re lucky, inside this shell there is a pearl.”

  Intrigued, Livia ran her finger over the shell’s rough edge. “What do you do with them?”

  “We eat the oysters and use the pearls in various ways. Some we use for jewelry, though only for special occasions. Some we tr
ade with other islands, and then some we grind up to use for medicine.”

  Livia took the oyster from him and looked at first one side, and then the other. “How do you know if it holds a pearl?”

  “We have to open it.” Without another word, he pulled a knife from his belt and pried open the oyster.

  Livia leaned to one side to look into the shell. Inside was nothing more than a glob of goo. Then Achates opened the shell further, and to her surprise, she spotted a small white bead.

  Achates plucked the pearl from the oyster and handed it to her. “Your first pearl.”

  She took it with a smile, amazed at how smooth it was. “It’s...stunning.”

  “We’ve been blessed with a fair abundance of them, but we’re sure never to take more than is necessary. The divers only go out once a week, and they take only as much as their small baskets will hold.”

  “Amazing.” She couldn’t stop looking at the small bead in her hand. She clenched her fist around it and raised her gaze to Achates’. “You’ve given me more in two days than I’ve had my entire life. Thank you.”

  “I’m only returning what is rightfully yours. There is no need to thank me.”

  Without thought, Livia rose up on her toes to give him a quick kiss. But before she could pull away, his arms wrapped around her, molding her to his hard body. He tilted his head, his hand cupping the back of her head and he kissed her as if there were no tomorrow. As if they were the only two people in the entire world.

  When he ended the kiss, she was once more breathless and yearning for more of him. The look in his eyes made her stomach flip in anticipation and chills race over her skin.

  “No matter what you think, know this, Livia. You are meant to be mine.”

  “Because we were betrothed at my birth?”

  He shook his head. “Because of the fire that burns between us. Do not deny that you feel it.”

  “I don’t deny anything.” She swallowed and stepped out of his embrace. “My body craves you in ways I’ve never thought of a man. When you’re near, all I can think about is you. Even your voice makes me tremble.”

  His gaze burned into hers. “Now you know how I feel. I want nothing more than to lay you down and lick every inch of your skin.”

  Livia shivered at his words. “Are you trying to shock me?”

  “I simply wish for you to know how badly I want you, how desperately I’m holding on to my control to keep from taking you right now. I want to allow you time to get to know your home first.”

  “What if I don’t want the time?”

  Livia didn’t realize until the words were out of her mouth just how true they were. All her life, she’d lived at the whims of her master, and now she wished to do something she wanted to do. She yearned to taste Achates again, to have him fill her mind, body, and soul as he had begun to do the night before. In short, she wanted him.

  All of him.

  No more words were spoken as Achates took her hand and pulled her through the thick hibiscus bushes and palm trees. She had to practically run to keep up with him, but with each step, excitement grew inside her.

  When he finally stopped, Livia gasped at the beauty before her. Lush vegetation accented with brightly hued flowers and gently swaying palm trees surrounded her. The calls of vibrantly colored birds filled the air.

  She could have sat all day and looked in wonder at the animals and flowers, but her attention was on another creature. His blue eyes had darkened and his blond locks were in disarray from their hurried excursion, and yet she thought him the most handsome man she had ever seen.

  And he wanted her.

  Livia faced the man who had saved her, the man who had given her a second chance at life. Achates. She owed him everything. Only, he didn’t want everything.

  Just her.

  He closed the distance separating them and pulled her to him. Her hands came up to rest on his chest. In one hand, she held the pearl; beneath the other, she felt his heartbeat.

  His hand moved slowly down her back, following her curves to her bottom where he gave her a gentle squeeze. He cupped her face with his other hand and caressed her cheek with his thumb. Slowly, his head lowered and he brushed his lips across hers.

  Livia wanted more. She yearned for a deep kiss like the one he’d given her the night before, the one that had made her forget everything but Achates and his touch.

  But Achates had other plans. His lips nipped and kissed hers until her hands wound around his neck and she rose up on her toes to deepen the kiss. She gave a little sigh when he finally slanted his mouth over hers and thrust his tongue between her lips. He moved his hand from her face to the back of her head.

  Her fingers delved into his wavy locks, loving the cool, silken feel of his hair. But she soon forgot all about his hair as her body began to awaken with each caress of his hands. Emotions and sensations unfurled in her belly and surged through her blood to center between her legs in a longing she knew only Achates could quench.

  He ended the kiss and leaned his forehead against hers. “I want you too much.”

  “Take me. I’m yours.”

  He growled low in his throat before he pulled her gown over her head and tossed it aside. It never entered Livia’s mind to cover her body, not when Achates looked at her with such hunger.

  He gripped her waist and took her lips in a fierce kiss meant to claim her. Livia sucked in a breath when his bare chest met hers. His skin was hot, his body, hard. She became so lost in his kiss that she didn’t realize he had lowered her to the ground until her back touched the cool leaves.

  He broke the kiss only long enough to shed his pants, and then he moved over her and settled his body atop hers. It was a glorious feeling, having his weight on her. Her breasts swelled and ached for his touch, just as her sex hungered to feel him.

  She groaned when he shifted to the side to cup her breast, his thumb moving back and forth over her nipple. Desire pumped through her with each stroke, and her hips arched against him of their own accord.

  He moaned and covered her nipple with his mouth where he began to suckle. Livia raked her nails across his shoulders as pleasure spread through her entire body, pushing her desire higher.

  She arched her back as he moved to her other breast, teasing her nipple mercilessly until it was a hard little pebble that begged for more of his attention.

  He settled between her legs, pressing against her as he cupped both breasts, his mouth moving from one nipple to the other while his tongue and fingers continued to pleasure her nipples until she couldn’t stand it. She wanted more, but didn’t know what to ask for.

  It was as if Achates knew what she desired before she did, for he began to edge down her body, kissing her stomach and navel. His lips traveled to her hips, where he nipped and licked, then kissed the inside of each thigh.

  Livia’s body was on fire. She tried to push her hips against him, searching for some relief from the tension building within her.

  A cry of pleasure and surprise tore from her throat when his hot tongue stroked her sex. She wanted to shift against him, to touch him, but every lick of his tongue over her swollen, sensitive flesh made her quiver for more.

  The desire that had wrapped itself around her intensified to a blinding need when his tongue danced against a hidden pearl in the folds of her sex. Her body moved on its own, lost in the pleasure. The tension built until her body hummed with it, tightening more and more. And in a blink, it burst. A cry of surprise and bliss erupted from her. She was swept away on a tide of pleasure so intense that for a moment, she thought she had died.

  When the tremors subsided, Livia opened her eyes to see Achates above her, a smile of masculine pride on his face. She had no words for how she felt, only that she knew she wanted more of him.

  He shifted his hips as the head of his cock pressed against her sensitive flesh. Achates whispered her name as he slipped inside her. He paused for a moment before his hips jerked forward. Pain ripped through her, but it w
as forgotten as she gasped at the fullness, at his incredible hardness. At how he stretched her and filled her.

  “Hold on,” he said and kissed her.

  Livia gripped his shoulders. He pulled out of her, and just when she was about to beg him not to leave, he thrust deep. She bit her lip at the pleasure that spiraled through her. The desire that hadn’t died, only dimmed, flared to life.

  In and out he moved, and with each thrust her body stretched for him, accepted him. She wrapped her legs around his waist, and he sank deeper. A groan passed through his lips as he kissed her throat.

  Livia never wanted the exquisite feelings to end. He thrust harder, deeper. Each plunge of his thick arousal sent more pleasure through her. Their breath, coming in great gasps, was the only sound that could be heard over the sound of skin meeting skin.

  To her surprise, she felt her body tightening again, felt the now familiar sensation that was about to take her.

  “Achates!” she cried out as her body clamped down upon his cock.

  His hips began to buck against her, faster and harder than before. Suddenly, he gave one more thrust and stiffened as he spilled his seed inside her. Livia smoothed his sweat-dampened hair away from his face, amazed at what had just happened.

  Awestruck that something so wonderful had been given to her.

  Something had passed between them, something more than just their shared lovemaking.

  * * * * *

  As Achates held Livia in his arms, he thanked Poseidon for helping him find her again. Even now, after pulling from her tight body, he wanted to plunge back inside her wet heat again. Without Livia, his dreams of a family would have been lost forever. Now, she was once more with her people. Yet she wasn’t truly one of them.

  “What is it?” she asked.

  He looked down at her lying on his chest with her eyes closed. “How do you know something is wrong?”

  She shrugged. “I just do. Besides, you keep sighing.”

  Achates held in another sigh. “Do you know why the Piratirans hate us so much?”