Pirate’s Persuasion is available NOW! #ParanormalRomance #SentinelsofSavannah #AmReading

Pirate’s Persuasion – available NOW!

BLURB:

Immortal pirate Drake Cole has a reputation in Savannah for his custom woodworking and historical restorations, but his work has grown into an obsession. He’s become a stranger to his crew since the Sea Dog sank in 1795. None of them know his painful secret. A young stowaway went down with the ship, one that Drake swore a blood oath to protect.

The ghost of a young boy, lost at sea over two hundred years ago, leads local medium, Heather Storrey right to Drake’s door. He saved her life before, and now she has a chance to return the favor, but how can she protect him from a curse that no one can see?

A dark coven possesses the figurehead from the Flying Dutchman, and if Heather and the immortal Sea Dog crew don’t locate the relic soon, Drake may be lost to them forever. Heather has seen the passionate man behind the veil of guilt, and she’s determined to free him from his self-imposed prison, and persuade this pirate to love again.

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She picked up her laptop and smiled. “You’re just in time to be my coach for Skull & Crossbones.”

“I thought you were kidding about the game.”

Truth be told, she’d been counting down the minutes until he arrived, envisioning dragging him directly up to her bedroom. She’d played through the scenario enough to convince herself she could enjoy him physically without endangering her heart. Live in the moment without any worry about the future.

After their hot kiss that burned the bacon, she’d had a tough time focusing on anything else, but now that he was here, and she knew they both wanted each other, insecurity wound itself around her like a giant squid, squeezing out her self-confidence and dragging her into the depths of self-doubt, reminding her of every oddity that made her “different.”

This morning she’d been certain of Drake’s desire for her, but now it all seemed…awkward. She wanted to smack herself.

Instead, she opted for distraction. She angled her laptop so he could see the screen, and he lifted his arm so she could get in closer to him. The weight and warmth of his arm draped around her shoulders was like a bellows to the spark that ignited the second he walked through the door.

She settled in to him, burrowing close to his side and almost purring like a cat, before she realized what she was doing.

She’d never truly “belonged” anywhere. Ever. And maybe it was because she’d loved him in a past life, but being close to Drake felt like she was right where she belonged.

It also meant her bravado about enjoying him in bed without allowing him into her heart was a pipe dream. She’d never been this comfortable with anyone.

Enough thinking in circles.

She showed him her ship and crew along with a brief rundown of the solo quest she was working on. Talking about her game was a million times safer than examining her feelings.

“You chose a brig for your ship.” He raised a brow. “Seems small compared to the Sea Dog.”

“Spanish galleons aren’t a choice in this game. You can have a brigantine or a frigate. The brigs don’t have as many cannons, but they’re much faster than the frigates.”

He nodded slowly, his thumb tracing along her shoulder. “Show me how it works.”

His simple touch sent tremors of desire through her that made it tough to concentrate. She cleared her throat and quickly demonstrated all the different angles and maneuvers.

Drake chuckled, shaking his head. “If only real ships could turn so quickly.” He smirked. “And I don’t remember any rockets back in my day, either.”

Heather grinned. “I never said this was historically accurate, just super fun.”

White sails appeared on the horizon. She pointed them out. “Here we go.”

He eyed the Spanish ship. “You aim to take that ship with this crew?”

“Aye.” She answered, adding a playful, “Arrr!”

The sound of Drake’s laughter made her melt into him. She’d never heard him laugh so hard. There was a playful spark in his gaze. “A true pirate says ‘fuck.’ The other is for buccaneer movies and theme parks.”

Heather rolled her eyes and chuckled as she focused on the game again. Checking her sails and current speed, she clicked the command for the gunners to start loading the cannons. She’d tried this solo challenge twice so far and lost both times. The Spanish ship had larger sails, which equaled more speed, plus their crew outnumbered hers by almost double. Unless she could blow some big holes in the ship. She didn’t see another way to win.

Drake leaned in close, his lips against her ear, and whispered, “Want some advice from a seasoned pirate?”

She looked up at him, finding his lips too close to resist. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she tipped her chin, kissing him long and slow. His thumb slid along her jawline as heat blossomed low in her belly. Damn. This pirate knew how to kiss.

She broke the kiss and met his eyes. “I’d love some…advice.”

Desire smoldered in his gaze, but he turned toward the screen and pointed to an island in the distance. “Your ship is smaller and more maneuverable, but the Spanish won’t be able to resist chasing down pirates. Fly your colors and lead them closer to the shallow water.”

Heather raised a brow. “I’ve played against this ship before. They’re really fast.”

“So ye better rally yer crew, captain.”

Oh shit, hearing his true nautical accent had her heart racing as she faced the screen again. She reset the course for her ship toward the island.

The pirate flag unfurled at the top of the mast and her virtual captain shouted to the crew, “Full sails ahead! Land ho!”

She glanced over at Drake and found him engrossed in the sailing ships on the screen. The strong angles of his profile matched the strength of his character, and seeing him enjoying something on the computer warmed her heart. If she could figure out how to get his nephew to stop haunting him, there was a chance she could lure this immortal pirate into the twenty-first century.

The Spanish ship was closing the distance between them. Heather quickly clicked the keys to load the rest of the cannons. “They’re going to be in firing range soon.”

“Aye.” Drake pulled her closer and pressed his lips to her temple, short-circuiting her brain for a moment. “Right where we want them, love.”

This was her first time really encountering his piratical side. She liked it.

Drake leaned in for a closer look at the screen. “Tell them to drop the anchor off the bow only.”

“Wait. We’re stopping?” She frowned.

His eyes sparkled, and his devilish grin left her breathless. “Nah, the ship will swing around. Get ready to fire the cannons.”

“Okay.” She wasn’t completely convinced, but she did as he asked. Her captain shouted, “Drop the anchor! Prepare to fire!”

As soon as the anchor caught the rocky sea floor, the ship groaned, turning into the wind.

“Boom about, mateys!” the captain bellowed. “Bring a spring upon her cable. Tie down the lines!”

Heather watched the maneuver play out on the screen, her jaw going slack as the pirate ship spun around, the cannons now aimed directly at the Spanish galleon. The Spanish crew scrambled to slow the ship and turn, but the wind was at her back.

Drake placed his hand over hers, his voice deep and low. “Not yet. A little closer.”

She worried her lower lip, her fingers hovering over the keys.

“Now,” Drake whispered. “Fire.”

Heather gave the command, and the cannons came alive on the computer screen. Smoke and gunpowder turned the blue sky into a thick gray. Across the screen, the cannonballs hit their mark, opening giant holes in the Spanish ship.

“It worked!” Heather exclaimed, bouncing on the sofa.

“Fire one more round, then we plunder the ship.”

She bumped against Drake’s chest. “I love the way you think.”

“Fire!” the virtual captain shouted.

Wood splintered and exploded from the Spanish ship. Heather clicked the screen to lower the boats. Her virtual crew piled into them, rowing over to the wounded Spanish galleon.

She turned toward Drake with a grin. “You’re a genius.”

“Nah.” He chuckled, shaking his head. “I’m a pirate.”

He stared into her eyes and slowly kissed her. She set her laptop aside as her lips caressed his. His arm slid down her back, and he pulled her closer. She didn’t resist, in fact, she pivoted toward him, sliding her leg over his until she was straddling his lap.

His growl of approval sent a tremor of lust through her entire body.

Whatever insecurities had taunted her earlier, her desire for this man blotted them out. He stood up, taking her with him. His strong hands gripped her ass as she clasped her legs around his waist. He carried her toward the stairs, and from the couch came the familiar ping of the Skull & Crossbones messenger.

Queenie could wait. She’d tell her all about it tomorrow.