Take Me Forever Read online

  “It’s a pity. What was it Cain sent him to do again in France? He told me this morning, but it has slipped my mind,” Mercy asked sneakily.

  “I never ask about his business. I just trust that he will come home safely.”

  “It doesn’t bother you to not know where he goes or what he is doing?” Mercy asked perplexed.

  “You’ll learn soon enough. It’s better not to know. You won’t worry as much if you don’t know the perils of their journeys.”

  “I suppose your right,” Mercy answered in defeat that she would learn nothing from her new friend.

  After another hour of endless chit chat, Elese came knocking on the door for Mercy. Mercy was more than eager to escape Bethany’s boring stories and thanked her for her hospitality. She did enjoy making a new friend but her mind was too preoccupied with wanting to solve the mystery.

  Over dinner, Mercy persuaded Cain to take her for a walk along the beach. Hand in hand, they strolled along the moonlit beach. He paused and watched the tide roll into the shore as he pulled her into his arms.

  “I hope you like the life I have created for you Mercy,” Cain said as he gently kissed his new bride.

  “I do, except for all the secrets.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Why is Luke’s mission such secrecy? What does it have to do with me?” Mercy boldly asked.

  “What?” Cain asked stunned.

  “Tell me Cain,” Mercy demanded.

  “Mercy, what gave you the idea it was about you?”

  “I heard you talking to Luke at the house this morning,” Mercy confessed.

  “You were eavesdropping!” Cain said.

  “Not intentionally. I was looking for you when I heard voices.”

  “What did you hear,” Cain demanded as he interrupted her.

  After Mercy told Cain all she had heard earlier, he was outraged. He grasped her tightly around the wrists. He was so angry, but not at her. He was angry with himself for being so careless. Mercy could see the rage in his eyes and felt his wrath around her wrists while she waited silently for him to calm down.

  “I’m sorry Cain,” Mercy said as she began to cry.

  “From now on, make your presence known. It’s not a woman’s business to know her husband’s affairs,” Cain stated as he released his hold on her.

  Mercy had never seen Cain so angry and she was suddenly afraid of him. Frantically, Mercy began to run up the beach. In a couple of quick lunges, Cain caught her and threw her to the ground. Suddenly, her memory came flooding back to her. Mercy shook with fear and rage beneath him. Everything he had put her through, she remembered in absolute detail. Mustering all the strength she could, Mercy slapped him and tried to push him off of her.

  “I know I was too harsh with you and I am sorry I overreacted so, but you will learn your place and do not slap me ever again,” Cain stated calmly yet firmly.

  “You tricked me! I know who I really am,” Mercy yelled!

  “You mean who you were. You belong to me now, legally,” Cain retorted.

  She could no longer hold back the tears. He threw her over his shoulder and carried her back to the house crying, kicking, and screaming. Mercy beat her fists into his back with every step he took.

  “You know, I think I liked the new Mercy much better than the old one,” Cain said as he placed his hand over her mouth to muffle the screams before entering the house.

  Once he had her safely in his bedroom, Cain knew he had to do something drastic. He locked the door and put the key around his neck. He safely tucked it inside his shirt. Now that Mercy knew the truth, it was time for him to confess and he would keep her safely locked in the room until she could calm down and realize how much he truly cared for her.

  Cain grabbed a bottle of rum and downed a few shots before coming over to the bed and sitting down beside her. He reached his hand out to touch her cheek only to have her turn away. Mercy could not look at him as he began to speak.

  “Mercy, I’m sorry it has come to this. I didn’t mean to deceive you. I knew it was the only way that you would stay with me. It was sheer luck that you hit your head and got amnesia. Once I told you that you were my wife, it was too late to tell you the truth.”

  Mercy turned to look him in the eyes as she responded, “How could you do that to me?”

  “I felt drawn to you and I could see how much passion you were hiding and I wanted to be the one to unbridle it instead of some boring stiff that you would have ended up marrying.”

  “I want to go home.”

  “You are home. I was going to give you the best life, much better than the one you would have ended up with.”

  Mercy didn’t say a word as tears gushed down her cheeks. She was so angry at him for deceiving her. The one thing she hated the most was the fact that she had fallen so deeply in love with him. He tricked her into really marrying him, and now there was nothing she could do. How could she forgive him for this?

  “I need some air. Please let me out of here,” Mercy said as she went to the patio door only to find it locked as well.

  “This key unlocks every lock in the house and I am keeping it safe right here for now,” Cain said as he patted the keys near his heart.

  Mercy glared into his cold eyes as she curled up in a ball on one corner of the bed. She shivered as he draped his strong arms around her. The touch that once made her tingle now made her cringe. She was not sure how long she cried but she must have cried herself to sleep. The sound of thunder made her wake up during the night. She turned to face Cain as was certain he was asleep thanks to the rum. She waved her hand across his face to make sure he was in a deep slumber. Looking at him now, she realized why she had fallen for him. He looked so gentle and loving when he was asleep.

  Slowly, Mercy tried to take the key from around his neck. It wouldn’t budge. She was going to have to try to turn him so she could free it. She maneuvered her hand underneath his head and cautiously began to remove the key. She did not know how dangerous it was to try to steal something from a sleeping pirate. As soon as she had the key in her hand, she was thrown on her back with a sword at her throat.

  Holding her down with the tip of his sword at her throat, Cain realized who he was holding his sword on. His hand began to shake as he thought about how close she had come to being killed.

  “I can’t believe you. Do you know how close you came to getting your throat cut?” Cain growled as he withdrew his sword and tossed it to the floor.

  “Let me out of here,” she pleaded.

  “I can’t,” Cain said as he suddenly got an idea to release his adrenaline.

  “Get off me,” Mercy said as she recognized what he had in mind.

  Cain held her pinned to the bed as he straddled her tiny body.

  “You are my wife to do with as I please however I please,” Cain said as he found his way under her dress and thrust himself inside her.

  He did not give her time to adjust to his size and once he was spent he saw the pain he had caused in her eyes. Realizing how brutal his lovemaking had been, Cain stroked her hair and caressed her cheek as she silently wept. He really didn’t mean to hurt her the way he did. The power he held over her took him by storm and he could not control his actions. Without saying a word, Cain lay down beside her.

  “I’m sorry,” he whispered as he wrapped his arms around her and locked them together.

  While Cain slept, Mercy cried silently until she could cry no longer. Her entire body ached and she was physically exhausted. At first light, Cain stared at his sleeping bride.

  “Are you hurt?” he asked when she awoke.

  Mercy nodded.

  “Please forgive me,” Cain said as he kissed her on the forehead.

  “Never. You made me love you and it was all a lie. You are just using me regardless of my feelings. I will leave this place and get as far away from you as possible.”

  “What is done is done and you are mine whether you like it or not. Once you
calm down you will see the type of life I can give you. Until then, you will remain locked in here or by my side at all times. I will tell my staff that you have a fever that is making you delirious and are not to be disturbed no matter what they may hear.”

  “They won’t believe you,” Mercy retorted.

  “You forget my dear, I run this island and my people do as I say and believe what I tell them,” Cain replied as he locked the door as he left.

  Chapter 11

  For the next few days, Cain kept Mercy locked inside the bedroom. He told Elese and his other servants that Mercy had developed something very contagious and the fever was making her delirious. They were to not go anywhere near his bedroom and he would take care of her himself. On the fourth day of being locked inside the room, Mercy was going stir crazy. She pleaded with Cain to let her out and at least take a bath.

  “Are you ready to calm down and talk about staying here of your own accord?”

  “I will not forgive you!” Mercy hissed.

  “Then a bath is a luxury you’ll have to earn,” Cain said as he placed her food tray on the bed and quickly left the room.

  “Please Cain,” she begged as she banged her fists on the door and sobbed.

  While Cain listened to her pleas, he felt bad but he felt this was the only way to keep her here and to keep her safe. In her current state of mind she might walk off a cliff or injure herself horribly. An hour later, Cain unlocked the bedroom door and told Mercy to find some clean clothes. She stared at him in silence as he escorted her to her prepared bath. He locked the door behind them and pointed her to the water.

  “Get undressed and get into the water,” he ordered.

  “Can’t I do this in private?”

  “No,” he answered as he sat down in a bamboo chair beside the tub of water.

  Mercy turned her back to him and slowly undressed herself with him watching every move. As she eased into the water she felt the warmth radiate throughout her body. The hot water felt so nice. She was glad to finally smell clean as she scrubbed her entire body with mountains of soap. When she was almost finished, Cain reached into the tub and washed her back. She froze as he touched her body. If she refused him, she was afraid of what else he could do to her. As his hand stroked her soft skin, Cain felt his nature rise. He couldn’t stand much more of this torture.

  Once her body had been cleansed she held her breath and dipped her head under the water. It felt so refreshing to wash her hair as she lathered it with coconut scented shampoo. She knew Cain was watching her but she had no idea the torture she was putting him through. She had no idea he was about to burst with sexual desire for her. He couldn’t wait for her to finish bathing so he could relieve himself. She is my wife after all, thought Cain as he retrieved another bucket of hot water and poured it into the tub. He undressed himself and joined her in the water.

  Mercy could only stare at him as she could find no words. She sat motionless as he sat down in the tub. She could tell that he had an erection and knew what he wanted.

  “I won’t hurt you this time,” Cain whispered as he kissed her gently on the lips.

  With his kiss, Mercy felt a warm sensation flow through her body. She was mesmerized by him. She was frightened of him, but somehow she still felt safe in his arms. He was the man who could kill her, but he was also the man who would kill for her to protect her. She discovered that there must really be a fine line between love and hate.

  As his hands roamed her body underneath the water, Mercy sat in silence before becoming overwhelmed with desire of her own. She run her ringers through his thick black hair as his fingers found her most intimate treasure. He scooped her out of the water and sat her on the edge of the tub.

  “Sit still,” he ordered as his head dipped between her legs.

  Her body shook as his tongue worked around her inner thighs. His eyes stared into hers as he worked his magical tongue on her most prized possession. She held her climatic sensations inside instead of showing him how much she was enjoying what he was doing.

  “Let it out. I know you want to,” Cain teased as he wiped his mouth of her sweet honey.

  “I don’t know what you are talking about,” she said with shortness of breath.

  Cain laughed as he sat back against the tub and motioned for her to join him. Slowly she stood and obeyed his request. His mouth watered as he gazed upon her wet, naked body standing in the water before him. He reached out a hand to her and guided her to sit down on top of him.

  “Mercy, I want you. I will not hurt you ever again. I promise,” Cain whispered in her ear as he guided himself inside her.

  He pulled her legs around his back and placed her arms around his neck. A sparkle formed in his eyes as he slowly lifted her up and down on top of him until she found the rhythm on her own. He lowered his head and caressed each breast with his tongue.

  “That’s it,” Cain moaned as Mercy began to move a little faster.

  In a few seconds more, both of them were exploring the world of ecstasy. Mercy could no longer harbor her desires. She screamed his name aloud as she found her climax. As he heard her scream his name, he too found his own release. After their orgasms ceased, Mercy placed her head on his strong muscular shoulders and relaxed with their bodies still fused together.

  “You see, we do belong together. You feel it don’t you?” Cain asked as he kissed his wife.

  “I… I don’t know,” she stammered.

  “Can you trust me again?”

  “I want to,” she answered weakly.

  “If I promise not to ever deceive you again, will you stay here with me?”

  “Yes, I’ll stay,” Mercy answered as she looked deeply into his sincere eyes.

  After giving her a very long passionate kiss, Cain got out of the tub and dried off then assisted her in doing the same. As she started to put on her dress, Cain stopped her. He tossed her his shirt and told her to wear it instead. Obeying she smiled as she put it on while he put on his trousers. They walked hand in hand back to the bedroom and this time when Cain locked the door it was so that they would not be disturbed during their lovemaking.

  That night, Cain took the key off of his neck and placed it on hers. He was giving her not only the key to the room, but also the key to his heart. With their arms and legs intertwined, the two lovers drifted off to a peaceful sleep.

  Mercy awoke during the night and watched her sleeping husband. He had trusted her and now she must trust him. She held the key in her hand and looked at the door. She smiled at her sleeping husband. She placed her head on his rippled chest and went back to sleep. Cain knew she was awake and waited to see if she would stay or go. He was relieved when she curled up on him and went back to sleep. She was his now forever.

  The following morning, Cain watched and waited for Mercy to open her eyes. While he was waiting, Elese knocked lightly on the door.

  “Cain,” Elese whispered.

  “What is it?”

  “Luke is back and should be landing within the hour.”

  “I’ll be right out,” Cain answered as Mercy awoke.

  “What’s going on?” She asked sleepily.

  “Luke is back from his journey. I must go meet him. Get dressed and Elese will fix you something to eat. I will be back soon,” Cain said as he left and informed the staff that Mercy was no longer contagious and no longer quarantined.

  Thirty minutes later, Cain was standing on the beach waiting on Luke to join him.

  “Captain,” Luke said as he joined him.

  “Profitable trip I hope,” Cain stated.

  “I have some bad news. It seems that her family fell into despair after losing Mercy and her father drank himself to death and her mother died of a broken heart. There is no reward for her now. I’m sorry Captain, we were too late.”

  “That is tragic. A lot has happened while you were gone as well,” Cain said as he told his second in command everything that had transpired.

  “I’m glad to hear that eve
rything worked out. You were playing with fire and were lucky you didn’t get burned,” Luke replied.

  “You know I always get what I want when it comes to women and riches,” Cain answered with his chest puffed out.

  “Speaking of riches, I stumbled across something interesting in a tavern on the way home,” Luke said.

  “Well, what is it man? Don’t keep me in suspense,” Cain said impatiently.

  “A treasure hunt.”

  “Treasure huh?”

  “While I was in the tavern I overheard some of the locals talking about the legend. It seems there is an island somewhere where there is so much treasure that it would take many men just to haul it out of its hiding place. The locals said there was a map but even still no one was able to find it.”

  “Did you see the map?” Cain inquired.

  “Not only did I see the map, but I have the map,” Luke said as he pulled out the map a local had given him.

  “What is that?” Mercy asked.

  “Nothing,” Cain said as he rolled up the tattered map and stuck it in his trousers.

  “There you go keeping secrets again,” she sneered.

  “If you must know, Luke brought back a treasure map.”

  “How exciting! When do we leave?”

  “We? You aren’t going. This is too dangerous for a woman,” Cain stated.

  “Cain….,” Mercy whined.

  “No. My word is final.”

  “If you don’t let me go, I might run away,” she teased.

  “I’ll just lock you up again before I leave,” Cain chided.

  Mercy scowled at him and forgot all about finding out about Luke’s real mission concerning the reward for her. She scowled at Cain and walked back toward the house. Cain sent Luke home for a brief rest and then began barking orders to crewman he saw and told them to prepare the ship. Afterward, he walked home and tried to figure out how to tell Mercy about her parents.

  During dinner, Cain told Mercy what Luke had found out about her parents. She was quiet for a moment before starting to cry. Cain went over to her and put his arms around her while she sobbed and told her not to blame herself.

  “I will take care of you. You are not alone,” Cain reassured.