her lower belly. Shook through her body until she cried out from the wicked impact.
His heated length pulsed inside her with warning. His corded muscles tensed and he shouted as he reached his own climax.
It was a fantastic guttural sound.
Primitive. Sexy.
He cried out again and his hot sperm shot into her very depths.
Afterwards, he lay on top of her, his softened flesh still buried inside her, his hot breath framing her face as he slowly fell asleep.
Cate smiled. He’d always done that. Fallen asleep after making love to her.
Rest up, darling. Rest. For when you wake up I want you to fuck me over and over again.
Cate shuddered as realization washed over her.
Despite the Claiming Law being thrust upon them she now knew in her heart that no matter who fucked her, her body would only belong to Jude Outlaw.
* * * * *
When she awoke, Cate discovered her bindings were gone and a warm blanket covered her nude body.
There was no sign of Jude and she immediately knew why.
The boat was dipping and rising so badly it tugged a sour knot of nausea at her stomach. A quick look out the rain-streaked windows confirmed her suspicions.
A storm had hit.
Giant frothing white waves splashed over the bow and decks of the cruiser. Beyond she saw nothing but gray mist and silvery sheets of rain.
Scrambling out of bed, she ignored the gentle ache between her legs and quickly donned a white peasant style dress she found on a nearby bolted chair before rushing outside.
Cool rain slashed over her and a strong salty wind blew against her as she headed up the metal stairs to the pilothouse situated directly on top of the sleeping quarters.
She found Jude struggling at the wheel. Rain slanted beneath the awning pummeling his body.
Immediately she noted the blood staining the bandage on his lower arm. Guilt assailed her for doing such a horrid thing to him. But this was no time to feel guilt. She had to do something to help him fight the storm and she had to do it fast!
An idea quickly formed and she headed toward the coiled rope in a corner of the pilot-house.
When he spotted her he yelled angrily, “Go down below! Stay there!”
“ No!” She screamed back, wiping the rain from her eyes and sifted through the oily smelling coil frantically looking for one end of the rope.
“ I said get your ass below!” He shouted again.
She ignored him and found what she was looking for. Looping the end of the rope through a hook bolted into the floor she secured it.
Beside her, Jude swore. “Dammit woman! Listen to me! Get your ass into the engine room and stay there!”
“ What? I can’t hear you?” she lied.
Fumbling through the coiled rope, she found the other end. Tugging it along with her, she quickly looped it around Jude’s waist and tied it with another knot.
Damned if she was going to lose him now.
He cursed again but she knew he was helpless to stop her. If he removed his hands from the wheel there was no telling what would happen to the boat.
“ For God’s sake at least tie yourself down too,” he cried frantically as the wheel jerked in his hands. “I don’t have time to worry about you!”
She nodded and searched for another coil of rope. Finding one inside a cabinet, she quickly pulled it out.
A moment later, she had herself secured and joined him at the wheel. He seemed relieved when her warm hands slid over his cold ones.
The wheel miraculously steadied.
To her surprise, he smiled at her.
Stubborn man. Didn’t he know that a woman was just as strong as a man?
Another ocean wave heaved itself over the bow, spilling water in a V above the decks and into the pilothouse slamming into both of them with such a fury she tumbled against Jude.
“ Spread your legs! It’ll give you balance!” he shouted above the screeching wind.
Cate nodded her understanding and did as he instructed.
They fought the storm that way for hours. Their hands gripped tightly to the wheel. She stood behind him using his body for