"I definitely prefer your mouth," Claire said in a light tone while slowly trailing her lips down Owen's neck. His chest vibrated with a deep chuckle, and he ran his fingers through her hair.

"I'd prefer your mouth, too," he answered huskily between shaky breaths, "but you can unman me any way you want." After being unable to stop at a kiss, he'd convinced her that using their hands wouldn't compromise her ability to respond to calls for the ship's captain or her role as older sister. Her tension instantly started melting away when Owen's hands found her bare skin. Each touch seemed to reach her core. When he finally brought her to the brink, Claire disconnected from reality and lost herself to ecstasy. She scarcely knew it was possible that way and, in all honestly, felt like he'd been holding out on her. Once returned to awareness, his smug grin weakened her resolve not to go further than manual stimulation. It had been too long since they were together in this way. She'd managed to bury her desire to have him every day. Now, it was back and stronger than ever.

As she prepared to reciprocate, she teased him to cover the nervousness about her inexperience. It was all self-flagellation, however. Owen, laying flat on his back, clearly enjoyed everything she was doing to him. While she might not have to do much, she wanted to do it well all the same. Encircling the great length of him with her hand, he groaned loudly just as she blushed at the thought of using her mouth instead. She refrained from voicing fears of choking on him. His eyelids fluttered shut when he grunted, "You're unmanning me too quickly. It's not good for my reputation." He opened his eyes to wink at her, and her nervousness vanished.

"Better not tell me these things," she smirked. "I'm apt to find someone with more stamina."

"You are wicked." That was all he managed to say before closing his eyes again. Her strokes found a rhythm that delighted them both. Claire liked watching him and reveled in him writhing beneath her touch. When he felt himself nearing the peak, Owen lifted himself up to kiss her. Her whimper at being startled intensified his release. She never tasted so sweet. Pulling her with him, he fell back onto the bed. His hand began to pet her as he might a cat, and she shivered with pleasure. "Bravo, Captain," he crooned low. The sentiment held multiple meanings. He meant to show her over time how deeply devoted he could be. God, how he loved her! It was a dream come true for him. "You are in my blood, Claire." There was a silence of utter contentment. Were it not for the moisture he suddenly felt dripping onto his chest, he might've thought she'd drifted to sleep. She lifted her head to look at him with tear-filled eyes. Cupping her cheek, Owen's thumb wiped away a stream.

"You'll never let me go?" she asked after drawing a stuttering breath.

"Never."

"Even if I'm cruel?"

"Aye, there will be times for us both to be." He tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "We have stubborn natures." They both laughed. "And, you won't leave me?"

Fighting back fresh tears, she stammered, "If Charlotte brought us together, 'twas Echo that ripped us apart. I've hated that ship since I boarded it for Gyrisfana Valley. There is balance in their destruction." Owen stared blankly back at her. Realizing that she was too vague in her wistfulness, Claire added, "That is to say, you're stuck with me." His resultant smile was ear-to-ear and made her want to giggle like a wee lassie. She felt simultaneously young and womanly in his arms. Cradled this night, however, she slept like a baby.

The following morning, the boys refused to leave their sister's side. She had constant shadows as she paced the top deck. Owen eventually managed to distract them with the tricks he'd taught Dom so that Claire could have a few moments to her thoughts.

"English ships!" came a loud call from the crow's nest. The captain extended her own pocket spyglass while Owen and her brothers rushed to her side along the starboard railing.

"Who are they?" asked Owen, laboring to subdue his wariness. Three ships bearing the English flag were headed directly for their two ships.

"I don't know," Claire answered. "I can't make out the crest on the secondary flag of the lead vessel." The group stood stock still until she added happily, "It's the Marisco family crest!" While she seemingly searched for signs of the Lord of Lundy, Owen groaned audibly. The muscles on one side of his face twitched. Adam de Marisco might not have anything to do with the sabotage, but Lord Grady couldn't help viewing him as a rival. Especially with Claire almost bursting with excitement at his ships' approach. She instructed her first mate to signal to Tanaka on Delta.

"If he's coming to our aid, we won't need to stop in Spain," she spoke giddily, "and our remaining ships would undoubtedly return to Masrannessey safely."

"He might be coming to finish us off," grumbled Owen in response. Claire did a double-take and looked on him with incredulity.

"Owen." Her warning tone gave him a shiver, and not the good kind. "He wouldn't openly challenge us while flying Bloody Mary's flag. He'd trigger an all-out war between the Irish and English. Even if you don't trust him, he's a smarter man than that."

"He thinks he's smarter."

"Owen!" Her voice was almost shrill. Dom barked harshly in response, breaking Claire's focus.

"What's wrong?" Zachary asked haughtily. "You don't like Adam?"

Owen scoffed, "Adam? Are you on such friendly terms?"

"Yes. He's impressive. Rich, funny, and-"

"Giant!" Grayson interrupted with glee. "He's the biggest man I've ever seen, and he talks to us like men - equals!" The boys nodded furiously at one another while Claire suppressed a laugh.

"What is that supposed to mean?" asked Owen, his impatience and frustration growing by the second.

Zachary explained, "He picks us up so that our eyes are at the same level."

"A sign of respect," added Claire, grinning smugly.

"Does he carry you, too?" Owen's words dripped with sarcasm, but she only rolled her eyes. Her brothers dissolved into a fit of giggles before she could open her mouth to speak.

"He'd like to do more than carry her," Zachary managed to say as his body shook with mirth. His sister shot him a nasty glare while Grayson's face scrunched in confusion, perhaps realizing that he wasn't laughing at the same thing as his older brother.

Pulling Claire aside, Owen whispered gruffly, "No excuses this time. Keep the ring on your finger."

Her eyes slitted before she hissed, "That was not an excuse. It's too loose to be worn into battle." One side of her mouth curled upwards prior to her finishing her thought. "Your mother had fat fingers. I'll have the smith resize it immediately upon our return. Then, I won't be afraid of losing something so precious." Smiling provocatively, she took his hand in hers. Owen's jaw relaxed. The burning rage in his eyes cooled.

He brought her hand to his lips and - after kissing it - said, "You're the most precious thing to me."

"I know, but I'm not...loose." Though her voice was teasing, her face was solemn. "Stuck together." Surprising him, Claire stood up on her tiptoes to kiss him on the lips. It was brief, but the implication was clear. She was marking him as much as he was her.

Within the hour, de Marisco's ships came to rest a short distance from Blue, and the imposing Lord of Lundy was rowing himself unaccompanied to bridge the gap. The boys were correct: Adam was a massive man. Owen steeled himself for a confrontation. His mind toggled between suspicion and relief at this unexpected appearance. It could not have been a coincidence. A lifelong bachelor, the English giant was said to be the last of his line and as much a cutthroat as anyone. He was a legitimate trader, but Claire revealed that the man made his fortune giving sanctuary and selling supplies to privateers and smugglers.

De Marisco's huge bulk sent a tremor through the top deck when he finally climbed aboard. Zachary and Grayson ran to greet him while Claire and Owen stood a short distance away. It took most of Lord Grady's focus not to possessively place his hands on his betrothed.

"Lads!" shouted Adam, his voice thunder-deep as he swept them up into an embrace. "I'm so happy to see that you're safe." His hair was as black as night, as was his full, well-barbered beard. He sported a gold earring in his left ear. His doublet was of fine, soft leather, and his white silk shirt was open, revealing a thick mat of hair. His commanding boots rose well above his knees and covered pants of a deep green. Owen very nearly gulped out of sheer intimidation, and that was before their visitor turned his smoky, blue-eyed smolder on Claire. Adam kept his gaze fixed on her as he strode across the deck with purpose. Greeting her in the French fashion, he held both her hands as he planted quick kisses on her cheeks. Owen's tightly pursed lips transformed into a cocky smile when he witnessed Adam's dissatisfaction at noticing the metal on Claire's left hand.

Running his thumb over the ring, the Lord of Lundy gasped, "Little girl, are you now old enough to be wed? But not to me?" He feigned offense, licking his lips and leering at her seductively. When Owen loudly cleared his throat, Adam's eyes drifted away from her to appraise the other man. "Is this him?"

"Yes," Claire answered firmly. "I'd like to introduce Lord Owen Grady."

Mouth agape, de Marisco composed himself before inquiring, "The MacWilliam's heir? Captain Marauder?" He appeared impressed but wary. "Of course, I know you by reputation."

"I know you in the same way," sniggered Owen, eyes narrowing. "And, Claire's not a 'little girl' - she's a lady and tall for a woman."

Adam huffed, "She's a full foot shorter than I and has never been bothered by that particular term of endearment." Watching the men posture at each other, Claire almost laughed. The boys had returned to her side but were shifting their weight nervously between their feet.

Zachary spoke first, "Tell Adam about our adventure, Claire."

"How you saved us!" Grayson interjected.

"How you saved Owen," added the older brother slyly. Lord Grady finally ended his staring contest with Adam and appeared to be seething when he turned toward Claire.

"Alright, boys," she redirected in a soothing tone. "You need to stay on deck with Dom while we talk in my quarters." The lads groaned loudly in protest as Claire took Owen's hand to lead him away. For his part, Owen resisted all impulses to gloat about being included. Her confident grip on him was both relaxing and arousing. It was enough reward for him, especially in the context of the English giant's gritted teeth and sagging shoulders.

"What brings you to us?" Claire asked pointedly. Her tone and demeanor were stern as she sat across from Adam at her desk. Owen was leaning against the wall to her left side, planning to remain silent during the discussion between captains.

Ignoring the somber mood set by his hosts, Adam responded lightly, "Your man, Tanaka, wrote to me of Charlotte's misfortune and your journey to Corvo. I wanted to be of assistance." He paused to smile broadly. "I wish to ensure your safe passage back to Ireland." His statement elicited polar opposite reactions from Claire and Owen. She breathed a sigh of relief while his body went rigid. Owen didn't appreciate the Lord of Lundy's sultry voice and body language directed toward a taken woman. His woman. As he'd resumed ignoring the other man, de Marisco missed what went unspoken. Words escaped them all with the sudden sound of fast-approaching footsteps outside.

"Captain Dearing," boomed Tanaka's voice followed by his pounding on the door.

"Come in," Claire answered cautiously and quickly stood. Owen's right hand moved reflexively to the sword on his hip. His eyes never left the other man, who remained seated and, oddly, impatient. Upon entering the room, Tanaka immediately raised his sword to their guest's throat.

"Jesus, man," sputtered Adam, raising his palms. "What's the meaning of this?"

"Hold yer tongue," Tanaka hissed back. Turning to Claire, he said, "What did he tell you?" Claire's arms crossed over her chest. Her heart was racing, and her breathing hard. The amount of deception surrounding her was almost suffocating. Not Adam, too.

She took a deep breath and replied, "That you wrote him about Charlotte being taken to Corvo, and that he's here to help." Her loyal captain chuckled viciously.

"Did he now?" He twisted the blade at Adam's neck, drawing a small trickle of blood. "Funny, I didn't write him our destination."

Sweat forming on his brow, de Marisco pleaded, "I can explain!" Six expectant eyes bore into him to elaborate. "My castle steward, Eli Mills, he...he read your letter. I never even saw it. He told me where you were meeting the pirates."

"Why should we believe you?" Owen piped up, barely able to contain the urge to run the man through with his own sword.

"Someone has set me up." As Adam gulped, the others snorted. "Mills knew I'd leap at a chance to rescue Claire." Fixed on the Dearing herself, his eyes had gone beyond pleading. He looked embarrassed and defeated. "I've wanted you in my bed since first we met, and-"

She cut him off, "You thought I'd be so grateful..." Her voice trailed off as she sat back down and sighed. Even Owen relaxed. He, more than anyone, could empathize. When Claire motioned for Tanaka to stand down, her captain reluctantly sheathed his sword but didn't step away.

After rubbing his neck, Adam nodded his thanks then looked at Owen. "I didn't know," he said quietly. "Claire is beautiful and a lady. I knew of no other way for someone like me to possess something so fabulously rare as she. You are a lucky man." Turning to Claire, he continued humbly, "My business 'ventures' may be unorthodox, but I am an ethical man." Her brows knitted as she leaned back in her chair.

"Oh, Adam," tutted Claire, shaking her head dismissively. "My father taught me that the only way to avoid being cheated by one's steward was to do one's own household accounts." Careful not to sound overly-condescending, she maintained a teasing air. "I hope you haven't given this Mills character too much leeway with your books. Otherwise, you have much more to worry about than Captain Tanaka's blade."

"I still wish to accompany you to Masrannessey."

"No." Her tone was harsh in its lack of emotion. The playfulness had drained from her expression. "You'll provide the supplies my ships need to return home. Then, you'll sail in tandem with us to the Celtic Sea, where we'll part ways." She might as well have slapped Adam in the face. Giving each other a sideways glance, Owen and Tanaka communicated their shared approval and pride in her leadership. Claire truly was a force of nature. "Available information suggests that the trading company was betrayed Henry Wu, the healer at Dearing castle. I believe his deception was encouraged by the MacWilliam and that misdirection was the keystone of the plot. Seeding doubt paramount." De Marisco's eyes flitted to Owen, whose jaw and fists were clenched. "We both likely have surprises awaiting us on our isles."

"I'll have Mills drawn and quartered for this!" The English giant smacked his palm against the armrest of his chair, causing it to crack. Claire laughed softly while rolling her eyes.

"Do what you must, but please get answers from him first - not everyone party to the sabotage knew all the other players." Directing her attention to Tanaka, she continued, "Lord Grady will tell you what we learned. I need to speak with Lord de Marisco alone." At this, Owen blanched. She gave him a warning look before smiling sweetly. Trust and mutual respect were needed to fight their real enemies. Winking, Owen led Tanaka out of the room. As soon as the door shut behind them, Adam waggled his eyebrows at Claire, who couldn't help but smile.

"Adam, while I am grateful and flattered, that was never going to happen."

"Even if Lord Grady wasn't here?" His features conveyed a mixture of hope and childish pouting. A deep sigh escaped her lips. Men are such fools, she thought.

"He wasn't there when you first asked me, but he's always been in my heart." It was his turn to sigh. He stood and walked around the desk toward her. Reflexively, Claire was on her feet as well.

"Relax," he said gently. With unexpected delicacy, Adam scooped up her hand to kiss it. "I meant what I said earlier...about you. Once my pride heals, I hope you'll tell me the full fairy tale, little girl." A sly grin split her face, and he cocked his head inquisitively.

"It's quite scandalous, I assure you."

"Don't make my jealousy worse." Biting her lip, she stopped herself from taking a swipe at him - not wanting to be a tease. He, nonetheless, caught her restrained movements, and his face fell. "We could've been a formidable pair."

Her hands flying to her hips, Claire scoffed, "I thought you just wanted to bed me!"

"Perhaps, you make me want something more." There was no guile in his tone. She knew he meant that sentiment, too.

"Friends?" Eyebrows raised expectantly; her expression conciliatory.

Smoothing his bearded chin in contemplation, he mused, "I've never been friends with a woman, but I'll make an exception for you." A faint blush spread across her cheeks.

"Thank you."

"I'll send you a message after I interrogate Mills." Flashing a roguish, lopsided grin, he glanced at the door and asked, "Shall we linger a bit longer to make him sweat?" Claire blew the loose strands of hair out of her eyes.

"You're incorrigible."

After the boys hugged Adam goodbye, Claire led them toward the bow to quiz their nautical knowledge. Dom bounded alongside the trio. Towering a half-foot over Owen, the Lord of Lundy loudly cleared his throat.

"I want to clear the air," thunderous voice in a more subdued tone. "As long as you're in her favor, I'll make no further overtures." It sounded vaguely threatening, but Owen didn't flinch.

"That's very...'big' of you," Lord Grady answered mockingly.

"It's a consistent descriptor." His boisterous laugh rumbled about the deck, and Owen eventually joined in. He had walked right into the joke. Clapping a large hand on the other man's shoulder, Adam said seriously, "I've spent time in both the English and French courts. Claire's combination of strength and beauty is without rival - she could take on a queen."

"Or a king."

"Aye." Adam looked wistfully in her direction. "She's like a star, wondrous and sparkling and unobtainable...to me." Turning to Owen once again, he added, "I'll leave the star-catching to you."

Owen watched as de Marisco returned to his ships. Lost in his thoughts, Claire managed to sneak up on her betrothed just as she did the last time he was ruminating on the Lord of Lundy. When she brushed up against him, he almost startled. Waiting to follow her lead in terms of further contact, he whispered, "You're astonishing."

"Thank you." She didn't have to specify what. Her gratitude reflected many things, just like his own statement. He smiled down at her, and then her lips met his in a kiss of incredible sweetness. Their mouths melted into one another until there was no beginning and, seemingly, no end. He wanted the kiss to go on forever, for her touch had transported him beyond the world he knew and into a realm of light and love so pure that he knew nothing would ever be the same again for either of them.

I hope you enjoyed the giant and what he brought out in Claire and Owen. Thanks to everyone who has stuck by this story and encouraged me, especially AkaJB, hushedgreylily, thehelloitsme, Camazotz, and Wax. Some days, writing seems impossible, but you keep me striving :)