Page 4 of Freed by the First Mate (Pursued by Pirates #1)
Hyuk’s cabin was impressively big, following the curve of the bow of the ship with small, reinforced windows all along two sides.
There was a big desk by the bow next to the private bathroom and a massive bed in the opposite corner.
There was even a porcelain tub in the bathroom already filled with steaming water, a luxury Kai had never seen before.
“The Captain’s quarters are even nicer,” Hyuk said a bit sheepishly. “But I’m sure you’ll see those soon enough. You deserve only the best. Didn’t you think my crew is handsome?”
Kai felt like he was permanently blushing from all of Hyuk’s suggestive comments, something he was entirely unused to.
He always thought he was too scrawny and poor to be of much interest to anyone, but from the heated looks the others had given him and the way Hyuk couldn’t keep his hands to himself, Kai was starting to feel a little desirable. Just a little.
“I haven’t met all of them yet,” he demurred. Hyuk seemed to take it as a challenge, shoulders set and chest puffed up.
“Just wait,” he assured Kai. “We have the handsomest crew on land or sea. And they’re all the best, talented and kind and brilliant.”
The love in his voice was obvious once more.
Kai couldn’t imagine being surrounded by so many people and loving all of them, but the conviction in Hyuk’s voice and the demonstration of the easy, comfortable camaraderie between the four others he had already met had him filled with hope.
Maybe this fantasy of an escape could truly be real, a ship where dreams could come true.
Even if all he had was Hyuk and that little tailoring room, though, Kai would already count himself as blessed.
“I think Simon said he would put out some clothes for you,” Hyuk said.
He opened his wardrobe and pulled out a set of clothes that were nicer than anything Kai had ever seen before.
Stretchy, slim-fit trousers and a silky tunic, with a broad leather lace-up belt and thick robe trimmed with fur to ward against the chill outside.
“Go wash up,” Hyuk suggested. “The temperature should be perfect now. And, Kai? Be thorough. Our ship has strict standards of cleanliness and, after we’ve decided on your rules, you may be subject to inspections after your baths.”
Kai nodded mutely and fled to the bathroom, the tips of his ears red.
Inspections ? He stripped off his clothes quickly to try to distract his mind, folding them and stepping into the blissfully warm water.
He groaned in pleasure as the heat loosened his muscles and sprawled out in the tub, wondering if this was what heaven felt like.
He soaked for several minutes before starting to wash up, starting with his face and hair.
He preferred to stay clean but lately the weather had been too cold for him to bear doing much more than a splash.
With the way Mr. Kim kept docking his pay and pushing him deeper into debt, he couldn’t afford to heat up water for his cleaning.
Having an entire tub of steaming water to soak in and no massive piles of work hanging over his head truly was blissful.
There was a knock on the door, and Hyuk’s voice called his name.
Kai looked down at himself, at his bare body still clearly visible through the soapy water, and back at the door.
He remembered the way Hyuk seemed to crave him, always wanting more and handling Kai as if he was precious.
As if he was a treasure finer than any a pirate could steal.
“Come in?” Kai said tentatively. The door opened and Hyuk stepped in, smiling at him. He placed a thick, folded towel on the small shelf in the bathroom and picked Kai’s clothes up off the ground, squeezing Kai’s shoulder.
“Dry off and come into the bedroom when you’re done,” Hyuk said. “Some of the clothes are a bit difficult to put on, so I can help you. Unless you want me to bring them in?”
Kai hesitated, knowing just as well as Hyuk did that there wasn’t anything very difficult about putting on a pair of pants and a shirt. Perhaps the other parts were more complicated, but…
“I’d be very grateful if you could help me,” Kai said demurely.
Hyuk smirked and stroked the back of Kai’s head fondly, giving the back of his neck a soft squeeze and stepping back out.
This time he left the door wide open, giving Kai a clear view of the room as he bathed — and vice versa.
Kai soaped up his hair and ducked under the water to scrub it clean, unable to stop thinking about the inspection Hyuk had referenced.
He didn’t know who would conduct such a thing, if it was the doctor or Simon as the quartermaster or someone else, but the idea had him squirming as arousal pooled deep in his gut.
He could just imagine standing at attention without a stitch of clothing as a big, tall pirate examined his body, checking every hidden crevice and patch of damp, freshly-bathed skin to make sure Kai had cleaned himself appropriately.
Would he get punished if he hadn’t? Turned over Simon’s knee and spanked until he was crying and kicking his feet, his ass glowing a deep red and hot to the touch.
Or perhaps he would be praised if he met their standards, shown off to the others so that everyone could compliment him for being so obedient and following orders well. Kai didn’t know, but he wanted .
He could have sat in the bath forever but he was starting to feel almost desperate as desire clouded his mind, turning his fingers clumsy and his brain to mush.
He cleaned himself carefully still, even daring to delve between his cheeks and under his balls.
His cock was hard and he grit his teeth as he scrubbed it a little too hard, making it tingle and ache as he finally finished and stood.
Water streamed off him as he stepped out of the tub and reached for the towel.
He was keenly aware of the wide open door as he wrapped the towel around him and dried off, shy and yet slightly eager to show off at the same time.
He couldn’t look to check, but he hoped Hyuk was watching as he bent over with his back to the door and unnecessarily dried off his feet.
When he was done, though, his bravery fled him.
Hyuk might have been watching but now he was at his desk, facing the opposite direction.
Kai wrapped the towel tightly around his body and stepped towards the door, shaking slightly with sudden nerves.
It was just Hyuk, he tried to remind himself.
Hyuk whom he had known since he could walk, Hyuk who had always stuck by him and who had sailed across the entire world to have Kai at his side.
Hyuk who treated him so carefully and lovingly without fail.
“H-Hyuk?” Kai stuttered. Hyuk turned and his eyes darkened as he took in the sight of Kai, trembling on the threshold of the bathroom with only a towel wrapped around his body.
“Come here, baby,” Hyuk said, his voice as soft and syrupy sweet as if he was coaxing a skittish animal. “You’re doing beautifully for me.”
Kai blushed with pleasure and hurried over, his fingers easily letting go of the towel fabric as Hyuk tugged it away from his body to leave Kai entirely bare.
Hyuk threw the towel carelessly over the desk and lifted Kai into his arms, half-tossing, half-placing him onto the bed.
Kai landed with his limbs akimbo and stared up at Hyuk, heart racing and mouth dry as he realized how vulnerable his position was.
Hyuk was still fully clothed in the luxurious, expensive silk robes with all of his jewelry and rings on.
He tossed aside his hat and got on the bed, kneeling between Kai’s legs and gently pushing Kai’s thighs apart to make more room.
Kai’s muscles were quivering as his legs fell open, his cock hard and drooling against his stomach.
He felt shivery all over with breathless anticipation, unable to look away from Hyuk’s hungry gaze devouring the sight of him splayed out in Hyuk’s bed.
“How much have you done since I left, sweets?” Hyuk asked. His thumbs rubbed slow circles on Kai’s inner thighs, sending flickers of pleasure tingling straight to Kai’s cock.
“Nothing,” Kai admitted. Hyuk’s eyes flared with raw hunger and Kai gulped, nearly letting out a mortifying whimper of want. The tension was so thick he could barely breathe, every inch of his body yearning for Hyuk’s touch.
“Oh, sweetheart,” Hyuk murmured. “I am going to devour you.”
He bent forward and captured Kai’s lips with his, the kiss surprisingly gentle at first. Kai gasped at the tenderness and Hyuk took advantage, deepening the kiss and licking hungrily into Kai’s lips.
Kai felt as if he was falling, tumbling in free fall and unable to do anything but cling desperately onto Hyuk’s arms as he hung on for dear life.
Hyuk’s silky robes brushed against Kai’s spread thighs as Hyuk pressed forward, bringing their bodies flush together and pinning Kai to the bed as he kissed the breath from Kai’s lungs.
Kai’s legs wrapped instinctively around Hyuk’s waist, toes curling as Hyuk nipped at his lower lip and dove back in with a hoarse groan of pleasure.
“Fuck, baby,” Hyuk cursed. He kissed Kai’s lips hard, the kiss turning rough and biting in a mess of teeth and tongue as he thrust his hips against Kai’s ass in a steady, firm rhythm.
Kai arched up into the filthy kiss, wordlessly begging for more and moaning as Hyuk started trailing wet, sucking kisses down his jaw to the nape of his neck.
Kai’s head fell back against the pillow in ecstasy when Hyuk reached his pebbled nipple and latched on, worrying the bud with his teeth and immediately soothing the sting with a flick of his tongue.
He repeated the motion on Kai’s other nipple and moved down, nipping at the quivering expanse of Kai’s stomach and leaving a trail of red marks blossoming over Kai’s skin.