He leaned across his desk and clasped his hands together, watching her as though she were some sort of exotic creature he'd never seen before, and she shifted on the divan uneasily.
"You know, when I paid for you, Abdallah cautioned me that you were quite possibly mad.” He watched her reaction, then sat back. “I do not know this place you speak of, and I have sailed every ocean known to man."
"I'll tell you what's mad. Mad is being abducted and sold into slavery. And as far as your not knowing America, I don't suppose you've considered that you're not as well traveled as you think you are.” How in the world was she going to explain where she was from, when she wasn't even sure where she was? She decided to take a different approach, maybe she could reason with him. “So, what if you just dropped me off back in Kirn, and we'll put this whole unpleasant episode behind us?” He stood then, and she followed him with her eyes. He acted as though he weren't even listening, and her annoyance began to overtake caution. “You know, it's rude to ignore someone when they're speaking to you."
Esteban moved to a small table and picked up a crystal bottle. He poured them both a drink and walked back to her.
"Here.” He handed her the glass and she took an experimental sniff. He sipped his first and she took a small sip as well. It was wine, very good wine.
"It is Minalosian wine. Some of the finest in the world,” he commented, savoring it as he sipped again. He moved and sat upon the divan beside her, fingering a lock of her hair. “You are very fine as well."
Nervously she moved away from him until she was against the arm of the divan. She gulped the wine and set the empty glass on the table beside her.
"I don't think this is a good idea,” she said quietly. “Maybe you could just bring me back to Kirn. I-I would be very grateful."
He looked at her and turned his head a little. She was very unusual.
"I have no intention of bringing you back to Kirn.” He smiled, revealing a set of strong white teeth. “You belong to me now."
"I do not belong to anyone,” she said stiffly, irritation giving way to anger.
He narrowed his eyes slightly. “Come here and kiss me."
"What? Are you crazy? You can't ... I mean ... I'm not some...” she sputtered, struggling to find words.
He grinned at her discomfort. Had she immediately done as he'd asked, he would have been disappointed. He enjoyed her bantering remarks, and was utterly enthralled by her spark.
Kate stood then and moved away from him. He watched her, then slowly rose and followed.
Looking around she realized there was nowhere for her to go. She moved to the bedroom door and opened it, then closed it quickly, turning to face him. She definitely did not wish to be there.
"Oh shit,” she muttered.
Then he was right there, pressing her against the door, just barely touching her. Kate took a deep breath and looked up into his face. He was enormous, close to a foot taller than she was, and huge. She could feel his taut body pressing against her, and suddenly her mouth was very dry. Oh, my God. Kate exhaled a long shaky breath.
"You wish to go to bed?” He grinned.
"No,” she groaned.
He drew his hand slowly up her side, as he'd done before. She was painfully thin and he would have to remedy that soon, but for now he only wanted to touch her and establish his position, and hers.
He cupped her breast stroking her nipple with his thumb, and then bent his head to hers. “I will take that kiss now."
She turned her head and looked at him, then raised her fist and punched him as hard as she could in the jaw.
He staggered back at her blow and his eyes flashed in anger. “Dios!” he exclaimed, “You hit me!"
"I'll do worse if you touch me again!” she hissed.
He gingerly touched the rapidly rising lump on his jaw and grimaced as he looked at her. He could see her breasts heaving with each breath as she moved back into the wardroom. She was petrified and it took a great deal of courage to do what she'd just done. He couldn't wait to get her into his bed.
He smiled. “You are a very disobedient slave.” Slowly he approached her, closing the distance between them.
"I am not your slave!” Kate backed up but there wasn't much maneuvering room and she was stopped by a divan. He reached her and she raised her fist again. Expecting this, he caught it easily and pulled her down over his lap as he sat upon the divan. She brought her other hand up and he took that one also.
Now he held both of her wrists by his side, immobilizing her. He brought his free hand up and then down, spanking her backside hard.
"Ouch! You bastard!” she yelled.
He spanked her again and again, ignoring her cries and threats and names, until she finally was reduced to tears.
"Please stop!” she cried. Her hair hung down obscuring her face, muffling her words.
He paused. “Please what?"
"Please ... sir?” she tried, sniffling.
"That is better.” He let go of her wrists and lifted her, then carried her to his bed. Spanking her and having her submit to him made him want to throw her down and take her right then. He was so aroused his entire body ached with need. He wanted to soothe that ache within her, but he knew he couldn't. Not yet.
There was something about her that appealed to him beyond just her face and her body. Perhaps it was her unique way of speaking to him the way a man would, or the way she pretended to be unafraid when everything about her told him she was terrified. Right now, it didn't matter. He had plenty of time to figure out what it was about her. All that mattered now was that he calm her fears.
He'd established his position.
He laid her face down upon his bed and pulled her silk pantaloons down, admiring her bright red backside.
"No!” she wailed and tried to squirm away but he held her firmly, placing one hand upon her neck.
"Be still."
Defeated, Kate buried her face and lay crying into the pillows.
He relaxed his grip on her neck and with his other hand he reached to the drawer near his bed. He withdrew soothing cream, which he smoothed over the redness upon her backside. She stiffened at his touch, and then relaxed a bit when she realized he was not going to invade her body.
"We must have an agreement, Katherine,” he said after a few moments.
"What?” she asked miserably.
"I will not hurt you, if you do not hurt me. Because, as you can see, I will hurt you quite a lot and I do not wish to do that. Do you agree?” He still held her neck.
"Y-yes."
"Yes what?"
"Yes, sir."
Instead of releasing her, he bent closer to her and licked around the shell of her ear and she made a low moan.
She tried to turn her head from him but he tightened his grip.
"Now I will have my kiss,” he whispered against her face.
She swallowed hard and closed her eyes. She would allow him to kiss her, but she wouldn't respond. Perhaps he'd lose interest and leave her alone!
He turned her head and tipped it back, then pressed his lips to hers. She clamped her lips together in a tight, thin line. He smiled against her mouth. “So that is how it will be?” He released her neck.
She didn't reply.
He carefully pulled her pantaloons back over her bare backside, bent and kissed her once more and then left the room, locking her within his bedchamber.
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Chapter 3
Esteban made his way to the upper deck. The sun was setting and the ship was ready to take the tide.
His first mate, Manuel, rushed to him and gave his report. “All is ready for departure, Captain,” he said finally.
"Good.” Esteban moved away from him and climbed to the bridge; he watched as the crew cast off and the tide began to pull them out to sea. The sails were unfurled and caught the first gust of wind, moving them rapidly toward the open ocean.
His ship, Viceroy, was the swiftest and most
heavily armed of her class in the southern seas with more than twenty sixteen-pound guns. Presently she was low in the water loaded with freight and valuable cargo. He planned to rendezvous with the Lyrosian fleet near Dolcit, a Silanian port. He would present the admiral with his gift, trade his goods and then, hopefully guarantee his continued good standing with them.
He did not need the Lyrosian fleet hunting him. It was bad enough the Basaltics and the Andalosians wanted him for piracy.
Technically he was a freebooter, but he was cautious and kept the Lyrosians, the Minalosians and the Qasslians happy by not attacking their ships.
He stayed upon the deck until nearly midnight. When he was satisfied they were well out to sea, he ordered the lanterns extinguished and they sailed on in the darkness, drawing no attention. Manuel stood beside him overseeing the other sailors who worked below, and caught Esteban as he brought a hand to his forehead, massaging his temples, but said nothing. The captain did not wish for the crew to know of his headaches.
"Take over and call me if there is trouble.” He spoke quietly to his mate, and then moved below deck.
Katherine had moved from the bed when he locked her in. She rifled through his things looking for a weapon so she could protect herself. Unfortunately there was nothing, not even a brass candlestick she could brain him with should the need arise.
Her backside was still sore, but not as much as it had been before, and she knew she was more upset over the humiliation of being spanked like a child than she was hurt.
He would be back though, and she would have to deal with him. She stood looking out of the grand windows near the bed. The sea was huge and black.
If he thought she was simply going to lie down and spread her legs he was sorely mistaken. She would fight him like a hellion and he certainly wouldn't want her then. He'd have to let her go ... wouldn't he?
"Yeah, or he'll toss you overboard,” she said to herself.
"No, I'd give you to the crew first.” He spoke from behind her and she shrieked.
"Jesus!"
"No—Esteban.” He turned, walking from the room.
He took off his frock coat and hung it over the back of his chair, then unfastened his belts. He had a dagger and two pistols, which he laid upon his desk.
She watched him warily as she came and stood in the doorway. He moved with a lithe grace that belied his size. In her experience, Kate had always noticed larger men tended to move in a more lumbering manner. Esteban most likely had learned his surefootedness as a sailor.
He ignored her and opened a small safe near the floor. He put his knife and guns within the safe and closed it, locking it firmly. She knew he'd done that for her benefit.
"How is your ... backside?” He stifled a small grin as he sat in his chair.
"It's fine,” she replied stiffly.
"Good. I think you may have loosened a few of my teeth, though."
She blanched. “You aren't going to spank me again, are you?"
He smiled wanly. “No, I was joking."
She let out a long sigh of relief. Until now, she hadn't realized how very scared she was. He was looking at her again and she stared right back, refusing to lower her gaze, examining him as he did her.
He wore two gold earrings, one in each ear. They gleamed mellowly in the dim light.
"Come here,” he said finally, indicating the divan. “Sit down.” When she hesitated he added, “Please?"
She came all the way out into the room and sat upon an ottoman lightly, trying to put as little of her weight upon her backside as possible.
Upon closer examination, Kate realized he looked exhausted; deep shadows had begun to gather under his eyes.
"We started out badly, Katherine. I apologize. My name is Captain Esteban Magalia; this is my ship, Viceroy."
"You're an officer; isn't it in your oath to be gallant and gentlemanly ... or something?"
He grinned. “If I were a naval officer, I suppose it would be. However I am not a member of any navy."
"You're a pirate, aren't you?” she demanded. “Dammit. I should have guessed."
"You are quite knowledgeable for a woman."
"Yeah, I've been told that.” Sarcasm edged her reply.
"You speak strangely,” he commented. “Where are you from?"
"Pawtucket, Rhode Island."
"Excuse me?"
"Nowhere you'd know,” she sighed.
"The slaver said he purchased you in Kirn. Are you Andalosian?"
"I don't even know what the heck an Andalosian is.” She sighed. “May I have some wine?"
"Yes, you may.” He smiled a little.
She moved to the table where the wine was and poured a glass. “Would you...” She paused and took a deep breath steadying herself, trying to accept the role of servant. “Would you like some?"
"No, thank you, Katherine.” He had wondered if she would offer it, and he was pleased that she had asked.
He took a deep breath of his own and closed his eyes. Slowly he lowered his head to his hands. He'd felt a headache coming all night and dreaded it. For the last month, he'd been tormented by infrequent but incapacitating headaches and nothing the physicians did helped very much. He knew that soon he'd want to vomit, and that any light or sounds would cause him agony. Sometimes he would hallucinate, experiencing phantom sights, sounds and smells. The headaches were painful and terrifying.
As she sipped the wine she turned and looked at him. “Are you okay?"
"Okay?” he repeated. “I do not know that word."
"I mean, are you well?” She set the glass down.
"No, I have a blistering headache,” he said quietly.
"Can't you take something for it? Oh, never mind."
She wished she had her pack, and then decided to ask. “I don't suppose old Abdallah sent my pack along with me, did he?"
"The bag you mean?” He was massaging his temples. “Yes, I think so. He said you were an ill omen and did not wish to keep any of your possessions."
"Great!"
He opened one eye and looked at her. “Are you a witch, Katherine?"
"Witch? No, I'm not a witch,” she said. “But I know a few things. Do you want me to help you with that headache?"
He looked up at her all the way now; something like hope lit his features. “Can you truly help me?"
"Well, I think I can. It sounds to me like you have a stress headache. Where is my pack?"
He indicated a small shelf near the door and she walked over to it. Sure enough, there it sat, untouched. She opened the pack and pulled out a can of energy drink and a brand new bottle of over-the-counter migraine tablets along with one of her supply of chocolate bars. She swallowed back tears that had leaped to her throat and eyes as she recalled buying them at the C-Store at the airport.
She pulled herself together; dwelling upon how she had come to be here wasn't something she wanted or needed to do just now.
Kate poured the energy drink into a glass, and then shook out two pills. The candy she set on the desk for the time being.
"Do you get these headaches often?"
"Not often, but enough to dread them.” He spoke quietly as he watched her.
She handed him the glass. “Drink this."
He made a face at the unnatural green color of the liquid in the glass. “You're joking."
"No, trust me."
"You would have every reason to poison me."
"You're right, but I won't.” She lifted the glass and took a sip. “Trust me. I get headaches all the time."
He took an experimental sniff, then sipped and grimaced at the sour flavor, but went back for another. She grinned and handed him the pills. “Swallow these."
Once more the doubtful expression clouded his face.
"Esteban, I will not hurt you. We agreed, remember?"
He took the pills and swallowed them both, and then sat back. “I do not feel any better yet.” She could hear a petulant tone creeping into his words.
> "Men are the same everywhere, apparently,” she muttered. “Just wait, okay?"
She moved behind him and placed her hands on the back of his neck massaging the muscles and rubbing upward along the cords to the back of his skull. He made a low groan.
"Do you want me to stop?"
"No, no..."
She kept going, rubbing the stress from his neck until he was nearly purring under her hands.
"You really ought to lie down,” she said.
He jerked awake at her voice; he'd nearly been asleep. “Yes, you're right.” He moved to stand and she steadied him.
"I'll help you. Those pills can kick your ass."
"What?” he said faintly. He'd never met a woman who spoke the way she did.
"Never mind.” She smiled.
She got him to his bed and pulled off his boots as he sat swaying slightly.
"I feel very strange.” He began to fumble with the laces on his shirt.
"Yeah, like I said, that medicine is powerful,” she replied. “Let me help you with that.” She helped him pull his shirt off. His chest and back were broad and muscular with a soft thatch of dark hair, tapering to a flat well defined stomach and trim waist. His body was spectacular, just as she thought it would be. She looked at the buttoned flies of his breeches and decided to leave them alone.
"This is not how I planned the night."
"Oh, I'm sure."
"Will you rub my neck again?” He sounded very tired and she knew he'd be asleep soon.
"Yeah.” She climbed up beside him and rubbed his neck and his shoulders until she felt his breath even out and slow down. “You'll feel a hundred percent better in the morning,” she whispered and pulled the comforter up over them both. She could have gone to sleep on the divan, but seeing him in pain, and the way he had seemed so vulnerable, softened her feelings for him and she decided the comfortable bed was probably a better choice than the couch. She fell asleep facing his back, breathing softly upon him.
Esteban awoke with the dawn and was surprised to find Kate snuggled against his side. He recalled entirely everything that had happened the night before and he was actually somewhat surprised to be drawing breath today. He'd been afraid she had poisoned him, so quickly had her medicine worked. Normally when he had a headache, he was unable to arise from his bed for at least a day.
Calthraca: Secrets And The Sea [A Calthraca Novel] Page 4
