“Don’t you mean, become of you?”
He pushed himself closer so they nearly touched. Natalie inhaled swiftly, meeting his unreadable gaze.
“I think you would miss me, if I were gone,” he breathed.
Natalie wished she could shake her head and give him a convincing lie. But secretly she had no doubt he was right.
“Miss a man who is a constant pain in my side?” she said. “My life would get so much easier.”
He lifted a hand as if to touch her cheek before thinking better of it. Natalie watched the reaching fingers drop back to the bed. “Without me to challenge you, your life would be too boring.”
“You’re thinking rather highly of yourself. England and Spain are still at war. I’m sure I can find an enemy or two to enliven my day.”
“Not ones who will kiss you afterward.”
“Is that what you did? And here I thought you were cursing the day I was born.”
“I always was a slow learner,” he murmured. He leaned closer and Natalie couldn’t help lifting her lips to his.
His mouth was hot against hers. She tilted her head to give him better access. Reece’s tongue traced the seal of her lips and she obligingly parted them. As he kissed her, his free hand moved to her nape. Natalie shivered at the light touch as he played with the small curls he found there.
“I could get used to this,” she murmured when he drew back.
“What if I promised to kiss you just that way every day if you let me go?”
A sad smile twisted her lips. “Ah, but Reece, if I let you go you’d never kiss me that way again. You’d be too busy trying to remove my head from my body.”
He leaned his forehead against her and she closed her eyes at the simple pleasure of being close to him. “I can’t make you any promises when I’m chained. Not ones you’d ever believe.”
“Even without the chains,” she whispered. “I’d never believe your promises.”
He jerked back as if her words had actually hurt him. Natalie looked up at him with eyes unclouded by lust. “You’re a privateer and a lord of the realm. Why would you ever keep your word to a pirate?”
“You could give me the benefit of the doubt.”
“I haven’t lived this long by giving second chances.”
He looked down into her upturned face. “You are a hard woman, Natalie.”
She didn’t let him see how the simple words wounded. Yes, she was a hard woman. Soft women made poor pirates and when one had no options, the sea was the only escape. She hadn’t fought and clawed for everything she owned just to hand it over to the first man to woo her with tender words. No, hard women may sail the seas alone but at least they were masters of their own destiny. They didn’t spend endless nights dreaming of a man they could never have.
“Yes,” she agreed. “I am. And I’d never want to be any different.” Natalie pushed away from the bed.
“When have I ever asked you to be different?” His soft words stopped her. They did more than freeze her in her tracks. They slayed her. Surely this was all anyone wanted. One person, just one, to see them for who they truly were and want them anyway.
Why did her person have to be Reece?
She forced her body to move, biting back words she shouldn’t say. Ignoring his question, she moved around the desk to grab her chair. She felt his eyes on her as she dragged it over to the far corner of the cabin.
“What are you doing?” Reece asked, crawling to the edge of the bed to watch her.
Natalie grabbed a cover and threw it around her shoulders. Collapsing onto the chair, she kicked her legs up onto the nearby chest and settled in to get comfortable.
“I’m more than willing to share the bed,” Reece murmured.
That earned him a grin. “I bet you are,” she replied. The smile slipped from her face as she added, “But I won’t risk going to sleep only to wake with your hands ’round my throat.”
He shook his head with a bitter laugh. “You’ll never trust me, will you?”
She regarded him seriously, wishing she could answer his question a different way. But the truth was she never would. Not as long as they were on different sides.
“Would you ever trust me, Reece?” she asked instead.
His silence was damning enough.
“We’re not so different, you and I,” she told him, “so don’t ask questions you already know the answer to.”
For a moment he looked like he wanted to argue but in the end, he merely shook his head. “Sweet dreams, Captain,” he said, his voice soft.
Natalie closed her eyes in response. No doubt her dreams would be troubled and restless.
And filled with visions of him.
Chapter 4
“TORTUGA. A beautiful sight if there ever was one,” Alyssa said as the port came into view.
“Aye,” Natalie agreed, a grin on her lips. “Ready the anchor and belay the sails,” she called out. Her crew rushed around the deck in their hurry to follow the orders. Every one of them wanted nothing more than to rush into the nearest tavern and tell the story of how Captain Nate finally bested her old enemy.
Natalie stood at the helm. She too breathed a sigh of relief to see the pirate haven.
“And what of the prisoners?” James asked as he appeared at her side.
“We’ll be here two days, James. ‘Tis time enough to take on supplies and give me a chance to send a missive to Port Royal. Before we leave we’ll put them ashore. Until then we’ll take shifts and make sure there is always a watch to keep an eye on them. Happy?”
“And will you be staying ashore?”
Natalie grinned slightly. “Nay. There is some business I need to see to on land but I’ll be back before the sun sets.”
“Then I’ll stay on for the night watch.”
Clasping him on the shoulder, she shook her head. “It’s not necessary for both the captain and first mate to be aboard. Take the night, James, and enjoy the luxuries found on land. Think about it, a bed that doesn’t move with the waves, a tankard of ale and a hot stew.”
The words brought a smile to the old man’s face. “Perhaps you’re right,” he agreed. “Alright, I’ll man the first watch and you can relieve me when you come back aboard. And just in case you’d be liking a bit of luxury yourself, I’ll oversee the men tomorrow night.”
Reece in her bed was all the luxury she needed but she kept her words to herself. “Good man,” she said instead. Glancing around the harbor to ensure they were in place, she called out, “Drop anchor!”
She stepped back from the wheel, glancing at her cabin. “Will you organize the watches before the crew takes to the boats?” she asked. “I should check on Reece before we leave.”
“Aye, leave it to me, Cap’n.”
Nodding her head in thanks, Natalie strode to her cabin.
When she entered she saw Reece was standing as close to the port window as his chain would allow. He hadn’t deigned to wear the robe she’d left for him and instead chose to prowl her cabin naked. Natalie couldn’t help admiring the view he offered. How she wished there was time to run her tongue over his bronzed skin.
“Tortuga,” he said, turning his blue gaze to her.
“Aye,” she replied. “A more welcome port you’ll never find. Leastwise not for our kind.”
“Will we make berth here long?”
She smiled slightly, moving closer. “Trying to wring information from me?” she asked. “Why?”
“You leave me very little to use to my advantage,” he replied. “Information is all I have at my disposal.”
“Ah,” she murmured, stopping before him. “Then I shall tell you. Two days. Just long enough to take on supplies. Now, do I get a reward for my cooperation?”
With a growl he tangled a fist in her light hair and angled her lips up to his.
Natalie groaned as he plundered her mouth, leaving her no room to protest even had she wanted to.
/>
He wrapped an arm around her waist before twirling her backward against the wall. She hesitated for a moment when he pressed his hard body against hers, knowing her position was precarious. All that held him back was a chain about his ankle. But the dagger on her hip gave her a sense of safety. Should he try anything, he’d learn very swiftly she was not a woman he wanted to tangle with.
His hot mouth trailed down her throat, teasing the sensitive skin.
“Hell,” she swore as his fingers flew over the lacings of her trousers. “I don’t have time for this.”
“Make time,” he commanded.
“Giving orders, Reece?” she asked, biting her lip to hold back a cry when he slipped his hand into her pants.
“Trust me, darling, you’d love to follow my orders,” he breathed in her ear.
“Never going to happen,” she replied. “I’m the one in charge.”
“Aye.” The word was whispered harshly but the anger in his tone was at odds with the care he used to touch her.
Natalie muffled her cry against his chest as he stroked one finger along her wet sex. The touch was light and teasing, making her ache for more. But when the questing finger swirled around her clit she had to bite her lip to keep from crying out again. Natalie gripped him as he tormented her with slow, languid strokes.
“Reece,” she protested.
“I thought you didn’t have the time,” he purred.
“I’ve revised my assessment.”
“Good choice.” In reward, he drove two fingers into her, forcing a gasp from Natalie. The pleasure caught her unprepared. She tried to straighten, find a better hold, but her feet tripped over Reece’s.
With a cry they fell onto the bed together in a tangle of limbs. Natalie laughed as she fought to be free, momentarily blinded by her own hair. His own rusty chuckle filling the air, Reece helped her swat the blond strands away.
She lay beneath him, a soft smile on her face.
“I don’t think that’s ever happened to me before,” he told her. “How embarrassing.”
“I’ll keep your secret.”
Looking up at him, she couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen him smile with real pleasure. He looked almost as he had the first time she’d seen him in the bar so many years ago.
“I suppose the mood has been broken,” he said.
She sighed, rolling her body up against his. “I do have a thousand things to do today.”
“Then go,” he agreed, absolving her, “but remember to come back.”
Natalie grinned, loving the change she saw in him. She pushed herself up to brush her lips over his.
“I promise. I’ll come back as soon as I can.”
With a groan of regret, she pushed herself from the bed and forced herself not to turn back to look at the man she’d left behind.
If she had, she might have seen the Machiavellian smile curving his lips.
* * * *
Natalie tipped the pint up to her lips, savoring the last sip of ale. The tavern around her was already getting loud and rowdy despite the fact the sun had only just sunk beyond the horizon.
“Another one, Captain Nate?” the barkeep said, leaning on the counter.
She shook her head. “Don’t have the time, Tobbs. Places to be and all that.”
“Aye, didn’t you hear, Tobbs?” a voice added. “Natalie here has finally caught herself a man.”
Natalie stiffened, not bothering to turn to the man who’d come up behind her.
“Captain Carrick, what can I get you?” Tobbs asked.
“Rum. And one for the lady.”
“Just one, Tobbs, as this lady declines the offer.” Natalie turned to Carrick.
The pirate captain slid onto the stool next to her, looking annoyingly cheerful. “Come now, Natalie, don’t you want to celebrate?”
Natalie glanced at the man by her side. With his blond hair and blue eyes, he’d always had the good looks of an angel. And he definitely knew how to use his face to his advantage. Tonight, however, Natalie was in no mood to be charmed.
“Not with you,” she replied, looking away.
Carrick laughed, shaking his head. “‘Tis a cold welcome you’re giving me.”
“Last time I saw you, you stole a chest of gold from me.”
He waved away her words. “What’s a little thievery between friends?”
“Go away, Carrick.”
Tobbs came over with two glasses of rum and Natalie glared at him when he set one down before her.
“To Captain Nate,” Carrick said, lifting his glass. “And her ability to ensnare unsuspecting men.”
“Were you unsuspecting?” she demanded, rounding on him.
He grinned. “Ah, lover, you can ensnare me anytime. You know that. But since your obsession with the lord, I’ve seen very little of you.”
“Perhaps I just developed better taste in men.”
“Not if you’re still lusting after Captain Reece. And all accounts seem to suggest you are.”
Natalie grabbed her glass and took a sip. “My bed is none of your concern.”
“All right, I cry peace,” he said, holding up your hands. “Truly, I sought you out only to congratulate you. Privateers give pirates a bad name. I’m always glad to see one get what’s coming to ‘em.”
She smirked at his words. “Oh aye, your feelings wouldn’t have anything to do with jealousy, would they Carrick? We both know you’d fly England’s colors in a second if they’d have you.”
He grinned, a dimple appearing in his cheek. “You cut me to the quick, luv.”
“My words were true enough.”
Carrick inclined his head in agreement. “I confess; the freedom of the marque would be quite a thing to have.”
“No minister would ever be fool enough to write us one,” she replied. “I’m a woman and you’d attack English ships just as easily as Spanish ones if the opportunity presented itself.”
“Aye, well you might have a point. We’re not as noble as the good Captain Reece.”
“Literally,” she replied with a grin. “He had the money and connections to buy his freedom. ‘Tis not for the likes of us.”
“Still, lord or no, it was you who bested him in the end. That’s quite a feat. Indeed it is.”
Natalie stared down into the depths of her rum. “I thought you liked him.”
Carrick shrugged. “The man is all right if you meet him in a pub,” he replied. “But on the open seas I’d rather not tangle with him.”
She sighed. “I’ll drink to that.”
Carrick watched her over the rim of his glass, studying her profile. “So what are you going to do with him, then?”
“‘Tis the question on everyone’s mind.”
“And the answer?”
Natalie tipped the last mouthful of whiskey back. “Don’t know. Ransom maybe.”
“Who’d pay for him?”
“Modyford?”
“Not bloody likely. I heard the governor’s not Reece’s biggest fan. Not to mention word on the wind is the governor’s got himself into a bit of hot water. Now’s not the time he’ll be concerned with the life of a privateer.”
“What about Reece’s family? Wouldn’t they pay to have their lordling back?”
Carrick glanced at her with a puzzled look. “Do you not know about them, luv?”
“Tell me,” she commanded.
“Way I heard it, Reece came out here because he’s got nothing to go back to. Rumors say there was a falling out in his family. He’s here because he’s like us. A buccaneer without a home.”
Natalie frowned. “But I thought he came from privilege.”
Carrick shrugged. “Maybe you don’t know your lover as well as you thought.”
Maybe she didn’t. All these years, she’d resented Reece swooping in. She’d always figured when he got bored of his little rebellion he’d return to London, marry a lady and settle
down to a life of tedious boredom. Never—not once—had she considered maybe he was here because he had no where else to go.
The man just kept becoming a larger mystery.
“Where have you wandered off to?” Carrick asked.
Natalie blinked, turning back to her companion. “Sorry, what?”
The captain grinned. “You looked far away, luv. Why don’t you ask your man these questions? I’m sure he will be more enlightening than I.”
“Not a bad suggestion.”
“Or we could take a room upstairs and I can do my best to drive him from your mind.”
Natalie laughed at the offer. “While I appreciate the sentiment, I think I’d best be heading back to my ship.”
Carrick sighed. “My, my, Natalie, you’re starting to become predicable.”
“Thanks for the drink, Carrick. I’m sure I’ll see you around.”
“Aye, you will,” he agreed. “Next time you find a chest of gold.”
With a shake of her head, she strode from the tavern. Her heart sped up as she turned toward the docks. She had a dozen questions to ask her captive and more than a few wicked fantasies to fulfill.
* * * *
Natalie climbed up the rope ladder draped over the ship’s side. It’d been a long row to get back to the ship but it was easier to drop anchor in the harbor than navigate the crowded maze of ships at the dock. As she climbed she heard the soft sound of the dingy hitting the ship as it bobbled in the waves below. She hauled herself over the side and dropped onto the deck.
The curiously empty deck.
“James?” she called, knowing her first mate should be close by. “Alyssa? Roy?” No one answered her.
The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end as her body prepared for an attack. She drew her cutlass before prowling farther across the deck. The only sound was the soft slap of waves against the ship’s side.
Natalie strode toward her cabin, needing to know if Reece was still chained inside. If he was, perhaps he would have some idea of what happened. If he wasn’t…
Then she’d know what happened.
Her fingers had just reached out to the doorknob when she heard a footstep behind her.
A Pirate's Prisoner Page 3
