This is it. Percy took a slow, deep breath through his nose in an attempt to calm his riotous nerves. But all the while, he was exceedingly aware of Heather’s presence at his side. Before this assignment, they’d known each other well enough as an instructor and student, as friends, and even—after the masque—as lovers.This, however, was so much…more. With every truth, every revelation of his life, his very identity, left him feelingexposed.
Beside him, Heather gave an excited gasp, then leaned in close to Percy. “Duncan the surgeon came aboard!”
Grateful for the small diversion, he followed her line of sight. “Delightful. Now you may discuss the apothecary and plants with someone who has knowledge of it.”
Her smile fairly glowed with zeal, and a responding quiver jolted through Percy. Seeing her happy brought a new sort of pleasure he’d not expected. That bore further rumination, but now was decidedly not the time.
A muscle twitched in Percy’s jaw as he eyed the crew gathered before him.
“Men!” Percy boomed, his arms held aloft as he addressed the crush. “As you’ve no doubt noticed, I selected my second in command: Donovan.” The pirates murmured as Donovan inclined his head.
“I see some familiar faces among the crowd, but many that I don’t yet know,” Percy continued, his gut flipping again.What must Heather think of me?“I’m aware of the notoriety of my name, and while it mightn’t carry the same influence as ‘Butcher,’ you’ll be just as respected by the world as members of my crew. I shall ensure that you’re fed, paid, and feared, precisely as a pirate ought to be. And Iwillkeep you from the noose. But do not mistake my generosity for weakness. I mightn’t be the sort of man to murder you while you sleep, but if you openly defy me, I’ll keelhaul you.”
His pulse skittered as another wave of fear danced up his spine. While he could engage in combat with these men individually, he was greatly outnumbered. If anyone chose to form a mutiny, or if—perish the thought—one or more of the men attempted to harm Heather…
He cleared his throat of the thickness that had settled there. “That brings me to my companion. The fearsome Miss Morgan is not here for your enjoyment.” A chorus of groans swept the crew, and Percy resisted the possessive snarl that threatened. “As a deadly runner sent on a quest of infiltration from London to unearth the earl’s perfidy, she is extensively trained and lethal with orwithoutweaponry. Do not make the mistake of attempting a tryst with her.”
Satisfied with the sudden wariness in the men’s gazes as they eyed Heather, Percy barked, “Dismissed!”
The pirates dispersed as the first sprinkling of rainwater fell. But while they might have resumed their tasks, Percy felt their curious scrutiny burning into his rain-splashed skin.
“Lethal, Percy?” Heather murmured.
He grunted. “Is that a problem?”
Hell, he couldn’t think of another way in which to keep her safe. He trusted her training, knew she was skilled, and yet, like him, she was outnumbered on this ship.
“No,” she returned. “Not a problem.”
Her gaze grew distant, her bottom lip pulled between her teeth as she worried the tender flesh.What is she thinking?Just the knowledge that she was now exposed to a new side of him was decidedly unnerving.
“Are sailors in the habit of collecting fresh rainwater?” she asked abruptly.
He blinked, adjusting to the change in topic. “For many things, yes.”
“Might I request a cask be set out to collect rainwater for my plants? They are in dire need of proper care after being so sorely abused in the hold of theSapphire. Many of them perished, and I cannot abide the rest following suit.”
Despite himself, a smile tugged at one corner of his mouth. “I shall give it my best.”
He stepped closer to whisper in her ear, and a frisson of awareness shot straight to his cock.Fuck. Resisting the urge to adjust his falls, he muttered, “We must resume your fighting lessons, Heather. While we are aboard this ship, neither of us is safe.”
She audibly swallowed. “Very well.”
He pulled back and eyed the sharp blade in her hand. “I’ll procure a sheath and holster for you soon.
“Donovan,” he called to the man, who had taken to the helm. “Please see Miss Morgan to my cabin.”
“Aye, Captain.”
Something akin to confusion—pain?—flashed in her eyes, and hell if Percy wasn’t confused by it. Alarm, and a feeling that he daren’t examine too closely, spread across his chest, and before he gave it a moment’s thought, he swept forward, cupped her jaw in his hands, and drew her lips to his.
Fuck.
All at once, his skin grew taut and his breath stuttered as need spread like a turbulent wave across his body. He shuddered and angled his head to deepen the kiss. The tip of her tongue touched his, and all his blood flowed downward, making him dizzy with the sudden force of his desire.
Heather lifted on her toes with a soft moan and pressed her free hand to his side. Her skin was hot against his, soft and trembling ever so slightly. Gooseflesh spread over his ribs, extending from beneath her palm, and he desperately wanted to lean into it, to beg her to touch him everywhere.Hell’s tits, what this woman does to me!
But beneath the tempest of need building within him was the keen awareness of his crew watching them—and of the possible bairn in her womb.
