“For a gentleman, you sure do have the mouth of a pirate.”
The breeze pushed against her and she slowly made her way away from the mast. Her bare toes curled around the smooth wood and she raised her gaze to the horizon, making sure to sway with the swells.
The lieutenant swore again. “You’ll break your neck.”
She paused and looked down at him. “Worried for my safety, are you? Be careful, Lieutenant, or I may begin to believe you’ve a heart.”
Adrenaline coursed through her veins as she let go of the rigging and edged out further. One strong gust of wind and she’d tumble headfirst to the deck below. She carefully lowered herself into a crouch and made quick work of tying one end of the rope in a knot around the top yard.
Satisfied with her work, she let the line fall and dropped onto it. The muscles in her tired arms screamed in protest. She shimmied down to the main yard and gave the rope a solid tug.
“Are you coming, Lieutenant? I thought we had an appointment.”
“There are easier ways to board a ship, Red.” He pointed to where his crew extended a gangplank over the water. With a solid thunk, itlanded on theHurricane’srailing.
She laughed. “Where’s the fun in that?”
“Come down here.”
“You’ll have to come and get me.”
He glowered up at her and she held her grin even as her heart threatened to beat free of her chest. She’d never flirted with a man like this before. It felt good. Empowering.
Before she could blink, he’d jumped into the ratline and began to climb with ease. When he lifted himself onto the main yard, she took an involuntary step toward him. With one hand tangled in the rigging, he reached for her. She edged back, just out of reach.
“Red...” His voice rang with warning while she slid her foot backward. “Don’t think about it.”
“Too late.”
Samantha pivoted and raced to the end of the main yard. Her hands tightened around the rope as she launched into the air. For a moment, she hung weightless. And then her weight carried her down, swinging in a wide arc over the water. She landed on theFalcon’smain deck and stumbled to her knees. Not as graceful an entry as last time.
Pushing to her feet, she strode to the railing and tossed the rope back. The lieutenant caught it and narrowed his eyes. She opened her mouth to taunt him, but a voice at her side stopped her.
“Careful, my lady pirate, I dare say you’ve pushed him to his limits.” The first officer, Isaac, joined her.
After a tense moment of silence, the lieutenant took the leap. Samantha’s heart caught at the sight. The muscles of his arms corded and the wind plastered his shirt against his body. With his knees drawn together, he flew through the air toward them. And his gaze did not leave her face.
He released the rope at the perfect moment and dropped to the deck next to her. She stepped back, but he was quicker, catching her around the waist and pulling her to him. A chorus of hoots and cheerscame from his crew, drawing a blush across her cheeks.
“To my cabin.” He tugged her in the direction of the door beneath the helm.
Breathless, she began to follow him before her jumbled thoughts could catch up. Someone cleared their throat. Griff. She dug her heels into the deck and the lieutenant turned to her.
“Now what?”
She pulled her shoulders back and stood as straight as she could. “I request that my first mate be released.”
“No.”
His grip tightened and she resisted his attempt to move them along. “Lieutenant, the agreement was for one night with me and did not include any of my crew. I will hold you to it.”
“I assure you, he’ll be safe.”
She shook her head. “I don’t trust you.”
He shot a dark glare between her and Griff. “You’re deeply mistaken if you think he can rescue you.”
With a huff, she twisted back to the lieutenant. “You’ve made it very clear that you outgun us. I assure you, my men will not make any foolish choices while I am aboard theFalcon.” She lowered her voice. “I forbid them to risk their lives for me.”
