His other hand moved up her side, coming to rest directly over her breast. Her head fell back as he massaged it, the pressure almost unbearable. He followed her movement, his lips refusing to relinquish hers.
“Red.”
The barely whispered word hit her like a bucket of cold water.
Samantha yanked free of his embrace and staggered back a step, her breaths coming in ragged pants.
“What did you say?”
He stared at her with a horrified expression. “Oh, God. I—I’m sorry.” He stepped forward and reached for her but she ducked away. “I got caught up in the moment. You... you reminded me of someone.”
Heat slamming in her chest, she twisted from him and stumbled back to her cell. What had she done? For a brief moment, he had recognized her. She’d crossed the line and nearly paid for it. Sheneeded to deflect. Now.
“A paramour?” Somehow, her voice worked enough to choke it out.
“Miss Warstein, please . . .”
She shook her head. The shy, proper Miss Warstein needed to come back. “I don’t know what came over me. I apologize for my forward behavior. It won’t happen again.”
He stepped closer. “What if I want it to?”
Heat pulsed between her legs. Traitorous body. She pressed her thighs together, but the throbbing only intensified.
“Miss Warstein, look at me.”
No. She couldn’t. She stared at the floor. Was it too much to wish for the boards to part and dump her into the sea?
The rustle of the chain above saved her. Christian leaped into his cell and pressed the door shut as she scrambled into hers.
“Quickly, close yours.”
She swung it closed and it bounced back a bit. “What now?”
If the pirates discovered the cells unlocked, who knew how they would react?
“Lean against it.”
She turned her back to the bars.
“Wait. Here.” He tossed the bent piece of wire to her.
“Hide it,” he whispered when she stared at it.
With wide eyes, she shoved it beneath her skirts and tucked it into her drawers.
The hatch swung open and she dropped to the floor and pushed the cell door fully closed. Christian stood by his, one hand on the cell door, the other on the bars next to it.
Skip climbed down a moment later with two trays. More footfalls came from above him. Heavy ones. The giant. She slid a glance over to Christian, who eyed the boy with an opportunistic gleam in his gaze. He had better not try something. She gave a little cough and helooked at her. With a shake of her head, she nodded toward the hatch.
The cabin boy slid the trays beneath the doors and pinched his nose. “Lucky for you, we made good time. We’ll be anchoring off Inagua Island tonight and will make it to port in the morning. Hopefully, Capt’n will give you all a good dunk in the sea.”
Christian’s eyes narrowed. “Leave us be.”
Skip’s chin jutted up. “Not yet. Bring me your piss buckets.”
Samantha stiffened.
“They aren’t full.” Christian leaned against the bars and stared the boy down.
