No doubt she was still lost in the nightmare, devoid of her wits.
Or surely she would not have embraced him.
Still, he would enjoy it while he could. Her curves molded against his chest so perfectly, ’twas as if they were made for each other. Her sweet scent filled his nose, her soft whispers music in his ears. He closed his eyes and rubbed her back. “Della Morte is far, far away by now. He will do you no more harm.”
A strange sensation sped through him. The desire to protect this woman, to keep her safe, to be the hero she longed for…
Until she jerked away and shoved him from the bed. “What are you doing? How dare you?”
The lady’s senses had returned.
So did Blake’s as he landed on the hard deck.
The first glow of dawn drifted in from the windows as Blake growled and rose to his feet. “You were screaming like a wounded bird, Miss. I only meant to silence you so I could sleep.” Plowing a hand through his hair, he retrieved the coverlet from the floor.
“Is that your excuse to accost me, Captain?” Her incredulous tone dwindled beneath the tremble in her voice.
“Do I need one?” He winked at her, then regretted it when she frowned and swept her legs over the side of the bed.
“Am I free to go?”
Surf and thunder, the lady was a rare beauty in the morning, even with her sleepy eyes and bedraggled hair. So unlike most women he’d woken up to.
Angry, more at himself than her, he opened the door and gestured for her to leave. In bounded Bandit, grinning and babbling as he made straight for the lady and leapt into her lap.
Astonishing. The feral monkey had not entered his cabin since he’d retrieved the Ring.
Yet as he watched the beast wrap his hairy arms around Emeline’s neck, he could hardly blame him, for Blake’s body still reacted from their embrace just moments ago.
This must never do.
“Get out!” He shouted a bit too loudly. “Both of you!”
Chapter 16
T
wo things rampaged through Emeline’s mind as she stood at the bulwarks amidships. One was the horrid nightmare she had last night. The other was the tender way Blake held her, caressed her back, and whispered words of comfort in her ears. She could not shake the pleasurable sensation of his strong arms around her, the warmth of his body, the salty scent of his hair. She’d felt safe, protected, and cared for. Something she desperately needed after her nightmare.Andafter her ordeal of the past two weeks.
But then the honorable hero became the heartless pirate again. A transformation so fast and unexpected that she was on tenterhooks as to which one she would meet moment to moment. Which made it nigh impossible to deal with the man.
Though deal with him she must, so long as he kept her imprisoned on his ship.
Shielding her eyes from the sun, a handbreadth above the horizon, she gazed across the aquamarine sea, relishing the beauty of it, yet its wildness, its fickleness. Things her father said he loved most about the Caribbean. Having been raised on a ship, Emeline felt a kindred attachment to the foamy waters. Yet now they seemed naught but a formidable expanse, an impenetrable fortress between her and freedom, her and her family.
Wind whipped her hair behind her, forcing her to close her eyes momentarily as memories of her nightmare surfaced.What does it mean, Lord? Am I supposed to save Blake from Della Morte? From the Ring? She nibbled on her lip. Was he doomed to die and she along with him? How was she supposed to battle such evil? She was only one woman, alone and with no talents to speak of.
“I’m surprised to see the captain allows you on deck.” The female voice snapped Emeline’s eyes open to see Charlie approaching from her left.
Emeline glanced over her shoulder at Blake up on the quarterdeck talking to Finn. After she and Bandit had returned to her cabin, Pedro arrived with coffee and a biscuit to break her fast, informing her that the captain gave her leave to wander the ship.
Either he thought her safe from the pirates during the day, or he no longer cared what happened to her. Either way, she braved the salacious glances from the crew for a much-needed breath of fresh salty air and warm sun on her face.
Emeline smiled at Charlie. “He’s full of surprises.”
“That’s one way t’ put it.” The master gunner gripped the railing as the brig mounted a large wave. “He fancies you, you know.”
Emeline laughed. “Ludicrous. He needs me for something, ’tis all.” ’Twas thewhathe needed that had her nerves on edge.
