She wavered slightly. The pain and his words were too much. She steadied herself when she saw him take a step toward her, waving him aside with her hand. “No. I will be fine in a moment.” She waited and it passed. She walked over to the bunk and sat on the edge, hiding her bare feet under it. “You cannot possibly know what is best for me. You tried to decide that once and you failed miserably. I can tell you what is best. I have several times already, but you don’t seem to think I am capable of reasoning for myself.”
“After all you’ve been through I doubt you are really capable, that’s true.”
Alexis laughed bitterly. “I thought you would understand,” she said through her laughter. “I thought if I explained what I wanted without tears and apologies you would see that I do know exactly what I want.” She stopped laughing. It was time to make him say why she was here. It could be her link to freedom. She hated using herself to bargain. It was a horrible price to pay, especially to a man she was not sure she liked anymore. She thought she could actually hate him, and that was strange because she was not even certain she hated Travers. Travers was not worthy of her hate. At the moment she simply did not care about him. That was why it was going to be so easy to take his life. Indifference was a potent weapon.
Cloud could not fathom her change in moods. She had stopped laughing as suddenly as she’d started. He did not like his loss of control when she tried to bribe him with her money. Didn’t she realize what she wanted to do was madness? He could not go along with it. If she thought he would not be held responsible for her death she was wrong. He wished he had not said she wasn’t capable of knowing her own mind because he truly thought she was. But that was because he had met her. He had seen what she was like. Who else, not knowing her, would believe a nineteen-year-old girl—woman, he corrected himself—would want to take on such responsibility? He eyed her carefully as she stood and leaned against one of the posts of his bunk. She looked like a waif in her strange outfit. Her petticoat was too short, his shirt too big, and yet none of it detracted from her beauty. Her hands went behind her back and she held on to the post. She rubbed one of her slim legs lazily against the other. He thought if she were anyone else he would not tolerate the unhurried seduction another moment. He held his breath for a second. He knew what was coming. He did not know if he would be able to hold his temper as easily.
Alexis smiled slowly at Cloud. She hoped it was not an innocent smile. That would not do at all. She tried to picture Francine and the way she had looked at George when she wanted something. It didn’t always work and Alexis thought the deception was unnecessary, but Francine assured her George was well aware of the game and he only gave in when it suited. Alexis did not think the captain was one to play games.
“I think you desire me, don’t you, Cloud?” Dammit. That was not something Francine would have said. She wished she had paid closer attention. Francine said she was too blunt, too direct. Alexis was relieved when the captain did not.
“Yes. As a matter of fact, I do.” He fought the smile that was trying to force its way to his lips. Even in her seduction she was cool and determined. It was refreshing because it was so unusual.
“And you would like to take me to bed, wouldn’t you?” She tried to keep her voice even, but she lowered it to give the effect of self-assurance she did not have. Emerald eyes stared back at her.
“Yes. Very much.” Cloud wondered if she could fully appreciate what his honesty was costing him. He wanted her more than she could possibly realize, but he would not allow her to use herself as a bribe. And he knew that was her next move. He tensed, trying to gain some control before she went on.
“Then I will allow you to take me to bed if you will return me to Tortola.”
He could not hide his surprise. He had not expected to be propositioned in quite that manner. He thought she would lie and say she wanted it as much as he. He thought she would say something about how she had hoped to get him into bed from the moment she had first seen him. He could have despised her for that. But for this he could not even be angry.
“You willallowme, Alex?” he asked.
Uneasy now, she nevertheless held her ground. “That’s what I said.”
He stepped closer to her. He could reach out and touch her now, he thought. He could take her in his arms if he wanted, and she would not be able to stop him. He could force her into his bed; she would be powerless to prevent it. “I could take you if I wanted, Alex, whether you permitted it or not.” He saw her eyebrows lift in astonishment. “You hadn’t considered that, had you?”
“No,” she whispered.
“Take off your clothes.”
“Turn your ship around.”
He laughed, turning his back on her and headed for the door. He opened it, but before he walked out, he said, “I’m going on deck to give the order. When I get back I expect to find you in that bed and prepared to back up your statement. Do you understand?” He smiled at her when she nodded her head and then walked out.
Once on deck he gave the command for the ship to make a slow circle. His men scratched their heads but no one said anything to him. Even Landis remained quiet. Cloud hoped he was right about her. What she had proposed as a test for him was also a test for her.
He waited until theHamiltonhad started its slow revolution then he returned to his cabin. Alexis was standing exactly where he had left her. She did not seem to have moved a muscle.
She waited until he stood directly in front of her before she spoke. He did not appear to be angry with her. Instead she thought he looked pleased. “I couldn’t do it.”
“I know. I was counting on it.”
“But the ship,” she stammered. “I can feel it changing direction.”
“A circle. I never intended to do what you suggested. I didn’t think you could either. I had to make sure you knew it too. I’m glad I was right.”
Alexis was confused, and it showed before she put it into words. “You’re glad? But I thought—I mean, you answered my questions. You don’t want me?” She finally got it out.
Cloud put his hands on her shoulders and drew her toward him, halting his protective gesture before their bodies touched. He placed one hand under her chin and lifted her face so he could stare down into the bewildered amber eyes. “I did not lie to you, Alex. You’re lovely and I do want to take you to bed. But not in trade. Not as a bribe. Not when the thing you ask for in return is something I can’t give you and still be able to live with myself. I want you. But not on the terms you set.”
“There are no other terms, Cloud.”
“Not now, perhaps. But later. When we reach Washington.”
“When we get to Washington it will be too late for either of us. I will hate you for blocking my way.” She paused, watching his lips close tightly. She could feel his anger in the increased pressure his one hand placed upon her shoulder while the other pressed harder against her jaw. She refused to be intimidated by his fury or his show of strength. “Then I am to be your prisoner until we reach Washington. Is that what you intended?”
He pulled his hands away so quickly Alexis wondered if she had suddenly caught fire. He took a few steps backward. “You are not my prisoner,” he replied sharply.
