“Maybe a conk on the head again? It certainly improved your disposition—not having one.”
“Very amusing. But I think if you got near enough to me to try it, these bonds would miraculously open. That’s how much I want to get my hands on you.”
To put around her neck, she was sure. And even though sheknewhe was still nicely tied, she was just superstitious enough not to put it to the test.
“It’s too bad you’re being such an uncooperative captive,” she complained.
“There’s any other kind?”
She glared before continuing, “I had considered leaving you to your cabin, but since we’ll be using it, it would be better to get you behind a locked door elsewhere. Or maybe you have some chains aboard? Yes, chains would do nicely, don’t you think?”
“You don’t really want to know what I think just now,” he shot back.
But he did stop straining at his bonds. She noticed that immediately. So there were probably chains somewhere on his ship that could be made use of. And a short metal leash, one he couldn’t possibly get out of, would be ideal, now that she thought of it.
With his options dwindling, he was looking daggers at her again. Vastly disconcerting, that look, but much better than him being smugly certain that he could make her the captive again.
“Answer me this,” he demanded. “Why in hell didn’t you even try to convince me that you were acting in an official capacity to claim my ship?”
“For what reason?”
“To pursue criminals, a matter of life or death, whatever. I’m sure you could have come up with some convincing lies.”
“When you know I’m not an official?”
“You didn’t have to reveal yourself. One of your men could have made the claim.”
She smiled, couldn’t help it, but humored him anyway. “I see, and you would have believed them?”
“Damned right I would have. I’m an American. Why wouldn’t I believe it, when you English provoked us to war using similar tactics?”
“Right you are, this is an official seizure.”
“Very funny.”
“Just trying to be accommodating.”
“Why? To keep me off balance, right up till you toss me over the side? Do I at least get ravished first?”
She drew in her breath sharply. The thought of taking advantage of him, while he was tied…Good grief, she needed to sit down, and fast, her legs felt so wobbly. She moved behind the desk to the chair there and dropped into it. She took several deep breaths deliberately and pushed the image of ravishing him from her mind. And she stared down at the desk. Looking at him was downright dangerous.
She had to get the feelings he incited in her under control. She was supposed to be making him want her, not the other way around!
“I was beginning to think you were serious,” she said, “until your last remark. No one is going to toss you over the side, Drew.”
“Even to save your own necks?”
She glanced at him again to ask, “Because you know who we are?”
“Yes.”
She shook her head. “Sorry, but there is nothing that could justify killing you. And it sounds like you’ve formed the wrong opinion of us. We aren’t the sort of pirates you’re thinking of.”
“What other kind are there?” he sneered.
She grinned. “We’re a new breed, of course. Actually, we’re more treasure hunters than pirates.”
“Your reasons mean nothing to me. What you’ve done here is committed a criminal act and let me give you an assurance of my own. I’ll have the lot of you hunted down for it, or I’ll do it myself.Nowdo you see why it would be a good idea to let me go immediately?”
