You are mine

Suddenly he turned on her and for a brief moment she saw pain on his face. Pain and hurt and anger. And then it was gone and she was not sure she hadn't imagined it, for his smile was back. The carefree, tilted smile that said that he hadn't a care and that the whole world was there to amuse him. You forget, milady, that I am a pirate and can hardly go sailing boldly into the harbour in Barbados. The king's cannon and I do not get on so well with one another.

" But...."

It seems, miss Winthrop, he said, stepping closer to her and tracing the soft edge of her jaw with one finger, " that for the time being you are mine."

His touch sent shivers through her, spurring her heart to a more rapid beat. She edged away from him until she backed into a table, unable to retreat farther and sorry now that she had not kept the table between them.

" And how long will you keep me prisoner?" she demanded.

" Prisoner?" He bent over, his lips hovering only inches above hers. " You are my guest, miss Winthrop."

For a long moments his eyes held hers, mesmerising her, quickening her breath. she caught the fragrance of the wine they had shared on his mouth and wondered absurdly what it would be like to taste it, to have him caress her lips with his. Abruptly, she tore her eyes away. What was she thinking? She could not welcome a kiss from a pirate. Especially this pirate. And somehow she must try to stop him from taking liberties with her.

I've had little acquaintance with thieves and pirates. Do you always make unwanted advances towards your guests, Captain.?

He stepped back, then leaned casually beside the window. At times I am solely tempted.

She took the opportunity to move as nonchalantly as she could to the other side of the table. She could feel his eyes following her, and she blushed at what he might be thinking. Her hand fluttered up in a small hopeless gesture to try to conceal what her torn dress seemed all too eager to reveal.

But you must be tired, miss Winthrop. He gathered up the remnants of their meal and held the tray. I will bring you some hot water. Your trunks are in the cupboard. He left, closing the door softly behind him.

With a cry of surprise and delight, she opened the cupboard. She thought her trunks are in the ocean floor and that she would have to make do with this one soiled and torn dress. Their return did a lot more in lifting her spirit. Hoping Captain Fortune would bring enough water for a bath, but thinking that the chance was slight, she pulled out her small trunk and opened it. She was dismayed that the content had been thoroughly jumbled but she managed to find the most modest night gown and tossed it across the bed while she knelt to strengthen the rest of her things.

She startled and jump to her feet when the door thumped open. Captain Fortune entered and set two steaming buckets beside the screened tub. Flushing, she snatched up her night gown, thrown so provocatively across his bed, and his it behind her while he crossed the cabin to the other cupboard. His clothes were neatly arranged within, and he quickly took what he needed.

I will go out and take my bath on the deck, he said, bowing briefly and leaving her alone once more.

She threw off her dress, laid it across the bed and dimmed the lantern. Very quickly, she took advantage of the captain's absence and settled gratefully into the bath tub. It was not a very luxurious tub but the hot water did much to soothe her. She was enjoying the bath so much that she dwindled much longer than her usual custom, relaxing for the first time since her ordeal. If she had feared safety and her chastity, she let it slide now. Since Captain Fortune has not attacked her till now. As a matter of fact, he had treated her with courtesy, except for that one time awkward moment when she thought he wanted to kiss her.

She leaned back smiling, thinking of his kindness in vacating his cabin for her. Only a gentleman would be so thoughtful. True, Captain Fortune was but a common felon, a traitor, and and escaped slave, but somewhere he had acquired at least the pose of a gentleman.

A small noise alerted her and she opened her eyes to see captain Fortune leaning casually beside the screen, enjoying each delightful curve of her with a growing warmth in his eyes.