She froze again but allowed him to move her forward. He hated to threaten her with something he’d never do—intentionally hurt a woman—but desperate times called for desperate measures. Killian slipped one arm around her waist, keeping her close.
“Say anything and I’ll lock you in my quarters.” Killian moved his hand but held her firmly in his grasp. He nodded to Andrews, his first mate. “We’ve got our cargo. Let’s move.”
Gunfire rang out around him as he muscled Sarah to the rope.
“Go,” he snapped.
The wind whipped at her skirts while she fumbled down the rope to the smaller boat, but unlike most of his crew, she managed. She balled her fist when he reached the lifeboat and grabbed her.
“Hold still or I’ll use manacles on you,” Killian growled. He turned his attention to his cohort. “Go.”
Andrews furiously rowed the lifeboat away from the massive yacht. He cackled a few times as they pulled away. Thankfully, Sarah stopped thrashing.
“You can’t take her,” one of the men screamed from the luxury ship. “Pirates!”
“What will you do about it?” Killian volleyed back. “You’ll storm my ship? Not a chance. Andrews, full speed ahead.” He thrust Sarah to the floor until they were out of range of the bullets.
Once they reached his stolen yacht, he snatched her from the soggy planks of the smaller boat. He didn’t give her time to think while he dragged her to the backside of the ship. From the moment he’d spotted her on the docks a month before, he had known he needed Sarah. She made his heart sing in ways he had thought impossible.
“These are my quarters.” He opened the door to his private rooms. “Wait here.”
“I don’t want to wait here,” she protested.
Some of the pins had fallen from her hair and two dark chocolate-colored tendrils slipped over her shoulders. To other men, she might have looked disheveled. In his eyes, she embodied beauty, strength and fire.
“Very true, but your crew wishes me dead. I’d rather you lived as well.”
“They wouldn’t want me dead if you’d stayed on your boat and left me alone.” She attempted to tuck her hair back into the messy bun.
“Love, I’m wanted in many places for many things. None of those heists mattered compared to having you.” He grinned then tugged the door shut. “I’ll come back for you once we’re ten miles out.”
Killian’s heart raced. He’d done it. Sarah Moyer was in his quarters. Fuming mad but his. He righted his overcoat then headed back to the bridge. Time to survey the damage.
Andrews stormed toward him. “We’ve sustained some gunfire, but their cannons couldn’t touch the Lady Meredith.” His eyes widened and a smile brightened his haggard face. “You’ve got her. Now what are you going to do with her?”
Killian pressed his lips together. He knew who Andrews referred to. Sarah wasn’t just any her. She wouldn’t allow him to touch her like the prostitutes down at the wharfs. She deserved care and gentleness—both he knew little about.
“I’ll have to allow her to cool down first. She’s mighty upset with me.” Killian took a deep breath. Was it possible he’d grown a conscience? Maybe.
“I’m sure you’ll show her a good time.” Andrews elbowed Killian. “I’ll have the boys steady Lady Meri. You go back to your tart.”
Killian gripped Andrews’ shoulder. “Refer to her once more as a tart and I’ll feed you to the sharks.” He glared at Andrews. “She’s a lady and will be treated as such.”
“You’ve gone soft.” Andrews shrugged. “Suit yourself. Ring up to the bridge if you need assistance.” He winked. “If not, I’ll come find you at sun up. Remember where you put your pants.”
“Bastard.” Killian sighed. He loved Andrews like a father and sometimes wanted to toss the old boy overboard. ‘
Remember where you put your pants.’
The ass.
He turned on his heel and headed back to his quarters. If he were lucky, Sarah remained where he’d left her. Otherwise, she’d give him a run for his stolen money. He chuckled. He’d chase that shapely ass anywhere. His cock hardened beneath his breeches and his blood heated. The affections of a tart didn’t compare to the sweet love of a lady. He wondered what she looked like without her dress. Would she be pink and blemish free, or have a bit of sun? He couldn’t wait to discover all of his captive’s secrets—one by one.
Chapter Two
Sarah waited until his footsteps had faded. She allowed no man to take her captive—not even if his boat rivaled the one her father owned. The fool. She tried the door handle and when it turned, she snorted. Apparently he wasn’t much of a pirate if he’d given her a way to escape. She glanced up and down the open corridor then hurried away from the cabin. There had to be a means to leave the boat—even a lifeboat would be better than a stolen luxury yacht.
Voices ahead made her pause. Was he coming back? She grabbed the handle of the nearest door and pushed. The door gave and she ducked into the room.
“Now isn’t that a sight. I told Cap we needed a little entertainment on this boat.”
Sarah faced the door and the deep male voice rooted her to the spot. She hesitated to turn around, in fear of who she might find. The stench of body odor and human waste curled around her. The outside of the boat might have looked fancy, but someone had managed to destroy the inside.
“Come on now, girl. Twirl around and let’s have a look at ya,” the man said. “Go on. Captain Killian pays well for his tarts. Show us what you’ve got.”
Slowly, she turned and fixed her attention on the speaker. Three of the dirtiest men she’d ever seen stared back at her. One smiled, showing off his brown teeth. Her stomach lurched. She should’ve guessed her pirate would have a scurvy crew. The thought tripped her up.
Her
pirate? He wasn’t hers. Right now she needed to get her thoughts away from him and focus on how to get out of the crew’s room.
“Come here, girl.” One of the men leaped from his seat. “Here’s a nice girl. Come sit with me.”
He grappled for her as she plastered herself tight to the door. The handle wouldn’t budge.
“I need to go,” she said and yanked on the handle. Maybe her father was right—she wasn’t meant to roam free. Her inquisitive nature tended to get her into trouble.
The door finally moved.
Another voice added to the mix. “I’m looking for a girl.” The pirate stepped into the room. When he spotted her, his sneer softened. “There you are. Thanks, boys, for keeping her safe.”
“Anything for you, Cap.” The man nodded and returned to his seat. “She got herself lost and we found her.”
Sarah threw herself into the pirate’s arms. “Thank you,” she murmured. She shouldn’t be grateful for the man who’d kidnapped then rescued her, but she appreciated him finding her. “Help me?”
The pirate led her from the room to the fresher air on the deck. He draped his arm around her waist. “I’m sorry you had to see that. The boys are a rowdy lot, but they’re loyal.” He escorted her down the corridor back to his cabin. “You deserve a proper introduction. I’m Killian Thomas, captain of this vessel. The Lady Meredith and I have sailed these seas for many years. The chap I stole her from probably wants her back. I don’t care.”
Sarah picked at the beading on her tea gown. Killian? According to rumor, he was one of the roughest men on the water. He killed whomever trod in his path and stole whatever wasn’t nailed down. What on Earth did he want with her? Was she supposed to entertain the crew?
“I suppose you’re going to handcuff me to the main support beam, aren’t you? Allow the crew to molest the captive in order to get me to talk?” Dear God, her imagination had run away with her. She hoped she sounded stronger than she felt. “Or have you taken me for your own selfish pleasures.”
Killian twisted the knob then ushered her inside his cabin. He didn’t bother to engage the lock. Instead, he caged her between his body and the wall.
His dark eyes blazed. “I would never let the crew molest a lady.”
She might not have believed him before, but now she did. If he truly wanted to harm her, he would’ve let her stay with the crew or at least have locked her up. He didn’t appear to be the same man as described in the rumors. She rejoiced at her good fortune.
“Why have you taken me?” she asked.
She fought the bone-deep urge to slide her hands over his muscular chest. The shirt, unbuttoned a third of the way down, offered her a tantalizing glimpse of his tanned skin. Up close, she noticed the sapphire flecks in his blue eyes. She’d never seen eyes quite so dark and moody.
“I said you were beautiful.” Killian let go of her and kicked the cabin door shut with his booted foot. “What’s not to understand?”
Oh, he wanted to insult her, did he? She refused to play games with him—even if her life hung in the balance.
“Don’t flatter me,” she spat. “You want my father’s money. Everyone wants Father’s money.” Except her. She hadn’t wanted his millions and begged him to give it away to charity or a philanthropic endeavor. She laced her fingers. “I’m sorry. I’m not used to such kindness.” Goodness, she sounded fake. “Just—forgive me. I’m scared.” She needed to stop talking.
“Your father has money?” Killian leaned against the drawers built into the wall. “Interesting.”
“You act shocked.” Then again, so was she. Didn’t everyone know about her father and his money? She wriggled in her gown, wishing Killian wasn’t staring at her with such intensity. “But you said you knew my father would pay dearly for me?”
When he shifted his weight from his right foot to his left, the cotton of his breeches pulled taut over the growing bulge between his long legs. Did he find her arousing or amusing? Or was he aroused by the act of kidnapping her? Why was she thinking about his arousal? The temperature around her spiked and her skin prickled. Despite the chill of the early evening, she could’ve sworn the midday sun shined on her.
“I did, but quite honestly, I’m surprised you think so little of me.” He crossed his ankles, then his arms. “You take me for a fool who only wants money.”
“You did strong-arm me off my family’s boat.” There. She’d put him in his place. “Only a fool kidnaps someone.”
The corner of his mouth kinked in the beginning of a smile. “Not one of my finer moments, no.” The dimple in his right cheek deepened. When he wasn’t scowling, he was rather dashing. “I’m glad you’ve made a mockery of me. I deserve the rough edge of your tongue.”
Sarah inwardly shook her head.
Stop looking at him as handsome and somewhat sweet
. But she wondered what exactly she could do with her rough tongue on his body… And why was she thinking so? He had to want something beyond a nice chat with her. All men had ulterior motives. He probably wanted to take her virginity and ruin her for her future husband. Suddenly, the thought of being ruined didn’t upset her. Being ruined meant Isaiah wouldn’t want her.
“Are you going to kill me?” She shivered.
His eyebrows knotted. “Any other pirate might.” Killian stalked toward her and braced his hand on the beam above her head. The spicy scent of his cologne enveloped her. “I’m not like any other pirate.”
Killian read her fear and the undercurrent of interest. Most women would’ve demanded to be set free or at least pitched a fit. Not Sarah. She’d tried to run once, but the encounter with the crew must’ve scared her. She stood quietly and picked at the lace of her dress. The garment bunched beneath her breasts, giving him a stunning view of her cleavage. For an afternoon stroll, the dress would’ve been fine. For a night on the water, the flimsy lace and satin wasn’t going to be enough. Where was her coat? He glanced around the cabin long enough to spot one of his overcoats. He picked up the coat then draped it around her shoulders.
“Thank you.” She didn’t look him in the eye. “Maybe it’s better this way. I assumed you knew who I was.”
“Are you trying to bargain with me?” He couldn’t help but bait her. He curled his fingers under her chin and tipped her gaze. “Love, I don’t persuade easily, even if I do know who you are.”
Sarah finally smiled. A wicked glint sparkled in her green eyes. “I got the feeling you almost knew what you were doing.”
“Excuse me?” Killian kept his feelings in check. She wanted to spar? They’d spar. Part of him wanted to be cross with her. The rest of him enjoyed the exchange.
“If you truly knew who I was, then I could suspect you of colluding with my father to bring me home. Or, you saw the lame brain man I’m being forced to marry and you’ve decided to put a halt to the nuptials.”
Did she think she had him because she’d used large words? He might have been a man of the sea, but he wasn’t uneducated. She did have his full attention. Marry a lame brain? Not if he had any say in the matter. Christ. He almost sounded like he cared. Did he? She was just his captive.
Killian tugged the coat tighter around her small frame. “Miss Moyer, I do know who you are, but I don’t know of your father’s motives. Allowing your daughter to wed a man beneath her is truly ridiculous.” Unless the man in question was Killian. Then he’d change the rules. “My reasons for taking you are purely selfish. I saw something I wanted and I took it…er…you.”
“And my jewelry?”
“Is still on the other boat and of little consequence. Why have fool’s gold when you can possess the real thing?”
Her mouth opened and closed, but she said nothing. A deep blush crept down her cheeks and her throat to the neckline of her gown.
“I stopped at Southampton for supplies and a rest. The moment I saw you, I wanted you.” He met her bewildered gaze. “A pirate’s life can be boring. You opened my eyes to a new world.” He sounded love-crazed and didn’t care.
“You want to ruin me,” she whispered. Her eyes widened and her lips parted.
“And what if I do?” He crowded her again. This time he pressed his hips to hers, showing her exactly how much he longed for her. “Would it be so bad to be ruined by a pirate?” He didn’t give her a chance to answer. Instead, he crushed his mouth onto hers and tasted her sweetness.
Sarah didn’t fight him. She tensed for a moment then wound her arms around his waist. She held onto him tightly. When she whimpered, he swallowed the noise. A man could become addicted to her kisses. He nibbled his way from her lips across her cheek to her ear. He longed to rip the dress from her body and taste every bit of her. Was she wet for him? Hungering for him the way he needed her? His cock throbbed, and he wished the clothing between them would disappear.