Page 10 of Paid to the Pirate

“Keep it up, please. I want everyone on this ship to know you’re being thrashed to tears.”

Oh God, why? What had I ever done to him?

“Just save enough of your voice to tell me everything I want to know when we’re done.”

“Please,sir,don’t,” I babbled. “Please, unhand me.”

“It’scaptainand you bloody well know it.”

Roughly, Colt threw me onto the low bed and I felt his weight disappear. Before I could scramble, his tall frame covered mine as he brought my wrists together once more, this time binding them with rope while I wiggled. Somehow, Colt tethered the rope to a hitch beneath the bed, tying it securely.

“Stop, stop, please,” I protested frantically, never having experienced such panic in my life. Tears threatened to spill and Colt hadn’t even beaten me yet.

Bent, with my arms secured to the wall, I kneeled upon the cabin floor, torso draped over the bed’s center.

“No, you can’t!” I shrieked, when I felt the cool night air on my skin as Colt lifted my chemise up and out of the way. I had forgotten to be quiet; no longer cared.

I was bare from my waist to the tops of my white stockings.

Chapter 7

Charlotte

Bare.No man had ever laid eyes on my naked backside. No woman or child, for that matter, had ever seen what Colt now freely eyed. Except Daniel, of course, as he’d discovered me washed upon the shore. But he’d been a gentleman and quickly averted his eyes before covering me with his waistcoat.

I felt the air behind me change, move. To my relief, Colt didn’t lay a hand upon me -- at least not yet. He seemed to be still, staring. Above my own panting, I could hearhishard breathing.

I pressed my already-closed legs even tighter together.

“Please. What are you doing?” I cried the stupid question. Colt already made his intent clear. I just couldn’t believe it.

I could tell him the truth and stop this horror,I thought.Tell him I have no memory of the past.

But then I’d lose my chance at capturing him, as well as expose myself to be manipulated into whatever story he wanted to concoct.Who knew if he wouldn’t take advantage of me? Lie to me about my past, knowing I couldn’t tell the difference?

I heard the awful sound of a belt buckle jangling.

What had I ever done to deserve this? Surely God, in all his mercy, couldn’t allow a good Christian woman to be abused by a criminal.

I must have muttered something to the effect -- a prayer whispered in desperation -- but I didn’t even know I’d done it.

It was only the bark of Colt’s laugh that jarred me.

“It’s too soon for prayers. I suggest you save the begging for later. And pray only to the man who holds your fate in his hands. Me.”

His smug statement did send an initial flash of fear through my belly… but anger quickly followed. Strengthening my resolve, I vowed,beat me if you must, but I will not break. I will never break. I hate your kind and perhaps God has given me this chance to see all your necks in the noose.

As if he sensed my courage, Colt wedged one boot between my knees and kicked my legs apart, making me gasp as the act revealed all of my feminine charms to his filthy gaze. Before I could snap my thighs shut, he growled, “Keep your legs spread or I’ll call someone in to hold them apart. Do I make myself clear?”

I could only whimper as I struggled against the urge to close my legs. My muscles tensed, fighting instinct.

Dear God, this can’t be happening. What could he see?

“Spread. Wide,” Colt declared. “If you close your legs, I will call every crew member in here to watch as I belt you. Do I make myself clear? Answer me!”

Tears of fear and humiliation fell as I blinked. Shaking, I breathed, “Yes. Yes, you make yourself clear.”

Something made the area between my legs feel warm… maybe it was the heat of this devil’s gaze, but it felt as if it came from inside me as well, low in my belly and working shamefully downward.

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