Page 39 of Paid to the Pirate

“If you weren’t injured I’d smack you.”

“If I wasn’t injured, I’d see to it such a move was repaid in kind. Elsewhere on your lovely body, of course.”

I rolled my eyes and looked away to hide my blushes. Why did the idea of being locked up for Colt’s use make me tingle in parts of my body a lady shouldn’t acknowledge? By God, Coltmorethan acknowledged them -- he examined them, played with them, aroused them.

For a moment, all was still and silent. I listened to the waves against the ship and watched the candlelight fluttering on the cabin walls.Had I missed someone preparing the captain’s quarters while cleaning up the body?Colt seemed deep in thought and I felt like he could see through to my own mind. It made me want to try to empty my brain so that he could not uncover any hidden desires there.

“Lay with me tonight,” Colt whispered, breaking the silence. “Just beside me, nothing more. Not because I’m tying you down or forcing you.”

I froze -- everywhere except my heart, which seemed to hammer in defiance of my stillness.

“Stay with me because you want to,” Colt implored, voice low.

How could a man so cruel look at me with such unguarded hope in his eyes? How did it work such magic to disarm me?

Chapter 20

Colt

“Iwon’t touch you. I can’t…” I broke off in an annoyed chuckle. “Do much in this state anyway.”

Holding Charlotte’s gaze I said, “Stay with me, lay with me. That’s all.”

Her pupils had blown wide, perhaps with fear or arousal. But she’d moved away from me, as if the answer would be no.

Fuck that. No.I clenched my jaw to stop myself from clenching her arm. What had she reduced me to? What did I care whether shewantedto do something or not? Maybe I did care, once. But that was a long time ago. Right?

I lifted her chin with my thumb and forefinger. If she couldn’t hide from me, maybe she wouldn’t hide from herself either.

“Just stay this night, in my bed, beside me. Not because you’re my prisoner, not because I’m forcing you. Because you want to.”

I heard her breath, short and fast. I was so intent on her eyes, I wasn’t even distracted by her breasts, rising and falling above me. Well, barely. Her eyelids fluttered closed, pained. I braced for rejection.

When she spoke, her voice was so soft I strained to hear her.

“What if what I want is for you to… force me to?”

Charlotte averted her eyes, seemingly alarmed with herself.

A sense of power tore through my chest, swelling with pride and possessiveness.

Easily done, my lady. So easily.

Well, it would have been easier if I’d remained uninjured. I stood, struggling a bit.

“Don’t,” Charlotte protested weakly, standing to match me. “You’ll hurt yourself.”

I grabbed her. She gasped but sheyielded,limp in my arms,moaning as I escorted her to the bed.

That was all it took -- I exerted my power over her and she moaned. Her arousal didn’t even require I strip her, caress her, kiss her. The thrill it sent to my mind as she succumbed was intoxicating. The nearest I’d felt was the delight of victory in claiming another man’s ship, the crew on their knees… but such triumph didn’t stir my cock, certainly not to harden as painfully as when Charlotte submitted to my will. Unbelievably, this headstrong little girl captivated me more than a victory over the king’s navy.

“Careful,” she whispered as I laid her down, “you’ll hurt yourself.”

“Let me worry about me,” I told her. “Stay where I’ve put you.” I kissed her forehead and threatened, “Or I’ll be forced to hurtyou.”

She blushed so prettily as she looked down and bit her lip.

“What will we do, captain?” she whispered. “If you hold true to your word and don’t molest me this evening, how shall we pass the time?”

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