A Pirate's Possession Read Free

something. Yes, the boy was small, had hair the same color as Claire’s, but hers was long and curly, not chopped ragged like the lad’s was. Besides, she would never step foot into such an establishment, and she certainly wouldn’t need to gamble for a piece of a treasure map, even one she’d spoken about in great length. Not when he knew for a fact that she already possessed more money than she could ever spend.
    But then, he thought angrily, maybe she would come here for the damn map. How the hell would he know? It wasn’t as though he was an expert on the woman and it certainly wouldn’t be the first time she’d proven him wrong. Given all this time, who knew what she was capable of now?
    â€œGet out of my way!”
    Nate turned. Cale was making his way over.
    â€œIs the kid all right?” he asked.
    â€œYeah, but he’ll have a hell of a bruise come morning.”
    It was lucky that hadn’t been Claire, or Sid would be lying in the street about now wishing he were dead. Despite Nate’s feelings toward her, he wouldn’t stand by and let harm come to a woman. It was a rule he’d lived by since he’d been a young lad and had seen firsthand the abuse a man was capable of inflicting on a woman.
    â€œStupid idiot,” Cale muttered, jamming his thumb in the direction Sid took. “Anybody could see the only thing that kid was interested in was the map.”
    â€œYeah,” Nate agreed, his eyes drawn to the door despite his reasoning. It wasn’t her. She was likely in San Salvador, where he’d last seen her, surrounded by a passel of children. The thought did strange things to his guts.
    â€œWell, he may not think so right now, but he’s better off without that treasure.”
    â€œHow long did you look for it?” Nate asked, pulling his gaze from the door.
    Cale’s blue eyes hardened. “Too damn long.” And without another word, he strode outside.
    Nate was contemplating Cale’s words when a fullbosomed wench rubbed up against him. She was much shorter than Nate, and with her low-cut bodice, Nate could nearly see down her gown.
    â€œCan I interest you in anything?” she asked, trailing her fingers up his chest. She licked her painted lips, pressed herself up against him.
    Looking at her, long hair loose and curly around her shoulders, all he could think of was that it wasn’t red. And that just made him angry.
    â€œNot tonight.” He smiled to take the sting off the rejection. Not that he really believed she was interested in him. He’d seen her lingering about the table and no doubt figured if he could put up the stake for the game, he had more where that came from.
    â€œAre you sure?” she asked, taking a deep breath that pushed her already impressive breasts upward.
    â€œYeah, I’m sure.”
    Nate watched her stroll away, generous hips swinging beneath her full skirt. If only he wasn’t partial to more slender women. He gnashed his teeth, shook his head. He felt as much as saw the other man come to his side.
    â€œI’m not sure even the promise of a treasure would distract me from that,” James said as he stepped beside Nate. Because of the crowd, they stood shoulder to shoulder.
    Nate shrugged. He’d never met this man before and knew the only reason James wanted to talk was the map Nate had folded and put in his coat pocket. Since Nate had no intention of discussing the map or the treasure, he saw no point in encouraging the conversation.
    â€œA man of many words, I see.”
    â€œI can be. When they’re important.”
    James chuckled. “Why don’t you let me buy you a drink? You don’t have to say a word, just listen to my proposition.”
    â€œI don’t want or need a partner.”
    It was impossible to miss the tightening of the man’s jaw. But it eased as quickly as it had come. Then he swung an arm around Nate’s shoulders, a