Christine Dorsey - [Sea 01] Read Free Page A

shoved at his chest with the heels of her hands. His skin was warm and smooth.
    He didn’t budge.
    If anything he settled his body more firmly against hers. Miranda tried to wriggle free, but stopped when she heard his deep chuckle.
    “As much as I’d like you to keep that up,” he said in a voice that vibrated through the hands still plastered against his chest, “I don’t think moving like that is any way to be rid of me.”
    “Oh.” Miranda breathed the word in frustration. She couldn’t remember ever being so angry and so totally out of control. This pirate couldn’t be explained logically or scientifically, or any other way she knew. And she didn’t like it one bit.
    Her eyes were dark blue, not brown.
    Jack didn’t know why he even noticed except that when he’d first caught sight of her, he’d thought they were brown. They were so large and dark, and they were staring at him now with such frustrated anger that he couldn’t help being amused. She should be scared. Not that he planned to hurt her, any more than their unceremonious tumble already had. But she didn’t know that.
    Jack had a reputation to uphold. Fear made most of his prey surrender without a struggle, and Jack liked it that way. Less bloody. But if ships’ captains had half the spark of this woman, he’d have nothing but fights to the last man. And there’d be a lot more blood. He glanced down at his wounded arms. Like there was now.
    “Do you know who I am, my little Spanish princess?” A healthy dose of fear would do the wench good.
    “I am... not... a... Spanish... princess.” Miranda tried again to dislodge him, then flopped back to the floor with a grunt. She sucked in her breath. “And I don’t care a farthing who you are.”
    “Well, maybe you should.” Her softness was having an unsettling effect on his manhood, and Jack felt sure he should get up and out of here—de Segovia wasn’t in this cabin. But some devilish streak made him stay. “I’m—”
    “Everythin’ all right in here, Cap’n?”
    Jack turned his head around to see Phin standing in the doorway. His pistol was trained on the old Spaniard, who was slowly getting to his feet. But his eyes were on Jack and the woman sprawled beneath him.
    “Sorry, didn’t mean to be interruptin’ nothin’. Thought you might need some help.” Phin’s smile revealed three missing teeth. “Shoulda know’d better.”
    Jack only glared at his quartermaster as he pushed himself up. The woman ignored the hand he extended toward her, choosing instead to scramble unaided to her feet. She pushed past Jack, rushing to the old man’s side. Jack watched her lower him to a chair and brush her hand gently across his cheek. Then she reached up and tugged his wig straight. Turning, she faced Jack, her expression defiant, her chin high.
    “Do what you will. But be quick about it.”
    Jack’s brow arched. She was giving him an order. Him . And she looked as if she’d steeled herself for the worst he could offer. A sudden vision of tossing her over his shoulder and taking her on board the Sea Hawk flashed into his mind. But he just as quickly dismissed it. He might be a pirate, but he didn’t ravish unwilling women. Hell, he didn’t have to.
    Besides, what would he want with this one anyway? Her gown was dowdy, her hair a mess, and she didn’t appear to have enough flesh on her bones to make for an exciting exploration.
    But he couldn’t seem to break the stare they shared.
    “What you plannin’ on doin’ with them, Cap’n?”
    “What?” Something in Phin’s expression told Jack he realized his captain was having a difficult time keeping his eyes off the woman. “What?” he repeated, his voice stern.
    Phin took no offense. The years had taught him his captain’s temper quickly passed. Except when he dealt with the Spanish. With them he had no mercy. “I had me a little talk with this tub’s cap’n. And he swore this was the only Spaniard on board.” Phin ran his