Ruined by the Pirate Read Free

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