Ruined by the Pirate Read Free Page B

bottom lip and the memory of her kiss seared onto his brain. “You can kiss me all night, love. I haven’t gotten enough of you.”
    She shook her head. “I may not like Isaiah, but I can’t…” Sarah’s curt tone that he’d grown accustomed to faded. She averted her gaze again. “It wouldn’t be right.”
    Ah, now he understood. Moments ago, she’d been on the cusp of giving in to his charms. Duty must’ve crept back into her mind. She might not have liked Isaiah Landry, but she couldn’t treat him cruelly, either. Killian gritted his teeth. A man like Landry deserved to be bullwhipped. He didn’t understand how to treat a horse, much less a lady. He’d put her on a pedestal and ignore her instead of basking in all the ways he could please her.
    “I understand.” He didn’t—not really. He refused to force her. If she wanted him, then he’d be there. If not, he’d leave her alone. He stood tall and cleared his throat. “I’ll leave you alone for a while and will attend to my duties with the crew.” He bowed—something he rarely did for anyone—and sidestepped her. “When I’m done, I’ll set a course for your home.” His pride splintered. He’d planned to romance her and convince her that a life on the water could be worthwhile. With her at his side, he’d have everything he needed. His enthusiasm won out and he’d pushed her too far. A proper woman wouldn’t have anything to do with a pirate.
    Damn him for thinking otherwise.
    “Killian?”
    When she said his name, his heart flip-flopped and a rock formed in the pit of his stomach. He might have wanted her to fall for him, but with another man in the picture, she’d never give in. Still, hearing his name on her lips did buoy his waning spirits. He didn’t look at her, but rather spoke over his shoulder. “Yes, love?”
    “Don’t take me home.”

Chapter Three
     
     
     
    Sarah balled her hands to keep from reaching for him. He kept calling her love and being nice to her despite having kidnapped her. He might have been a pirate and a roughneck, but he did have a softer side.
    “Please?” she asked.
    “Yes, love.” Killian nodded once then left her alone in his room.
    She shouldn’t have encouraged him. She belonged to another man. Isaiah hadn’t given her a ring. He had barely given her a nod when he’d asked for her hand. She snorted at the memory. Isaiah had stood with her father. He’d spoken about her like she hadn’t been in the room and decided they’d wed in May. She wondered if he had even waited for her. Maybe—if he wanted the money she’d get in her inheritance. How could a man who claimed to love a woman send her away for over a year?
    She hugged herself and breathed in the musky scent trapped in Killian’s coat. Funny, she felt safe in his garment and protected on his boat. The idea of running wasn’t important. She crept over to the window and stared out at the blackness of the ocean. His kiss still burned on her lips.
    Sarah perched on the edge of his desk and listened to the lull of the waves slapping the boat. What would she gain by staying with Killian? A nice boat with a crew of interesting characters…all the pilfered goods she probably could ever want…and kisses hot enough to melt her from the inside out. She shivered and drew the coat tighter around her body.
    Isaiah’s kisses had never elicited such a response. Then again, he’d never used his mouth anywhere but on the back of her knuckles. She tucked her arms up in the sleeves of the coat. With Isaiah, she’d have some access to her father’s wealth—if Isaiah saw fit to give her an allowance. He’d drape her in furs and silks and expect her to entertain his wealthy friends. He’d leave her alone most of the time and only sleep with her in order to produce an heir. She huffed. The idea of laying with him disgusted her. She knew what he did when he went to the club.
    She turned away from the window and stood, then flopped onto the bed.