Through the Maelstrom Read Free Page B

waited a few feet away with an almost expectant gleam to his eye. He raised a golden eyebrow and crossed his arms when she failed to unlock the door. "Open the cabin door, wench. I am weary, but have enough stamina to see to you properly first."
    The implication in his words hit her gut, releasing butterflies that fluttered in varied directions. All that made her female went on high alert—preparing, hoping, longing. Ah, shit. She'd screw this up. "The hell?" That was her, screwing it up. "You're not coming in. This is my room. Go find your own." He was being creepy, wasn't he? So why did her breathing deepen at the thought of letting him into her room?
    It could never happen. She couldn't seduce a man if she tried. Lack of confidence, feeling foolish...good ol' anxiety.
    The pirate shook his head. "I shall bunk with you until we dock. Perhaps you can solve the mystery of this...ship." He gestured around him.
    Was he for real? "Um, how about...no." Mystery? What mystery? Her body and her mind were on two different wavelengths. At least her mind had sense, and it was telling her to close herself in her room and lock the door. This man was dangerous, but not because he was a fake pirate. She was attracted to him, and she hadn't set out to hook up on a cruise—no matter what Becky Ann had to say.
    The pirate seemed to consider this, scratching the stubble on his chin, showing off the multiple silver rings which flashed in the lighting. Both ears were pierced with small gold hoops. She'd never really been into men with piercings, but they suited him. "I savor the chase, love. I can wait all night." His knowing smirk implied that he knew good and well she desired him. Pity for him it wouldn't matter.
    "I'm not playing at anything." Had her voice sounded as husky to him as it did to her?
    He invaded her personal space, placing a palm against the door and caging her against his body. Serena's breath caught and he raised his other hand to brush her hair away from her face in a gentle caress. She trembled as he mumbled, "You are." His hands were rough, big, warm. What would they feel like against her naked body?
    No, she couldn't think about that.
    The scent of ocean, sweat, spiced rum, and something she didn't recognize filled her senses, and she could almost believe he had boarded from a pirate ship to take anything and everything he wanted—her. She scrunched her nose. "What's that smell?"
    Taken aback, Captain Morgan retreated and lifted the lapel of his dark brown jacket to his nose, taking a whiff. "Gunpowder."
    Images of him firing the pistol tucked into his sword belt at villainous pirates flittered through her thoughts. Of cannons booming, wood breaking. Splashes as bodies tumbled over the sides of a tall ship sporting an ominous black Jolly Roger. Things she shouldn't find attractive, but somehow did. Too many movies . "Right. I didn't hear any guns going off. Only fireworks. Can we drop the pirate act, Captain Morgan? You can be out of character around me. I won't tell your boss." Maybe he'd get in trouble for breaking character like the actors at theme parks.
    The pirate frowned, all teasing gone from his features. "The name is Christophe Jones, and I'm no captain. There were no blasts because your vessel was nowhere near when mine sank under fire." Christophe crossed his arms again and muttered, "Not even sure how I came to be aboard this..." He glanced around warily. "...Behemoth." In a way, he appeared a bit worried. About the size of the ship?
    Did the crew bring him aboard and put him to work as a pirate to pay his passage after he survived a shipwreck? That was absurd. He should probably call the labor union when they docked. "I'm really sorry to hear that," Serena replied, not knowing what else to say about his odd comments. "But I'm still not letting you in my room."
    Christophe smirked at her once more, placing his hands possessively on her hips, pulling her closer. Despite her discomfort as the object of his