LITMIR.BIZ

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nodded. “No harm done.”

      To her. The scratches she’d left on him were deeper than the ones she’d given Tristan. “I suppose I should apologize for what I did to you.”

      He shrugged. “I’ve known worse.”

      She believed him. “Who lashed my brother?”

      Footfalls neared the door. James glanced over.

      She tapped his hand. “Who harmed him?”

      “Ask Tristan. It’s his place to tell you, not mine.” He stood and faced the door.

      Peter slipped in first, followed by Tristan. He stared at the claw marks on James’s chest and neck, then frowned at Diana.

      She deserved his anger for doubting him but wasn’t in the mood to ask for his forgiveness. She padded to Peter. “Are you all right?”

      “Peter’s fine.” Tristan pulled her to the other side of the room.

      “Let go of me.”

      He tightened his grip, not enough to bruise but enough to imprison.

      She yanked her arm. “I want to speak to my brother.”

      “Speak to me. You’ve yet to thank me for saving you.”

      “I shall when you promise to return Peter to England.”

      Tristan released her arm and looked over. “Peter, come here.”

      He did so without pause.

      “Even if it would be safe for you, do you want to go back to England?”

      “No.” Peter glared at her. “You ain’t making me, neither. You try, I’ll run away to be with me captain.”

      This was a nightmare she couldn’t awake from. “You can’t be serious about staying in this uncivilized land.”

      “I’m a man, Diana. You’ll not tell me what to do.” He made a face like a petulant child, but lost his nasty expression before he faced Tristan. “Anything else?”

      “Stay in here until I tell you otherwise. Keep close to James at all times.”

      “Aye.” He joined the man.

      Diana strode to the cabin’s windows.

      Tristan followed and touched her arm.

      “Don’t.” She pulled away. “You’re not my husband.”

      “I will be.” He spoke as a pirate would but there was also yearning in his eyes.

      Her frustration warred with desire until she recalled what Peter had said about Canela. Diana had no idea whether the girl was the only woman Tristan had or if there were a dozen more. Nor did she know the life he led, except as a pirate. She doubted marriage would make him want her and no one else. She wrapped her arms around herself. “How right you are.”

      “About what?”

      “That you’ll be my husband. However, only because you’ve given me no choice in the matter. By poisoning my brother’s mind against his own country and taking over my crew, you’ve forced me to remain here. I’ve no means of returning to England without this ship. I’m quite certain your mates intend to take or scuttle it. So, I will be your wife, Captain Kent. But by no means will you have me. You will never have me. Take what you wish, use me as a husband uses a wife, for it will surely be your right, but it’s all you’ll get.”

      He lifted her braid and kissed the ends. “If I demand more?”

      Her belly fluttered when she should have been immune to his charm. “You’ll be sorely disappointed.”

      “Is that what you think?” He stroked her bottom lip. “Know this. I’m never discouraged because I never give up until I get exactly what I want.”

      Warmth flooded her.

      “Tristan.” James motioned him over.

      He crossed the room.

      * * * *

      Tristan huddled close to James who had his ear to the cabin door. “What is it?”

      “Some of the men are back and drawing straws to see who’ll have Miss Fletcher after we’re supposed to.” He spoke as quietly as Tristan had. “Best you herd them to the main deck and get as many spirits into them and the others as you can. Otherwise, I may have to put my back into this.”

      “Allow me a moment with the lady first.” He joined Diana. “In my absence, do whatever James says. He’s helping us escape. Don’t fight him, and no matter what he does to the others, don’t scream.”

      She looked appalled. “What is he planning to do?”

      “Just follow his orders and keep quiet. Now give me a fond farewell.” Without waiting for her to obey, he slanted his mouth over hers and slipped his tongue inside, enchanted at her glorious heat and wondrous taste.

      Soft moans escaped her. Their tongues danced. No matter how close she was to him, she was still too far away. Her scent captivated, making him long for more than a simple kiss. When he angled his head for greater access, she pressed against him, her mouth willing and wanton beneath his, denying him nothing.

      His ears buzzed.

      At last, Tristan needed a full breath and so did she, their mouths parting. His cock was painfully hard, his balls so tight they ached. She stroked his chest like a woman born for the task.

      He kissed her velvety cheek. “Well done.”

      She fought a smile. For him, the first of many.

      He released her and motioned Peter over. When the boy was at his side, Tristan clamped his shoulder. “Guard your sister well.”

      * * * *

      The moment Tristan left, his loud laughter sounded outside the door. Whoops and hollers from the men followed, along with crude comments.

      She leaned close to Peter. “What’s he up to?”

      “Fixing this mess you put us in.”

      “Miss Fletcher.” James spoke softly. “It would be best if you wait on the mattress with the blanket over your trousers and your shirt pulled off your shoulders, baring them.”

      “What?”

      “You need to look as if we’ve had you. Unwind your braid and muss your hair too. No matter what happens, don’t scream.”

      Peter grabbed a shirt off the floor. “Should I gag her?”

      She frowned.

      James smiled. “No need. She’ll keep quiet if she wants to escape.”

      Although Diana longed to flee this wretched ship, she feared what would happen next. Fighting panic, she loosened her hair, bared her shoulders, and perched on the bed.

      The cabin door flew open. The pirate wearing the yellow scarf reached her in an instant and grabbed her shirt, ready to tear it from her.

      James slammed his pistol butt against the man’s skull with a sickening crack. The pirate crumpled without a fight, or words, or even a cry. After James had bound and gagged him securely, he and Peter pulled him to the far corner from immediate view.

      Another pirate staggered inside, drunk but offering more fight, throwing wild punches, kicking and scratching as she had.

      Peter swore and hit him soundly in the jaw.

      He collapsed.

      James slapped the boy on his back. “Well done.”

      “I’ll do even better with the next one.”

      Diana shuddered. “I thought you said these men were your friends.”

      “Not him.”

      James

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