Daniel was incredulous. "As you did merely what you had to ? You had no need to take my ship!".
" Had you surrendered as you should have, there would have been no need for bloodshed."
"So now I'm supposed to just hand over my vessel without a murmur! Captain, you go beyond all bounds of sanity!" He stared at her furious. What kind of man did she take him for? A fool, certainly.
" I had need of your ship", She said coolly." The seas belong to whomsoever can rule them . They strongest always win. "
" You think yourself more powerful than I ? " He laughed. " Captain, one look will prove that I am the stronger one . "
" perhaps bodily , " she replied eyeing him up and down , noting the hard muscles of his lean body , the way his broad shoulders tapered to a tight, firm waist and slim hips. " But I have no doubt I could best you by other means. And I have proved it by taking your ship. "
He said nothing merely looking scornful." The question is moot, " Lynnette continued. " What's done is done, yet , if it will make you feel better, I regret the loss if life involved. I am not fond of killing. "
As apologies went, he had heard better . Still , he supposed it was as much as he could hope for, and she was right . it was no use railing as the author of miseries whilst he remained in her power. Later, perhaps, he could do something to even the score. For now he would let it lie.
Silence reigned for a long moment.
" I suppose," said Daniel resignedly, " that you'll have me locked up again anon."
" Why, no . I see no reason that you shouldn't have a look at your surroundings. You had little chance yesterday to see the island. Wander about at your leisure, enjoy the beaches, explore a little." The pirate's tone was relaxed, magnanimous.
Daniel arched one winged black brow. " you don't fear that I might simply disappear out under your nose if you set me at liberty?"
She laughed. " I think you'll find there's little hope of that. One of my men will be watching over you at all times and this is a small island. You make one foolish move ten men will know of it before you can even blink. They may not be as civil as I would be in stopping you ".
He reined in his temper with an effort. Of all the arrogant . . .But t her underestimation of his skills and determination could only work in his favour. If she thought he couldn't handle a few pirates, she'd be more careless when it counted . Best to let the wench think him a popinjay, much as it galled him. When he made his move , she'd never know what hit her. So instead of biting her head off, he merely pasted on a pleasant, harmless smile.
Lynnette nodded equably. " Good. I'm glad you're being so reasonable about all this . When you've toured the island a bit , you're welcome to come and watch the repairs we're doing on the 'Empire '. She rose from the table, tossed her napkin down absently, and gestured him towards the shell-lined cove path.
As he rose to his feet , Daniel smiled wider, " Ladies first ", he said because he knew it would gall her.
Lynnette didn't know what had come over her where Daniel was concerned. She gave him freedom, all the while knowing he was dangerous. She shared meals with the man, which , Lord knew was totally unnecessary. Worse, he had begun to creep into her mind. At off times the past few days Lynnette had found herself wondering what the prisoner was doing, and now he was here on her island, she felt his presence everywhere.... even in her rum-soaked dreams.
She blushed to think of it.
In the night, Lynnette had woken up or thought she woke up to feel a delicate, delicious pressure on her mouth , arousing her senses to center on her touch . She slowly recognized the sensation for what they were. The lightest kisses imaginable fluttered upon her lips like the wings of butterflies. Again and again, hot soft lips descended to hers, and she did not shy away or attempt to stop them . It felt too right , too natural, for her to ever want it to cease.
Then they pulled away oh , so gently , and she saw the face of her fantasy lover . It was he . Long , silky raven hair framed his sensual face, and dark-rimmed silver eyed stared heatedly down at her in the moonlight. And her dream-self did not think it strange.
Captain Bradley smiled slowly, and she reached up to touch his jaw in wonderment. The skin she touched was so smooth underneath the beard stubble, yet it was firm, and she felt the underlying strength at the unyielding core of him. He ducked his head once more to meet her lips more fully, deepening the searing kiss until she was shaking from the intensity of it. His tongue mated with hers in an erotic dance , lush and heady , pleasuring her voluptuously. Those long lean hands moved to touch her throat , her collarbone, stroking lightly across her silken skin, crushing her den rush of desire , his arms came around her , crushing her close, and she felt the length of his entire strong, hot body . His naked body.
But she was naked , too, Lynnette realized hazily , and it was right . She reached eagerly for him , in the dream perfectly sure of herself. She wrapped one long , slim leg around his , needing to feel his hard flesh against hers. And she And she begged . . . . dear God, had she truly begged? For him to touch her more fully, to make her his. He obeyed instantly.
Callused hands molded her breast , caressing boldly, palming the hard peaks that burned so sweetly for him. She gasped at the shooting pleasure and said his name as if in prayer. Then his wet mouth replaced his hands , and she could not think , it felt so good.