Chapter 21

Two grueling days had passed. 

Finally, the moment had arrived when they noticed Tortuga’s inlet on the horizon.

She gripped the railing and watched with sadness as the island slowly became noticeable. The port in the distance was riddled with ships bobbing in the bay near it. Naval ships. The familiarity quickened her heart that one of those could be in her father’s command.

She turned to look up at the helm where he stirred the ship. His gaze steady and unwavering looked forward. He had avoided her these last two days and it hurt her deeply.

Deep down she understood why. She just did not understand why she could not do the same. His eyes then caught hers. Similar in emotions they held each other’s gaze. Sadness, defeat, need, affection.... Desire.

She looked away as Bellamy and Quinn approached her. 

“Lass, Cap’ n will first transport Cuthburt with his men and shortly return for you. It will be sometime that passes.” Bellamy held her gaze. 

He was no fool to that look. But his lips remained shut. “Cook made a meal for ye in the meantime. Would you care to join this poor old fool one last time?” he gave her a bashful smile that brightened her own.

She stepped away with them one on each side of her. She could feel Justin’s warm gaze on her. But refused to look up. She would not be able to handle it.

They all sat in silence and ate. Shortly after Perkins mentioned Justin, Cuthburt, and his men in the boats were lowered and heading to the island, the mood in the air felt sad. They looked up often at her sullen look.

Not able to eat another bite, she excused herself and returned to the upper deck. By then he was off in the distance. She walked over to the unmanned spyglass near a barrel and looked out through it.

She loved the ones her father had laying around. Instinct had her pointing the spyglass towards him. And she watched as two of his men rowed him ashore. Off at the distance she looked at the man standing on a parapet watching Justin come closer.

She swallowed. Her heart dropped to her stomach at the familiar face. She lowered the spyglass. Horrible memories flashed before her. She could feel the blood drain from her face with those eyes that watched Justin come closer. A sense of foreboding washed over her as cold as a ruff winter surf. She pulled up the spyglass once more and looked around and caught men on standby at a distance. Waiting. She gasped.

“An ambush,” she gripped the barrel to steady her trembling legs.

She tossed the spyglass and took off in a dash below. In the corridor she ran headlong into strong arms and a broad chest that shot out to steady her. She looked up at the large pirate that barely speaks. 

“It’s an ambush, big John. There are men in waiting for Justin to get ashore,” she panicked.

He frowned and pulled her along towards the men near the rare cellar. 

She trembled with tears explaining to them what he was facing. “You have to do something,” she whispered.

They exchanged glances and began reaching for their weapons. She watched as one by one they stood with murderous glares on their faces. As she turned to follow them, abruptly Bellamy stopped her.

“You stay in the Capn’s cabin and arm yourself.” 

She shook her head. Frantically, she searched for what to say.

“All of you cannot go. You will all be captured. What good will that do?”

They stopped. They looked at one another. “I have a plan,” she whispered. Expectant gazes held hers.

They turned skeptical.

“If ’n yer plan gets him off that island whole lass, we are all ears,” one spoke from the back.

She nervously began to speak.

Moments later she found herself with bound wrists and a cutlass at her throat facing the view of the island at a distance.

“I swear Quinn if you don’t pull harder, I will personally shove you overboard,” she hissed with the bumbling first mate that gripped her hair.

“Sorry,” he chirped tightening his fists exchanging a terrifying glance with John then Bellamy.

“This is madness we will either die at the hands of the royal navy or the cap’n’s hands.” Bellamy shook his head.

“Either way we be meeting Davy Jones, after this ruse. And all of ye bumbling idiots will ‘ave to answer to the cap’n. I takes no part in this. Yer all on ye own,” one of the men walked away grumbling.

“Get in positions blokes he is approaching Haines.” Will, a swabbie yelled holding the spyglass.

“Bloody fool be careful with the cutlass at her throat.” Bellamy hissed watching Quinn’s hands shake.

They listened.

“Bloody ‘ell we will be floating belly up in the ocean for sure after this. The officer talking to him is looking at us and he donna look too ‘appy,” Will grumbled. 

“Now.....Cap’n is staring back at us and that look ain’t nothing too partial of a wish to murdering us all,” he whistled.

“I fear yer not safe either, Siren,” he shook his head referring to Tempest.

“Shut yer trap and just keep watch,” Quinn snapped.

“Easy,” she squealed breathlessly as the cool blade of the cutlass pressed into her throat. A cold bead of perspiration trickled down her back.

“Swabbies the Naval Guards are taking Cuthburt away and loading the boats with trunks and barrels,” Will said.

Tense with worry they waited until he was alone on the boat and midway towards the ship before dragging her away below deck.

“Keep up the appearance swabbies,” Will mumbled lowering the spyglass now able to see Justin clear as day.

Everyone turned away and began clearing the deck to help him aboard the ship. He barely cleared the deck before furiously shouting orders to lift the anchor and set sail at once.

He was livid as he took the stairs in twos down the hatchway towards his cabin. The door slammed open, and three culprits jumped as he stepped in.

The two imbeciles between the wood sprite that haunted his sanity cowered under his gaze. Bellamy started to speak, then fell silent as the captain’s face darkened ominously. After a moment, his hard blue eyes swung toward her, and she nervously lowered her gaze.

He took in her disheveled look and the bound hands. His jaw ticked and clenched at the sight of her. The gentle lamb offered up as a sacrifice. His heart slammed in his chest thinking the worst had happened. From the spyglass, she looked helpless and fearful. But he zeroed in on the ruse in time as he watched Quinn closely.

“Get out.”

“But Cap’ n, we were only...” Quinn whined, then fell back a pace at the naked fury in his captain’s eyes.

“I said, Get. Out!” his gaze never left hers as they slowly lowered their heads and made their way to the door leaving her to face him.

Now alone with the thick air of silence hanging above them, he said nothing. How could he? He left his tongue, his whit’s, and his heart on Tortuga after seeing the cutlass at her throat.

But here she stood. Graceful and perfect like the most exotic flower he had ever seen. He would kiss her senseless if he wasn’t seconds away from laying her across his knee for the crazy scheme she committed.

He stepped close. She did not budge.

“Do you have any idea, how much danger you put yourself in?” he growled.

She lowered her gaze.

“Do you realize now I must leave you at Port in London after posing yourself as my captive?” 

She had the gall to look relieved.

He did not know whether to crush her in his arms and thank the saints above that his crew did not intend to harm her... or... punish her and make her swab the deck along with the incompetent fools he left caring for her.

So much was coming down on him at once.

He had finally gotten the pardons needed to extract his next plan. He was dead set on leaving her with Haines. But after this, his plans have changed. He could not let her get in the way. It wasn’t safe.

“I told you I had no intentions of going to Port,” he said firmly. Grinding his teeth in frustration.

He began to pace to calm his temper, but it was useless. He confronted her pulling her close. He tilted her chin up to look at her. With a hardened look, he held her gaze.

“I am a Pirate. I don’t have time to be caring for a young girl that has no business being on this ship. I have priorities, Tempest. And a responsibility to my ship and the crew on it.” He said clearly and coldly.

He glared down at her expecting that defiant tongue to lash out, but it didn’t. His heart jumped at the way she sniffled. Christ the tears. He did not need the tears. 

“Why did you do it? To tickle your fancy?” he tipped her chin up.

“No!” she breathed past a sob.

“What then? What could have made you attempt something so reckless?” 

He shouted.

“It was an ambush!” she shouted back.

“What was I supposed to do, watch them take you away?” she questioned.

Shock registered on his face.

“Forgive me for saving your tail once more. Now we are even.” She cried out furiously.

“I did not know we were keeping score,” he gritted his teeth and gripped her chin to stare at her.

“We aren’t anymore,” she whispered as his fingers made their way to her nape. “Don’t count on me saving you the next time you’re chained to a ship’s mast,” her retort swelled his heart.

She was resourceful as she was defiant and reckless. Vexingly beautiful when set in her ways. Even more when she was upset.

“Spiteful chit,” he pulled her to him, his voice harsh.

The sight of her angry face, her eyes filled with hurt and contempt glossy with unshed tears, and her nose red as a cherry sent his heart in an uproar.

“Heartless rogue,” she choked out on a sob.

Dear God she was going to be the death of him.

He lowered his lips to hers in one passionate swoop. She tasted as rich and delicious and forbidden as ever. Every kiss was a promise he couldn’t fulfill. And it brought on a slight pain in his chest. He would never waltz with her at balls, court her and walk with her in gardens or enjoy an afternoon of tea with her. He lived here, in the moment. He would dock in London, leave her with her parents then take off to Surry. The bitter realization of what he was going to do slightly blurred though. He was aware of what needed to be done. Nothing or no one will stop him. But now, he would set all of it aside for now.

Now, at this moment, she was right here with him. Even if for one night or two or what little time that they had left he would live it. Spend every night with her in his arms until he sets her free.

He kissed her hungrily as if he were a man starving. He pulled away and reached for his dagger in his boot and withdrew it. With a calming ease, he cut the rope that bound her wrists. 

His eyes wrested on the delicate softness of them that was slightly red.

He rubbed his thumb gently over it resting it on her thumping pulse.

“Don’t ever do this again,” he warned. His voice was ragged with emotion dripped with desire. 

She said nothing but only nodded.

Her heart clamored heavily in her chest as he pulled away from her and quickly pulled her linen shirt over her head and discarded it along with his own. She was in his arms once more savoring his kisses as he walked her back to the bunk then lowered her gently towards the middle and draped his body over hers.

He fought an inner battle. Every part of him wanted to take her here and now, make passionate love to her until she lay breathless and sated in his arms. Yet he pulled out a thread of sanity long enough to consider her innocence and the warning bells to not compromise her.

Now above her, he enjoyed her warm soft skin that brushed against his. The way her fingers grazed and tugged his hair. She was irresistible. His lips traveled to the tender indenture between her shoulder and her neck resting on her rapid pulse. He lifted her leg, hooking her thigh over his hip, tempting both of them with his slow grinding movements.

Her heart pounded as he pressed his hard sex against her again. Excitement raced along her spine as he coaxed her mouth open with his tongue and did it once more.

She arched against him with a breathless whimper he enjoyed hearing as he lowered his fingers into her breeches and wove them through the soft patch of curls. He went on his elbow, wanting to see her sweet body and her beautiful face while he pleasured her. He suckled her breasts, all the while his fingers worked their magic, stroking her until she writhed against him, crazy with need.

His heart gave a jolt at seeing her eyes half-closed, dark with desire. He felt a strange thrill at her surrender. A tingle began deep inside her stomach and spread down between her legs. She moaned, not wanting the pleasure to end. Then suddenly an unbelievable sensation coursed through her that wracked her entire body. She moaned low in her throat with her release that finally left her spent and her body humming.

He leaned upon his elbow and looked down at her meeting her satisfied stare with a sensual smile. She was so gorgeous, so innocent; it was a lethal combination.

He lowered his lips to hers once more and kissed her. He pulled away and plopped on his back. Grasping for control to quiet his raging heart. A tenderness, soft as velvet, filled his heart as she drew close and wrapped herself around him. She kissed him softly on his chest and they lay in silence stretched out with legs entwined, her head resting on his shoulder. He drew the sheet across her and snuggled close.

Then his hand fell on her hair and his fingers sifted through it. She fell asleep.

*******

"How did you know about the ambush?" he asked.

The deep rumble of his voice interrupted the silence that lingered around them since she opened her eyes. He had felt her stir awake for some time but chose not to say anything and just enjoy her in his arms.

He did not want to break the tranquil moment in the cabin, but then remembering her words, he needed to know. She knew of the ambush. But how?

His skilled eyes should have caught it.

He lay still. Waiting for her to respond. She let the time pass before she gathered up the courage to tell him. 

"It... was when I saw Lieutenant Haines," she said.

"You know him?"

"Unfortunately, yes."

He lay silent on the tone of her voice. He waited for her to continue. But her silence is all he got.

He shifted slightly and faced her.

His gaze steadily held hers.

"How well did you know him?" 

A sharp possessive pang grew within him at the idea of her and Haines having anything more than a cordial acquaintance. 

Although he had no right to feel anything of the sort, he could not help it.

She lowered her gaze. He gently tilted up her chin and waited for her to speak. 

He could feel the slight shiver from her as she exhaled slowly.

"A year ago...He came to visit us in Port Royal," she began. 

"He was a guest in our home during his stay."

She closed her eyes. She tried desperately not to let that day affect her.

"In my father's absence, he would look at me in a way that made me feel uneasy."

His jaw slowly tightened.

"He made advances towards me and tried to kiss me. When I threatened to tell my father, he laughed and told me he wouldn't believe me." she drew in a shaky breath.

His jaw clenched more. He was grateful that they were in the dark so she could not see the anger slowly crossing his visage.

"Did he touch you?"

"No. But the last day of his stay, he cornered me and pressed his body against me inappropriately in the stables and said things that frightened me."

He tilted her chin up gently. "What did he say?" he demanded.

The brief seconds of silence had him on edge.

"Tempest?" he whispered impatiently.

"One day I will be his," she mumbled.

A wrathful oath escaped him.

He pulled away gently from her and sat up, swinging his feet down on the ground. Gripping the wooden edge of the bunk he muttered another oath. She sat up wearily facing his back in the dark. At a loss for words and terrified that she said something wrong. She sat quietly behind him.

"I nearly delivered you to him." He whispered.

"Now I understand his insistence that you not be harmed. I thought it was concern because you are the Admirals daughter. Now, I know that is not the case," he shook his head.

"Tread lightly where she is concerned, pirate. Not a hair on her is to be touched or you will surely swing from the gallows," Haines warned him before letting him go.

Justin rose suddenly to his feet. "Damn him!" he cursed heatedly.

Hesitantly she knelt up and clutched the sheets to her chest and edged closer to him.

"Are you angry with me?"

"No, lass of course not," He murmured.

"It does not feel that way." behind him, her voice sounded sad. It jarred him.

He slowly turned to face her. He approached the bunk and gazed down at her upturned face. He gently caressed her cheek and smirked. 

"I am angrier with myself than anything," he said.

Her beautiful aqua green eyes lit with confusion. 

"Why?" she whispered.

For several long breaths, Justin didn't speak until finally, he tipped up her chin so that their eyes met in the dark, his sparkled like water.

"I nearly left you in his care. Because of this stubborn notion in my head that you are not safe on this ship." He swallowed. "Or.....safe with me," he whispered.

"Why am I not safe with you?" she frowned.

If she only knew...He thought.

"Isn't it obvious, lass? I can't help myself around you. I have done a deplorable job at keeping my distance from you. Look how I have you." he lowered his gaze down on her where she still gripped the sheets to her bare breasts.

" I..." he stopped looking her up and down sadly.

"How can you say that?" she shook her head. "You have been more than brave and honorable when you have done nothing but save my life, twice now, it was an unselfish risk of your own life," she looked up at him.

"An unselfish risk I should not have to take if I get you safe with your family."

"I don't think I have felt safer than I have with you," she whispered.

He drew in a deep breath and pulled her closer. "I have passed my limit with you. And I fear if you stay any longer on this ship, your virtue will be in peril."

"If my virtue is in peril, it is because....," she swallowed. Shyly she lowered her gaze and glanced at his chest. "I want it that way."

He looked down at her in confusion and amazement. Justin remained silent, not knowing what to say. 

She stood there and blinked at him, waiting, feeling lost in the brilliance of his steady blue gaze.

He held her captive there, studying her face intently. "Do you realize what you're saying?" he whispered stepping closer observing her as she bit her lip and nodded.

Slowly, he ended the tormenting silence by pulling her fully into his arms and pressing his face into her hair.

He felt his heart race as she circled his waist with her arms. His lips found her temple, then her cheek then gently near her ear, he murmured, "You're too innocent and pure to say such a thing. I struggle daily to keep you at a safe distance, Tempest," he paused then pulled back to look at her.

"I feared that if I did not leave you on Tortuga, I would no sooner let you go when we docked at Port in London," He caressed her jaw.

She took no time for his words to sink in before she blurted out softly her response. "Neither would I," she whispered so softly he nearly did not hear her, but he did. Loud and clear.

Her head spun and her body flooded with warmth at the unexpected boldness of her own confession. Wanting to stay on this ship...with him? It was preposterous. But the idea felt saner than anything to her.

His eyes glinted down at her rather dazedly for a moment, as if he was having trouble getting his bearings on what she said.

He indeed heard her correctly.

But did she truly mean it? The terrifying question played dangerously with his emotions as he lowered his lips to hers, trying with all the restraint he could muster to not search her eyes for the truth. Instead, he felt it on her lips as they softened sweetly for him.

He shook terribly embracing her with a need he barely recognized. He realized that her kisses were no longer shy and inexperienced.

He caressed her gently as her tongue slowly explored the hollow heat of his own and he moaned deepening the kiss until it became one of reckless abandon. Suddenly, his mind, a muddled mess soon cleared with the reminder that she would be doing the same one day with her future husband.

...And that won't be him.

Envy seared through him like liquid fire forcing him to pull her tighter against his body; He thrust a hand at the back of her head, his fingers burying deep into her scalp as he explored her mouth with a thoroughness that left both of them trembling. She drank in the kiss, melting against him; she could feel his throbbing erection against her lower abdomen.

He gently tugged the coverlet from her fingers and pushed the material down to her waist with his other hand, then slid them up her shivering bare torso, slowly cupping and caressing her breast, his lips still holding hers captive.

Tempest felt heat wash over her entire body and shivered with anticipation and desire as his fingers lowered softly down her back, beneath the waistband to her breeches towards her rump, and caressed it.

The moment was so arousing between them that It swept them away in passionate sweeps that they barely heard the first knock at the door. It wasn't until Bellamy's voice rang through that they stood rigid to the spot. Breathless, in the throes of desire and lust still clinging to them, he felt her stiffen in his arms and slowly their lips parted. 

His chest heaved and his fingers trembled on her soft skin as their heads pressed together. Trying to calm their rapid hearts they listened as Bellamy knocked on the door again.

Their eyes met. The swirl of desire still thick around them slightly lifted and parted as she shyly lifted her arms to cover her breasts. His eyes tightened shut as he sought some type of control to pull away.

He watched intently as she slowly drew on his discarded shirt and waited for her to be decent before he answered the door.

Justin turned to the door and called out. "Come in."

"Forgive me for interrupting, Captain." Bellamy's voice was gentle as he spoke from just inside the cabin door. "I'd like to go over the charts with you as we are slowly approaching Isle of Azores." He slanted a warm look at Tempest cozily sitting on the bunk. "And the crew opened the trunks you brought aboard ship from Tortuga. The lass may find some of the items in one of them useful."

A frown creased Justin's brow as he silently agreed. 

With a curt nod, Bellamy shouted, and shortly after two men hauled it in through the cabin door. It was opened and they slowly stepped back.

Justin looked at it and stepped aside as he watched Tempest slowly lower from the bunk in timid apprehension. It wasn't until Justin nodded that she knelt before it in awe of the bundle of clothing.

Feminine clothing...

He stood rapt to the spot and watched her beam with delight as she pulled out gown after gown. Petticoats and shawls and bodices. Then her fingers landed on a beautiful white nightgown.

Then suddenly it dawned on him. Such refineries she was accustomed to. Who was he kidding? Such things were not needed at sea. She was accustomed to them and a good life, safe on land. He would never be able to offer her that as long as he sailed the dangerous open waters. He was rich indeed and could buy her anything and everything. Except for respectability.

He had no title. No name. Yet.

He looked down at her then. The sensation rippling through his chest was indescribable, the smile she returned to him was clueless to his inner torment, but it was dazzling and breathtaking all the same. Dejectedly he left her sifting through the trunk and went above deck with the sinking feeling in his chest and burning question in his mind.

Could he let her go?

*******