Owned by Pirates

He poured a small sip into an empty mug and handed it to me. Swallowing carefully, I probably made a face as if I’d sucked a lemon. I heard Teeth laughing as he caught my expression on his way in. It tasted like old bread that had gone strange. "Water for me, thank you."

Davy laughed, rinsing the mug and filling it with water. “Don’t you fear, lassie,” he said, “It tastes bitter at first. Then you just drink more until you no longer care!”

I giggled, finding spoons, then sitting on a barrel. The rest of the men left the one beside me empty for the Captain. As I saw him come through the door, I felt a blush across my cheeks as I realized he looked for me first. His eyes softened the second he saw me, and he sat down very close.

“Lass, Larry tells me you’re quick as a whip with sail edging. Well done.”

He patted my hand where it rested on my leg, then he held it for a moment under the table, out of sight of the other men. For just a second, he entwined his fingers with mine, giving a squeeze before releasing me.

I was feeling all sorts of wild new things, but the deep ache in my belly was insistent. I needed to kiss him. Needed him to hold me. For the first time in my life, I realized that I needed… even more. And not for the man’s pleasure, like I’d always been taught. For my own.

~ Chapter 8 ~ The Captain ~

* Sleep *

It was very reassuring coming down the galley to see dinner served, and Flora joking with the boys. Perhaps it was wrong to steal a little hand-holding under the table, but I couldn’t resist. Her sweet blush drove me wild.

We enjoyed our meal, with the boys discussing what color shirts they should have, and O’Doule commenting on the upcoming weather patterns.

Flora seemed entranced, as if she were absorbing every bit of information like a sponge. When we were finished, Davy poured another round of ale, but I waved him away. Although I’d never admit it, I wanted to be alone with the little lass.

Once again, I nodded to the doorway, and she followed me. But this time she seemed more excited than nervous. Or perhaps I was just hopeful.

Reading women was a lot harder than knowing what men were thinking. With men, you could ask them straight out. If they weren’t honest in their reply, that was their fault.

But women, especially a dear lass like Flora, seemed to have been taught to serve. They never thought to put themselves first. I hoped to break her of this habit someday. First, she’d have to become comfortable with me.

As soon as I shut the door, I spun her slim shoulders, unfastening the buttons at the back of her dress. “I see you’re not quite buttoned up,” I chuckled.

“Oh, Larry thought maybe leaving my dress loose would help my back to heal.” She looked back at me over her shoulder with those sweet blue eyes.

“That’s a good idea,” I said, opening the back of her dress. I couldn’t resist running my hands along her lower back for just a moment. She made a soft sigh, leaning toward me slightly.

It thrilled me that she enjoyed my touch. It was such a simple comfort, and I wanted her to learn to relax and let herself go.

I turned away as she changed into her nightdress. Once she was in bed, I pulled my clothing off, noticing as I slid in beside her that she’d left the top button open on purpose this time.

“What have you learned about the ship today?” I asked. I laid on my back, turned a bit toward her. She laid on her side with her arm curled under her head, facing me.

“I think I learned where most of the things in the kitchen are. I know where all of the sewing supplies are, and Larry had me edging a sail. I’m still learning the nautical names for things, but nobody seems to mind when I use the wrong terms.”

“That’s my lass,” I smiled at her. I loved the beauty of her eyes when they twinkled with pride. “You just keep at it, and go at your own speed.”

I watched as her eyes wandered from my lips to my tanned chest. I wish I knew if she was feeling the same strange pressure in her belly as I was. Reaching out, I dragged my thumb across her bottom lip, making her smile. Flora shifted again, her leg stretching out, accidentally brushing mine. Then she gasped as she realized I wasn’t wearing pants tonight. They were too stiff and warm, and it was awkward to sleep in them.

She snapped her eyes up to mine, nearly shaking.

“Lass, there’s something you’re going to learn while you’re out here at sea.”

“Yes?”

“We live in our own world. There are no proper people to judge us. No village elders to give us orders. No fishwives to gossip. If we want something, we take it. If we think something will give us pleasure, we do it. No second thoughts. We sometimes leap without looking. Do you understand what I mean?”

“Um...”

“What I’m saying is, you can say anything you want. Do what you like. And if you want to touch me, go ahead.”

Her tiny gasp amused me, but something in her eyes shifted. She cautiously reached out her hand, placing it over my heart. Stroking gently across the planes of muscle, my skin felt rough under her feminine hand.