Owned by Pirates

He extended his other hand, and I returned the gesture automatically. He brought his lips to the back of my hand in a tiny kiss. “Thank you, m’lady. I greatly appreciate this.”

Just then the Captain came around the corner, and McGee dropped my hand, looking ashen. “Cap’n, your fine lass can sew more than clothing.” He held up his bandaged hand.

The Captain’s lips were tight, and he didn’t speak.

“A dozen wee stitches, right through me skin, Cap’n. Just like a real doctor.”

“Good job, lass,” the Captain said curtly. “Back to work with ye, McGee.”

“Yessir.” He disappeared up onto the deck.

I tidied up the supplies and scrubbed the table clean, while the Captain just stared at me. Finally I turned to look at him. “Is there a problem, sir?”

He pulled out a barrel and sat, pulling me onto his lap. “No problem with you, lassie. It was... unsettling to see another man kiss you.”

I laughed lightly. “Sir, I had just been piercing his skin with a needle. He was not in his right mind, and I think the tender gesture was purely gratitude.”

“Aye. Still didn’t like it.” He appeared uncomfortable, still tense.

My eyes darted around, making sure we were alone. Wrapping my hands around his neck, I brought our mouths close as I whispered, “You’re the only man I’ve really kissed.” Our lips met, and his arms pulled me in until I was pressed tightly against him.

I couldn’t believe how I felt his kisses through my entire body. It felt like he was possessing me through his lips. Overtaking me gently. Completely.

In my close-fitting, light dress, he could see my arousal immediately, as the peaks of my nipples stood out clearly. His palm slid along my back, then under my arm to circle my breast. My tiny gasp against his lips was pure excitement, and I could feel his kiss turn into a smile. His large hand cupped the weight of my soft skin as I melted against him. Bringing his thumb across the peak of my nipple, he made me sigh too loudly.

Realizing that we could be caught at any moment, he retracted his hand and leaned back. He seemed amused by the way I pouted.

“Not the time nor the place, lassie,” he said, bouncing me on his knee jovially. “Not appropriate to let the lads see what they cannot have.”

Pressing my lips together in thought, I contemplated for a moment.

“Ask your question, lass.”

“Sir, I know that men have needs. Does, um... does the ship pull into certain ports occasionally so that the men can go...” I lowered my voice to below a breath, “Whoring?”

His laugh was so loud and bright that it startled me. “Aye, lassie, 'tis true. The minds of men become those of squirrels if they don’t feel the touch of a woman every so often. Does this bother you?”

I shook my head. “Not at all. I was just curious.” I didn’t tell him that fragments of stories had accidentally reached my ears since I’d been onboard. I also didn’t tell him how intriguing I thought the stories were.

He suddenly looked a bit forlorn. “A proper lass like you really shouldn’t know about such things, nor hear the language of six salty sailors all day.”

“Nonsense,” I said, standing up and putting away the rags to be scrubbed later. “I’ve learned more in my weeks on this ship than I have in the past five years in the village.” I winked. “And I don’t just mean the bawdy talk.”

After supper, I felt like the men couldn’t talk freely with me there, so I took a lamp to the Captain’s bedroom and worked on my little shell collars. I knew that the men probably needed some lads only time.

I couldn’t help that a few of the more boisterous bits of the conversation reached my ears. They were indeed planning to visit a port sometime soon that featured their favorite whorehouse. I’d heard a few whispers on deck, but once they were into the rum, things became louder.

Although I tried to concentrate on my work, that had me in a bit of a tizzy. I felt so close to the Captain, but it was hard to tell how he felt about me.

In the beginning, I’d assume that since he had purchased me, he’d use me to satisfy his carnal desires. Then I realized how gentle and kind he was to me. He had to know that now that I knew him, that’s what I wanted as well. Or was I so shy and reserved that I hadn’t been clear with my feelings toward him?

It was times like these when I wished that I had a girlfriend to talk to about such matters.

~ Chapter 14 ~ The Captain ~

* The Rum *

It didn't take much persuasion before I was drinking an extra bit of rum and telling some of the tales I likely should have kept to myself.