A Pirate's Bounty by Eliza Knight Page A

startling realization, a strong tug in her chest and a lump in her throat. She’d come to love him. For all they’d only known each other a short time, he was the only man who’d ever made her feel special, important, cared for.
    She couldn’t let him walk to his own death. She had to stop him.
    Was it best to steer him away? But how could she? He knew who her father was, where her family’s keep was.
    If only she could convince him to go to the king first.
    Yes! That was it. She would convince him to go to the king first, and while there she would seek an audience with the king. She would confess to His Majesty that she recognized the ring. She would tell him of her father’s deeds. And then she would drop to her knees in front of Wraith, beg his forgiveness, swear to him she hadn’t known.
    And pray pray pray he believed her and took mercy on her.
    * * * * *
     
    Wraith stood at the helm of his ship and peered through the telescope at the far-off shore of France. They would dock before dawn but would have to do so at the caves so no one spotted them. Already they’d taken down his pirate’s flag and replaced it with a regular sail. There was nothing to distinguish them as friend or foe, and he hoped that they ran into no other ships before laying anchor.
    One more night with Faryn.
    That was all he had until he returned her to her family and made his way to the king.
    Why did it feel like a knife twisting in his gut? He rubbed the imaginary soreness and indicated to Churl that he was going below deck to his quarters. “Let the men be merry tonight, for with the dawn we dock and our true adventure begins.”
    He descended the ladder and paused outside his cabin door. How would he say goodbye to her?
    Was he becoming such a dim-witted fancy pants? Never had a woman made him feel this way before. He refused to put his feelings into words. He shook his head and opened the door.
    Faryn sat on the bed, curled up into a little ball, looking lost and forlorn.
    Perhaps the girl needed a bit of what he sought.
    “A glass of bourbon?” he asked, walking to an armoire that housed drinking cups and liquor.
    Her eyes lit up at his suggestion. “Yes, please. I’ve only ever had wine and ale before.”
    He chuckled a bit at the excitement in her voice. “Drink it slowly. ’Twill warm your belly and soothe your mind.” He pulled out the bourbon and poured a healthy portion for himself and a smaller splash for Faryn. He handed her the cup. “To us.”
A sweet smile curved her lips, making him want to take her in his arms and kiss her. Not just any kiss but the kiss of a man in lov—
    He shook his head and slugged back the entire cup of bourbon, letting it burn its way down his throat until it sat hot in his belly.
    She too slugged back the liquor, and screwed up her face with distaste. “Whew!” she breathed. “I had thought you sipped it.”
    Wraith let his head fall back with a laugh that burst from the center of his being. The little imp had watched him chug his drink and followed suit, thinking that the proper way.
    “What? Was I not supposed to?” Her nose wrinkled and she looked genuinely concerned.
    He only laughed harder.
    She stood and her hands went to her hips, her brows furrowed. “Captain, I demand you tell me what you’re laughing at!”
    “You, my sweet. You are exactly the balm this hard-hearted pirate needs.”
    He did kiss her then, his mouth covering hers, his tongue sweeping in to claim her for his own. She tasted of sweet bourbon and femininity. He swept her up into his arms and carried her to the bed, where he laid her, before coming down on top of her, not breaking their kiss.
    Slowly he tugged the white linen shirt she wore from her body, before he caressed her breasts and nipples, letting his mouth fall where his hands had splayed. She tensed and arched against him as he nuzzled her breasts, sucking a nipple into his mouth, teasing it with his tongue, grazing it with his teeth.
    She explored