Raven Quest by Jo Ann Ferguson Page A

ease his ache for her. Later, the gold would … he hoped.
    Rory plumped the pillow under her head. Last night, it had seemed so soft. Tonight, it was as uncomfortable as a rock. She tugged on her chemise, but it clung to her legs. Lying back, she watched the starlight climb up and down the wall with every motion of the ship. It was long past midnight, but sleep eluded her as if it were noon.
    The timbers creaked as the ship strained against its sails and the sea. Voices rumbled on the deck as the men standing watch guided the Vengeance over the waves. A scent came in along with the salty breeze, and she realized it must be even later than she had guessed, for the cook was starting the day’s cooking in the galley below.
    From somewhere, a tenor voice sang a chantey. She listened to the melody, one she had not heard in Port Royal. Like a lullaby, it soothed her to sleep.
    When the latch lifting roused her, she had no idea how long she had been asleep. She reached for her knife, which she placed each night on the small table by her bed. Only when her hand met nothing but air did she remember she was on the Vengeance.
    A hearty laugh warned her that Nathan was entering. She frowned. What was he doing? She did not move as he closed the door. He sat on the edge of the bed and unbuttoned his shirt. The dim light reflected off his smile as he ordered, “Move over!”
    â€œAre you mad?”
    He laughed, and the scent of rum wafted from him. “You heard me, Rory. Move over.”
    â€œYou can’t sleep here! You said—”
    â€œThis is my bed, Rory, and I’m tired of sleeping on a hammock.” He shoved her closer to the wall. “I don’t mind sharing my bed with you.”
    â€œI’m sure you don’t, but—” She gasped as he stretched out and drew the blanket over him. She would not let him have his way. She would sleep somewhere else. It would not be comfortable on the deck, but she had slept in uncomfortable places before. She rose to her knees.
    Nathan turned, with a laugh, and grasped her upper arms. He jerked her down on top of him.
    â€œNo!” she screamed.
    â€œOh yes, there is room for both of us here,” he murmured against her ear.
    His strong chest against her sent a streak of desire the length of her. His hands framed her face, bringing her lips to his. She tried to wiggle away, but he rolled her onto her back. Gentle kisses softened her beneath him, but she fought the incredible yearning.
    â€œNathan, you said you wouldn’t—” She moaned as his mouth moved along her throat. When his fingers swept up along her breast, she splayed her fingers across his back. Delicious yearning ached deep within her.
    â€œYou lied to me, Rory. I lied to you. Now I want you to lie with me.”
    She tried to pull away again. How could she be so foolish? She could not let her craving for him control her. “No! I don’t love you!”
    â€œLove?” He scowled. “I don’t want your love. I ache for your sweet body.” As he touched the skin on the inside of her leg, tingles flickered through her. “You want that, too.”
    She shook her head and pushed his questing fingers away. “If I yearned for a man’s touch, I had plenty of opportunities in Port Royal. I want a man I can love.”
    â€œWhere have you ever seen love? In the brothel where you worked?”
    â€œLet me go!”
    â€œYou haven’t answered my question.”
    â€œYou want an answer? All right. I know what love isn’t. It isn’t bedding a man for a glitter of gold.” She raised her chin. “Just because I gave you my gold, Nathan, don’t expect that I’ll give you anything else.”
    When she pushed him away, she was surprised he moved. She scooped up the blanket and wrapped it around her.
    â€œWhere do you think you’re going?” he asked, sitting.
    â€œOut on deck.”
    He laughed darkly.