To Catch a Pirate by Jade Parker Page B

voice. An undercurrent that was decidedly dangerous. She was grateful for an opportunity to change the subject. She pointed toward the sky. “Look, there’s a star falling. Where does it go? Do you think it falls into the ocean?”
    “Of course. I’ve seen them there. They come to life once they hit the water.”
    Laughing lightly, she glanced over at him. “I don’t believe you.”
    “I can show you if you like.”
    “You can show me living stars?”
    “At Crimson’s island. The water is so clear that when you walk out in it, you can see your feet … and all the creatures that live there. Among them are the stars.”
    “I doubt we’ll have time to go scavenging.” But she was intrigued by the notion. “How much longer until we get there?”
    “We get there when we get there.”
    “Nathaniel is beginning to doubt that you know where the island is. He thinks you’re toying with us.”
    “I don’t really care what Northrup thinks. What do you think?”
    “That you have nothing to gain by delaying our arrival.”
    He smiled broadly in the moonlight. “Exactly. Why would I put off gaining my freedom?”
    “I’m not sure. Where’s your guard?” she asked.
    “Sleeping. He snores, as well.”
    “We’ll have to assign another one then.”
    “If it makes you feel safer.”
    She wasn’t certain anything would make her feel safer until he was off her ship.
    “I saw you dancing earlier,” he said.
    “Why didn’t you join in?”
    “Was I invited?”
    “I suppose not.”
    The words felt cruel, but they were honest. If he had approached her, she wasn’t at all certain she’d have danced with him. It would have been uncomfortable with the others watching. And what would they have thought if she’d smiled at him as she had at Nathaniel? If she’d given any indication that she was enjoying herself?
    He took a step nearer. “We could dance now.”
    She released a slight laugh. “There’s no music now.”
    “Of course there is. How can you be deaf to it?”
    She strained to listen. Were the men playing belowdecks? She shook her head. “I don’t hear it.”
    “How can you not hear the wind as it dances over the water?”
    “We were talking of music.”
    “It is music. To me at least.”
    He was suddenly so very, very close.
    “Listen to it. Close your eyes and listen,” he urged.
    She was incredibly tempted, but not with him this near. “I can listen just as well with my eyes open.”
    “Hear the water, the wind, and that whale. It’s all music.”
    Turning, she faced away from him, faced the sea. “It’s a lonely sound.”
    She was acutely aware of him coming up behind her, putting his arms on either side of her, and grabbing the railing. Perhaps she’d even invited his nearness.
    “Not so lonely,” he whispered near her ear.
    For the longest time, they stood there with neither of them moving, listening to the sea.
    “Anna,” he rasped.
    It was the first time he’d ever called her by name. In his voice, she heard the longing that mirrored her own. She was vaguely aware that she’d turned, that his arms were suddenly holding her close, that she was looking up into his eyes …
    He dipped his head and kissed her.
    And it was as though the tempest had returned. A storm of desire swept through her. While she knew it was wrong to want to kiss him, she lacked the will to withdraw.
    Everything about this moment was wrong. And yet she couldn’t deny that she never wanted it to end. With his lips against hers, she could hear the music of the sea. Or perhaps it was only her heart singing. She’d never known anything as wondrous.
    He drew back, a cocky grin on his face. “That one I didn’t steal. That one you gave willingly. I wonder how your Mr. Northrup will feel about that when he finds out.”
    The sound of her palm hitting his cheek resounded around them. “You’re no gentleman, sir.”
    “That’s exactly why you’re drawn to me. I think you like that I’m a pirate. I bring