“Leaving so soon, Love?” Jake’s voice came from the darkness behind her.
Anna turned quickly, watching him step from the shadows. He was dressed in the same black, leather slacks and jacket he wore earlier, the ensemble highlighting the muscles in his thighs and upper body. His faint beard matched the mussed black hair on his head. Ocean colored eyes smiled at her with a knowing gleam as she shifted nervously. “I didn’t know if you were coming,” Anna admitted.
“The thought was mutual,” the smell of salty air and sun clung to him as he stepped closer. “I’m glad you came.”
“So, what now?” Anna asked.
“Now, Love,” Jake grinned as he took her hand. “We have a little fun.”
Anna felt her stomach drop at his statement as her fight or flight response kicked in. She debated jerking away from Jake’s gentle grasp on her hand, but something kept her still. An odd secureness settled over her as they strolled down the side streets hand in hand. Anna tried to figure out why she didn’t fear the large, intimidating man beside her. She knew nothing about him and had no reason to trust his intentions, yet she held no misgivings. Several minutes later, when he pulled her into a small bar on the edge of the docks, Anna still had no answer.
***
Jake sensed Anna’s discomfort through the dim interior of the bar, obviously unfamiliar with the setting. The establishment was one of the more pleasant in Meridelle, hosting the better class of sailors and privateers, but Anna wasn’t the type to enjoy the loud, reveling of drunkards. “I’m sorry about the patrons, Love, but,” Jake leaned in so he could be heard. “Finnigan’s has the best mandral in the realm. Well worth the company.”
“Mandral?” Anna asked, her breath fanning his cheek as she repeated his tactic.
“You can’t tell me you’ve never tried mandral,” Jake resisted the urge to press his lips to her skin.
“I’m,” Anna hesitated, a cautious expression on her face. “I’m not from around here.”
“You hail from a very odd place if you’ve never had mandral,” Jake laughed, but quickly quieted at the sad expression which came over Anna’s face. “I’m sorry, Love, I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“You didn’t,” Anna’s forced smile told Jake of her lie.
He returned her smile, threading his gloved fingers with her bare ones. “Mandral is a fish,” Jake explained. “This place happens to prepare it better than I’ve ever tasted in all my travels.”
“You travel a lot?” Anna asked in an obvious attempt to change the conversation.
“Aye,” Jake answered, wondering how best to explain without scaring off the skittish woman beside him. “I’m a sailor; a Captain.”
“You have a ship?” Anna picked up a chip from the basket in the center of the table, her teeth nibbling on the crisp shell.
Jake couldn’t take his eyes from her lips, his thoughts suddenly focused on claiming them with his own. Knowing Anna was not a woman to be rushed Jake shook off his preoccupation and turned his mind to the subject at hand. “Aye, she sails straight as an arrow and can overtake the best in the royal Fleet. She’s the finest ship in the realm.” Anna’s lips twitched as she stared at him. Feeling slightly self-conscious, Jake had to ask, “What?”
“Nothing, just you,” Anna shook her head. “When you talk about your ship you sound so proud, almost like it’s your child.”
“Aye, she is,” Jake was proud of his Crimson Jewel, she was truly the finest ship ever built.
“I’d love to see it,” Anna remarked. “I’ve never been on a ship before.”
Jake opened his mouth, preparing to offer her a tour of his prize, but closed it again. He knew Anna wouldn’t take the information of his Pirate status well and showing her his Crimson Jewel would leave no doubt as to what his calling was. Jake wasn’t ready to let her walk, or in this case run out of his life. He needed to get her out of his system and she would be much more willing for what he had in mind if Jake kept his station secret.
The dreary bar lit with life as their meals arrived; a band taking up instruments to play a rousing tune. Jake was entranced by Anna’s wonder as she watched the patrons dance around the floor. She was reluctant to try the mandral, but her brown eyes lit with surprised pleasure after her first taste. Jake could imagine a similar reaction while indulging in other pleasures, the thoughts tightening his slacks.
“Would you like to dance?” Jake shouted over the pounding music.
“Oh, I’ve never,” Anna’s wide, terrified eyes flew to his. “I wouldn’t know how.”
“Come, Love,” Jake grabbed her hand, pulling Anna to her feet and toward an open area on the floor. “I’ll teach you.”
Anna caught on quickly to his lead, relaxing as she became more comfortable with the simple steps. After several fast-paced songs, the band switched to a ballad. Many of the patrons left the floor with a groan, but Jake and Anna remained. Her chest heaved with exertion from their hurried dancing before as Jake pulled her into his arms. He lifted her hands, placing them on his shoulders before lowering his own to hold her hips. Jake relished the feel of feminine curves pressed to his hard form as they swayed to the music. Anna’s palms slid behind his neck as Jake lowered his head, intending to claim a kiss.
“Would you care to dance?” A slurred male voice came from beside them.
Irritated at the interruption, Jake was short in his response. “Back off, Mate.”
“I wasn’t talking to you,” the man’s stubbornness raised Jake’s frustration.
“She’s not interested,” Jake claimed. His voice would have scared off larger men than this one, but the drunkard was unaffected by his hardness.
“Maybe the wench would like to know what a real man feels like.” The drunk reached out to touch Anna, his hand shoved away by Jake’s quick reflexes.
Jake turned, keeping one arm around Anna protectively as he prepared to end the drunk’s night of fun. His free hand fisted and his eyes glowed hot with rage. Anna’s hand pressed against his chest as she thrust herself between the men. Her fingers slid across the wide expanse of his pectoral, in an instinctive movement meant to restrain and calm.
She turned her head to look back at the drunk as she pushed gently on Jake’s chest. “I’m fine where I am, thank you.”
Jake took her lead, moving away from the man and sweeping her across the floor. He placed his hand over hers where it rested at his heart. “I’m honored to be worthy of your choosing, Love.”
“Your worthiness wasn’t a consideration. I just didn’t feel like being groped by a drunk,” Anna stated cheekily.
“Dirty Pirate,” the rejected drunk behind them muttered just loud enough to be heard. “You don’t deserve a woman like her.”
A few of the patrons turned their attentions to the man, but Anna seemed to be rejecting the words as a drunken man’s ranting. Jake was never ashamed of being a Pirate, but with Anna he wanted her to believe better of him. The realization was sobering as Jake realized he might actually care for the innocent woman at his side. Unwilling to risk her overhearing any other slurs against his character, Jake took her hand and headed toward the door. He dumped some coin on their table to pay for the meal as they passed.
Anna allowed him to lead her out into the early evening, her hand trustingly secured in his. He looked down at her briefly, watching the last rays of gold and red sunlight set in the earthen tones of her eyes. “Are you bored of dancing with me?” Anna asked as they stood on the wooden deck of the bar.
“I’d use any excuse to hold you in my arms, Love,” Jake’s flirtation was a bit more stressed than average. “I just don’t want to share you with a bar of drunken sailors.”
It wasn’t possible; Jake swore never to care for anyone. His mother cared for Jake’s father and it only caused her heartache, agony and eventually death. He would never allow himself to be vulnerable; dependent on another for his happiness. Jake shook away his misgivings, retreating back to his original goal of bedding and
forgetting Anna Blake.
“So, where to now, Captain?” Anna questioned with a blush.
“The docks,” Jake answered.
“Aren’t the docks dangerous at night?” Anna asked. “I’ve heard there are Pirates.”
“Nay, Love,” Jake assured her, more grateful by her comments he kept his true occupation private. “You’re safe with me.”
Jake kept Anna’s hand securely in his, keeping her close as they walked down the length of the docks. Jake told her more about his Crimson Jewel and some of the places he’d been, making sure to leave out any detail which might give away his ship’s true purposes of plunder and pillage. Jake knew most folks who remained on dry land made up their own versions of what it meant to be a Pirate. People looked at him and saw a murderer, rapist and thief. While it was true, Jake did his share of evil deeds, he never killed in cold blood, had no need for rape when women were so willing and never took more than his fair due.
The Pirate’s creed wasn’t about cruelty, although it was required at times. The creed was to live life with no regrets. If that meant taking some coin and supplies from the undeserving, so be it. Still, Jake doubted Anna would accept his description over the stereotypes she most likely heard all her life.
Anna shivered, drawing a pause in Jake’s story about an island where the trees grew dark as night with leaves of crimson and indigo; a land of bloodsuckers where few dared to travel. “Are you cold, Love?” Jake asked, reaching to remove his jacket before she could respond. He slipped the leather over her shoulders, leaving only his buttoned, long-sleeve shirt to block the chill.
“Won’t you be cold?” Anna asked with concern, staring at the thin white shirt he wore.
“I’m used to cool winds, Love, I’ll be fine.” Jake reclaimed her hand and continued their path down the docks.
“You sound like you enjoy being on the Ocean.” Anna remarked.
“Aye,” Jake smiled down at her. “It’s the only time a man is truly free and at peace. It’s my home.”
“So, why are you here? Why not on your ship sailing the seas and travelling the world?”
“I would be if I could, Love,” Jake admitted wistfully. “Unfortunately, I have some business in Meridelle which is taking longer than expected.”
“And then?” Anna prompted. “When your business is done?”
“What of you, Love? Where is your home?” Jake asked, suddenly uncomfortable where the conversation was heading. He didn’t want to think beyond this night or what tomorrow would bring. More than that, he didn’t want Anna thinking beyond this time with him.
“Far away,” Anna answered, a sad coolness settling over her features.
“How did you come to be so far from them?” Jake asked, suddenly cautious of his questioning. He was curious of the woman, but didn’t want to probe too deeply and ruin the small bit of progress he’d made with her.
“It wasn’t my choice,” Anna revealed.
“You wish to return,” Jake didn’t form the words as a question, but Anna nodded anyway. “Why not go?”
“I can’t,” Anna mumbled.
“Is someone keeping you here?” Jake felt an enraged tension forming in his limbs. If the woman was being held in Meridelle against her will, Jake would find those responsible.
“No,” Anna shook her head slowly.
“Anna, I must finish my business here, but if you request passage on my ship, I will find a way to get you home. You have my promise.” Jake smiled gently, pulling her to stop and tipping her chin with his finger to meet her gaze. “And, no man or creature will force you where you do not wish to go.”
“It’s too far,” Anna whispered.
“You came just as far to be here,” Jake’s tone revealed his confusion. “Besides, my ship has yet to find a place too far. She’s been all over this realm and back again. If you want to go home, I can take you.”
“I wish you could, Jake,” Anna’s lip quivered, the force of her desire to return home tangible in the cool night air.
“Awe, Love,” Jake rested a hand on her hip, pulling her close in an effort to comfort.
Anna’s hands splayed across his chest. Jake braced for the press of palms in unspoken request to release his grasp, but the push never came. “I never thanked you for hiding me from the Guards earlier. You could have turned me in; I know most men would have turned me in.”
“You must not know many good men, Love.” Jake remarked.
“Then, thank you, for being one of the good men,” Anna smiled up at him.
“Anna,” Jake breathed her name, amazed at what her words did to him. He leaned toward her slowly, his lips a breath away from hers as his chest rose and swelled with the pride her words gave him. Never had a woman claimed Jake as a good man; competent, feared and intimidating, but never a good man. This small, innocent woman believed in him and Jake ached to be the man she held him to be.
“Cap’n!” A slurred voice echoed down the dock, breaking the spell pulling at them. “We are out for drink and dame, come join us!”
Jake groaned at the arrival of one of his crewmen, his presence a brutal reminder of the secrets he kept. “Not tonight, Mac.” Jake gritted out the words through his teeth, trying to slow the sudden racing of his heart. Mac was a loyal crewman and friend, but not the brightest man in his crew and definitely not the most restrained.
“Ah, I see you already have the dame,” Mac chuckled. “Good choice, Cap’n, much nicer than the one last week.”
Mac’s last sentence was meant as a whisper, but the man was too inebriated to remain at any tone below a growl. Jake felt Anna stiffen at his side and knew he had to end this conversation quickly before his secrets were offered up for her through drunken lips. “Good night, Mac,” Jake pulled Anna toward the docks, desperate to be away from his mate. Once they were far away from the ranting of the drunken Pirate, Jake risked looking down at Anna. “Sorry about that, Love.”
“He’s one of your crew?” Anna asked.
“Aye,” Jake admitted ruefully.
“He’s,” Anna paused in trying to find an appropriate word, a hint of amusement in her tone. “He’s very animated. If you’d like to spend time with your friends, I don’t mind.”
Jake shook his head, feeling his body relax at her acceptance of Mac’s drunken, unsubtle barbs. “Nay, Love. I wouldn’t submit you to the likes of Mac and my men.”
“Or, maybe you’re afraid of the stories they might tell me,” Anna’s astuteness wasn’t a surprise and Jake chuckled at her hint.
“Maybe I would rather you hear those stories from me,” Jake suggested as he pulled her closer to him to allow several men to pass by them. “Or, perhaps I just want to be alone with you.”
Anna blushed in response to his flirting, the rose in her cheeks obvious even in the dim light of evening. “I should probably go, it’s getting late.”
Jake wanted to argue, desperate to return to their closeness of minutes before, but something held him back. “Of course, I’ll walk you.”
He was silent for the return to where they met while his conscience and libido fought for dominance. Jake should pursue her without remorse or reserve, taking the release he knew she could give him. It was far too long since Jake sated his physical need and Anna was the only female he wanted just then. Yet, even knowing bedding her would end his suffering, Jake felt no desire to continue his pursuit.
While Jake knew he could convince her to stay with him, the knowledge she was unaware of his station left him cold. Jake never needed to hide his reputation to bed a woman before and the fact he was willing to do so now made him shudder. Thank you, for being one of the good men; her words echoed in his mind. Jake wasn’t a good man, he was a Pirate. Besides, the ache in Jake’s chest was growing stronger and he knew the only way to rid himself of the weakness was to let go of the one causing it.
Jake didn’t ask for another meeting or offer flirtatious banter on their return. He remained stoic as they said their good-byes and A
nna walked away from him. With a deep sigh, Jake leaned back against the wall on which he caught Anna earlier. “What a fine time to develop a conscience, Reynolds.” His muttering was heard only by himself and the night, as Anna walked out of sight and out of his life.
Chapter Five
The day bloomed fresh and warm; the first true warm morning since the beginning of the summer cycle three weeks before. Pink and red bee-like insects buzzed around brilliant blue and green flowers, their petals resembling gems. Shimmering birds flitted about, their bodies glowing silver and their wings translucent. The stones of the castle reflected the light of the sun, making the entire structure seem to glow in the morning light.
Anna marveled at the sights of the season from her window perch. She fidgeted with the fabric of her skirt, the bright yellow color at odds with her mood. Since her meeting with Jake three days before, Anna was in a state of emotional fluctuation. His promise to find a way to take her home was made without all of the facts, but Jake’s confidence allowed a small iota of hope to bloom. Surely, there had to be another way between the realms; one which she could survive.
Conceived when they thought it was no longer possible and having been their only girl, Anna’s parents always claimed she was their miracle; an angel sent to them. Anna hated to think of the agony they must be feeling to have their gift taken so violently from them. Her brothers were surely scouring the countryside for her. Alive or dead, they would spend eternity searching for any piece of their beloved sister. And, then there was Richard.
In all of her twenty-three years, Anna’s every decision was at the mercy of two old-fashioned parents and four overprotective big brothers. Her friends, her schooling, her occupation and her boyfriends were subject to her family’s unnecessarily harsh selection process. Richard was the first man she hadn’t taken home to meet with their criticism.
Anna’s fiancé wasn’t the most romantic or passionate of men and she felt no passion for him, but he offered what she needed; freedom. Whether her choice was a wise one or a mistake, with Richard it was hers to make. Maybe she hadn’t loved Richard with the earth-shattering, mind-numbing, explosive intensity one reads about in fiction novels, but she did care for him. It was a safe, comfortable relationship; one in which Anna knew she wouldn’t be subjected to anyone’s will but her own. Still, Anna couldn’t ignore her guilt over the lack of emotion she held at losing him.
Once a Pirate (Mystical Realm Series Book 1) Page 4