by Bobbi Smith
"She believed me, Reina," he stated matter-offactly. "In fact, Emilie was quite pleased to send on a small trunk of your clothes."
"When she finds out the truth, they'll come after me!" she cried, feeling his trap closing around her.
"So what if they do? Let them look," he drawled sarcastically. "Even if they do try to come after you, they'll be too late. We have such a good head start on them that we'll be back to California and your father before they can possibly catch up."
"Why, you..." Reina glared at him. Seeing him through different eyes now, she couldn't imagine how she'd ever thought him so wonderful. His dark good looks seemed positively diabolical to her.
Clay cocked one eyebrow at her mockingly. "Yes?" Furious, Reina looked away from him. She was shaking with anger for she knew he was enjoying this. She fell silent, knowing the only way to save herself was to bring her feelings under control as best she could and take a logical approach to her situation. She wouldn't think about how Clay had outsmarted her. She wouldn't think about how embarrassed she was over having thought herself in love with Clay. That had been a terrible mistake that would never be repeated. She had learned her lesson. Never again would she allow her senses to overrule her judgment.
That decided, Reina knew she had to take first things first. She had to do something to save herself from a fate worse than death-marriage to Nathan Marlow. Maybe, she reasoned, since Clay was a bounty hunter, money would be the one thing he would understand. In desperation, she tried the only argument she thought might work.
"Look, why don't we make a bargain?" Reina finally asked.
He regarded her levelly, his eyes cold and wary. Knowing her as well as he did, he hadn't thought that she'd give up easily without a fight. He'd been expecting this, and he was anticipating much, much more. "What kind of bargain?"
"I've got money. How much is my father paying you? I'll double it. Just let me go."
Clay realized that he should have known she'd want to talk about money, only money didn't even enter into this.
"Sorry" his refusal was curt. Dev was the only reason he'd come after her, and Dev was the only reason he was taking her back.
"Sorry?" Reina was livid. "You're a bounty hunter, aren't you? You'd do anything for the right price, wouldn't you?"
His gaze turned an icy silver as a muscle tensed in his jaw. "It's true that every man has his price. Mine just happens to be more than you can afford."
His snide comment enraged Reina. She started to struggle again against the bonds that held her. "Let me go! Let me up! I swear I'll scream if you don't!"
Clay casually reached for the bandana on the small table beside him. "This would make a perfect gag. Don't force me to use it."
Reina blanched at his threat, physically shrinking back away from him. "You wouldn't dare -"
"I'd dare a lot, Reina. You, of all people, should know that by now."
"Let me up! Let me out of here! I'm going to tell the captain of this ship that you kidnapped me and brought on board against my will!" she seethed through gritted teeth.
"I don't think so." Clay cut her off.
"And why not?" Reina challenged angrily, beyond fear.
"Because, for one thing, he's not going to believe you. You see, when I carried you aboard yesterday, you were sleeping contentedly in my arms. I told the captain that we were married - newlyweds, in fact, and that's why you were so exhausted." Clay paused in satisfaction as she gasped in outrage.
"How could you!"
"It was easy. But now, if you go to the captain and tell him this whole other story..." Clay lifted his shoulders in an expressive gesture. "Well, he may believe you, but he'll also remember that we spent the night here in this cabin... sleeping together in the same bed."
"Why you no-good, low-down..." she stormed and then looked suddenly stricken. "You didn't...? You wouldn't have...?"
"Make love to you while you were sleeping?" Clay asked candidly, reading her thoughts. "No, Reina, I didn't lay a hand on you. As you very well know, I don't have to drug women to make them want me."
Reina thought him hateful for reminding her of her weakness! "You're a foul man, Clay Cordell! You can't keep me tied up here for the whole voyage! I'm going to get out of here and when I do, I'm going to tell the captain the truth!" she threatened, not thinking of the consequences that would result from such an action on her part.
At her continued defiance even in the face of undeniable defeat, Clay erupted in anger. "If you want the man to think you're nothing more than a slut, Reina, you go right ahead and tell him everything!" Clay ground out savagely. "You can even have me arrested if you want to. Then you'll be all on your own out here in the middle of the Gulf with only the captain's good graces to rely on for your protection. He might be a good, honest man, and then again he might not."
"What are you saying?" Reina was stricken by his insinuations.
"I'm saying that as long as you're under my protection, you'll be safe. Nothing will happen to you. It's my job to make certain that you're returned to your father unharmed, and I fully intend to fulfill my obligation to him. But if you have me locked up..." He looked her straight in the eye as he went on, "That leaves you alone and helpless. There isn't much sweeter to a man at sea than an unprotected, beautiful young woman. The captain would probably use you first, then, once he's had his fill of you, he'd share you with the other crew members."
Reina swallowed convulsively at the ugly tale he was spinning, but she said nothing.
Clay could tell by her strained expression that he'd made his point. He only hoped she was smart enough to believe him. "The evening meal is due to be served soon. It would be nice to be accompanied by my wife."
"I'm not going anywhere with you, Clay Cordell!" Reina still refused stubbornly.
Clay laughed at her. "Ali, but I'm afraid you are, Reina-all the way to California. Now, what's it gong to be? Do I leave you here, tied and gagged, until I get back or do you come along quietly and play the part of my adoring little wife?"
"Never!"
"That may very well be, but as good an actress as you are, you shouldn't have any trouble hiding your true feelings and convincing everyone on board that we've just wed and are madly in love."
"Go to hell!"
"It's your decision then," Clay said almost regretfully as he quickly, effectively gagged her. "It's a shame you're still feeling so indisposed, my darling wife. I'll give the captain your regrets and tell him that you'll be joining him just as soon as you're feeling less indisposed."
Clay checked her bonds once more to make certain she couldn't escape while he was gone. Certain that she wouldn't be able to work herself free, he then took care of freshening up himself for dinner. He ignored the wild-eyed, desperate, hate-filled looks she was shooting at him. As he started for the cabin door a few minutes later, Clay turned back to her one last time.
"There's still time for you to reconsider and join your husband for dinner."
Beneath the gag, she screeched her fury and anger at him, but Clay only laughed again and reached for the doorknob.
"I see you still haven't had a change of heart. Well, I'll see you a little later. I hope you'll be feeling more amenable when I return."
Reina had never known such blind fury as she watched the cabin door close silently behind Clay. All the love she'd once thought she'd felt for him had now turned to hate, and oh, how she hated him! The arrogance of him! The unmitigated gall! Tears threatened again, but she refused to give in to them. She was no weepy female! She was stronger than that.
Reina's heart was filled with a burning desire to teach Clay Cordell a lesson. He wanted to play tough, and two could play that game. If he'd thought her "performances" were good before, he could just wait and see what she was going to do next! She'd give the outward appearance of going along with him, but in the end she was the one who was going to win. She was not going to allow him to take her back to her father and Nathan Marlow.
Reina wille
d herself to relax and to quit fighting the ropes. Now was the time to plot what she was going to do. She knew it wasn't going to be easy, but somehow, someway she was going to escape from Clay before they got to California.
It was dark by the time Clay returned to their cabin carrying a tray laden with food. Upon entering, he lit a lamp and found Reina awake, watching him.
"Good evening, my darling wife," he taunted as he set the tray aside. "I've brought you a little something to eat. Hope you're feeling hungry."
Under the stifling gag, Reina told Clay what he could do with the food.
"The captain sends his regards," he went on, "and hopes that you'll be feeling much better tomorrow. He's looking forward to meeting you."
Clay went to her then and removed the gag. The dinner he'd brought her smelled wonderful, but she wasn't about to let him know that she was starving. She wasn't about to accept any offer of kindness from this man.
"Well, the captain will just have to wait, won't he?" she countered, not yet willing to concede to his blackmail.
"That's up to you," he answered and then surprised her by releasing her arms.
"You're letting me up?"
"I thought you might want to eat."
"I don't want anything from you!"
Clay ignored her and continued, "And I'm sure you'll want to take care of your needs and change into a nightgown."
"I'll sleep in my clothes," she declared firmly as she got up. Rubbing her sore wrists, she went into the small convenience room to tend to her private matters. That done, she had no choice but to rejoin her captor.
"Sure you don't want to eat? The meal was delicious," he offered again, removing the towel that covered the tray to reveal the tantalizing food there. "There's chicken and rice and-"
"I'm not hungry," Reina cut him off, trying to ignore the mouth-watering scent.
"Seems a pity to waste such good food, but if you're not hungry," Clay shrugged. "You might as well go ahead and change then. You're going to be mighty uncomfortable sleeping in that." He began to move about the cabin taking off his own clothes.
"I'll be fine," she replied tersely, trying not to watch him as he stripped down to only his pants.
He turned to face her and gestured toward the bed. "Lie down. I want to know exactly where you are when I turn off this lamp."
Reina did as she was told, even though it went against her grain. She lay there stiffly, anticipating him tying her arms once more. The cabin was engulfed in deep darkness when he put out the light. She was tense as he stretched out beside her on the bed. To her relief, he made no move to restrain her again.
"I know what you're thinking, Reina, and no, I'm not going to tie you tonight. Just keep in mind that I'm a very light sleeper. You'll pay the price if I catch you trying to get away from me. Do you understand?"
With his cold declaration, Clay snatched what would have been a moment of profound relief from her.
"Yes," she answered sullenly.
"Good. Now go to sleep."
Reina would have liked nothing better than to drop off into a deep slumber, but it was not to be. Clay's nearness left her on edge. Seeing him only half-dressed had reminded her of the time at the waystation, and in spite of her avowals of hatred for him, she'd felt an unwanted stirring of passion. Reina knew that was something she would not allow herself. But here he was, lying so close beside her. She could actually feel the heat of his body even though they were not touching. She wondered as the hours passed with miserable slowness if the night would ever end. It was the wee hours of the morning before she finally managed to fall asleep.
Clay had been exhausted as he'd stretched out beside Reina. He'd had little rest since their picnic, and he was sorely in need of a good night's sleep. Even so, he knew he could not relax his guard. He'd caught her and now he had to hang onto her. Folding his arms beneath his head, he lay on his back next to her, trying to ignore the memories of the last time they'd lain together. Sometime well after midnight, Clay finally drifted off. His last thought as sleep claimed him was of Reina and if it was always going to be this hard for him to fall asleep with her at his side.
Clay awoke just after daybreak, startled to find that he'd actually been sound asleep. His first thought after his head cleared of the cobwebs of slumber was of Reina, and he quickly sat up to check whether she'd fled during the time he'd been asleep. He heaved a huge sigh of relief to find her slumbering peacefully beside him on the bed.
Clay studied Reina as she slept on, unaware of his scrutiny. She looked beautiful with her lush, dark hair unbound and loose about her shoulders. Her cheeks were sleep-flushed, and her mouth looked soft and vulnerable. The curve of her breasts rose and fell in steady rhythm with her even breathing. She looked innocent.
"Damn," he muttered as he reacted to that innocence. He struggled to resist the compelling temptation to reach out and caress her. She might look sweetly innocent while she was sleeping, but he knew better. Reina was a woman who used her feminine wiles and physical attributes to her advantage. She was so good at it that she'd almost made him forget himself twice. He had himself under rigid control now, though, and was positive it wouldn't happen again.
Clay wondered what Reina was going to try next. Knowing how cunning and manipulative she could be, he didn't expect her to return with him without a fight. But he was ready for her.
Keeping her tethered to the bed for the rest of the voyage was not an idle threat to Clay. He wasn't about to let her destroy his only chance to rescue Dev. In silence, Clay once again cursed her father for his devious plot in getting him involved.
While he sat there, naked to the waist, watching Reina, her eyes suddenly opened, and she looked straight at him. He found himself staring, mesmerized, into the brown velvet of her gaze. Clay marvelled at the total guilelessness of Reina's expression, and he wondered how she could assume this innocent act of hers so immediately upon waking. He'd expected to see hatred and resentment for him on her unguarded features. It irritated him that she could appear so blameless, and it annoyed him further that he allowed it to bother him.
In the softness that comes with first waking, Reina stared at Clay for a long, quiet moment. She wondered if it would do any good at all to try to explain her situation to him...to tell him why she'd run away and try to sway him over to her side. She was almost ready to try to reason with him, when his distant regard suddenly turned openly hostile. Reina realized then that there was no use. If he wouldn't take her money, he certainly wouldn't care what her real reasons had been for running away. He was her father's mindless henchman. He wouldn't listen. Reina's anger with him returned, and with it, her iron-willed determination to escape him.
"You look lovely in the morning," Clay said in a low, almost seductive voice, before adding his hateful commentary. "I'm sure your fiance is going to enjoy waking up beside you every day!"
"I don't have a fiance!" she countered sharply, sitting up and turning her back on him. While she gave the appearance of being angry, on the inside she was cringing at the thought of ever being in bed with Nathan.
"Oh, yes, you do, and according to your father, he's anxiously anticipating your upcoming nuptials," Clay taunted. "With any luck, we'll be there in plenty of time for the wedding."
Reina refused to be baited into an argument. She wanted to turn on Clay and throw it up to him that they still had a long way to go to California, but she held herself back, for she sensed his ability to do even worse things than tie her to the bed to achieve his ends. She would play his game by his rules. If he thought she'd been acting before, now he was really going to see a masterful performance.
"It looks at this point as if I have no choice," she finally said, hoping she sounded resigned to her fate.
"Oh, you have choices all right, Reina, but not about making the trip. You're going. You can, however, choose how you care to spend the time involved. You can pass the entire voyage locked here in our cabin or you can make things easy on yourself and go along w
ith the story I told the captain." He saw her stiffen as he spoke. "It's all up to you."
Turning to face him, Reina paused. He'd left her no choice, no choice at all. Her expression was a curious mixture of anger and an almost haunted desperation as she stared at him.
Clay was surprised that he felt a twinge of conscience, and he quickly put it from him. Her feelings were of no importance to him. "Well?"
"All right," she finally responded. "I'll go along with you."
Her acquiescence left Clay suspicious. "You realize what this will entail? You know you've got to play the part of my new bride."
Reina glared at him. "Oh, I'll play the part of your adoring little wife when we're in public, Clay, but that's all it will be - an act! The charade ends the minute we step back through that door."
He gave her a mocking look and said pointedly, "I don't remember asking you to do more than that."
At his sarcasm, heat crept into her cheeks. Not wanting him to see her embarrassment, she mumbled, "Good." Then she got up and started rummaging through the small trunk she recognized as her own. "If you don't mind, I do have to change clothes."
"My, my, such modesty in my new bride after we've just spent the night sleeping in the same bed." Clay got up and leisurely began to pull on his clothes.
Reina wished she could throw something at him and wipe that arrogant, superior smirk off his face.
"I'll be waiting for you on deck," Clay told her coldly. "Don't be too long or I'll come looking for you.,,
It was a threat Reina knew he'd keep, so she said nothing as he left the cabin. The minute he shut the door behind him, though, she picked up her hairbrush and threw it furiously at the closed portal. It bounced off the door and clattered harmlessly to the floor while she continued to seethe in frustration.
It was much later in the day when Reina stood at the rail of the ship, enjoying the feel of the wind whipping around her as they sped ever southward. After being cooped up in the cabin for so many hours, just being out-of-doors was wonderful. The warmth of the late afternoon sun combined with the fresh air buoyed her spirits considerably. She didn't doubt for a moment that she was going to find a way to rid herself of the obnoxious, tenacious Clay Cordell.