Zane sighed heavily, nodding once. Theirs was a bond stronger than blood. He had been furious with Blade over Lianna, but his friend was right. He couldn’t let the woman distract him. A hefty price he’d have to pay if he failed this assignment. He had never failed before. If he did now, he and his men would lose their lives. The long swig of the liquor tasted sweet, welcoming.
“About Lianna,” Blade started.
“Yes, what about Lianna?” The woman had drained him weary. “Do tell me of your score.”
Blade shook his head. “You are an impossible son-of-a-bitch.”
“Am I? Or are you for fucking her?”
Blade pounded his fist on the rail. “Hold your clack, man, for one minute and listen to me! She saw you kissing Sadie. She was very upset, nearly provoked a beating from Bull before I stepped in.”
“Bull.” Zane snarled out the bastard’s name. This would make a third time she had been threatened by him. Jason had told Zane of the altercation down in the cargo hold during their battle with Bennington, but the boy could tell him nothing of what happened between the behemoth and Lianna. When he broached the subject with her earlier in the afternoon during their walk, she dismissed the incident entirely and changed the subject. He suspected she had fallen victim before. That stung him deeply. He wanted to destroy anyone who had brought her pain. And Bull was ferociously dangerous. With this latest encounter, Zane would have to kill him.
“Wait. Did you say she saw Sadie and I kiss?”
“Aye. Dare I ask?”
“No.”
Crazy thoughts buzzed around in his head like a swarm of hornets. He drummed his fingers on the rail. “That conniving tart.” His jaw ached from the clench of his teeth. He tossed back another swill. “She must be really pleased with herself. I should have seen it before. Lianna stands in her way. She’ll stop at nothing in getting what she wants. But, you know, I don’t think it’s me she wants. There’s something more. I feel it.”
“You want me to have her shackled up?”
Zane passed the rum. “No need. I can handle her. I’ll be disposed of her the moment we get to port.”
“And Lianna?”
Chewing the inside of his cheek, Zane contemplated her fate. He looked toward the moon again. Lianna’s moon. Guilt washed over him in the bath of the brightening light. Guilt of what, he didn’t know. But he wanted to hide in the shadows, away from the moon’s knowing, critical eye.
“She was crying, Zane.”
“She seemed awful coquettish with you, brother.”
“Aye. Had she’d been any other man’s, I’d have already made good on her.”
“So you are aware she’s mine?”
“I’ve known you a long time, Zane. When it comes to women, you and I, we’ve enjoyed many rounds of play in choosing bed mates. We’ve caroused in endless thrills of the hunt. It’s all been great sport.” He paused, swinging the liquor bottle from its neck between his fingers. “With Lianna, you’re different. You’re preoccupied and short-tempered. I’ve taken notice of the way you look at her. Not like she’s a romp, or even a conquest. But something else, something much more. It’s plain to me you’re in love with her.”
“You’re full of prating.” Me in love. Ha!
“So you’re staking claim to a woman you have no desire for? That’s not you. That’s not you at all. Why would you care if she takes a walk with me, then? You never minded sharing before.”
Damn! He’s right. He ran his fingers through his hair. Was this how it felt to be defeated?
“Look,” Blade continued. “She was hurt and needed someone to lean on, someone she can feel comfortable with, someone who wouldn’t take advantage of her. Even when she needs assurances for herself and blatantly dallies. And, let me tell you, ’twas damned hard not to whisk her away and—”
“I got it, Blade.”
“You should go to her.”
“Aye.”
Blade held out the bottle, but Zane shook his head. Blade shrugged and pushed off the rail. He got as far as the hatch when Zane called out.
“Sorry about striking you earlier.”
“I would have done the same thing, amigo.” With that, he disappeared below deck.
Zane mulled over what Blade had said. Like it or not he had to treat this as if he were attacking an unsuspecting quarry. He had to be decisive. Lure the quarry in. Then take his prize.
CHAPTER 11
The bastard. The cold-hearted bastard.
Lianna wrung her hands and paced around the cabin, berating the captain with an arsenal of curses.
Call me a hypocrite will he?
She had taken inventory of everything in his quarters not nailed down. His shaving kit, cross-staff, a couple of engraved rapiers on the wall, even his writing quill all provided good choices for a sharp weapon. In keeping options open, an astrolabe, his heavy drinking tankard and bronze hourglass were within reach, as well.
Princock. Dirty louse.
She heard voices outside the door. Snatching up a liquor vessel, she lobbed it at Zane as he stepped through the threshold. It shattered across the door facing beside him, just missing him as he ducked.
“Ooh.” Lianna hurtled herself at him.
Zane kicked the door behind him shut, grabbing for her, but he was unable to avoid her right fist. She then jabbed him in his gut and followed that with an upper thrust of her elbow under his chin.
“Shit.” He grimaced. “Stop. Lianna.” He caught her forearms. “Stop.”
“You’re an odious scoundrel!” She took to kicking at his shins.
“Belay!” He shoved her to the floor, latched the door secure and turned. Blazing eyes stared down at her. She yelped as he grabbed her by the hair, bringing her to her feet. “You will stop this madness.” He tugged her to his bed, throwing her to the mattress. She sprang back to her feet but he promptly forced her back down. “Stop this madness, now, Lianna.”
He filled the room with his voice, his shadows. His very being filled every breathable space. She should cower. She should shrink from him. She wouldn’t.
“You have no rights to me!”
“No. I don’t.” He stood directly above her. She had nowhere to go. “But you will listen to reason.”
“I doubt that I will find your reason as anything more than trifle since you have proven the like of your character thus far.”
“Which is?”
“Domineering.” She shifted to sit on one leg, her arms crossed, jutting her chin outward.
Zane’s laughter dissolved his frightening, augmented presence and her perception of the room retreated to normal. She could breathe again.
“You’re a wildcat,” he said. “Your spirited tantrum makes you all the more charming. You can’t blame a man for taking advantages when faced with an adversarial woman like you.”
“And I suppose with Sadie it’s just convenient. No worrying with the details. Just get straight to the heart of the matter.” Huffing, she smoothed out the bed covers she sat on. She didn’t know why she was in such a fuss over the whole matter. ’Twasn’t as if Zane promised her anything other than safe passage and double entendres. It had been her own interpretations of his intentions that had been her undoing. She felt ridiculous.
Rubbing at the back of his neck, he must have let her insult bounce off. She noted that he struggled with some inner feeling. A demon perhaps.
“I hate that I’m in this…” He hesitated. His mouth tightened as his gaze dropped to the floor then back to her face. “I hate what you have witnessed.” He exhaled irritably. “I hate that I am at task to smooth things out. I don’t blame you if you don’t believe me. If I had seen you kiss Blade in the manner that Sadie kissed me, well, I would find it difficult to overcome, too. But I’ll try to explain, anyhow.”
Did she want to hear what he had to say? Could she handle more desertion? She didn’t want to feel this crestfallen and lonely.
“Sadie is a selfish person with no loyalty to anyone other than herself. Sh
e will abuse and ruin anyone she can if it furthers in accomplishing her goal. What you saw tonight was Sadie attempting to manipulate me.” He sat down on the bed next to her. “She failed. I can’t be influenced by her. Whatever her designs, she won’t be able to use me.”
Of course! Lianna’s customary stupidity returned. It made complete sense now. She shouldn’t have jumped to such weighty conclusions. Had she been thinking with her head instead of her heart, she would have realized the awful little vixen was weaseling her way to Zane. Just as she said she was ought to do.
“And what of her cabin?” Curiosity badgered her. What would his explanation be for keeping her room like a favored mistress? “If you are not influenced by her as you say then why do you fill her quarters with fresh flowers?”
“Mourning the loss of someone I once loved, I suppose.” He sighed and suddenly his features sagged, drained of vigor. Just speaking of Sadie seemed to age him. “You must understand my relationship with Sadie. ’Tis complicated. I know it seems Sadie and I were once lovers. But that is far from the truth. She was lost in a dangerous game of vengeance over her father when I found her. I was saving her. At least that is what I thought.”
Lianna looked from Zane to the floorboards. She ran the gamut of raw emotions—frustration, hurt, hope.
“I treated her as my little sister,” he continued. “I loved her like she was kin, of my blood. I tried to change her, teach her the value of life.” He sighed again, “But I was wrong about her. She is capable of nothing but destruction.”
Sister? This explains quite a bit. No wonder Zane acted with the patience he did.
He gently cupped her chin, turning her face to him. “I am truly sorry for the hurt she has caused you.”
Lianna wasn’t about to appear as if she were a jaded courtesan. Those kinds of women she pitied with much contempt. They driveled and groveled for their lovers and were usually rejected as pathetic outcasts when they became too much of a chore. Lianna would never let herself sink to that depth. She’d rather shake it off and walk away a better person than to feel disparaged, especially by way of some vexed she-devil. No. She was not to be commiserated. “I assure you my pride is intact.”
He nodded once. “Well then, Miss Whitney, I hope we can resume our prior familiarity.” His words were laden with sensuality.
“I’m not going to be some sort of conquest for you.”
“Ah, but you already are.” His tone fell low and his angled features serious.
Lianna squirmed, the bed creaking under her weight. She didn’t like where the conversation headed. Or did she? “I will fight you.” She leaned back, trying for distance, away from his spellbinding blue eyes.
“I count on it.” He moved in.
Leaning further back on bent arms, she nearly laid completely across his bed. A precarious fix to be in, she knew. Yet, an invisible, enticing pull tugged at her to take a chance, to play a hand with this rogue of a man. “I’ll scream.” ’Twas a half-hearted warning.
“Futile.” He crawled over her, straddling above her, taking her in.
Her heartbeat either stopped or sped up out of control. She didn’t know which for she fell numb to everything but his heat. His desire seeped into her, mingling with her own. She parted her lips to say something, a protest, an affirmation, something. But instead she released a long breath and wet her lips.
“It has always been known to me that an angel hath embodies all that is good. I have been grossly mistaken. You. You have shamelessly sabotaged my affections and clouded my present state of being.” A primal urge emanated from him.
“Angel? You are blinded if you seek a virginal subjection from me.”
He bent to her ear, whispering, “’Tis only you I seek.”
He nipped her lobe, setting a febrile fire and her body ignited to life. His golden earring glinted in the lamp light before his unruly hair swept down into her face. She wound her fingers through his black locks to the nape of his neck. “I’m nothing more of an angel.” She caught her breath. “Than you would have me be.”
Zane ravished her mouth, consuming her. “To have you is all.” He growled upon her lips. “I want you badly, so painfully badly.” Kissing her chin, he followed down the slender pillar of her neck.
She rolled her head toward the large paneled window next to his bed. Below them, the wake of the ship swirled and bubbled. The moonlight glittered like diamonds in the darkened waves. ’Twas so peaceful, so mesmerizing. In the distance, lightning flashed silent within inflating clouds. Something was brewing. Something wicked.
Lianna’s thoughts were muddled by his spice. But her senses were sharpened by the scratch of his days-old beard on her tender skin, his weight on her body, his rock solid member against her thigh. Her nipples hardened into buds and the coveted spot between her legs awakened.
She was long gone at his touch. “Then have me you shall.”
He pulled back, his stare soaking her in. She awarded him a tiny smile of assurance and the acknowledgment darkened his needy eyes. He pulled her upright and, planting a smoldering kiss on her shoulder, worked to remove her clothing.
His agility at disrobing her was effortless, and his lips scarcely left her body. She lay nervous under Zane. Licking his lower lip, he let his gaze wander over every inch of her body. Her vulnerability all but dissipated when he looked upon her as if only she could satisfy his insatiable appetite.
As he pulled his tunic over his head, she received a sublime view of the phoenix tattooed across his perfectly chiseled chest. Never had she seen such beautiful artwork, the regal head, the wingspan seemingly made from flames of fire, the way the bird appeared to soar with even the slightest movement.
Zane shuddered under her touch as she traced her fingertip along a wing of his tattoo. “Such intimate wonderment from you is beginning to unravel me.” His voice raked in her ear and he leaned into her. “Every detail about you is witchery. If you have cast a spell upon me, I’ve no wish to break it.” He lowered himself between her legs.
Cupping her breast, he flicked his tongue across her firm nub, squeezing and kissing her. She responded by arching her back, letting an ever-so-silent moan escape. He took her other breast in his mouth, showing it an equal amount of lascivious attention. She watched him as he grazed his teeth on her nipple. Her eyes flittered closed with the indulgence.
Lianna labored in short breaths as Zane left a trail of kisses down past her navel, gripping fistfuls of sheets as he neared her center. Dragging his hands along to her thighs, he spread them. Her body tensed, rigid as she lay there open on display for him to see, taking her in, gazing upon her moist mound. He ran a thumb over her folds. She gasped as tendrils of sensual pleasure uncoiled while he stroked her throbbing nubbin. Her head swam from the effects, the intoxicating control he had over her. Still rubbing her sensitive button with his thumb, he slid his finger inside her core. His hand dug into her hip to hold her in place. She writhed from his masterful twitching touch. He inserted another finger, slowly sliding them back and forth, rubbing them against the top of her slick inside wall.
A grin curled at the edge of Zane’s mouth and she furrowed her brow in outright delectation. Her reddened breasts heaved with tiny moans. “I want to hear you scream, Lianna.” Wild need thickened his voice. “Scream as if pleading for your life.” He dipped his head to taste her, thrusting his fingers as far as they would go.
“Have mercy.” She was desperate for air. “Please.”
Lianna tried to scoot away from his kisses, one hand splayed on the window glass and the other reaching for the struts of his bed, but he held her fast in place. Never had she experienced such intense pleasure. Never had she been given such attention. Never there. Surely she would explode if he didn’t stop.
“Zane. Please have mercy.” Her pleas went unanswered. He quickened his fingers, his tongue, to a harmony bringing her to the brink of spiraling insanity until her body trembled in a flood of sheer ecstasy. She screamed, the pleasure too
much to bear. But he continued his torture until she shuddered no more.
Zane sat back on his knees. He ran his tongue over his lips, and then licked his fingers slowly, as if savoring her taste, her warm smell. He smiled devilishly in a way that told her he was in no way done with her. Lianna tried in vain to regain her control.
Waiting for the mercurial stars to disperse, she heard the thud of his boots hit the floor. Her eyes fluttered open just as his mouth descended on hers. She tasted herself on his lips and his tongue swept into her mouth. Headiness enveloped her and she eagerly returned his succulent kisses.
Taking her hand in his, he laced their fingers together, holding them firm. He slid himself in her waiting core, watching her. She sucked in as Zane eased into her. Pride emanated through her with the brief close of his eyes as he relished her tightness. An urgent anticipation built in her. She needed him so badly. He obliged, first slowly, and then paced to rhythmic rocking. Deeper and deeper his strokes as he crushed into her.
Lianna’s groans grew louder with every thrust as she ground her pelvis up to meet him. She was going mad, delirious with his hot thickness filling her.
Somewhere in the back of her mind, she wondered if she was wrong, wrong to enjoy every pounding moment of this. For certainly once the anchor dropped, she would lose her mind wanting, wishing for him like this again.
Zane rolled her to her side, both of them facing the window. The clouds had swallowed the moon. Lightning cracked through the sky. He nudged her leg up, diving in deep from behind. He rubbed a hand down her belly to her mound and he quickened his strokes. She let out a whimper as his fingers circled over her pulsating, swollen folds.
“You like that?” His utterance came gruff with each thrust of his hips. He nuzzled against her neck, nipping at her shoulders. “Do you?”
She teetered on bursting into a million pieces. “Yes.” The word floated on a breath.
“You are mine for the taking.” Faster and faster he stabbed to the hilt. “A prize most valued.” Banging against her core. “You belong to me now.”
Romancing the Pirate 01 - Blood and Treasure Page 15