Pirate's Heart

Catherine was in her cabin one evening a week later, charting their course. She hadn't been to see Nathan since their evening of love making but thoughts and images of him kept intruding, breaking her concentration. They would be arriving at the island in a little over a week. She guessed it would probably take another week for the Themis to arrive, it being a bigger and slower ship. She threw down her compass, giving up for now. She pulled on her frock coat and climbed the steps to the deck. Emerging top side, she stared up at the stars. The vastness of the sky while out at sea never ceased to amaze her.

She spoke briefly with a few of the crew before heading back down. She made her way through the passageways until she came to Nathan's cabin. She hesitated before alerting the guard to her presence. Just being near to him set her senses reeling. She could feel that tingling again in her belly and her breathing came a bit faster. She resolutely took a few steps forward and the guard turned to her suddenly alert.

"It's alright Simms, it's just me. How has he been?" she asked.

"Typical prisoner, ma'am. Moody and quiet," he replied.

"Let me in, please."

She walked in and as Nathan looked up at her she could see the surprise in his eyes. "Hello Mr. Kincaid. How are you this evening?" she asked him in a teasing voice.

"What do you want? Feeling amorous?" he asked, his voice heavy with sarcasm.

"Actually, yes I am, but that's only because I'm near you. You seem to have the most peculiar effect on me," she said with a smile. She approached him. "Now don't tell me you didn't miss me, not even a little," she pretended to pout.

"Don't act so coquettishly. It doesn't suit you," he sneered.

"Do you wish to spend the remainder of the voyage in irons, Mr. Kincaid?" she asked sternly. "As you already know it would be a very uncomfortable way to spend the next week and a half." She paused and trailed her finger along his throat. "Although I must admit, you're quite enticing when bound and helpless," she said, her eyes suggestively sweeping over his body.

He tolerated her touch, his eyes blazing with anger. "What do you want? Why are you here?" he demanded.

"Can't a captain come to check on her prisoner?" she asked innocently.

"As you can see I'm still alive and relatively healthy, so you may go now," he stated.

"Have your meals been sufficient?" she asked.

His meals had remained meager after his dinner with her and he was constantly hungry, but he wasn't going to admit that to her. But he also wasn't going to lie, so he remained silent.

She chuckled quietly. "I assume they have not. You would need to eat quite heartily to maintain such a strong body, I would imagine. Would you care to dine with me again? I usually don't indulge in such a feast as we had last time but it can be arranged if you wish."

"I would rather starve than spend another evening in your company," he said defiantly.

"Now you're insulting me. I thought we had a rather delightful evening. I know I certainly enjoyed it." She looked at him for a moment. "What if I promise to behave this time? I will wear a most demure dress, with undergarments, will eat with utensils, and will not serve any grapes," she said with an inviting smile.

He only scowled at her, furious for making reference to the things that had weakened him.

"Shall we say tomorrow night around seven? I will send a guard to escort you," she rose to leave.

"What if I refuse to go?" he asked.

"Then you will spend the remainder of the voyage in irons, in the brig being fed only bread and water. As much as I hate the idea of that beautiful body suffering, I will not be denied what I want," she said, her voice carrying an unmistakable threat, as she exited the room, closing the door behind her.

Nathan stood and paced the small room, running his fingers through his hair. How was he going to tolerate another evening with her? He hated everything about her, what she believed in and what she stood for. So why couldn't he resist her? Why was it, the moment she had walked in the room just now, all he had wanted to do was throw her on the bed, tear off her clothes and make love to her? Perhaps if she had meant what she said about behaving, he would be able to resist her. He lay back on the bed and stared at the ceiling. He would just have to wait and see.

Catherine returned to her cabin and began looking through her wardrobe. She had told Nathan she would wear a demure dress, but she wasn't sure if she actually owned one. She found several low cut velvet ones, but nothing that could be considered demure. She went into her bedroom and pulled a trunk out from under her bed. It was covered in dust and she hadn't opened it in over a year. She flipped back the lid and began to dig through the contents. She pulled out a pale blue silk gown that was several years old but should do. It wasn't really demure by a proper lady's standards, but by hers it was.

She quickly undressed and pulled the gown over her head. As with all her dresses it laced up the front and as she pulled the laces tight she knew that it would be suitable. The neckline was low but not wide so the fullness of her breasts was minimized. It had a high neck in the back and elbow length sleeves. She wiggled her shoulders in the garment, wondering how women could stand to wear something so restrictive every day, and with a corset! She pulled off the dress and put her regular clothes back on before making her way to the kitchen to order tomorrow night's meal.

The next evening at six thirty, Nathan was told to dress for his dinner with the captain. He reluctantly put on his dark blue formal velvet suit, combed his hair back, securing it with a ribbon and waited until seven.

Catherine was dressed and waiting for him when the guard announced their arrival. Nathan was surprised to be admitted immediately, expecting to be kept waiting again.

"Good evening, Mr. Kincaid," she greeted him.

He took in her gown and even though some women would blush wearing it, he guessed that for her this was the height of conservatism. "Good evening, Miss Veleslav. You look very nice this evening."

"Thank you," she replied. "I'm surprised you remember my last name correctly. Most people mispronounce it almost immediately."

"I make a point of remembering people's names. I've found it makes them feel good," he said dryly.

"Remembering my name is not the only way to make me feel good," she replied with a wicked smile.

"I am only here to have a decent meal for a change, so if we could please refrain from any suggestive conversation, I would greatly appreciate it."

"Why would you appreciate it? Would you find suggestive conversation too much to resist?" she said provocatively, stepping close enough to him that her skirts brushed his legs.

He stepped away from her. "Please don't stand so close to me," he said coldly.

"Why not? You don't like me close?" she asked softly.

"I don't like you at all," he replied calmly.

She gasped and stepped away from him. "You liked me enough last week!" she spat at him, her eyes blazing with anger.

"I'm a man who's been at sea for two months and you were a warm compliant body that was more than eager to satisfy my lust, that is all," he said casually, shrugging his shoulders.

She glared at him, her anger escalating, threatening to get the best of her. She forced herself to calm down and answer him coolly. "Well, it's nice to see that we both got what we wanted then. Shall we?" she said, gesturing to the table.

He was surprised that his barb had appeared to have missed its mark and wondered if she really was that cold hearted. He took his seat opposite her and true to her word she ate with utensils and did nothing seductive. Except just sit there and eat. Even though she was behaving, he still couldn't help but think about the last time he had been here and how the dinner had ended. He looked about the crowded table and almost all of the same dishes were there except for the grapes. Just thinking about them sent a shiver down his spine. He remembered what it had felt like when he tried to retrieve the errant fruit from her cleavage. How soft her breasts had been against his cheek, how she had tasted and how she had reacted.

Her voice interrupted his thoughts. "Mr. Kincaid, you seem to be a hundred miles away. What are you thinking of?" she asked him teasingly.

He started and looked up at her. She caught a glimpse of passion in his eyes and smiled, correctly guessing where his thoughts had been.

He searched desperately for something to say. "As you know I don't particularly want to be here so if I must be here physically I can at least be somewhere else mentally."

"Well I guess physically is the best I can hope for," she replied.

He only stared at her a moment, before turning his attention back to his meal. He, however, could feel her eyes on him and it set his nerves on edge. Her scrutiny made him very self conscious and he drank more wine than he should have and by the end of the meal he was feeling rather light headed.

She had watched him throughout the meal repeatedly filling his wine glass and knew that by now he must be drunk. "Would you care for some brandy and a cigar, Mr. Kincaid?" she asked, rising from her seat and gesturing towards a small sitting area.

She walked to the cozy seating arrangement and poured two snifters of brandy. She set one down on the table and taking a seat, she sipped from her glass. Nathan rose unsteadily from his chair and with great effort walked over to the chairs. He sat down heavily. She produced a humidor and offered him a cigar. He took one and after cutting off the end and lighting it he leaned back, enjoying the flavor.

"Did you enjoy your dinner?" she asked, rolling her shoulders in the dress, feeling that her tolerance of it was coming to an end.

He looked up at her to answer and noticed her discomfort. "Are you alright? You seem fidgety," he commented.

"This dress is most uncomfortable. I don't know how women can stand such restrictive garments. Would you mind terribly if I changed back into a shirt and trousers?"

"Yes I would," he replied. "You promised that you would wear a demure dress this evening and I am going to hold you to that," he said enjoying the fact that she was the one experiencing discomfort.

She rose with a laugh. "You expect a pirate to keep a promise? You are delightfully naïve," she said, untying the laces on the front of her gown and loosening it, revealing quite a bit of cleavage and a glimpse of a pink nipple. "I'll be back in a moment."

Nathan watched her leave the room, that quick view of her breasts dancing before his eyes. She didn't close the door to her bedroom and he could see her undoing the dress. He quickly turned away. Tonight would not end up like last time and he was not going to fall for her seduction. He picked up the glass of brandy and then put it down again. She returned to the sitting area, buttoning her shirt. She sat and sighed heavily.

"This feels so much better," she said with a smile.

Nathan rose unsteadily to his feet. "Thank you, Miss Veleslav, for a most pleasant evening, but I think it is time for me to go."

"Go? But you haven't had your brandy," she protested.

"I fear I may have overindulged in wine at dinner and more alcohol would not be wise," he stated.

"Maybe I don't want you to be wise," she said softly approaching him. She placed one hand on his chest and stroked the other down his arm.

"Perhaps, but I do. Could you please be so good as to order your guards to escort me back to my cabin?"

After he had left she wandered into her bedroom and lay down on the bed. Her attempts at seduction hadn't been effective and now she was left alone with her desires. She unbuttoned her trousers and slid them off. She rubbed her palms across her stomach and up under her shirt over her breasts. She closed her eyes and sighed, images of her previous evening with Nathan flooding her mind. She slid her hands back down over her stomach and between her parted thighs. She stroked herself slowly, remembering what it had felt like when he touched her there. She slid her fingers between the soft folds of flesh and found her entrance. She slipped two inside and began to stroke herself. Her breathing came faster and she increased the speed of her hand. Her other fingers sought out her clitoris and began to massage the small mound. She arched her back as the sensations enveloped her in a cloud of pleasure, the ecstasy building and building within her until it finally shattered and she fell limply to the bed, panting heavily, her heart pounding and images of Nathan still dancing in her head.

Nathan staggered down the passageway trying to walk straight and not bang into the walls. The guard kept pushing him and he was afraid he might fall. He finally stumbled into his cabin and collapsed onto the bed. The evening had been full of torment but at least his belly was full and that was in itself satisfying. However, he was extremely unsatisfied in another area slightly lower. Her attempts at seduction had almost worked. The view she had given him of her breasts as she walked out of the room had almost tipped him over the edge. It had taken all his willpower and a lot of wine but he had managed to walk out of there with his boots still on this time. If it hadn't been for his frock coat covering the bulge in his trousers he doubt she would have let him go so easily.

Images of her from their previous encounter in her bedroom slowly filled his mind. His hands made their way down his chest to his trousers. He unbuttoned them and released his swollen organ from the painful confinement. His large erection sprang free and he wrapped his hand about it. Remembering how she had stroked and sucked him before, his hand began to move over himself, up and down until his breathing was heavy and his back was arching. He recalled how it had felt as she had sat astride him, riding him with abandon. He quickly tore open his shirt just as his orgasm washed over him, the milky white fluid speckling his chest. He sighed heavily and lay limply on the bed, images of her naked body still floating through his mind.

It was several days later and Catherine was in a foul mood. Her frustration over Nathan had her on edge and she was taking it out on her crew. Her black moods were rare but well known amongst them and they all knew to stay out of her way. She had just finished tearing into a young crew member for a minor infraction and she felt awful about it. It was time to deal with her frustration.

She disappeared below deck and quickly made her way to Nathan's cabin. She brushed past Simms and barged into the room. He was again shirtless having just finished washing. He looked up at her with surprise as she quickly crossed the room to him and pulling down his head, she pressed her lips to his. He was so surprised that he didn't react at first. He tried to pull away but that unexpected strength that he had witnessed while in her bed was again in evidence and she held him fast.

Her insistent kiss eventually stirred his passions and his lips parted in response to her demanding tongue. She pressed herself to him, grinding her hips against his. She felt his arousal and began pulling him toward the bed. He was determined this time to remain in control and he spun her around, pushing her face first against the wall. She gasped with shock, not sure what was happening. She could feel Nathan pressing against her from behind and the excitement of this twist of events sent a thrill through her.

He pulled her hips slightly away from the wall and yanked her shirt out of her trousers. He slid his hands up under the shirt, cupping her breasts and gently tugging on her nipples. She could feel his breath coming faster against her cheek. His hands slid down to her trousers and tearing open the buttons, tugged them down to her thighs. She felt him open his own trousers, his erection pressing against her behind. He pulled her a bit further out from the wall and pressed down on her back so that she was slightly bent over. He spread his legs and forcefully plunged into her. She cried out at his entry and pushed backwards meeting each thrust.

He bent over and reaching around her, he grabbed her breasts roughly, squeezing them in his large hands. His rough treatment suited her foul mood and she quickly felt her excitement building. She pushed back against him as he drove into her, ecstasy flooding through her. His punishing thrusts drove her to edge of reason as her orgasm shook her body. She felt him shudder inside her as he climaxed just after her. He pulled out of her abruptly and smacked her on the behind before stumbling to the bed and collapsing on it.

She turned and leaned against the wall still breathing heavily, and, not sure if her legs were able to hold her, she slid down and sat on the floor, her trousers still around her thighs. She looked over at him lying on the bed, his chest rising and falling quickly. She tipped her head back and waited until the trembling subsided.

"Did you get what you came for?" Nathan asked, the huskiness of his voice unable to hide the sneer of his tone.

She turned and looked at him. He hadn't moved. She stood and quickly pulling up her trousers she left the room, not bothering to answer him. She stormed out of the cabin brushing past Simms again. She practically ran to her cabin where she stripped off her clothes and washed herself clean of him. Naked, she fell back onto her bed, throwing her arm across her eyes. Why did she feel like crying? She hadn't cried in years and now a slightly rough encounter with a man she barely knew and she was on the brink of tears. What was wrong with her?

Nathan slowly sat up in bed and put his head in his hands. The encounter had been rough and brief and he felt terrible. He knew he had no reason to be. She had come to his cabin for one thing and he had given her just what she had been seeking. There was no great love between them, not even respect so why should their physical contact be sweet and tender? Because for some reason he couldn't resist her, couldn't stop thinking about her, couldn't stop wanting her. They should be arriving at her island soon and hopefully he would finally be rid of her. But would that only make things worse?

...to be continued...