Treasure of the High Seas [Part One] (Patreon)

Tags for this fic include: omegaverse, ruts/heats, knotting, biting, mating, breeding kink, etc. The usual good stuff!

CECILY TORE THROUGH THE hold’s cramped pantry, searching for something to use as a weapon. The sounds of the skirmish outside swelled louder, bloodthirsty shouts and the metallic clang of blades ringing on the upper deck. Gunpowder smoke seeped through the gaps in the door. Cecily bit her tongue to stifle a cough. She couldn’t, wouldn’t let the pirates find her.

She groped along the shelf until her hand found something cold and heavy: a metal tin. If Captain Fudd lost the battle and the invaders discovered her hiding place, she’d defend herself with her last breath. She’d heard horrible stories of what the savage pirates of the southern seas did to their prisoners. Especially omegas.

No. I’d rather die.

The shouts and clangs stopped. A heavy blanket of silence descended. Cecily held her breath. Perhaps she’d brought this misfortune about with her own selfishness. Hadn’t she prayed for her ship to be delayed? For an opportunity to escape before Captain Fudd delivered her to her future husband? Her betrothal to Lord Alfred Pennyford the Third was the least of her worries now.

Heavy footsteps thudded outside the pantry. Cecily strained to hear more, trying to guess how many people were approaching and how far they were from the door. It was a useless exercise. She tightened her grip on the tin. If a pirate opened the door, she’d whack them and run for the lifeboats. Her chances of making it to the deck were slim, but she felt better having a plan, no matter how unlikely it was to succeed.

The footsteps outside came to an abrupt halt.

Cecily’s pulse roared in her ears. Her arm shook.

The door opened. A tall, broad-shouldered silhouette appeared, blocking any chance of escape.

Cecily swung the tin.

A callused hand caught her wrist, stopping her strike cold.

“Well then, what have we here?”

Cecily dropped the tin with a clatter. Suddenly, she was staring up into a stunning pair of emerald eyes. They were set above a charmingly crooked nose with freckles scattered across its bridge. An equally crooked grin tugged at the stranger’s cupid’s bow lips. Beneath the tangy smell of blood and sea brine, Cecily caught the far more pleasant scents of leather and spice. An alpha, and a rarer female at that.

Oh, goodness She’s unfortunately handsome. Cecily’s knees wobbled. She might have toppled over if the pirate hadn’t grasped her elbow.

“Steady there, lass.”

Cecily yanked her arm free and scurried to the rear of the pantry. “Stay back!” She snatched the nearest item: a lone potato. Damn her luck. Why couldn’t it have been a sack of potatoes, at least?

“Easy, now.” The pirate’s low, breathy voice tugged at Cecily’s gut. Almost like fear, but not quite. She clutched even more desperately at the potato. The pirate held up her hands in a gesture of peace. “I’ve no reason to harm a pretty thing like you… unless you chuck that potato. In which case I’ll have to restrain you. Gently, of course.”

Sweat rolled down Cecily’s spine beneath her corset. Another wave of what should have been panic crashed over her, but it left her hot and tingly. What was this feeling? Anger? Yes, it was most certainly. anger. This pirate wasn’t taking her seriously at all.

Why should she? I’m holding a potato while she’s… Cecily’s eyes darted to the pirate’s hip. Her silver cutlass hung from a crimson sash about her waist. A slow trickle of blood dripped down its edge, falling onto the floor.

The pirate noted Cecily’s stare. “Don’t worry about that. The honorable Captain Fudd still has his precious head on his shoulders—as does most of his crew. Now, why don’t we get you out of this cupboard? Bit cramped, isn’t it?”

Cecily swallowed. This pirate seemed less of a scoundrel and more of a gentlealpha than expected. Perhaps she could be reasoned with? She straightened her shoulders, trying her best to appear calm, and said, “What happens if I choose to comply?”

“If?” The pirate arched a brow. A narrow scar cut through the middle, slashing down from her forehead to the outer corner of her eye. “You don’t have much choice, I’m afraid. Either you walk out this door as your station befits, Lady Harrington, or I’ll toss you over my shoulder and carry you.”

Another powerful wave of alpha pheromones filled the pantry. The thick scent pressed at the edges of Cecily’s mind. Her heart did a dizzying somersault. She set the potato down. “How do you know my name?”

The pirate shrugged. “I paid for the information, as well as the course of your ship.”

Cecily licked her lips. Apparently, she’d been targeted somehow, but that was a problem for later. “My other question stands. If I comply with your demands, what happens to me?”

The pirate’s wide grin showed her dimples and took up most of her face. Her posture remained relaxed; arms lowered, hands open. Her bright green eyes sparkled with what seemed to Cecily like amusement. “You, Lady Harrington, shall enjoy a pleasure cruise aboard my ship, The Maelstrom—the length of which depends on how soon your father pays your ransom.”

Cecily felt a surge of relief so strong, she could have sagged onto the floor alongside the sacks of food. Ransom? Thank heavens. It seemed this pirate didn’t intend to kill, maim, or assault her. Not yet, anyway. She decided it was in her best interest to cooperate. “Very well. Since you are armed and I am not, it seems I have no choice.”

“Dunno.” The pirate gave Cecily a roguish wink. “If you whacked me hard enough with that potato, you might make it to the deck.”

Cecily pursed her lips. She didn’t appreciate this scoundrel’s attempts at humor, but her situation did seem less fraught. She wondered if she might turn this to her advantage. “May I have your name, at least? I find myself at more than one disadvantage.”

The pirate doffed her tricorn hat and made a sweeping bow. “Captain Eliza Lockheed, at your service.”

The tingling warmth in Cecily’s body vanished as ice rushed through her veins. She’d heard that name whispered amongst Fudd’s sailors like a secret curse. If the tales were true, Captain Lockheed was one of the most dangerous pirates to sail the southern seas—pillaging, plundering, and sending all her enemies to a watery grave. But they didn’t align with this alpha’s behavior. Perhaps the stories of her cruelty were exaggerated?

As Cecily saw it, she had two options: fight and risk injury or comply and wait for her chance. Looking up at Captain Lockheed’s face, framed by a riot of copper curls that shone like the setting sun, Cecily couldn’t help but choose the second option. There were far worse fates than being ransomed back to her father by a handsome pirate.

Wait. Handsome?

A dark tunnel closed in around Cecily’s vision. She swayed, but Captain Lockheed caught her arm, steadying her gently. The spiced scent filling the pantry changed, adopting a subtle note that seemed concerned to Cecily. “Steady on. I’ve got you.”

Cecily braced her hand against Captain Lockheed’s chest. Her fingers accidentally slipped beneath the red jacket. Too late, she realized how thin the pirate’s white blouse was. She snatched her hand back, but not before she felt the taut pull of muscle beneath her palm.

“My apologies. I felt faint for a moment.”

“No wonder.” Captain Lockheed’s hand remained on Cecily’s arm. “You’re wearing a corset. Those things will kill you, you know.”

Cecily managed a weak laugh. She felt strangely giddy as Captain Lockheed guided her by the arm, escorting her from the pantry. She didn’t resist. All the fear rushing through her body vanished, leaving her trembling and exhausted.

“Well,” she muttered as she followed the tall, broad-shouldered alpha out of the hold and toward the stairs. “I suppose my wedding is delayed after all…” At least Eliza—Captain Lockheed—had good reason to keep her alive, if extorting her father was the intention. Hopefully, that meant her person (and her virtue) would remain safe.

***

Eliza stood on The Maelstrom’s bow, leaning against the railing while she watched The Osprey burn. Dancing orange flames devoured what little remained of the wreckage. She heaved a sigh. The Osprey had been a good vessel, but she couldn’t risk enemy pursuit now that she had her prize. She’d forced Captain Fudd’s remaining crew into the lifeboats and torched the ship.

She tore her gaze away from the boat, tamping down the mild twinge of regret. She had every reason to be happy. Her plan had gone off without a hitch. No mistakes, no losses on her side, no surprises. No unpleasant surprises, anyway.

A smirk pulled at Eliza’s lips as she recalled Lady Harrington. The short, voluptuous omega had made quite the impression, snarling and brandishing a potato in self-defense. She reminded Eliza of herself when her own ship had been boarded by pirates decades ago—terrified, but determined to survive.

Eliza couldn’t help but admire Lady Harrington’s spirit. Most nobles were spineless cowards in situations where wealth and status couldn’t save them. In Lady Harrington’s case, however, Eliza suspected she’d narrowly avoided a bruised face.

Good thing I decided on the honorable route. Yes, her gentlealpha act almost always worked with omegas… although Eliza hadn’t seen such a pretty one in years. Lady Harrington’s angelic blonde curls and heart-shaped face made her look innocent, perhaps, but the body beneath was made for sin, with full breasts and generous curves.

Eliza swallowed. It was all too easy to remember how Lady Harrington’s body had felt tucked against her own. How the omega’s soft hands had touched her arm and chest. She tried not to think about how those same hands would feel sliding into her breeches, but her mind raced ahead without permission. The front of her trousers became uncomfortably tight.

No. I can’t let my own selfishness ruin things now—not when we’re close to such a hefty payout.

“Shame about the ship,” a familiar voice said from behind Eliza’s shoulder, interrupting her lustful thoughts. Penny Swift, her friend and first mate, joined her in leaning against the rail.

Eliza continued facing forward, in no small part to hide her not-so-small problem. She gazed wistfully across the sea’s glimmering surface. The sunset behind The Osprey added a beautiful pink halo around the rising orange flames. “Couldn’t be helped, Penn.”

“I know.” Penny ran a hand through her short black hair. “What about the omega?”

Eliza shot Penny a sidelong glance. Her face felt unusually hot for such a cool night. “What about her?”

A sly smile tugged at Penny’s mouth. “What do you think of her?”

“Nothing in particular.” Eliza shifted to one elbow, turning sideways to face Penny. Luckily, the interrogation had blown her lustful thoughts off-course. “Does it matter what I think of her?”

Penny faced Eliza, bracing her forearm on the railing in a similar manner. “You were in an awful rush to lock her away in your cabin. Me and the crew only got the barest of glimpses.”

Eliza snorted. “Were you all expecting an introduction?”

Penny shrugged. “No. But it seems a bit like a penny blood, doesn’t it? Roguishly handsome pirate ravishes the beautiful, innocent noblewoman…”

Eliza scoffed and rolled her eyes. “Stuff it, Penn.”

“That’s what the omegas say,” Penny said.

Eliza attempted to disguise her laughter as a cough. Judging by the mischievous glint in Penny’s brown eyes, it wasn’t convincing. “The roguishly handsome pirate usually gets caught by the Admiralty at the end of those stories. What are you implying?”

“Sometimes the pirate escapes the hangman in the nick of time,” Penny said, wagging her brows.

“I’ll keep my neck out of the noose, thanks all the same.”

Eliza turned back to the sea. The fire of The Osprey’s wreckage had dimmed, leaving only faint trails of smoke. The pink crescent of the sun slipped beneath the horizon, allowing the first faint stars to shine against the dark blue sky. “Although if there was ever an omega lovely enough to risk my precious throat for, I do believe Lady Harrington might qualify.”

Penny made a humming noise. “That so, Lize?”

Eliza continued to gaze across the water. It had gone almost black except for faint flickers of reflected light from the waxing moon and stars above. Privileged folk like Lady Harrington might have lavish manors, ostentatious estates, and noble ancestry—but she had the open sea and her freedom. In her opinion, there was nothing better in all the world, even if it did mean occasionally courting danger.

Nothing better, that is, except more coin to fund it all.

Lady Harrington’s ransom would take care of that. Eliza felt no guilt over it. She’d spared the unfortunate Captain Fudd and the majority of his crew after they’d surrendered. She’d even got Lady Harrington aboard her ship without any screams or tears. So far, it was one of the smoothest jobs she’d ever done.

Perfect way to jinx myself, that thought… With a wistful glance at the moon, Eliza pushed off the railing and yawned. “Think I’ll turn in,” she told Penny. “Hardy’s on first watch.”

Penny straightened, folding her arms. “Want an extra set of eyes on your cabin door?”

Eliza shook her head. She trusted her crew implicitly. She’d handpicked every single one—all female alphas turned away by majority-male crews—for their courage, cunning, and loyalty. They were a lean, savage bunch, thirsty for riches and glory, but they knew the best way to get it was to follow Eliza’s lead. Aboard The Maelstrom, her word was law.

“No need. I’ll be spending the night… in the armchair,” she added when Penny tilted her head.

“If you say so, Captain,” Penny said. “Just thought you might bunk with the crew tonight. To preserve the lady’s virtue and all.”

Eliza winked. “Whatever do you mean? I would never soil the pure white wings of such an innocent dove.” She held eye contact with Penny for a stretch of silence before they both burst into guffaws. They laughed until Eliza’s sides hurt. She looped an arm around Penny’s shoulders while Penny slapped the middle of her back.

“Right then,” Penny said, still chuckling, “but I’ve got money on Lady Harrington weeping as she leaves The Maelstrom. As all the lady omegas do when the handsome Captain Lockheed takes her leave.”

Eliza nudged Penny’s side with her elbow. “Normally, you’d be right, but if there’s one thing I love more than a warm, willing omega, it’s money. And Lady Harrington’s worth a whole lot of that to be sure.” She exchanged a nod of farewell with Penny, then headed for her stateroom.

She smelled Lady Harrington before she opened the door. Her hand paused at the knob, hovering in midair. The rich, sweet scent sent a surge of warmth through her body, like a shot of rum on a cold night. There was also a hint of agitation in Lady Harrington’s smell. Unsurprising, given the situation.

Privately, Eliza resolved to allay Lady Harrington’s fears. This was purely a business transaction. So long as everything proceeded according to plan, no one else would be hurt.

***

Cecily snuggled into the plush armchair, adjusting the patchwork quilt on her lap. Though worn and frayed, it was pleasantly soft and comfortable. She’d made a cozy nest beneath the quilt, as though it might offer some scant protection. Better than being thrown in a dark, dank brig below deck, though. It seemed Captain Lockheed knew how to treat prisoners of a certain station.

She’d spent the past several hours lost in a fog, stuck between fear and exhilaration. Her abduction should have terrified her—and it did. Yet it was also reminiscent of the adventures in her favorite cheap paperbacks, the ones she paid the servants to smuggle in on market days. She concealed them beneath her mattress, reading in snatches by candlelight so her father wouldn’t discover her secret vice.

According to those books, Captain Lockheed would be interested in more than her father’s money.

The idea sent a warm pulse between Cecily’s legs. She squirmed uncomfortably in the armchair. Such a ridiculous thought! She should be terrified for her life, not to mention her virtue. Without it, what sort of life could she expect to lead? Certainly not a life befitting a proper lady.

None of that seemed to matter to Cecily’s body. A feverish chill coursed down her spine and her face burned like a bonfire. She couldn’t decide whether to burrow beneath the quilt or throw it off to get some air against her clammy skin. No doubt she looked frightful.

A knock upon the door made Cecily start. She sat up straight, eyes wide, heart aflutter. Her trembling fingers curled into the quilt. Would Captain Lockheed enter the room or had some other pirate scoundrel arrived? Deep down, Cecily knew whom she was hoping to see.

Her fears and desires came true as the door opened to reveal Captain Lockheed. Cecily’s heart leaped into her throat and lodged there. Her eyes roamed Captain Lockheed’s body of their own accord, traveling from the topmost point of her black felt hat to the toes of her shiny leather boots. She was impressively tall—though most people were tall to Cecily—and she cut quite the dashing figure with her trim hips and broad shoulders.

Captain Lockheed closed the door. She removed her hat, holding it against her chest. “Good evening, Lady Harrington. I hope your stay in my cabin has been tolerable, at least?” The same crooked grin Cecily recalled from that afternoon appeared on Captain Lockheed’s face, showing twin dimples.

Cecily bit her cheek. How was she supposed to fear someone with such an easy manner? She stood from the armchair, straightening to her full height. Unfortunately, Captain Lockheed remained half a foot taller. “I’m being held captive aboard a pirate vessel,” Cecily said, meeting the captain’s inquisitive stare. “To describe my evening as good or even tolerable would be ridiculous.”

Captain Lockheed’s emerald eyes twinkled. “Quite understandable.”

Cecily’s cheeks burned. Was Captain Lockheed laughing with her or at her? Either way, her rich alto voice sent a tingling shudder through Cecily’s body. She narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips, attempting to look upset. Upset is how I should feel in such a perilous situation, isn’t it? Her situation didn’t seem particularly perilous, though. Abduction aside, Captain Lockheed had been quite accommodating.

“Am I to remain in your cabin until you contact my father?” Cecily asked.

Captain Lockheed stepped into the room. She placed her tricorn hat on a wooden writing desk covered in maps and papers, which Cecily had only dared to examine from a distance. Next, she removed her coat, draping it on the back of a chair. She took her time doing so, as though fully aware of Cecily’s intense stare.

“Indeed,” Captain Lockheed said, still facing the desk. Her position gave Cecily a brilliant view of the muscles in her back as they stretched beneath her thin white shirt. “I hope this process will be quick and painless for both of us. You shall be fed properly and kept under guard until the payment arrives, though you have little to fear from my crew.”

Cecily blinked. “I imagined a pirate captain of your infamy would take every opportunity to brag about how violent and bloodthirsty her crew is?”

Captain Lockheed turned and folded her arms. She smirked, shifting her weight back onto one leg. Cecily couldn’t help but admire the tight stretch of her clinging leather pants across the subtle curve of her hips. As Cecily’s eyes darted lower, her heart skipped a beat and her mouth went suddenly dry. The sizeable bulge there shouldn’t have surprised her, but she couldn’t tear her eyes away, no matter how impolite it was to stare.

“My crew is violent and bloodthirsty when necessary,” Captain Lockheed said. Her eyes followed Cecily’s stare downward, but aside from the smug grin plastered on her face, she gave no other indication that she noticed. “Above all, they’re loyal. I’ve told them to leave you alone, so they will.”

Cecily believed it. Everything from Captain Lockheed’s thick, sweet scent; to her firm voice; to the strength in her tanned forearms, clearly visible thanks to her rolled-up sleeves, spoke of unquestionable strength. As an omega, Cecily was instinctively compelled to listen. No doubt the rest of the crew felt similarly, whatever their statuses.

“I appreciate your honesty and straightforwardness, Captain.” Inwardly, Cecily cursed at the soft waver in her voice.

“Under the circumstances,” Captain Lockheed said, “I thought honesty would be the best method of ensuring your cooperation.”

Cecily hesitated a beat, then asked, “What am I to do with myself while you negotiate with my father?”

Captain Lockheed’s brows lifted, but her smug smile remained in place. “I’m sorry you find your abduction boring, Milady. How inconsiderate of me.”

Cecily’s face burned. Captain Lockheed’s amused expression made her feel as though she were standing in flames. Every inch of skin she possessed felt hot and tight, as though rubbed painfully raw. She began sweating even more profusely beneath her clothes.

“Surely you can spare a few books,” Cecily croaked, glancing toward the desk so she wouldn’t have to look at Captain Lockheed any longer. She managed, but it was surprisingly difficult to tear her eyes away from the alpha’s tall, trim figure.

Captain Lockheed’s eyes didn’t follow Cecily’s toward the desk. She continued staring straight at Cecily. The intensity of her attention remained unbroken. “I doubt my collection has anything a lady would be interested in, but why not? So long as you don’t damage them, you may read my books if you like.”

“I don’t suppose you have a deck of playing cards?” Cecily asked. She knew she was pushing her luck, but something about Captain Lockheed’s genteel yet playful manner made her feel safe asking. Besides, if I manage to develop a rapport with her, I may yet enlist her help in escaping my arranged marriage.

Captain Lockheed laughed. “Such demands, Lady Harrington! But yes, of course you may have a deck of cards. Never let it be said that Captain Lockheed treats lady omegas of station with anything less than the utmost respect.”

The drawl in Captain Lockheed’s voice seemed more playful to Cecily’s ears than sarcastic. She decided to count the request as a small success.

Captain Lockheed returned to the desk, opened a drawer, and withdrew a shabby and well-loved deck of cards. She shuffled them expertly between her arched hands as she returned to the spot where Cecily stood.

A shudder raced down Cecily’s spine. Less than a foot remained between them. The mingled scents of leather and spice grew stronger—and made Cecily’s knees weaker. She grasped the arm of the chair to prevent herself from swaying. The sheer power that radiated from this handsome, debonair alpha threatened to overcome her.

Heavens. I’ve never reacted so strongly to an alpha in my life! What on earth is the matter with me?

Cecily did her best to meet Captain Lockheed’s advance with a level stare. She held out her hand. “Thank you, Captain.”

Captain Lockheed didn’t hand over the deck. She shuffled it again, then perched on the edge of the bed. “Have a seat, Lady Harrington,” she said, gesturing at the mattress. She tapped the cards on her thigh to straighten them.

It took Cecily’s clouded mind several moments to realize that Captain Lockheed meant to play cards with her. No alpha had ever been brazen enough to invite her into their bed before—even for a clothed activity. Still, it was the best place for two people to sit together. Captain Lockheed’s cabin was luxurious for what it was, but the only other places to sit were the armchair and the chair at the desk.

I can’t—I won’t let her know that she has succeeded in embarrassing me. She already has an inappropriately high opinion of herself. I refuse to feed her ego.

Cecily made a futile attempt to brush the wrinkles from her dress, then sat as far away from Captain Lockheed as she could, to the point of leaning against the headboard. Only then did she notice the design carved into it—two naked figures in writhing, carnal bliss. She leaned away from the headboard as though she’d set against a hot stove by mistake.

Captain Lockheed didn’t just chuckle this time—she laughed, throwing her head back and slapping the deck on her thigh. “I do apologize, Lady Harrington. Surely a refined omega would find a pirate’s decor insufferably crude. Would you like me to put a sheet over the headboard?”

From the mischievous glint that danced in Captain Lockheed’s emerald green eyes, Cecily was sure the pirate was only teasing her. She pursed her lips and leaned stiffly against the headboard once more. “Your decor is none of my business. I have no choice in my current surroundings, after all. Now, do you intend to play cards with me or not, Captain Lockheed? Unless you fear I’ll win.”

Captain Lockheed smirked. She passed the deck to Cecily. “Go ahead and shuffle, so you can be assured I haven’t cheated. What are we playing?”

“Piquet?” Cecily asked. Privately, she hoped to embarrass Captain Lockheed as revenge for her earlier teasing. What were the chances a roguish scoundrel of a pirate knew the intricacies of such a complex game?

Captain Lockheed didn’t miss a beat. “Very well. Toss the lower cards, then.”

Cecily swallowed hard. Perhaps Captain Lockheed wouldn’t be as easy to beat as she’d assumed.

***

Hours later, after multiple games of piquet and a considerable amount of grog, Eliza looked up from shuffling the cards to find Cecily slumped against the pillows, dead asleep. If her closed eyes hadn’t given her away, her light snoring would have. With her cheek smushed on her shoulder and her mouth hanging open, she looked nothing less than angelic.

Eliza shook her head and smiled at the sleeping omega. She suspected a small glass of wine after dinner was the extent of Cecily’s prior indulgences. Unfortunately, all of the drinkable water aboard her ship contained small amounts of alcohol to keep it fresh. Cecily would have to make do.

Carefully, so as not to wake her sleeping guest, Eliza crept out of bed and set the deck of cards on the nightstand. She retired to her armchair, yawning as she let her head loll back. Her eyes had barely closed when a sweet smell tugged at her attention. She crinkled her nose, inhaling deeply.

A surge of heat rushed through Eliza’s veins, so sudden and strong that her eyes snapped open. She gasped and sat up, staring at Cecily’s slumped form propped against the pillows. Truth be told, Cecily’s scent had been a pleasant distraction all night; a seductive tease, though clearly unintentional. Cecily’s smell reminded Eliza of something warm, sweet, and sugary fresh out of the oven. Her cock swelled in an instant and gave an urgent twitch beneath her breeches.

Eliza stifled a moan. She longed to leave her armchair, stride over to the bed, and take Cecily in her arms. Wake her with a hungry, ravishing kiss. Climb on top of her and lift the lacy petticoats beneath her dress…

She winced, shaking herself out of her stupor.

No, I couldn’t possibly!

Cecily was a virginal noblewoman, whom Eliza intended to ransom back to her father. Even if Cecily’s spirit was as willing as her scent seemed to be, surely Lord Harrington wouldn’t appreciate the theft of his daughter’s virtue. Eliza didn’t believe in such ridiculous notions as virginity and virtue as currency, but she recognized that others did. That likely included Cecily.

Still, the temptation was nearly irresistible. A knife of desire twisted in Eliza’s belly as she admired Cecily’s slumbering form. The golden ringlets of Cecily’s hair brushed the tops of her slender shoulders, highlighting the graceful column of her neck. The swell of her breasts rose and fell with each slow breath.

Cecily whimpered and slid down further on the pillows. She curled into a sleepy ball, her full lower lip poking out in an adorable pout. Even by faint candlelight, Eliza noted the wrinkled furrow in her brow. The sight tugged her heartstrings in a way she didn’t expect.

No, she couldn’t possibly seduce this poor creature. She hadn’t asked to be abducted. It would be wrong—

Since when do I care about right and wrong? Aren’t pirates supposed to take what we want?

Eliza ignored the selfish whisper in her mind. Drawing upon all resolve she could muster, she rose from her armchair and turned to the cabin door, tearing away from the mouth-watering bite of forbidden fruit nestled in her bed. She clenched her jaw as her aching cock rubbed against her leather breeches.

She almost faltered when she reached the door, hand hovering over the knob, but opened it and stepped out into the brisk night air. Only once she’d closed the door did she sigh a long exhale of relief. She groaned, massaging the bridge of her nose between two fingers.

“Fuck,” she muttered. Completing her task and collecting her desired reward was turning out to e more complicated than she’d anticipated—because she wasn’t entirely certain which reward she would rather collect.