The Sea Maiden (32 page)

“Thank you Captain but flattery will get you nowhere.”

“It’s more than flattery love, its praise.” He said with a genuine smile.

Karina shot him a skeptical look, doubting every word he said…he was just a calculating, handsome rogue amusing himself with her while she was aboard his ship by trying to butter her up, to secure future endearing caresses. To think she nearly gave into him had it not been for the storm but she was now prepared to resist his advances. She tried to hide her irritation by looking at the door again. She was proud of her accomplishment of course but was convinced he was using her as sport otherwise he would have made his intentions clear by now and not treat her like a floozy in front of his crew. This was her fault for allowing the liberties to go on, but now she had to put a stop to it.

“I do many things well Captain Drake, given the opportunity.”

“I can only imagine.” He replied suggestively. “Why did you abandon me earlier? Where you afraid of me or afraid of expressing your own desires?” He whispered seductively in her ear.

“If you were a gentleman you wouldn’t talk to me in such a manner, especially in front of the crew!” She hissed.

“No one other than a dog could hear that Karina!!”

“Did you just call me a
dog
?”

“Now you’re being ridiculous!” He snapped.

Annoyed at her sharp tongue, instead of Karina thanking him for his adulation, she was critical and combative. Thinking back at her shocking saving actions for Peter the night before he grew even more irritated and retorted,

“You know I could have easily taken you earlier. You should give me more credit especially after disrobing in front of me for Peter’s sake and allowing me to see your most hidden assets! It was extremely difficult for me to pass up the opportunity this morning but I did! So don’t play coy with me now Karina, you know fully well how that affected me and if I had made love to you this morning, I’m sure you would have been more than receptive!”

Karina gasped, outraged at his comments,

“You must enjoy getting your face slapped Captain!”

“Not particularly, but do that again and next time I won’t be such a gentleman!”

He loosened his hold on her and she moved away trying to hide her irritation from the others then she came back and whispered tauntingly,

“There won’t be a next time Captain that’s why I fixed the door.”  She said with a vexing smile.

He pulled her arm gently but firmly and whispered back,

“No door is going to stop me if you continue to bate me Karina.”

She yanked her arm from his hold and as she turned to walk away he slapped her bottom. Stunned, Karina stopped and turned ready to slap the smug smile off his face but all eyes were on her. Some of the crew chuckled. She walked away fuming.

“Having fun Captain?” Peter asked with a grin.

“Just keeping it interesting.”
  Captain Drake admitted.

“I thought she would turn on you like a wild cat after that.”

“I think I rather like to tame the shrew in her.”

“Well Captain keep in mind that she’s more dangerous than she looks. She doesn’t think twice when she pulls the trigger or wields a sword. She killed my attacker back on the road from Harmon Hall before the clearing.”

“Is that so? She didn’t mention that to me, only that you were both attacked.”

“Well I killed the man pursuing her, and in turn she picked up a pistol on the ground dropped by one of our assailants and shot my attacker behind me, dead. She saved my life Captain.”

“She saved mine as well Peter, during the pirate attack, I was fighting another man when I heard a shot fired behind me and when I turned I saw that she had shot Remus Wilkes who was about to kill me from behind. I must admit there is allot more to Karina than meets the eye.

“Yes sir, she’s a born killer.” Peter laughed.

“Well thank you for the warning Peter, I will be locking my pistol and sword away from now on.” They laughed.

They anchored near a small-uninhabited island with a few scattered palm trees. They lowered the boats and rowed into shore bringing with them food and wine. Everyone was in a good mood except Karina. She tried to hide her irritation. He deserved a good slap she thought. She decided she was going to enjoy the picnic on the island and ignore the Captain that was what he deserved for mocking her in front of everyone.

Emmett the ship’s cook got busy seasoning and grilling fresh fish, corn on the cob biscuits and boiled potatoes. Everyone was hungry and the aroma was intoxicating. In the mean time the crew was letting out steam by play fighting and sharpening their sword skills, others went for a swim. Most of the crew had removed their shirts and boots including Peter, and the Captain; even Karina chose to go barefoot and removed her boots. Karina kept Lynnette and Peter Company while they waited to eat a delicious meal.

“Are you upset with Captain Drake?” Lynnette asked.

“Well yes… just allot actually.”

Peter looked over at her, chuckled and shook his head.

“What so funny Peter?” Karina asked.

“Remember he saved your derriere by rescuing you off that island.”

“I know, I know and I am grateful for that but now he’s asking for it by making sport of me.”

“Begging for
 it more likely.” Peter said sarcastically.

“What are you talking about?”

“You frustrate him that’s all.”

“What? I
 frustrate him? Ha!”

“Yep!”

“How is that? I’m the one mocked and made sport of…I’m the frustrated one? You’re only saying that because you’re a man too.”

“Well, men get that way around women they can’t …um…be with. Actually you’re both acting the same way.”

“What are you a fortune teller?”

“No, but like you said I’m a man and if I was not enjoying my wife’s company on a daily basis, I would probably be a basket case like the two of you.” Peter winked at Lynnette.

“Peter!” Lynnette said feeling embarrassed.

Peter downed the last of his wine.

“Well fortune telling time’s over…time to play.”

Peter kissed Lynnette then went to join the others at play. Captain Drake and the officers sat around the beach talking and watching the crew try to best each other. He turned often in Karina’s direction she gave him her back. The meal was ready and Emmett asked the ladies if they would help him serve, both Karina and Lynnette quickly agreed. They complemented Emmett for his excellent cooking skills. Karina and Lynnette passed out the meals to the crew. Karina avoided Captain Drake.

“Thank you Lynnette it’s good to see that you’re feeling better.”

“You
’re welcome Captain and yes I am feeling much better.”

“Give my regards to Karina.”

Lynnette smiled and went back and sat with Karina, Peter joined them again they ate and passed around more rum and wine to complement their meal. The sun started to set. Karina and Peter both drank more than they should, the joking and laughter became louder and more frequent, which further irritated Captain Drake’s already strained nerves. Then Peter stood up and pulled Karina up challenging her to sword match. Karina looked over at Captain Drake who gave her a warning look. He looked irritated but Karina ignored him and agreed to Peter’s challenge. Their display of sword skills was entertaining the crew enjoyed watching them. They began getting a bit loud and out of hand and a little too familiar with each other.

“I love that you could be like one of men, Karina.”

Peter placed his arm around Karina, enjoying their friendly banter; Lynnette began to show signs of discomfort, and Captain Drake tensed. Fueled by the crew’s cheers and whistles they continued their swordplay. Captain Drake and Lynnette seemed to be the only ones not enjoying the spectacle. At one point they stumbled and fell together in a tangle, laughing loudly, the crew whistled at their provocative struggle on the sand. Furious, Captain Drake jumped up.

“Alright I think the two of you have had enough. Peter you’re drunken behavior has upset your wife you’ve been ignoring her for hours now get over there and pay
 her some attention! That’s an order!”

Peter looked over at Lynnette who had turned away from him in apparent disgust. Peter suddenly realized he was in trouble with his wife; he immediately stumbled over to see how he could fix things.

Then the Captain turned to Karina who still lay on the sand nearly passed out. He reached for one hand and pulled her to a sitting position then placed one arm behind her back and swept his other arm under her knees and carried her over to the water and threw her in. She screamed. He made sure she was totally soaked.

“YOU DESPICABLE…CAD! WHAT THE…HELL ARE YOU…DOING?”

Karina screamed and yelled between gulps.

“Sobering you up! I never want to see you like this again!”

She tried her best to hit and kick him but she was too drunk.

“WELL I NEVER WANT TO SEE YOU AGAIN PERIOD!” Karina yelled still under the influence. “Where’s my sword?”

“It’s not your sword! It’s one of the crews. Party’s over love, time to go!”

“I’M NOT YOUR LOVE AND I’M NOT GOING ANYWHERE WITH YOU!”

“Oh yes you are! You’ve provided enough of a spectacle for one day. I’m going back to the ship and so are you!”

“
WELL I’M NOT GOING!”

“
WELL I’M NOT ASKING!”

He put his arm around her waist and carried her off to the rowboat. Kicking and splashing Karina tried furiously to free herself.

“YOU SCOUNDREL! WHAT GIVES YOU THE RIGHT TO TREAT ME LIKE THIS?”

“WELL LET ME SEE, BEHAVING LIKE A
 DRUNKEN TRAMP IN FRONT OF EVERYONE! USING PETER TO BATE ME AND PLAY YOUR LITTLE GAME! AND YOUR CALLOUS DISREGARD FOR LYNNETTE’S FEELINGS! ARE YOU NOT GOING TO BE SATISFIED TILL YOU BREAK THEM UP?” He scolded.

Karina quieted down, suddenly feeling ashamed. She tried to get off the rowboat but he would not allow her.

“I want to go apologize to Lynnette!”

“You can apologize tomorrow; Peter is trying to repair the damage.”

“Nothing bad happened anyway.” Karina claimed partly sobered.

“That’s because I stopped it. You know what the two of you were doing back there in front of Lynnette, the crew and I. It’s called foreplay, a little game couples play to stimulate each other sexually before engaging in intercourse, a moment longer and he would have been on top of you in his drunken state.”

Karina gasped at his accusation. “THAT’S NOT TRUE! PETER HAS ALWAYS BEEN A GENTLEMAN! YOU’RE THE ONE WHO’S NOT A GENTLEMAN!”

“NOT WITH TRAMPS I’M NOT AND IF YOU’RE GOING TO BEHAVE LIKE ONE YOU’RE NOT GOING TO DO IT WITH A MARRIED MAN. NOW CLIMB UP!” He ordered.

Karina tried to stand on the boat wanting to strike him but she was still feeling lightheaded and the boat rocked too much, throwing her off balance she fell back in the water. Eric fished her out of the water from the seat of her breeches, she screeched.

Back on the row boat she yanked herself away from Eric, straightened herself up as much as possible and started climbing up the side of the ship. Thinking she would just go straight to the guest quarters, happy there was a door she could lock and avoid him. Captain Drake climbed up behind her. She started making her way to the guest quarters but he caught up to her and swung her around, swept his arms under her knees and carried her toward his cabin.

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING? WHERE ARE YOU TAKING ME? PUT ME DOWN!” Karina yelled and screamed, kicking her feet in the air.

“You won’t be staying in the guest quarters tonight!”

“WHAT? WHY?”

“I told you
 next time I wasn’t going to be such a gentleman.”

“I HAVEN’T SLAPPED YOU…YET!”

“You might as well have.”

“BUT YOU DESERVE TO BE!” She screamed in indignation, trying her best to free her arms.

Once in his cabin he kicked the door shut behind him then released her, she quickly ran behind the desk.

“TAKE OFF THOSE WET CLOTHES!”

“WHAT! NO! HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND?”

“Just my patience, if you took them off for Peter without hesitation you can take them off for me. You were naked in front of me before remember?”

“YOU’RE INSANE OR JEALOUS!”

“Try disgusted!” He said in a low menacing tone

Karina knew she had gone too far, her little display with Peter had irritated him beyond reason this time he wouldn’t stop. She scolded herself for angering him; and she shouldn’t have drunk so much either…the wine was working against her. He took a step closer; she backed into the wall afraid he might rip off her shirt she unbuttoned it. Angry but aroused he kissed her until she welcomed his sensual assault, sending waves of desire through her...slowly he removed the shirt.

The next morning, Karina awoke in a sensual tangle next to him, not sure how to feel about their lovemaking, guilt, pleasure, fear of consequences, what if she got pregnant and he wouldn’t marry her, would she be in the same situation Lavinia Williams was after her father left her to marry another woman. What was clear was that this was not going to be the last time they made love at least so long as she was on his ship. Their proximity on the ship was the true culprit she rationalized but she couldn’t deny the intensity of the experience, it was euphoric or the fact that she sinfully desired it again. In horror she realized this experience could very well have been with Lord Harmon, the thought alone sent shivers of repulsiveness down her spine.