Part two of three! *snickers* Isabeau probably should have just kept her mouth shut...but in her defense, smexy Spaniards are so much fun to tease. I mean, who could blame her?

"A-anyway, don't mind me, just a little tired, and I tend to get stupid when I'm tired, so thank you for the lovely evening, I think I'll go to bed now. Good night, Captain." My words came out in a jumbled rush at the wolfish smile forming on that sensual mouth, stretching wider when I began to nervously back away.

"Leaving so soon, señorita?" Salazar purred, moving to follow as I backed towards the stairway that would allow me to run. "Ah, and I thought I asked you to call me by my name, not my rank, yes?"

Oh, fuck me, we've done it now! His deep, silky accent made hot chills race over my skin and I shivered, both from the husky tone of his voice and the predatory look on his face as he stalked after me.

Sudden, intense awareness of his lithe form, the sheer concentration, that roguish smile, flooded my brain, overwhelming my defenses. Time to go! Need to escape before we embarrass ourselves! Flee for our lives!

"Permit me to escort you to your cabin, bella dama."

Before I could realize his intent, he overtook me in one smooth stride, and spun gracefully to cut me off, sketching an elegant bow as he held out his hand for me to take.

I'd turned to face him as he'd blocked off my retreat and now stared at his hand warily, uncertain as to what his game was. "I'm not so sure I trust you…"

"Yes, you do." His fingers flexed invitingly, enticing me to grasp the warm strength he offered. "Take my hand."

I wavered, nervous and unsure.

He was right. I did trust him, yet still I hesitated, wary, skittish. This mischievous side was breathtaking, and I wasn't sure I cared for the constant feeling of disorientation every time I looked at him.

The mistake was when I met his gaze, reflexively seeking reassurance.

His dark, serious eyes held the encouragement I sought, along with a roguish glint I'd never seen before. I swallowed my tongue, unable to look away as I found myself ensnared.

A deep, sensuous smile curved on his lips, a smile of alluring promise.

He knew he had me.

"Confía en mí, bonita amada. Toma mi mano."

The rum-smooth Spanish slid over my skin like silk sheets. Captivated, I slowly slid my hand in his, shivering lightly as his strong fingers closed around mine with a sense of finality, as if he'd been waiting for more than just my hand in his.

A helpless feeling of being trapped immediately washed over me, but I resisted the urge to break free, calmed by the gentle, yet firm clasp of his hand. All I had to do was pull back and I would be released.

Salazar's smile slowly tilted into a wicked smirk and suddenly I sincerely doubted that he'd so easily let go. And I was in a great deal of trouble.

Snaking his arm around mine, he tugged me towards him, even as I started to try and break loose. He tucked my hand firmly under his as he gathered me tightly to his side and with an embarrassing squeak, the next thing I knew I was pressed hard against lean power.

"Shall we, señorita?" There was a gleam of dark satisfaction in that intense gaze when I glanced up at him in shock before I found myself strolling next to him, as if we were just any other 18th century couple, meandering along in each other's company.

Except his predatory demeanor didn't change in the slightest, and my brain was currently on overload as to how to handle this.

Too much, too close, too intense. He was overwhelmingly predator, and I was prey.

He exuded a devastating aura that made me more acutely aware of him than I'd ever been. Aware of the strength of his frame, the fact that my head didn't even reach his shoulders.

The memory of everything he kept hidden underneath that way-too-attractive uniform beat against the inside of my skull, and I tried to edge away from the steely arm still intertwined with mine, keeping me held against him.

He was having none of it, his stride continuously smooth and easy even as he resisted my efforts to tug free. His bearing remained relaxed, and he was so handsome it almost hurt to look at him. The sheer heat he radiated all but burned along my side where we touched, the rough brush of his uniform against my skin an almost sensual abrasion.

We're in the deep end now, girlfriend! So in over our heads!

The playing field had shifted. It was like this entire time, Salazar had been hiding this side of him behind a veneer of bland unaffectedness, but now I'd poked his self-esteem and he was now unleashing the full weight of the sensual nature I'd glimpsed during his fever.

And it was all concentrated on me.

I'd wandered into dangerous territory, and I had no clue how to navigate out of it, or where the exit even was. I didn't think I'd ever wanted so badly to just run.

But unlike this morning, it was his direct presence I sought to bolt from, the strange feelings it triggered, the uncontrollable thoughts bursting to life. Thoughts I had no business thinking, that made my awareness of Salazar's masculine frame even worse.

So many weird sensations…

Unable to escape, barely able to cope, I concentrated on the eagle emblazoned across the Mary's sail, trying to distract myself by admiring the impressive power that the naval vessel displayed, a reflection of the commanding individual next to me.

Ruthlessly, I reminded myself that this mess I was in was only because I'd challenged him, brought his conduct into question, not because of anything in response to me personally.

That helped bring my rapid breathing under control, even as disappointment scored its claws along the inside of my lungs.

"Ah…I believe I begin to understand," Salazar murmured quietly, as if to himself.

"Understand what?" I asked faintly, still not quite composed enough to be able to look at him.

"It would be difficult, I think, for a man to court you," he replied conversationally, jolting me back into focus with a hard yank.

I jerked in surprise, never having expected a comment like that in a million years, yet it somehow sounded like that wasn't what he'd originally had been thinking. Not that it made what he'd said any less outrageous.

"What?" I twisted around to see his face, to see if he was teasing, but when he looked at me, he appeared completely serious.

Salazar's mouth twitched, as if he wanted to smile at my outburst, but his severe expression remained, the muscles under his coat sleeve tensing against my arm, as if he anticipated me trying to break free. "You require a man with patience, confidence, able to read the nuances of what you aren't telling him. A man who is willing to face your intelligence without trying to snuff it out. Willing to soothe your skittish nature before pushing you forwards."

I gaped at him, dumbfounded. Then managed to find my tongue, buried somewhere at the back of my throat. "I don't require a man for anything, thank you very much. I've managed just fine on my own and intend to continue to do so."

"You may intend such, but will find that having a man at your side makes things infinitely easier-" he started.

"Not in my life," I cut him off, a bitter tinge to my voice. "Where I'm from, they're not worth the air they waste."

He halted his easy stride, forcing me to stop with him. "That may be where you are from, but here, men are different."

I gave him a scathing look, unable to believe I was having this conversation. And he had no idea what he'd unleashed.

"Oh yes, much different," I bit out. "Here, women have even fewer rights, fewer liberties, they're simply cattle to be bought and sold by the highest bidder. Heaven forbid that she actually has a thought between her ears, and never say that she wants to do something more than just be a broodmare!" I gasped in mock horror, my irritation overpowering my dazzled thoughts, as if with his words, he'd broken the delicate bubble of the moment.

His head was tilted curiously as he absorbed my words, not seeming to take offense at my vented frustration, then his eyes widened in realization. "These are some of your worries, aren't they? Your concerns for when we reach land?"

Lord save me from perceptive Spaniards.

I wearily blew out a breath, tired of constantly resisting him, fighting the strange feelings he created.

"Some." I twisted, wanting to continue walking, not wanting to stand still for my fears to catch up with me.

He obliged my slight tug, moving back into that smooth prowl that belied the deep wound that scarred his knee.

After a moment of tense silence, he spoke. "What I am beginning to understand, is that you are skittish of me because I make you nervous, yes? Not because you are afraid of me, but because I overwhelm you, intimidate you. Not merely with of who I am, but also of what I…portend. You're out of your depth, and it makes you withdraw."

The abrupt change in topics threw me for a loop, until I realized he was respecting my request not to talk about my worries for now. Relief momentarily overwhelmed my awareness.

Then his words sank in.

He knows.

No, he can't know, you dummy! He's just probing!

You sure about that? This is a man who can tell when we're lying, you know…

I sucked in a quick breath between my teeth, hoping he wasn't implying what I thought he was. "This whole situation is out of my depth, Captain-"

"Do not play the fool, Señorita Isabeau. It does not become you." His suddenly stern words were belied by the rough stroke of his thumb across the back of my hand where it was firmly clasped under his.

Tingles exploded under my skin.

Sidestepping that landmine, I ignored the insinuation I was imagining, that I was romantically interested in him, and subtly pulled away from where I was still tucked neatly against his body, not wanting to embarrass myself like that.

Or tried to pull away.

Salazar refused to slacken his grip, keeping me pinned against him, electricity buzzing along my arm from the brush of his skin against mine.

He glanced down at me with a small smirk, his thumb still slowly stroking across my hand. "Surely the señorita isn't trying to run from me, is she? I am enjoying spending time with such a beautiful companion, and I must admit to feeling wounded that she seeks to leave me bereft on an exquisite evening like this. Am I truly that boring, mi querida, my company that tiresome?"

Beautiful?

Butterflies swarmed in response to his flattery, even if it was coerced, but his dulcet purr would have made even honey seem bland in comparison. Certainly no match for someone who wasn't immune to flattery in the slightest, even if it was empty. Not from this man.

And I had the suspicion that the Spanish he'd been speaking since I'd teased him about being charming were terms of endearment, but I couldn't call him on it.

But is it empty flattery? You know he doesn't lie. Isn't that what empty flattery is?

I dropped a bucket over the voice and sat on it.

"No, I don't find you boring at all," I replied softly. "You don't have to go quite that overboard on the charm."

Salazar only hummed in response.

Silence stretched between us again, a more comfortable one than last time. Slightly.

"I shouldn't have teased you like that," I admitted grudgingly, trying to squash the heady butterflies that accompanied being so close to him, touching him. Listening to the musical, lilting tones of his accent, even if he did continue to make suggestive comments.

To my astonishment, it was…becoming pleasant, being in an attractive man's company like this. As long as I didn't fall into the trap of thinking he was actually courting me.

The urge to run was still there, but he wasn't going to permit my escape. So once I resigned myself to being captured, I was able to realize that I actually enjoyed this, even if it was only occurring because he was proving a point.

Not that I'd ever let him know I was coming to relish such a situation. Never.

"Hmm, no, you shouldn't have, especially if you do not know how to deal with the consequences, but," he leaned down close to my ear, "I am enjoying that you did."

I knew he felt my shiver at the tickle of his warm breath and I gulped, pleasure vanishing as the butterflies abruptly morphed into something I could barely contain even as my skin warmed to an uncomfortable intensity.

He's about to get bit here in a second if he doesn't let go!

Salazar straightened and finally loosened his grip, just enough that I had some breathing room. Yet it wasn't enough. I could still feel him, but when I tested his hold on my arm, it was as firm as ever.

No, I really shouldn't have teased him like that. Annoyed, I could do. Fuming, I could shrug off. But this Spaniard's meaning of charming?

Charming was twisting my insides into Celtic knots and dragonflies, and I had no one to blame but myself.

He'd make an excellent lover, that stupid little voice sang, having apparently escaped the bucket. Just imagine! All that heated muscle moving over you, against you, inside you, that sheer focus concentrated solely on how best to pleasure you, and you know he has experience. I'm sure he wouldn't mind…imparting a few lessons…

Heated fantasies exploded in my mind like a flashbang and I forcibly shook myself like a wet dog, dislodging the treacherous whispers. I was not going to slip down that path until I was alone and could deal with it. Certainly not while I was attached to the main subject of those fantasies!

I suddenly became aware that the very focus that had sidetracked my thoughts was shifted to me again. My gaze snapped upwards to see him watching me with a faint, satisfied smirk.

"What are you grinning at?" My short tone betrayed my inner turmoil and his smirk only widened.

"Is something bothering you, señorita?" he asked innocently.

Too innocently.

I narrowed my eyes at him in suspicion, but his features betrayed nothing of whatever he was thinking. Or what he'd discerned from my mannerisms.

"I'm fine." I struggled not to snap at him, to give away anything else. It was a little scary just how perceptive he was sometimes.

Glancing around, I realized we were almost to the stairway that led to my cabin. He'd led us all the way back the length of the Mary.

I eyed the distance, wondering if I could break free and reach it before Salazar caught me, ignoring the delicious shiver produced by the thought of being caught. Okay, make up your mind; you either want to be free or you want to be captured. You can't have both!

Why the fuck not?

My mind was quiet for a brief moment.

Hey…you remember he's got someone he's already interested in, right?

Yeah, I remember. This means nothing to him. He's just making a point, that's all.

But Magda said-

It doesn't mean anything. Don't get any ideas, you idiot, he's not courting me. I insulted him and this is how he's punishing me.

The sudden image of Lady BeKatt singing to Salazar flashed through my mind and I stopped, making the man himself look down at me questioningly.

I ignored him for a moment as I chewed on my lip and pondered quickly. A swift, disorienting lurch had kicked into my stomach at the memory, settling heavy in my stomach and leaving a tight pressure squeezing my chest, an urge building at the back of my throat.

I don't want to be alone yet. I want to spend more time-I jerked my head, cutting off the train of thought.

What was wrong with me? Hadn't I been wanting to escape since this display had started?

Yet the urge grew until it suddenly slipped from my tongue, breaking free before I could catch it.

"Can we walk around again? Please?"

Salazar twitched in surprise at my words, yet probably not nearly as surprised as I was. But oddly enough a delighted look flashed across his face before it vanished behind a polite demeanor as he nodded. "As you wish."

This time, I'd gotten used to the feel of walking alongside him like this. He kept his strides short, making it so I didn't feel like I was being dragged along. His body heat kept my side cozy warm, and his scent surrounded me in a cloud of heady fragrance.

He'd leashed most of that intense aura, only a bit of it slipping through, and the tension across my shoulders gradually relaxed in response.

Lesaro manned the helm, studiously ignoring us as we passed by, though I could have sworn I saw him smile as he watched us.

I rolled my eyes, but I found myself gravitating closer to Salazar's side. Now that I'd calmed down some more and adjusted to this seriously whacked situation, I could feel those strange little desires flaring to life under my skin. The ones that called for more, more touch, more taste, more…

Shoving them to the back of my mind, it amazed me how I'd gone from wanting nothing to do with this Spaniard essentially holding me captive to all but craving his company.

So much had happened in a few short weeks. Had it really been barely a month since I'd woken up on that pirate ship?

To my surprise, Salazar began to hum, a melodic tune that sounded like it would be fun to dance to. If I knew how to dance ballroom.

His lilting baritone washed over me and I closed my eyes, soaking in the sound. He really has a gorgeous voice.

"Can you sing?" I asked curiously.

The humming broke off with a deep chuckle. "Only if I have had enough to drink."

I opened my eyes at the unexpected response and cracked a smile. "Remind me to get you drunk some time."

"What makes you think I would be interested in singing if I were to drink too much, señorita? I might be more interested in making you sing."

Innocent words, yet the sultry undertone suggested something far different than simply singing.

I squirmed, uncertain if I was imagining things or not, then decided to sidestep his comment. "On second thought, maybe not. You might be one of those drunks that start waxing poetic and nothing's worse than a drunk poet."

He laughed at that and resumed humming quietly, the thick atmosphere lifting at his amusement.

Listening to him soothed me enough that I felt I could answer his earlier request. "Do you still want me to tell you about my fears?"

The calming sound halted and he was silent for a long moment, his strides becoming slower and slower until he stopped altogether, smoothly turning to face me fully.

I didn't look up, trying to distract myself from my offer by concentrating on the neat trail of buttons down the center of his waistcoat, the intricate stitching of his longcoat. I absently wondered why he never wore it buttoned when the rest of his appearance was so tidy.

"Do you wish to do so now? I will abide your request to wait if not."

And he would. For all his sternness, for all his temper, he was always willing to back off if I was too strained. Was willing to give me the time and space I needed where it mattered the most.

I sucked in a deep breath and fixated my focus on the silver threads in his waistcoat, shivering as the breeze sent goosebumps rippling down my arms. I insanely wished I could hug Salazar again, to soak in the heat he generated like a bonfire. "How much did Lesaro tell you?"

Instead of answering my question right away, Salazar released my arm, stepping away from me.

Translations (Courtesy of Google Translate)

Confía en mí, bonita amada. Toma mi mano - Trust in me, beautiful beloved. Take my hand.

bella dama - beautiful lady

mi querida - my darling/dear

Oooohhh, boy. Salazar is way above Isabeau's paygrade, but somehow...I doubt he cares. *smirks* And yes, he enjoys making her blush very much.

And what. He let go of her. Where's he going?