Part 14

"So tell me about yourself Liz Valenti"

A short pause.

"There's nothing to tell really."

Maria halted in mid combing. The brush rested halfway down Liz's long silky hair. She regarded the back of her head with a steady stare.

"Surely there is. Like who are you, where do you come from, what do you do..." Maria trailed off in question.

Liz hesitated. They sat on the bed, Maria behind her combing her silken falls. The movement soothing, caring. She could feel the tension fading, her shoulders drooping in relief. After the ordeal she had been through a gentle hand was more than welcome. Ah what had she gotten herself into? she should have just told them who she really was, allowed her father to pay the ransom and she'd be home now being coddled by her mother instead. She should have spoken about her identity, yet...she had the distinct feeling they would not believe her. For she was branded a thief who would do anything...even lie. She aught to have said something nevertheless. Her plan so far.....well she did not even know if it was working.

She never did anything without thinking it through, and she had thought about her actions for as long as her time limit permitted and it seemed plausible. Now she wasn't so sure. For she did not have any friends to seek help from should the need arise. With the exception of Maria.

Liz turned around and faced Maria's understanding face. Is it possible? Could she tell her of her plight? Could she tell her who she was and the wrong that was done to her? She seemed to understand...even care. forging a friendship was not impossible. In fact it was already underway.

A moment of silence passed while Liz studied the blonde's openly friendly expression. Indeed a friendship was possible, but a confidant...Liz sighed inwardly. Here sat before her the lover of a pirate. Loyal in life and love to the end. And that pirate was loyal in life to the captain. The way these loyalties forge them together, one slip of the tongue and they can be brought to good use.No...if she told, regardless if Maria promised not to tell, these pirates have their ways. Hell....she shouldn't even forget Michael. For he could trick Maria into her confidence just like she did to him.

No. It's too dangerous. Liz suppressed a sob. She was on her own in who she was. An ally and a friend were deeply wanted though. No matter that it is to be based on lies. For what are a few lies when they could mean her life?

"I am Liz Valenti. I am twenty years old. I was born and raised in Florence. My..-" she broke off abruptly then steeled herself to continue "...mother died giving birth to me and my father..he went abroad when I was twelve and never came back. My nurse told me I resembled my mother so much he couldn't bear it"

"Oh Liz I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have asked, it must be painful to talk about" Maria rested a hand on her shoulder comfortingly. "What happened after that?"

Liz swallowed and searched wildly in her mind then answer in a subdued voice "We weren't a rich family, but not exactly poor. When my father left he took the money which we had with him to pay for his trips and I was left with my nurse. She took care of me, but she was old and died a few years later. After that....well lets just say I had to fend for myself" she finished and held her breath.

As she hoped Maria went into a fit of sympathy and questioned her no more. It pained her to lie to someone like Maria, but unfortunately she had no choice. Her situation did not help any. As Maria enveloped her in a comforting embrace, Liz waveringly thought that perhaps, perhaps there is hope yet.

The dawn broke. The ship rocked the sleeping sailors awake. Liz's eyes fluttered open. Somehow during the night it appeared she had crawled beneath the covers, yet she could not recall exactly when or how. Disconcerted of that fact she sat up and looked around.

A knock sounded and Liz jumped. The knock came again.

"Come in" Liz called out hesitantly. The door opened and Whimsy walked in with a tray. The aroma of breakfast wafted through the air and Liz's stomach grumbled. She was famished.

Whimsy walked into the room and Liz noted a slight hesitancy in his step. Looking at him she also noticed that he was avoiding looking at her. He walked over to the table and placed the tray there then turned and for the first time looked at her straight in the eyes.

A flushed somewhat but his voice and gaze were steady when he spoke.

"I would like to apologize for the misunderstanding last night. We did not know what to make of you and you must understand that it too peculiar having a woman aboard for no reason he made known "he paused then continued after a few seconds" Our captain has informed us now of your position and the crew and myself apologize again" he stopped and regarded her intently.

Liz cleared her throat. She could understand their mistake. She didn't know why the captain didn't make it clear from the beginning but didn't stop to dwell on that. With a jerky nod Liz indicated that the apology was accepted. It was only after he was gone that she wondered where he learned to speak such impeccable english. She had noticed that it was only a few who spoke brokenly.

Forgetting that for the moment Liz rose from the bed and rushed to the tray. Coffee, butter, scones and fruit. The assortment looked so appetizing her mouth watered. Without a second thought she began to dig in.

She was almost through went the door opened and the hairs on the back of her neck stood. She was immediately aware. She looked to the doorway to find Max leaning negligently against the doorjamb. His broad shoulders filled the doorway, his male scent assailed her. Strong, virile, and damn but if he isn't handsome.

"Aren't you afraid there's poison in there?" the low seductive timbre of his voice drifted towards her.

Without thinking and annoyed at his teasing she replied "No,who'd scrub your floors then?" she stated matter-of-factly and a little bitterly.

Max chuckled and entered the chamber with lithe grace that Liz couldn't help but admire. He came to a stop behind her and Liz felt all her senses become aware of the male behind her. He dominated the entire place. He even dominated her.

A warm hand settled on her shoulder and Liz started.

"Did you sleep well?" his soft question was directly against her ear. Liz shivered.

"Y-yes very well thank you" she managed to get out but all she was aware of was the strong capable hand that slowly and gently kneaded her shoulder and moved to stroke the side of her neck. Her pulse was racing and she knew he knew.

She tried to move away but his hand clenched around her shoulder and held her still. Her breath caught in her throat as she waited for his next move. She felt him bend his head down and kiss her shoulder then spread those kissed up towards her neck and up to her ear. Her breathing turned ragged and she shivered with excitement and fear.

"Are you alright?" he whispered. It took a moment for Liz to understand what he was asking and knew that he was referring to last night. The reminder clogged up her throat and she could only nod.

He straightened and she could not help but feel disappointed. Something she didn't understand.
She twisted around somewhat to see him move away and pace back forth then halt.

"It was something that shouldn't have happened and my crew now know that" his tone grew taut and angry. From his voice came a sudden vision of how he made them understand. One she did not appreciate.

"What did you do?" the question was out before she knew it. Max looked startled but he recovered enough for his mouth to curve in slight amusement. But that soon turned into grimness.

"They were simply made to understand that you are not to be touched or mistreated" he answered.

"What did you do with Hugh?" now that she asked the first question she decided it wouldn't hurt to finish. Of course she regretted it the moment she asked it as she witnessed the menace that clouded his face, making his eyes glitter and give him an air of danger that was always there but magnified.

"Thrown to the sharks" came the taut answer. Liz gasped in horror and shot up from the chair.

"The sharks?!!" she repeated trying not to faint from the horrible image in her mind.

Max regarded her for a moment answering her with a contemptuous curl of his lips "No my dear I am not so cruel as that"

Liz didn't know what to think. She did think that he was the kind of man to do such a thing, but for some reason she believed him.

"W-what then-" she swallowed "did you do?"

"I gave him an adequate punishment" he replied with a tone that suggested the end of the subject was closed. Liz looked down to avoid his piercing gaze. A moment's silence passed then his boots crossed the floor and stood before her. A finger hooked under her chin and lifted her eyes to his. She gasped at their intensity.

"His attentions were unwelcome. He got what he deserved" he finally said. Liz tried to maintain a steady gaze but couldn't and her eyes drifted downwards. Unfortunately they landed on his firm and sensual mouth. And being in such close proximity to his heat did not help any.

"Are my attentions unwelcome Liz?" a soft whisper. One that held her. Captivated her. Forced her to answer, yet the words would not come. Were they unwelcome? he is nothing like Hugh. He stirred strange things within her, makes her burn. He was her enemy and a pirate. Yet what was he doing to her.

Slowly. Ever so slowly he lowered his head. He closed her mouth with a kiss.

His kiss was urgent, rough, consuming-and she couldn't help but moan from pleasure. It was the kiss of a man who wanted more that just a kiss. And heaven help her, at this moment, so did she. The kiss deepened, and she felt herself rapidly losing track of time as the chamber faded around her and was left with the sensation of floating in the pirate's arms, surrounded by nothingness.

Gasping they came up for air. But that was all she had time for, for he kissed her again, and she felt a tingling between her thighs. What was she thinking? She had to put a stop to this...

His hands roamed her body freely and aggressively, leaving behind a trail of fire wherever he touched. His arms then snaked around her and brought her flush against him. Her breasts were crushed against the solid wall of his chest, her hips pressed intimately against his, thighs intertwined. And Liz could also feel the hot,hard erection against her stomach. It was enough to bring her back to reality, but when she placed her hands against his chest to push away his tongue plunged more deeply into her mouth caressingly and they obtained a mind of their own, snaking up his shoulders and around his neck.

That brought them even in closer contact, their heat seeping into each other. Suddenly they broke apart, breathing hard and shallow. Max brought a finger up to stroke her cheek and swollen lips. My but she was kissable this woman....just begging to be taken. His eyes glittered with unfulfilled desire, and hers clouded with fear and excitement.

"Ah what you do to me, sweet" he moved his finger against her lips. Unconsciously her tongue snaked out and touched it with it's moistening sweetness. Max sucked in his breath. Then as if calling upon a greater strength he pulled back. At that moment a knock came.

"Enter" his voice was rasping. Whimsy came in with an acknowledging nod to them both before taking the empty tray, and without asking questions or making comments, walked out again. Neither said anything for a moment, then as if waging a silent battle within and losing Max walked briskly to the door. His hand on the knob he turned to her, his eyes glinting dangerously, his face expressionless.

"When you are ready come up on deck for your duties" he ordered with a cold voice as if no heat from the heat he showed before even existed within him. Liz stiffened and swallowed a retorted, remembering her plan.

"Yes sir" she bit out but he was already out the door and she doubted her even heard. 'It seemed the captain wanted business with pleasure' Liz thought angrily. She needed help. For it took her less than a minute to figure out she was not immune to him. She hated him for imprisoning her, but she figured what she was feeling was akin to desire. And that was a dangerous, dangerous emotion.