THIRTY-ONE

It isn't until I'm falling into my bed after my shift that my mind connects the sexual act with one particularly large consequence.

My eyes shoot open, and I sit up, my heart beating so ferociously in my chest, I fear I will heave.

I cannot have gotten that villainess pregnant.

There is no way to sleep, not now that the thought has crossed my mind, so I slip out of bed, tip-toeing past the slumbering crew, and make my way up to the deck.

Isabella's quarters are near the captain's, though I've never stepped foot there. I make sure to move in the shadows, avoiding the next crew on watch as I maneuver across the deck.

When I reach her door, I hesitate.

Desperation pushes me forward, and I bring my knuckles up, gently rapping against the oak.

To my great mortification, it is young Miss Brandon who greets me.

"Captain," she says, clearly surprised. "What brings you here?"

I forgot that Isabella was sharing her quarters with the young seeress.

"My apologies," I tell her, shaking my head. "It can wait until morning."

I feel like a fool as I back away.

"Who is it?" I hear Isabella's voice call out. She appears in the doorway, and I swallow thickly. Her hair is down, her trousers discarded, leaving her only in her tunic. "Oh, hello darling. What is it?"

I open my mouth then shut it again. Isabella seems to know that I'm trying to talk to her, for she steps past Miss Brandon. "I'll be right back," Isabella tells her. Miss Brandon's eyes widen but she nods, closing their door once Isabella is through it. "Have you come back for more?" the piratess asks, her eyes glinting wickedly in the moonlight.

I huff. "Never again," I vow.

Isabella grins. "I love it when you resist what's between us," she says, reaching out and pressing her fingertips into my abdomen. "Doesn't it make it so deliciously wrong?"

For a moment, I can't remember what I've come to say.

Then her hands wander down toward my groin, and it comes rushing back to me.

"This cannot continue," I tell her, stepping out of her grasp.

"Why ever not?"

I grunt. "Because I loathe you," I snarl.

Isabella grins. "That's what makes it so good," she coos.

I grit my teeth before continuing. "And I cannot risk you falling pregnant." I'm certain with the vigor between us, it's only a matter of time.

Isabella looks surprised as she gazes up at me. Then a small smile tugs across her lips.

"You are so noble." She chuckles. "Your honor would lead you to ask me to marry you, wouldn't it?" She grins, her tone clearly teasing.

I glare at her. "I will not risk it," I growl, unwilling to say she's right, even though she is.

She lets out a laugh and steps toward me, reaching up to my face with her palms. Before I can stop her, she's dragging her body close, kissing me hard.

She tastes like Hellfire and strawberries.

"My noble captain." She chuckles, pulling back from me. "I'm no young girl who doesn't know how to take care of herself." She smirks. "I know how to prevent my own pregnancy. Though you paint quite a deliciously tumultuous future," she teases, her hand slipping down and clutching me through my trousers.

"Demoness," I hiss, stepping out of her grasp before I can bow to her touch again.

She smirks. "As far as unwanted pregnancies, Captain. You need not worry. You're free to ravish me as much as you can stomach." She grins, knowing the frustration mounting in me. My eyes briefly drop down her body, noting once again she is without her trousers.

I could finally taste her.

I have to fight myself from dropping to my knees and burying my face between her strong thighs.

"Still," I protest with a weak voice. "This cannot go on."

She smirks at me, unconvinced. Rightly so, since I sound doubtful as I say it. There is absolutely no conviction in my voice.

"Darling, if you haven't come here to devour me, go back to bed. We've got long days ahead of us."

I hesitate, and she looks up at me in surprise when I don't immediately turn and go back down to my bunk. She is a temptation unlike any other, and I am finding it difficult to just leave.

When she realizes the wicked sway she holds over me, a grin spreads across her plump lips.

"Oh," she groans, her hands reaching out to wrap around my wrist. "So you want a taste after all." She tugs my fingers forward, spreading her legs.

I could pull back, I could fight her, but I don't.

Instead, I let her hands guide mine until my fingers are brushing the hot wet heat of her skin.

I swear, further damning my soul.

I am nearly about to drop to my knees, to drink directly from the poisonous fountain of lust and sin, when the watch bell lets out a sharp shuddering chime.

Isabella and I both freeze as the bell rings again.

Fuck.