“Cursethese Jesus garments,” he mumbled through heated kisses. “Why don’tyou just wear a dress like a normal woman? It’d be mucheasier.”
I quirkedan eyebrow. “For whom?” I took over and successfully undid mybuttons in half a second. “I hate dresses. I’m not alady or a normal woman. I’ma pirate.”
Henry’s mouthwidened at my words. “Yes, my pirate queen. That you are.”
I lifted mybottom, so he could yank my pants off and then grabbed his face.“And you’re my king,” locking in a hard gaze, I added, “neverforget that.”
Thekitchen was ours as we hastily removed parts of our clothing,clawing at one another like animals in heat. Pots and pansstrewed about as they fellfrom the counter. Surely, everyone could hear the commotion fromthe next room, but no one dared come and check.
Truthfully, Iwas so lost in the moment with Henry that I wasn’t sure I’d evennotice someone entered the room. When I was with him nothing elsemattered. The world could have been on fire and I’d never know. Theman entranced my soul and I happily handed it over, trusting him tokeep it safe and warm.
I just hoped hetrusted me with his.
***
After anevening playing cards with the crew and Finn constantly teasing about the noiseshe’d heard from the kitchen, I threw down my winning hand andlaughed. A few weeks back, I’d taught everyone how to play pokerand once they caught on, it quickly became a regular pastime. Backhome, I used to join in on John’s poker nights with the guys. We’dplay for loonies. There on The Queen, however, we played forjewels.
The tablebefore us was coveredin cards, mugs of rum, and colored gems of all sorts. Rubies,emeralds, sapphires, strings of pearls. We’d split the ShellbedIsle treasure evenly. I insisted on it. We were kings and queens onthe sea, waiting to reach land and spend our riches. But there onThe Queen, our spoils were nothing more than playthings used to pass thetime.
“Yercheatin’!” Finn accused forthe third time and threw his cards down on thetable.
“I assureyou I’m not,” I told him and pushed my winnings back to the center.“But it doesn’t matter. I’m not going to keep any of it. I was justplaying for fun.”
“Oh, no,”he replied and pushed the pile of treasure back to me. “Ye wonfair‘n square. Idinnae need yer pity treasure.”
Gus’s eyesrolled at his friend’s display of childishness. “Christ, Finnigan,just work on your body language,” he suggested. “You’re a deadgiveaway. Even I knew when you had favorable hand and when you didnot.”
Gus was right.The Scot vibrated proudly each time he had a decent hand of cardsand grinned maliciously around the table like the villain from akid’s TV show. Likewise, he groaned and grunted like a child eachtime he had bad cards. I played him every time.
“Keep thetreasure,” I told him. “And if I win it next time, I’ll keep it.Deal?”
Finn mutteredScottish curse words under his breath and he scooped the pile intoa leather satchel. Lottie stood and began to clear the table ofdirty dishes. I was about to get up and help her when a hand gentlytugged at my arm. It was Charlie.
“Hey,” Isaid with a smile.
He returned theexpression and began to jot something down on his notepad. Hisvoice returned but the sound always came out in a strained gurgleof choppy words. I glanced down at the paper.
Baby?
I smiled. “It’sgood.”
The young manbeamed and nodded before jotting something else down. Somethinglonger. Finally, he turned the paper to me.
Get toEngland. See my Mother?
My heart tingedthat he even thought to ask. I threw my arm around his shouldersand inched closer to him on the wooden bench. “Charlie, you don’thave to ask to go see your mother. Once we get there, we could befacing all sorts of dangerous things. Or we could be sitting aroundlike waiting ducks, hoping Maria will just appear. You’re betteroff at home with your mom. I’ll make sure you get there, okay?”
Charlie’seyes twinkled with wetness and he rested his head in the crook ofmy arm. I knew he was almost a man, just a couple years away, buthe’d always feel like the sweet boy I came to know and love. Herisked so much for me that night in the woods and it nearly costhim his life. I would forever be in his debt. Besides, saying goodbye to a dyingparent is something every child should have the chance to do.That’s a regret I’d take to my own grave.
Henrysat at my other sideon the bench, calm and content with just being near me. He leanedback and crossed his arms as the others gathered their things andhelped Lottie clean up before we all turned in for the night. Icuddled Charlie close as the evening grew quiet and the crewretreated to their bunks, one by one. Soon, all that remained werethe three of us, and Charlie was fast asleep on myshoulder.
Henry helped meget him to his bunk and then we both retired to our quarters. I wasfull of warmth and glee. It filled my belly like the hot soup and Icouldn’t wipe the smear of a smile that graced my expression as weundressed for bed.
“You seemhappy,” Henry noted as he slid in next to me under thequilts.
I threw my armover his chest and snuggled up. “I am. Things are finally lookinggood. We’re nearly there. Charlie gets to say goodbye to hismother. And I have a wonderful man to share my bed.”
“Is thatall I am, then?” Henry quipped and rolled to his side, facing me.“A body to warm your sheets?”
I laughedand inched closer, soaking him in. “The only body I want.” Iflicked the tip of my tongue out and slowly caressed the curve ofhis upper lip, driving out that deep groan I oftenfished for.
“You’re aglorious creature, you know that right?” he spoke as he swiftly moved on top ofme.
Grinning at thepirate, I rolled my hips upwards and answered cheekily, “Iknow.”
“You’llbe the death of me, woman.”
I grabbed ontoHenry’s hips and pulled him against me. Hard and forceful. “Thenlet us die