The Buccaneer(52)

Catherine decided a quick spin around the room wouldn't hurt. Hopefully no one would pay attention to her and then she could return to her seat.

"Go on, now," Bonnie said, easing her away from the table with a gentle nudge.

When an unpopular chore needed attending, Catherine had always dug her heels in and finished it one, two, three. This chore topped the list of least desirable. She would put her mind to it and get it over with as fast and painlessly as possible.

Her mind spun with countless pieces of information on seducing a man. Bonnie had stressed that the simplest action could pique a man's interest in no time.

She sighed heavily. If she was lucky she'd fail. With that thought in mind she weaved her way around the tables with a gentle provocative sway of her hips, produced more from nerves than on purpose.

Heads instantly turned, including Bones' and Jolly's.

Her eyes flashed wide and bright as she fought to control her nervous jitters. Her lips dried from fright and she ran a slow tongue over them, round and round attempting to force moisture into them. All her innocent actions made her appear a woman on the prowl.

Several smiles and winks were sent her way and she turned an anxious glance to Bonnie.

Bonnie rewarded her with a huge smile and a brief nod, quietly acknowledging her success.

A grand smile whisked across Catherine's face and she turned back around, intending to circle back to Bonnie. She caught sight of Bones and Jolly, their faces pale; their mouths open wide, staring at her.

Her smile faded and forgotten were her attempts to seduce as she hurried over toward them wondering how she would ever explain her improper actions.

"Where are you going, little lady?" the deep voice asked, seconds before a thick hand reached out and grabbed her wrist.

Catherine stared down in horror at the hand that gripped her tightly. "Let go," she said, putting as much strength into her voice as possible.

He yanked her hard, forcing her to sit on his beefy lap. His height was several inches short of Lucian's, but his weight easily tripled the captain's. His brown hair fell to his shoulders in knots and his face wore a rough stubbly beard and several vicious-looking scars. His soiled clothes smelled of fish and sweat. And his bloodshot eyes and the liquor on his breath attested to his inebriated state.

She was definitely in trouble. Her glance shot straight to Bones and Jolly in a silent plea for help.

Both men stepped forward ready for battle. A pistol pointed at them stopped them dead.

"Leave Handsome Harry be," said the large black man sitting at the table to Harry's right.

Bonnie skirted around the pistol and the table to stand in front of Harry. Her blouse hung off one shoulder, offering a good portion of her plump breast. "She's too small for the likes of your handsome size, Harry. Let her go and I'll show you a good time."

"I have a taste for a wee one this time, especially her lips. They look to fit me just fine."

Bonnie paled and so did Catherine. Having learned well from Bonnie she realized exactly what Harry intended.

"Come on, gal, let's have a taste," he said, and hoisted her up with him as he stood.

His meaty arm was so strong around her waist that she could barely breathe, even her attempted shouts for help fell short of their projection.

Her bottom smacked the top of the table while his hand pushed her back to stretch out full-length across it. "Now I'll have me a fine taste of those lips before those lips pleasure me."

He dropped down over her, his weight crushing her, his mouth reaching for hers. With a mixture of fear and determination she fought, swinging her fists, hitting solid flesh and bouncing off, causing Harry no harm.

"I like a woman that gives me a good fight." Harry laughed and moved in closer, using his weight to pin her hands beneath his sizable belly while his own beefy hands grabbed her face.

Horrifying fear gripped Catherine. The smell of rotting fish, the stench of body odor, and the strong scent of ale assaulted her nostrils. Fate closed in on her. She had played the whore well and it would cost her. Her charade would matter no longer, for it would no longer be a charade.

Tears pooled in her eyes and an odd notion captured her thoughts. If she had to lose her virginity, why couldn't it have been to Lucian?

Her chest felt heavy, her fear grew and panic engulfed her. She screamed for the one person who strangely enough had once threatened, but since protected her.

"Lucian!"

Handsome Harry laughed in her face and lowered his mouth to hers.





Chapter Fourteen



A bone-chilling yell split the air and froze every person in the tavern, except Handsome Harry.

He was plucked off Catherine like a feather from a chicken. He bounced against the nearby wall, sank to the floor and shook his head to clear his senses, then stood and received a fist to his big belly and then another fist to his chin. The blows sent him slamming back against the wall, where he sank to the floor unconscious.