The Buccaneer(73)

Would all be the same once they reached his island? Would he be the same? And when? When would his revenge that lay so silent beneath the surface emerge and shatter their paradise?

"A pertinent name for the place," Santos said, walking up to stand beside her.

"Why do you say that?" He had piqued her curiosity, especially since Santos told the most marvelous stories.

"Didn't Lucian tell you how the island got its name?"

Catherine shook her head and smiled.

Santos rested against the wooden rail to comfortably relate the tale.

Catherine settled herself as well and listened.

"Lucian, I, and a few crew members had just taken over the pirate ship that had freed us from the merchant ship years before. The pirate captain had been a vile sort and detested by his crew. It was fairly easy to lead a mutiny."

"What happened to the captain?"

Santos wore a wide grin. "Lucian made certain his punishment was worthy of his crimes."

Catherine didn't request a more detailed explanation.

"We were tired, hungry, and in dire need of a cleansing. Lucian instructed the crew to anchor at the first island we spotted.

"Heaven?" she asked excitedly.

Warm, powerful arms slid around from behind her to lock at her waist.

Catherine leaned back against hard muscles, fully aware of who would dare be so familiar with her.

"Her mouth never ceases with questions long enough for you to complete a story," Lucian teased.

Tilting her head back, she childishly stuck her tongue out at him.

"Careful, madam, your suggestive action sorely tempts me."

Catherine blushed three shades of red before scolding him. "You are positively the most sinful man."

"And you love my sinfulness, don't you, angel?"

"Lucian!" she scolded again, and turned ten shades of red.

He laughed and gave her a playful squeeze. "Finish your story, Santos. I think I have managed to silence her for the moment."

Santos nodded with a pleased smile. "As I was saying, Lucian instructed that we anchor at the first island sighted. By the time we arrived, our thirst was great, our hunger gnawing, and our bodies protesting the bugs."

"Bugs?" Catherine repeated.

"Hush," Lucian warned.

"Bugs are common on pirate ships," Santos explained.

"I haven't noticed any —"

"I insist on a clean ship, madam. Now let Santos finish."

Santos hurried the story along. "We dropped anchor and rowed a longboat to shore. Fresh fruit hung so thick and heavy from the trees and on vines that the branches bent with the weight. The men feasted until full. A pool of cool, clear water was found and our thirst quenched, then our bodies bathed."

"So you named —"

A hand slipped over her mouth silencing her.

"Finish quickly," Lucian warned.

Santos laughed, shaking his head. "It will take much to silence this woman."

Lucian responded to him in Spanish.

Santos laughed.

Catherine turned twenty shades of red having been taught to speak fluent Spanish and having understood perfectly Lucian's boastful remark that his mouth and hands usually silenced her in seconds.

Santos continued. "Lucian and I sat by the campfire that night, his only words being, 'we just escaped from hell, this must be Heaven.'"

Lucian released her mouth when he felt her smile against his palm.

"You must tell me more stories of Lucian and yourself," Catherine urged.

"No," Lucian said coldly.

Santos patted her arm. "Another time." He walked away grinning.

"Why won't you —"

He interrupted curtly. "Let the past be for now, Catherine."

Catherine didn't argue. The past would surface fast enough to haunt her. "Will you show me how to pick fruit from the vines?"

"That and more. We'll swim the blue waters of the sea and the cool waters of the lagoon naked. We'll make love on the warm sand and in the garden where I can sprinkle your bare flesh with flower petals."

"Lucian," she cried softly and teasingly added, "you sorely tempt me."

"Can I tempt you down into my cabin now?" he whispered near her ear.

"It is but late morning," she said, properly shocked, and yet pleased by his suggestive invitation.

"Good, then it gives us the remainder of the day to enjoy each other." He turned her in his arms. "And I warn you, madam, it will take me that long and then some to get enough of you."

Catherine read the fiery passion in his eyes and decided to enflame it. "Love me like you never have, Lucian?" she whispered for his ears alone, and dropped her face to rest against his chest.

"Are you prepared for the consequences of such a request?"