Chapter 3 #3
“Mr Smith, I would like for you to take him now,” she yelled, knowing he was on the other side of the door, but not before she used two fingers to smear her red lipstick across her own face and then to his lips – mainly his beard. His head reared back, as if he was trying to escape her.
With a pat on the cheek, she pressed the gag back between his lips and shoved him out.
Once Derek was secured to the mast again, Rosetta stood in front of the blond man, just noticing that his hair was so long, he’d tied it back into a messy ponytail that did little to restrain it. He was seated in the middle of the two men, and all three watched her like a hawk.
“Well, well, well,” she tsked with a smile, before crouching down in front of him. She gripped him by his clean-shaven chin, moving his head around to examine him. “Aren’t you a pretty boy?”
Leaning closer and placing her other hand against the pole behind him, she noticed him raise his brow at her. Then his eyes dipped to her cleavage; she’d placed her chest in his face for a reason.
“I bet women have gotten hurt at all the ports you’ve been to.”
Even in the firelight of the lanterns, she could tell he had green eyes women could lose themselves in. They reminded her of a large forest – easy to get turned around and lost in. His cheek bones were high, his brows arched, his jaw sharp but not wide.
He almost looks like a woman. That is, if it wasn’t for the thin white scar running from under one nostril, past his lips, to end on the side of his chin.
He even had a beauty mark under his right eye near the corner and long dark eyelashes that fanned above it.
With a face like this, I bet he’s a naughty rake in society.
“Promise not to break my heart if I bring you to my chambers this evening?” She gave a cute pout, which she knew looked promiscuous with lipstick smeared across her mouth.
To her utter surprise, he did something that made her brow twitch into a frown and her eyelids flicker. He leaned forward and nuzzled the tip of his nose against her own.
“Ha ha! I like him.” She rolled back to her feet. “Bring him, Mr Smith. He’ll be good fun.”
“Looks like she’s hungry tonight, boys!” Naeem shouted from the helm, a few of her crew chuckling wildly.
The best part of the entire interaction was the dumbfounded look on Captain Alister Paine’s face as he watched on closely.
The man was brought to her quarters and seated in the same spot Derek had been placed in, and she gave him the same warning as she unshackled his hands.
Rosetta refilled her chalice and sat, folding one knee on top of the other. He was much slower to lower his gag; he arched a perfect blond brow at her as he did.
“You’re a strange woman, aren’t you?” he asked, noticing the empty plate in front of him. She’d gotten a new one before she’d left.
“Strange to some, but most say I’m unhinged.”
He nodded like he actually understood.
“So.” He gestured to the food. “You give me dinner, then have your wicked way with me like old man Derek?”
“Perhaps.” She smiled. “Depends on how much you please me beforehand.”
He placed his hand over his heart. “Why, my sweet, beautiful rose, I believe you’ll be quite entranced.”
Her lips curled into a small smile of humour. “You’re a sweet talker. How many women have you made cry?”
“Endless.” He waved his hand as if gesturing to a painting. “Can you not hear them weeping as we speak?”
She gave a giggle, almost a mocking snort, as she brought her chalice to her lips. “What’s your name?”
“I am the great Pierre Price, first mate of the infamous Howling Death warship.”
“Oh my!” She gasped, her eyes growing wide as she brought her hand to her chest. “I’ve heard of you!”
His smile widened, one that would have made a weaker woman’s heart throb with tenderness.
“Really?” The cheer in his voice was delightful.
“No.” She let her hand drop to the arm rest.
His smile fell.
“Eat, Pierre.” She nodded to the food.
He obediently heaped food onto his plate like a man who hadn’t eaten in weeks.
Big stomach for such a skinny man. She could tell he steered many ships in his time.
He wasn’t as broad as the captain, but he had defined muscles peeking out from his gaping white shirt, one button at the bottom barely holding it together.
“I want you to join my crew.”
“Depends on how well you please me,” he answered. “Or if you promise to invite me back to this chamber.”
She squinted her eyes while taking a sip of her wine. “Perhaps.”
“Come now, I’m no fool.” He spoke with his mouth full, chewing loudly and obnoxiously. He even shamelessly licked at his lips while smacking them. “Derek wouldn’t have betrayed Alister, in his deranged mind, by bedding you. Why are you really doing this?”
“You’re quick to catch on.” There was a pause as she mused on telling him the truth. “It will help me keep control if I have one of you by my side. The old crew will respond better if one of you declares loyalty to me.”
“Ah, and Derek, I’m guessing, said no?” It was spoken as a question, but the way he said it was more like he already knew the answer. “That old salt is Alister’s dog. He will only bark and bite for his master.”
“And what about you?” Rosetta leaned forward and cut herself more chicken before this brute decided to eat everything on the table.
“As enticing as you are, my answer is the same.” He gave her a wide grin, showing a full mouth of teeth. “Plus, the idea of being dropped off in Dunecaster is agreeable. Haven’t gotten my cock wet in months.” He gave a chuckle. “The prostitutes do so love me there.”
Her lips pursed into a thin line. He’s found men who will follow him anywhere. Just like she had. It was rare for pirates like them to garner that kind of loyalty. Rosetta thought she’d always been a special case.
Figures I was wrong.
“Where is the key to the safe?”
“In my pants. You might have to fish around in there for a while. You know, really rub around.”
“You’re the first mate. That would mean you actually know its whereabouts or have it on your person.”
There was a mischievous twinkle in his green eyes as he brought a bit of smoked meat to smirking lips. “Come and find out.”
“I will, in due time.” She nodded to his half-finished plate. “Finish eating first.”
“If you didn’t really take Derek to bed and don’t plan to take me to it, although I would be most willing, what is your plan here? Why are you doing this?”
The smirk she gave was broken. “Green is a wonderful colour on men. It makes them unbelievably stupid.”
“You’re trying to make Alister jealous?” The laugh he gave was almost her undoing. He’s mocking me. “Good luck with that. He’s too pissed to be anything but disgusted.”
He brazenly reached across to grab the stem of her chalice so he could drink from it.
“Perfect,” she answered, snagging the rim of her cup with the tips of her fingers to stop him. “It means what I do next will be even better.”
Once more, he raised his brow, but with worry this time.