A Man Condemned To Forever Wanting

Jeffrey Fortune's presence sent fear crashing headlong into Raven's mind and her wits reeling. With a gasp, she sat up in the tub, exposing much of her body. Trying futilely to cover at least the most private parts of her anatomy with a hand that woefully inadequate for the task, she groped for the out reach towel with the other hand. There was no escape from his amused gaze which seemed to touch her everywhere at once, as she grew even more desperate to grab the towel.

A wide, leering grin sculpted itself across Captain Fortune's face as he watched the twin rosy peaks of her breast play hide and seek with his eyes as they bobbed in and out of the water.

Realising the hopelessness of reaching the towel from sitting position, she stood up. she knew she was exposing even more of herself but attaining the covering was well worth it. Her initial fear at his unexpected return was quickly turning to anger. She had felt the strength of those corded arms and if rape was his aim, she knew she would be helpless within his gasp. For now, her only goal was to cover the fuel that fed the desire in his eyes and to rid his face of his smirk.

Little did she realize the impact her naked beauty would have on him. His quickly indrawn breath froze her action, and for one long moment she looked like some marble goddess carved by the hand of a master. But the long ivory limbs, softly curving hips, and rounded breast glowed with warmth and life that no marble goddess could ever hope to imitate. The smirk was indeed wiped away, replaced by a wondering awe as his eyes again traveled over her, this time as a pair of pilgrims worshipping the perfection they beheld. The heat of his gaze did not abate but grew apace until she felt engulfed in flame and her body warmed in that flame.

At last she forced her hand to move tremblingly to its long delayed goal of cover herself as she gathered the towel around her. The shelter of the partial covering gave her some confidence to vent her anger, she tossed her head, glaring at him.

" A gentleman would have left, Captain, " she said while still glaring at him.

He folded his arms across his wide chest and the smile returned to his lips. The towel, far too short for modesty and clinging damply to each curve, concealed far less than she imagined. Indeed, it did much to stir his imagination.

But I am no gentleman. And By your own definition I am but a petty thief and a pirate.

With great effort, she kept her knees from giving way beneath her. He did not even make a tenuous claim to be a gentleman. What restraint could she use to keep him from her? He seemed to have no compunction to restrain himself from whatever or whomever he desired. ""What do you want from me? Why have you returned?" She asked.

He shrugged and continue to drink his fill of her. " I thought I had given you enough time to bath and ready yourself for bed When I entered and found everywhere silent and the light dimmed, I thought you were already in bed. It was but a fortunate happenstance that I chanced upon such a great opportunity to behold such a wonderful sight.

Her emotions continued to struggle between fear and anger, but she managed to gather enough courage to answer him in a coldly sneering tone." Then if you have seen enough, Captain, would you please give me another moments alone to be able to round up my business?"

" Seen enough? nope, love. For having a glimpse moment of your beauty, I think that I am now a man condemned to forever wanting more." Once more, his eyes roamed freely over her, devouring her hungrily, greedily. Then with an obvious iron willed effort he turned away, crossing the cabin to busy himself at his cupboard with his back to her.

Much bemused at his words and gently tone, She was relieved that he had not taken her then and there. Still wondering why he had returned, she hastened to dry herself and dress up, pulling her robe around her and cinching the waist rightly. securing her damp curls into a loose braid, it's tip curled seductively around one breast, she came from behind the screen to confront him.

He had set the lamp on the table and adjusted it to a brighter light. As he bent over the table studying a chart, the flame cast a glow turning his sun browned skin to bronze, while his hair, still damp, glistened like burnished gold, warm and alive. He wore his shirt loose and unbuttoned with sleeves rolled almost to his elbows, and the light played through the fine cambric, clearly outlining his muscular torso. The corded muscles of his forearms took on a certain grace, softened by the play of light and shadow as he leaned on the or made notations on a piece of parchment. He looked up as she stepped into the circle of light.

If I am to sleep here, Captain, where will you stay? she asked, hoping he would take her question as a hint to leave the cabin.

"Why, of course here in my own cabin."

Her face drained of colour, though in the dim light she hoped it was not so obvious. "Surely it would be better..."

It is my cabin, Miss Winthrop, he interrupted. My clothes are here and so are my charts, navigation instruments, ships log's, books, and other things I will need in course of our journey. So, Miss Winthrop, I am going to stay here however, I invite you to share my comforts with me if you wish. However, the only other place available for you to stay is with the crew or on the deck. Neither place would I advise for your safety as a woman.