Hart's Desire (Pirates & Petticoats Book 1) (16 page)

Keelan opened and closed her mouth in flustered silence. Now, her rash decision to flee the house without an escort seemed like a very foolish act, indeed. As much as she wished she could place the blame elsewhere, this dilemma was entirely her fault.
 

And why, why, why when in the presence of
this
man, did she always seem to appear boyish, impetuous, and clumsy? He must think her an addle-brained child.

Even more vexing was that his opinion even mattered to her.
 

Hart’s expression, while somewhat masked, did not completely hide the amusement creeping into the corners of his mouth. Steeped in embarrassment, her anger flared and she shot him an annoyed look.

“Captain Hart, what are you doing
here
?” Intentionally ignoring his request to be called by his given name, she did her best to stay focused on being angry with him, rather than her current predicament. It seemed easier and less horrifying.

“When my business with your uncle concluded, he suggested I take a ride through the plantation, since I had earlier mentioned my curiosity.” Landon’s other hand pressed more firmly against the small of her back.
 

“You should have made your presence known much sooner.” She couldn’t keep the sharp tone from her words.

“I am happy to report that the sights,” he continued as if she had not spoken, “are impressive indeed.”
 

“You—augh!” she sputtered, giving up the argument. “You are the most frustrating person I’ve ever met.”

“And you are the most intriguing person I’ve ever met. He gave her a mock frown. “I had hoped you would change your mind and wait for me to join you after I met with your uncle.”

“So, you
searched
for me?”
 

 
His chest rumbled as he chuckled. “It was not difficult, love. I merely followed the trail of departed garments.” His eyes sparkled with unbridled mirth. “Little was I aware how many garments had actually…departed.”

The heat of her embarrassment crept up her neck. In fact, it radiated between their bodies in a most distracting manner. “Sir, spying on a lady is indecent.”

“It was not my intention to spy. It was simply my unexpected good fortune to behold such beauty that my breath nearly bid my body farewell.” He closed his eyes and let out a dramatic sigh.

She scowled at his mocking tone. “You truly are a rake!”

He opened one eye a tiny bit to peer at her then leaned forward and brushed the tip of her ear with his whisper. “And
you
, my love, are beautiful beyond words.” He caressed her waist.
 

All she could think about was the movement of his hand on her waist. When his gaze paused on her lips, her heart fluttered and she could barely draw even the smallest breath. A strange tingling sensation spread below her stomach. Pushing him away would have been the appropriate thing to do, but her feet were strangely rooted.

His touch affected her in a way she was unable to describe. She became increasingly aware of the effect the press of her naked body had on
him
. She couldn’t take a full breath of air, and her heart beat so furiously she was sure he felt the shudder against his chest. She needed to put some distance between them, but how? She was much compromised in her current condition.

How could she possibly win this one? She expelled a resigned sigh. She could only plead her cause and hope for the best. “Were you a gentleman, sir, you would turn away and allow me to remedy my plight.”

He gave her a horrified look. “And risk having you fall victim to the raging waters of this lake? I forbid the thought!”

Keelan closed her eyes and groaned, “
Must
you further humiliate me, Captain Hart?”

“Please, call me Landon,” he repeated in a too-cheery voice.

She groaned louder this time and dropped her head in frustration. She couldn’t look into those crystalline eyes one more moment. Her forehead hit his chest with an unenthusiastic thump.
 

He chuckled lightly. “Fear not, fair Keelan, for I shall escort you to safety without additional injury to your person
or
your pride…much like I did in the garden a few days ago. You do recall the arrangement we agreed upon?”

Warning bells began to jingle in her head. “I recall our arrangement quite well, Captain Hart.” Although her knees were trembling, she forced herself to raise her head. She didn’t want him to notice how weak she really was, what little control she maintained. The color of his irises deepened to a sultry velvet blue.
 

His gaze never left her face as he took her fingers firmly in his hand and gently kissed the tips. Her breath caught in her throat, and she fought to calm the shivers that raced up her spine. With his lips, he kissed a path to the center of her palm. The best course of action for her would be to withdraw her hand. Use it to push against his chest so she could step away. If she moved into action now, she might be able to catch him off guard enough with a hard shove to cause him to fall backwards into the lake. It would give her a few precious seconds to dart behind the boulder near her clothes.

Her mind nudged her to do so, but the sensations Landon Hart stirred deep within her core were also commanding her attention. The kiss she owed him hung over the two of them, pulling them together like a silvery moon pulls at the tide.
 

If she paid her due now, she’d have no reason to cross paths with Captain Hart ever again. Surely, the dangerous temptations he had awakened in her would become silent without him so near. Surely, she could focus more intently on the course of her life if she put all this behind her. Surely…

It made sense to kiss the captain now and be done with it. She wouldn't have the strength to deny his advances again. She was even more terrified that she couldn’t deny them now.

She pulled her hand back, but in doing so, her fingers touched his mouth, drawing a sharp intake of breath from him. Curious, she slid her fingers over his lips and along his jaw, marveling at the roughness of his cheek compared to the soft warmth of his mouth. A sudden desire to plunge her fingers into his dark curls had her hand moving past his ear and behind his neck.
 

She lost the ability to think when she shifted her attention from his soft black curls to his face. Landon’s intense gaze made her feel like she was liquid in his arms. Her rational mind abandoned her. It no longer mattered where she was, or what problems disturbed her peace of mind. She pulled his head down and kissed him.
 

His lips moved across hers in a wet, hot heat and set fire to her belly, slashed her resolve, and robbed her of breath. Of its own will, her body arched against his. In response, his hand moved across the small of her back, then stroked down and grasped her buttock to press her against his hardness. A soft moan reverberated from deep within her chest. The heat of his caresses set flames to every nerve. Her knees grew weaker against the onslaught of his kiss, his touch. Should he decide to take further liberties, she would be quite helpless to argue. Because…she didn’t want him to stop.
 

She moved her lips against his and thrilled at the sensation of his tongue moving into her mouth, and back out again, probing, tasting…stirring a sensation deep within her. What was this? Was it passion or simple lust? Was there a difference?
 

Did it matter?

Too soon, his lips moved from her mouth to her throat, and traced a hot moist path to her ear. His whisper slid like silk across a marble floor. “Consider your debt very,
very
well paid, my sweet Keelan.”

Captain Hart took a shaky breath. She fought to refocus, as if she were slowly waking from a deep slumber. Past his shoulder, Orion stood grazing next to her bonnet and Hart’s discarded boots.

Discarded boots? She’d been drowning, and he paused long enough to take off his boots.

Her jaw dropped. It was a moment before she could speak. “How long did it take you to remove your boots before rescuing me?” She asked the words evenly but couldn’t keep herself from glaring at him.

He glanced over his shoulder at the shiny, black boots lying in the grass. “I had those specially made by an Italian cobbler. I find the left one a bit snug, but it’ll stretch in time.” He turned his attention back to her. “Why do you ask?”

The innocent tone he used didn’t fool her. He knew exactly what she’d meant. She spoke through clenched teeth, “I was under water
drowning
. Drowning thanks to you, I might add, yet you took the time to
pull off your
boots
before coming after me?”

He leaned back a bit more, in feigned shock. “Those are very expensive boots! The water would have ruined them.” He gave her a wry grin. “I still saved your life, don’t forget
that
part.” He cocked his head and continued, “In some parts of the world that would mean you now owe me a life debt and will have to accompany me everywhere as my servant until you save my life in return.”

She snapped her jaw closed and shook her head, incredulous. “What makes you think when the time came along, I would bother to save your life in return? I imagine it would be much more satisfying to witness your demise.”

Landon froze for a second, then threw back his head and laughed. Seeing him so heartily amused made it difficult for her to stay stoic. His laugh was genuine and boisterous, with a weight similar to the baritone of his voice, but richer, stronger. It was the type of laugh that passed along a warm mirth and reckless glee like a sudden gust of wind flings bonnets on a blustery spring day.

He continued to chuckle as he tucked another wet ringlet behind her ear, before tracing a finger along her jawbone. “Ah, but sweet Keelan, I’d take the chance anyway because, for me, just having you by my side would be bliss.”
 

Before she could retort, he pulled her against his chest again and kissed her soundly on the mouth before turning and exiting the lake.

 
She did not trust herself to speak and instead stared in disbelief at the man who was walking toward his horse and precious boots. What was it about this infuriating man that made her stomach tingle and her heart hammer in her chest? And why in the world did her body ignore her brain when he was near?

Again, he’d mocked her and used her for his own arrogant amusement. Or was it she who had used him? She snorted in frustration and splashed from the lake, her gaze still on his retreating form.

The white silk shirt on his back was almost invisible from the effects of the water, and it stretched tightly across his broad shoulders. Landon’s torso was lean and tapered. His breeches clung to his buttocks and legs, leaving nothing to the imagination. Keelan marveled at the way his muscles rippled with the slightest movement. A blush flamed in her cheeks, matching the heat still smoldering low in her belly. She headed toward the boulder where she’d left her clothes, which were now dry and warm from the sun-baked rock.
 

She snatched the garments up and scampered behind the boulder to dress. Drawing a shaky breath, she fought to cease her trembling while her fingers fumbled with her clothes. What in the world had she been thinking? She pursed her lips in irritation. How many times must she remind herself of the danger Captain Hart presented to her virtue and reputation?
 

I don’t care what he calls himself; he’s a bloody pirate to the core!

 
Even her own body had betrayed her.

And now, she stood perched on a precarious edge. They were alone together, far away from a chaperone. She was dangerously close to putting her recently hatched plan in jeopardy. Here without Slaney or suitable escort, she deserved no better, she supposed.

She must get back to Twin Pines and away from Landon Hart, lest everything go to ruin.
 

And she had to get there before Uncle Jared returned home from the mill.
 

Keelan twisted her hair into a braid, unable to replace her locks in the manner Slaney had so skillfully put them earlier this morning. Should she be seen in such dishabille in the company of the captain, her reputation would certainly be spoiled. Papa and Uncle Jared would marry her off faster than she could swallow.
 

Reaching behind her back for the skirt stays, she cursed in exasperation. She’d been so very over-heated and sweaty. The cool lake had called to her and lured her in with its sparkling surface and refreshing water. What had she been thinking?
 

It should have occurred to her she’d have trouble dressing herself. Her cheeks flushed anew at the growing realization that she must ask for Landon Hart’s assistance. She squared her shoulders and clenched her fist around the stays. She’d been reckless.
 

Again.

When she emerged, Landon had already removed the hobbles from Sham’s legs and tightened the saddle straps. He led the horse to where she stood.
 

Sham tossed his noble head in irritation at the sight of Landon’s stallion tethered nearby. Nostrils flaring, Sham pranced sideways; Landon’s grip tightened as he spoke in a low, commanding tone to the animal. Sham quieted and returned to a more docile walk. The captain secured the reins around a nearby branch and patted Sham’s neck before turning to approach her.

“Keelan, this is a fine steed but truly not an appropriate mount for a lady.” His voice was even, but she still heard the chastisement in his tone. She stiffened as Landon continued, “I understand you are an accomplished equestrian. However, this stallion requires a rider with strength as well as experience.”

She lifted her chin. “I am quite capable of keeping my seat. So far, this creature has given me no trouble.” Approaching Sham, she caressed his velvety nose. “He has been the perfect gentleman today.” She chanced a sideways glare at the captain. “Unlike some people with whom I am acquainted.”

Landon smiled down at her. “’Twill be interesting to see how well you keep your seat while also trying to maintain control of your garments.” He raised an amused eyebrow while leaning over to glance at the back of her skirt. “Or would you like some assistance to that end?”