A Pirate's Temptation Read online

  With that, he crossed the cabin to gather a quilt and pillow from his bunk and quit the room, leaving her to stare after him in shocked confusion.

  “Well, that didn't go as I'd planned at all.”

  Chapter Four

  Outside his cabin, Vane leaned against the door and sighed. His body ached with the hunger her daring attire had aroused while at the same time, the fierce pounding in his head continued to torment him.

  Through the door, he heard Jillian mumble something, but could not quite make out her words. Impatiently, he waited, listening for the quiet stillness he knew would come once she settled herself into bed.

  His bed.

  The thought pulled a groan from somewhere deep inside him, and he thumped his head against the door to erase the erotic images his mind conjured to torture him.

  His plan was to wait here outside his door until he was sure she slept, and then he would quietly creep back inside and spend the remainder of what had already become a most uncomfortable night in his chair.

  Now that he had warned his men there was a female on board, he couldn't possibly leave her in there alone. But neither could he trust himself to be inside the cabin with her while she readied herself for bed.

  He could already imagine her disrobing far too well as it were. To be close enough to actually reach out and touch her while she did so would be nothing but trouble, he knew. Yet at that precise moment, there was not a single thing he could think of he'd want more.

  Touching Jillian, allowing his hands to stroke along her silken skin in ways he had only dreamed of, could be nothing short of bliss.

  Leaning against the door to his cabin, quilt and pillow clutched close, he let his thoughts wander where they never should have been allowed to tread.

  “Vane?”

  He heard her call his name a mere instant before the door opened at his back, and there was nothing to be done for it – he went sprawling.

  From the flat of his back, he looked over to where she'd hastily leaped to the side to avoid being crushed beneath him when he fell.

  Looking was his first mistake.

  Not looking away was his second.

  She had removed the gauzy 'dress of temptation,' but the plain white silk robe and night rail she now wore was somehow much more sensual and enticing.

  The lamp light at her back made it near diaphanous as the dress had been, and standing near the door as she was, he finally realized anyone who happened along the galley would see exactly the same delightfully tempting silhouette of woman he saw from his rather awkward position.

  “Damnitall, Jillian! Get in the bed and pull the covers up to your chin. Now!” he barked.

  She didn't move, other than to shake her head and wring her hands together. “I can't.”

  “For the love of God, why ever not?” He almost bellowed the words.

  “There is a spider--” Eyes wide, she pointed toward the berth.

  Finally managing to regain his feet, Vane tossed the quilt and pillow at her.

  “Cover yourself,” he demanded.

  With his boot, he kicked the door closed, then crossed to the bunk where he rescued the offending arachnid from her horrified glare. Crossing to the row of windows, he flipped back the drapery, opened the window latch, and set the wee beastie free.

  Maiden rescued, he secured the window once more, and went to his desk, where he dropped into his chair, head back, eyes closed, feeling quite disgusted. Could this night possibly get any worse?

  He didn't think so... until she touched him. And then, he knew for sure.

  Her delicate fingers felt cool against his brow.

  “You still get headaches?” she asked, a note of concern in her voice.

  “Jillian, please--”

  He could feel her all around him. Could hear the smooth slide of her silken gown against his breeches when she moved to stand at his side; could smell the warm, womanly scent of her. It was sheer torment, knowing she was there and being unable to touch her….

  “Let me help you, Vane. Please,” she whispered, her mouth somewhere near his temple, and the gentle, pleadingly soft sound of her voice was his undoing.

  With a groan, he reached for her, pulling her into his lap before his mouth lowered to plunder and devour the sweetness of hers.

  Jillian broke the kiss, pushing out of his arms and out of his lap. When he would have pulled her to him again, she shook her head and hurriedly stepped around him. “You are in pain. Let me help you.”

  Her shaking fingers slid through his hair, massaging his scalp as they went, and leaning his head against the back of the chair, Vane sighed, unable to deny himself the simple pleasure of her touch or the relief from the nagging pain in his head she offered.

  Several moments – or was it hours? – later, his eyes snapped open to find her curled upon his lap, her head resting against his chest, sound asleep. He had curled his arms around her waist, holding her close while they slept.

  In the chair.

  Together.

  The innocent intimacy of the moment struck a yearning chord within him, and he frowned.

  “Jillian?” he whispered against her temple, his lips lingering for a quick, secretive kiss against the place where her pulse throbbed.

  Even in her sleep, her hand rose to his cheek, soothing him with a caress. “Shhh. I am here, Vane. Sleep.”

  He caught her fingers, caressed her palm with his thumb.

  “You should get in bed. I'll be fine here,” he whispered.

  Her eyes drifted open, and she shifted in his lap. “Only if you join me.”

  When he would have refused, she continued, her voice low, sleep-warmed and sultry. “Only to sleep, Vane. You will rest easier there and your headache...”

  He probed with his fingers at his temple. “Is better already, thanks to your tender care.”

  Straightening, he urged her to her feet. “Off to bed, Jillie. I will be here if you need me.”

  Standing before him, she stretched and yawned before running her fingers through her rumpled hair. His body's reaction was swift and painful.

  “I need you, Vane,” she said, holding her hands out in invitation. “Come. Sleep with me.”

  Chapter Five

  Her words seared him, painted pictures in his mind he had no business envisioning. She was not his to have, he reminded himself. Her father had promised her to another and it was back to her father that she must go, no matter the burning images his brain provided at her innocent suggestion.

  However, against his better judgment, he found himself placing his hand in hers and letting her lead him to the bed where she promptly snuggled into the downy softness, her eyes closing the minute her head touched the pillow. Vane smiled languidly at the image she presented, all tousled hair and sleepy visage, then snorted to himself and shook his head.

  You're going to sleep, Vane, he admonished. Nothing more. Thinking how beautiful she looks tucked in your bed between your sheets is pure folly and you know it.

  He sighed, the exhale of breath one brought on by true tiredness and not whimsical thought, and slowly divested himself of his boots before sliding into bed beside Jillian, who immediately took his presence as an invitation to snuggle against him, one arm draped across his stomach and her head pillowed on his shoulder.

  Vane tensed at first, unsure how he should react to her familiar embrace – well, no, he was not unsure at all. He knew precisely what his reaction should be, but he was too tired to give a damn.

  And he may have liked how familiar she was being. Mayhap a little too much if he were being completely honest with himself, especially given his earlier arguments about taking her back to England.

  Allowing himself to relax in her embrace, Vane took a moment to watch her without her being aware of what he was doing. She looked so peaceful resting against him, so comfortable. As though she were meant to be at his side always. Like she had known all along this is where she belonged.

  For a very brief moment, V
ane entertained the idea that it wouldn't be so bad having Jillian permanently in his life, at his side, in his bed. He certainly would not argue against the delightful thought of waking up with her next to him every morning, or curled against him as she was now, every night.

  Perhaps he could save the damsel just this once. Maybe. But only if Merry did not find out it was his idea.

  Feeling his eyelids becoming heavy with the promise of sleep, Vane let them close, deciding a good night's rest would be best. Morning would be soon enough to sort through the troublesome thoughts niggling within his head, but for now, sleep was the only course his mind was set on.

  * * *

  The sun was bright and burning against her face and Jillian brought her hand to her brow to shield her eyes from the unforgiving glare, her gaze searching the deck for a sign of Vane.

  It did not go unnoticed by her how many curious and interested stares her womanly garb attracted from the crew, and she did her best to ignore them, going about her search with what she hoped was a calm air.

  “Jillian! Come here!”

  Startled by the shout of her name coupled with the commanding tone with which it had been delivered, Jillian snatched her gaze in the direction his voice had come from, feeling a flush of heat creep along her neck and settle into her cheeks.

  He was grinning as he beckoned her over with a crook of his finger, the lout, like he hadn't just startled her to her toes.

  Mock glaring at him, Jillian marched to his side, head held high. “You bellowed, Captain?”

  Vane laughed, wrapping his arm around her waist and pulling her close. “Did I? I rather thought I was being quiet.”

  Jillian hummed a little, enjoying the feeling of him pressed against her perhaps a little too much. “Was there a particular reason you called me over, or do you simply like to hear yourself yell in the morning?”

  “Morning?” Vane parroted, chuckling delightedly. “My lady, it is well past noon.”

  “Indeed,” she said dryly. “Tell me why it should matter.”

  Vane chuckled again. “It's a good thing I've decided to keep you. You would have driven Newell to his grave within the week.”

  Jillian felt her breath catch at his words, but didn't dare hope he meant by them what she thought.

  Forcing herself to remain calm, she tilted her head to the side and said, “Keep me? Why, Vane, that sounds awfully like you've decided to play the gallant hero after all, which you've assured me on many occasions you would not do.”

  He smiled wolfishly at her and winked. Jillian would be lying to say it did not make her stomach flip.

  “Oh, but that is the beauty of being a pirate, my lady. People will assume the worst, of course, for everyone knows any self-respecting pirate does not save the beautiful damsel who caught his eye all those years ago. He steals her away for himself.”

  “Forever?” she could not help but ask, smiling cheekily up at him.

  “Yes, forever, Jillian,” he answered, placing a finger beneath her chin and tilting her face up to meet his as he leaned in and pressed a kiss to her open mouth.

  Jillian grinned against his lips, wrapping her arms around his neck.

  “But what if I decide I want Adrian instead?” she asked in between kisses.

  “Jillian,” Vane deadpanned. “Don't make me toss you overboard.”

  About the Author

  Tiffany St.Claire - the “Queen of Romance in Minutes”

  Better than chocolate, without the calories!

  Strapped for time, but still want to “live”a little? We’re here for you. Whether you’re in need of a quick “pick me up” or on the lookout for a fast-paced, heart-pounding, breathtaking adventure, you’re in the right place. Sit down with and get lost in one of our romantic short stories today. One taste and you’ll fall in love, guaranteed. You’ll be glad you did!

  Tiffany St.Claire is a mother and daughter writing team who weave tales of romance from the sweetly heart-wrenching to downright hilarious, warm and cuddly to scorchingly sensual, filled with wit, magic, and lots of love and laughter.

  Grab yourself a “Tiffany” romance today and feed the crave – they’re scandalously delicious!

  Tiffany loves to hear from fans! You can find her on the web at: www.TiffanyStClaire.com and be sure to visit: http://www.TiffanyStClaire.com/free right now for news, updates, contests, free advance reading copies and more…

  Get MORE Tiffany

  ~Feed the Crave!

  A Wicked Kiss - Contemporary (Bestseller!)

  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007RHZY7I

  Wait For Me – Regency (Bestseller!)

  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007RUTD40

  A Whisper Of Seduction – Regency (Bestseller!)

  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007S1XVSC

  Reckless - Regency

  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007TSVB2W

  The Feather and The Rose - Medieval Paranormal

  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0081CJDRA

  After Midnight - Regency

  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008403HPS

  Petals On The Wind – Medieval Paranormal

  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008AK24V0

  A Pirate's Kiss - Pirates

  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008AMKR6C

  A TIFFANY Regency Collection - Volume #1

  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008DKOW3K

  A Pirate's Surrender - Pirates

  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008EOXZFG

  A Pirate's Temptation - Pirates

  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008YBTYAY

  COMING SOON

  A Pirate's Pleasure - Pirates

  A TIFFANY Pirate Collection - Volume #1

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  About the Author

  Get MORE Tiffany