The Pirate Wench Read online

  He winked and left the room in a hurry. Melani dropped the skirts and cursed herself for being such a fool. He'd been flirting with her and all she'd done was stand there and stare. Had her social skills deteriorated so much? She ran her hands over her breasts. Peaked nipples met her fingers and she smiled. Her physical reaction to Royce was right on target. She knew that if she put her fingers between her legs they would come back wet.

  For the first time since Ellie had moved to Florida, Melani could see the attraction. She'd never had a wet pirate undress in front of her at home.

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  Chapter Three

  "I was beginning to think you'd taken a wrong turn at the tavern.” Russell frowned at Royce as he made his way to the ship. “We have a packed house again, and you and I are almost on."

  "I met the most extraordinary woman in the dressing room. Ellie's friend, Melani. She has these great...” Royce held his cupped hands out in front of his chest and wiggled his eyebrows.

  "Yes, she does,” Russell said. “Oh, shit, there's my cue. Pay attention."

  Royce watched Russell swagger onto the stage. He was a fantastic pirate king, and Royce was the perfect foil who was always trying to take over the ship. It sucked that he failed every time. Just once he wanted to defeat the king and come out the winner.

  Royce's mind wandered back to Melani. When he'd seen her in the dressing room his cock had hardened instantly. She was so lush and full. He'd stood in the doorway for several minutes, watching as she tried to reach the tie for her vest.

  Her movements had sent his senses into overdrive. Every time she'd wiggled and jumped his cock had hardened more. He'd wanted to bend her over right then and there and pound himself into her wetness. Then he wanted to take her again, slow and easy. He wanted to feel her clit dance under his tongue, hear her cries of passion. Her nipples had been hard, that much was obvious. And he was positive that he'd caught that sweet smell of arousal drifting from her body.

  His cock pounded uncomfortably in the codpiece. He was so focused on the fantasy of Melani in the middle of an orgasm that he missed his cue. He darted onto the stage seconds later and engaged Russell in battle.

  The pirate king gave him a knowing smile as they fought. Royce tried to concentrate on his footwork, but failed miserably. The fight was scheduled to last three minutes. A minute and a half into the battle Royce tumbled over the side and into the water. The crowd roared its approval and the defeated mutineer swam toward shore.

  After he'd reappeared and they'd taken their bows, Russell pulled him aside.

  "You're supposed to think with the big head. You didn't put up enough of a fight, which makes me look bad.” Russell grinned and patted his friend on the shoulder.

  "Sorry, Matey, I just couldn't help myself. She was practically naked in front of me."

  Russell's eyebrows shot up. “Really? You were in there all of what, ten minutes."

  Royce threw back his shoulders. “Well, I've always had that effect on women. I'd barely stepped inside the room when she was asking me to undress her."

  Russell laughed. “You wish."

  "It's the truth. Of course, I think she thought I was Ellie."

  "That didn't stop you, did it?"

  "Let it be known that Royce McKenna never turns down a lady in distress. She was having a hard time with her ties."

  "Right. And you're going to have a hard time going back to the changing room, putting on dry pants, and making it back here in time for the next show, so hurry up."

  Royce started for the gangplank and stopped when Russell's voice rang out.

  "Ellie and I are going out to dinner with my parents tonight. Do me a favor and entertain Melani for us?"

  Royce ran a towel over his head and nodded. “I can do that."

  "You might practice your thrusts and parries with her. That's the second time today you've ended up in the water."

  Royce shook his head as Russell walked off. Oh they'd thrust and parry, all right. But it would have nothing to do with fencing.

  * * * *

  Melani stared into the open refrigerator. There was nothing but cheese, bread and milk inside. A few cartons with leftover take out lurked behind the milk jug, but there was no telling how long it had been there. If she wanted to eat, she'd have to walk down to the park restaurant. Since Ellie and Russell lived in a cottage near the park hotel it would be a quick stroll. A glance at her watch showed that it would be open for three more hours. She put money in her skirt pocket and locked the house using the spare key that Ellie had given her.

  Then she turned, and ran into the brick wall of Royce McKenna's chest.

  "Going somewhere, Red?” He pressed her into the door and she resisted the urge to look down so she could see how his bulge looked in his jeans.

  "To the restaurant, for dinner.” At least her voice wasn't as wobbly as it'd been that afternoon.

  "Good. I made us reservations for eight. I don't know about you, but I'm starved."

  He licked his lips and then lowered his eyes to her chest. Melani's blush returned and she chuckled nervously.

  "I don't think my breasts are on the menu."

  "Are you sure? Maybe we can talk to the chef about a special request."

  "Sorry, no substitutions,” she said saucily.

  Royce raised his eyes to her lips. His look was pure sex. She was naked and open for his perusal, and she loved the way it made her feel. Sensual and hot. Wet and warm.

  "I've waited all day for this.” His voice was husky and her already hardened nipples shot out further.

  He leaned in, caressing her lips lightly before taking full possession, pressing down just hard enough for Melani to feel the kiss to the tips of her toes.

  "I want you, Melani. I've thought about you all day.” Royce's breath was hot against her mouth. Melani felt the stirrings of wetness between her legs. She fought against the feelings rising inside her. She didn't know this man. Lord knew she wanted him, but sleeping with him would be a bad, bad idea.

  "I don't sleep with men I've just met."

  Royce pressed his body harder against her and Melani moaned. The bulge was definitely not built into his costume.

  "It's not as if I'm some stranger you met in a bar. After all, I've already seen you naked."

  Melani laid her forehead against his chest and laughed. She looked up into his beautiful eyes and shook her head.

  "Do you put Pirate King on your occupation when you fill out forms? Or just ‘seducer of women?’”

  "Ouch.” Royce grabbed his chest in fake pain. “I'm not the king, just a peon who's always trying to take over the ship. And the only women I seduce are the beautiful ones who undress in front of me the first day I meet them."

  He kissed her again, this time his tongue darted out and demanded entrance. Melani opened her mouth slightly and he pushed his way inside. Both of them moaned and he pulled back, grinning.

  "Admit it. You want me, too."

  "That's not the point. The point is..."

  Royce put his hand over her mouth and shook his head. “You're a very analytical person, aren't you?"

  Melani nodded and he smiled. “Russell says you're a journalist. So, during dinner, I'll give you my life story. You can ask me anything you want, and I won't be a stranger anymore."

  Melanie nodded in agreement and they made the short walk to the restaurant. The hostess quickly led them to a reserved table in the corner. The restaurant looked as if it had been built during the time of the pirates. The lighting was low. The wood was old, or made to look that way. Wooden tables spread throughout the room were decorated with kerosene lanterns.

  Tourists crowded the tables and Melani let her gaze wander around the room.

  "You like?” Royce's voice was deep.

  "Yes. Very piratey. It'll make great copy."

  She turned back to Royce, who was studying her intently. She felt her blush come back over her.

  "So, Red, what do you like to
eat? The restaurant has a little bit of everything: meat, fish, and poultry. Chef John makes a mean hamburger. But he also does great steak and shrimp, which is what I would personally recommend."

  "Sounds good."

  The waitress approached the table and Royce looked at her with raised eyebrows. She nodded and he ordered the steak and shrimp for both of them, looking back at her to ask how she wanted her steak cooked.

  Once the waitress had delivered two mugs of ale, Melani shifted in her chair. She started to go into interviewer mode, but Royce beat her to the punch.

  "I was born July 22, 1971 in Rapid City, South Dakota. My parents are free spirits and moved to Florida soon after that to work at a homeless shelter. They were rather disappointed when I decided to become a lawyer. They said I was betraying my upbringing and joining the establishment."

  "You're a lawyer?” Her eyes widened and he nodded.

  "It was the hair that threw you, right? I quit to become a pirate. The lawyer money was good, but offered absolutely no job satisfaction."

  He grinned at Melani and then winked at the waitress when she delivered salads.

  Melani hid a smile behind her napkin. He was a natural born flirt. She wondered how many park employees he'd taken to his bed. A man like him probably didn't sleep alone very often.

  She took a sip of her ale and searched her mind for questions she could ask Royce about the park, but once again, Royce beat her to the punch. The waitress was barely away from the table when he started talking again.

  "Now, where was I? Oh, yes. I own a dog. I've only been married once. I don't have any kids. I've never had a venereal disease. And yes, I'll wear a condom."

  Melani almost choked on her salad. She swallowed the lettuce and took a drink of her ale.

  "You make a convincing case, counselor."

  "Well, you're only going to be here for a week, and I hate to waste time."

  "Just the same, I'm not used to falling into bed with men I've just met."

  "OK, I guess I can wait a night.” He took a bite of salad and washed it down with ale. “Your turn."

  "No, you see how this works is I ask the questions and you answer them. The public doesn't want to read about me, they want to read about modern day people who dress up as pirates."

  "But I want to know about you."

  Melani finished her salad and pushed the bowl away. “Do you live here, at the park?"

  "Shouldn't you have a tape recorder, or a pen and paper?” He piled his salad plate on top of hers. The look he gave her told her that he was thinking about matters other than pens or paper. She squirmed and felt her nipples harden.

  "Worried about being misquoted? Don't worry, I have a great memory."

  "Fair enough. Yes, I live here at the park, on a houseboat."

  Melani's eyes widened.

  "You live on a ship?"

  "No, I live on a houseboat. How do you expect to quote me accurately?” He grinned to show he was teasing. “When the park first opened, Russell lived on the boat and used it as a changing station for the performances. Once we went big time and built the hotel, we added new buildings for that and I took over the houseboat. Kidd and I have lived there for years."

  "Kidd?” Melani shook her head as the waitress delivered their meals, along with new glasses of ale.

  "My dog, Captain Kidd. He's an English bulldog. You'll love him."

  "And you live on a houseboat with him?"

  "Yup. He loves the water. He thinks he's a seal or something. You should see him in there, doing the dog paddle."

  Royce brought his hands close to his body and moved them around in an imitation of the dog paddle.

  Melani burst out laughing at the image of a short, squatty dog doing the same thing in the water.

  "I won't tell him you laughed at him."

  "Thanks."

  "You can meet him tonight, if you like.” Royce's voice was low. He reached across the table and took her free hand, caressing her palm with his thumb.

  "Do you pick up all the new park employees?"

  "Only those who let me undress them before I know their names."

  Melani blushed furiously.

  "That was a, well, uh..."

  "Yeah, it was. It got my attention.” He raised his eyebrows up and down.

  "I'm not in the habit of sleeping with men I just met."

  "You've said that before. Several times. But what about when the man you meet is a wicked pirate who's used to getting what he wants?"

  His deep voice made Melani tingle. Her breasts rose and fell with the rhythm of her breathing. Royce's eyes fastened on them and she felt her nipples tighten. His gaze lifted to hers and she knew that all was lost.

  The tension between them was thick, almost like a physical caress. He was so handsome, and the look he gave her made her feel as if she was already under him, his lips trailing across her neck.

  "I ... we should, uh..."

  "Is everything all right?"

  Melani jerked back and stifled a laugh when Royce muttered, “crap,” under his breath.

  He turned to the waitress, a smile plastered on his face. “Yeah, Jess. Everything is fine. We're just chatting."

  The young woman turned toward Melani “You're that writer friend of Ellie's, right?"

  "Yes, I am.” Melani took a drink of her ale.

  "Cool. I hope you come in here with your camera. Is this like, a national thing? Is it going to be, like, on TV?"

  * * * *

  Royce sat back in his chair and watched Melani talk with Jess. It had been years since he'd felt such a strong pull toward a woman. He flirted a lot, true, but he was very picky about the women he became involved with. Melani easily met all of his standards and then some.

  It wasn't just her curvaceous figure that caught his eye. It was her intelligence, and the way she carried herself with grace and self-assurance. He took a bite of his steak and chewed slowly as Melani promised Jess that she would be back into the restaurant to include the restaurant staff in her story.

  When Jess was gone, she turned to him.

  "Sorry about that."

  "Me, too."

  "I'm very attracted to you, Royce."

  He grinned. “That's always nice to hear."

  "But I just can't go to bed with you. I'm sorry."

  "You'll change your mind tomorrow.” He took another bite of his food.

  "I'm working tomorrow."

  "Not all day. The park events close down at nine. How about you come to the boat about thirty minutes later? I'll fix us a late dinner, and you'll be able to meet Kidd and see that I'm a really nice guy."

  "I'm going to have to work on my story tomorrow night. I have to transcribe notes and make sure I don't forget anything."

  He watched her eat for a few minutes, then leaned across the table.

  "It's the last boat on the end. You can't miss it. It's the only tall ship that doesn't actually sail. It's built into the dock."

  Melani swallowed, then wiped her mouth with her napkin.

  "What else do you do at the park, besides fight with the pirate king?"

  Royce leaned back in his chair. “In the mornings I give tours of one of the ships and provide a history lesson on pirates. There's one at the top of every hour from ten until two. The pirate fights start at four and run until eight."

  "Sounds interesting. I might have to come to one of your lectures."

  "You'll distract me and I'll forget the difference between buried treasure and treasure that's right in front of your eyes."

  Heat spread through Melani's body. “Well, all you have to do is look for the X, right?"

  "I don't know. In this case I think the treasure may be marked with a Y."

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  Chapter Four

  Melani leaned back in her chair and listened to Royce as he lectured the crowd. Well, she wouldn't exactly call it a lecture. They were entranced by his words, his use of funny voices and his gestures, most of them th
e done as if he were in the middle of a sword fight.

  She'd smiled when he began his talk by saying that the pirates who so enthralled people today were the romanticized version. That in real life, pirates were bloodthirsty men, and women, who sailed the seas in search of riches.

  "They were not particularly nice people,” Royce said. “But, here at Ahoy, Matey we try to make up for that."

  Now he was telling them the difference between a pirate and a privateer, a buccaneer and a corsair.

  Melani allowed herself to enjoy the presentation, making sure that she took plenty of notes to include in her copy. She also enjoyed the view.

  Today, Royce wore tight black pants and another fluffy white shirt cut to the waist. His sword had been replaced with a long, red sash that wrapped around his lean hips, its ties hanging to his knees. At the foot of his shiny black boot sat a beautiful, brindle-colored English bulldog with a red bandana tied around his neck.

  Kidd seemed to be enjoying himself. From time to time, Royce would hand him a small package tied in a bandana, and Kidd would trot out to an audience member to give them the gift. Royce had explained early in the talk that the packages actually contained small treasure maps. Tourists could use the maps to locate treasure that was hidden around the park. Kidd seemed to love his job, and the attention he received from people in the audience.

  Melani didn't think it was possible, but Royce looked more attractive today that he had the day before. He was in his element, giving the tourists an education while they soaked up the park's fun atmosphere.

  Royce gave his talks on the deck of the pirate ship where the crews held their fights later in the day. The beautiful cove provided a stunning backdrop, with the water glistening and the trees blowing in the gentle wind.

  Royce looked right at home.

  Melani, however, didn't feel so at home. She wasn't comfortable with the idea of wearing her costume and feeing so exposed. She'd convinced Ellie that donning her “pirate wench” outfit while she was gathering information for her story was a bad idea.

  "People will come up to me and expect me to know things,” she'd said. “When, in essence, I'm just as confused as they are. I've only been here once before."