After the Terrifying Event of the Past Hours

Raven's bonds loosened all at once, surprising her so that she staggered forward. He caught her by her shoulder and his grip was shocking strong, astoundingly tender. Though his grasp was gentle and his eyes reflected concern for her, she remembered that this man was a pirate. He was one of the reason she was in this predicament. He had jus violently attacked the vessel on which she had been a passenger, and he now held her captive. It was not just her shoulder, but her future and her life that he held in his hands

She placed one shaky hand against his chest to push him away. Where his shirt was opened, her hand came into contact with his flesh, warm and vibrant, hirsute and rock hard. She gasped and withdraw her hand, still tingling from the touch, curling her fingers to her own breast. Swallowing hard, she tried to stand steadily before him. She let out a long ragged breath and drew her shattered courage about her, lifting her little chin firmly before looking up at him.

She glanced meaningfully at his hands which still held hers. she could feel their warmth spreading through her, quickening her breath. He was holding her close, very nearly supporting her, and she knew she could not have loosened herself from those arms any easier than she could have freed herself from the ropes that now lay at her feet.

Turning around, he guided her steps through the carnage and chaos to the side of the ship. Now that the Dutch ship has gone, the second pirate vessel has drawn closer and visible, and was hooked to the second vessel to keep them from drifting apart.

Sun brown pirates moved from one ship to the other, transfering cargo from one ship to the other as they divided the spoils they got from the Dutch vessel.

My ship lies there, her new captor said, indicating the other vessel. In dismay, she realized that she would have to make a crossing from one ship to the other, which terrifies her. And the buccaneers leaped easily from vessel to vessel, she doubted that she could. She looked down at the shadowed waves and the empty expanse between the two ships seems to grow wider, stretching to an enormity she knew she could not conquer.

I ...I can't... Raven began, white faced and wide eyed. her words were stopped, along with her heart and her breath when her captor swept her off her feet into his arms, with a cry, she flung her arms around his neck and buried her face against his chest. With a laugh, he easily carry her over to the other vessel, landing safely on the deck of his own ship

Raven listed her head but her arms remained around his neck, seemingly of their own accord. After the terrifying event of the past hours and the frightening leap, she was trembling too hard to leave the relative safety and the comfort she felt in his arms.

He too, seemed reluctant to release her, letting her slide slowly down the lean length of him. supporting her closely against him. For a long moment he smiled at her, caressing her hair as if comforting her like a child. But his eyes were not comforting. He looked at her with appreciation for the woman she was., warm, desirable and within the circle of his arms.

At last, breaking the spell that bound them, he beckoned to a passing crewman, a short,wiry man naked to the waist and barefooted. " Rodney, take the lady below to my cabin and see to her needs.

"Aye," aye, Captain! Rodney snapped crisply.

The captain bowed briefly to her as if she were a guest and passenger on his ship rather than a disheveled prisoner, then bounded back to the other ship, leaving her feeling very helpless and alone in the midst of the bustle about her.

The man in whose charge she had been placed touched his forelock politely. " If you will just come this way , milady," he said politely.

Seeing no choice but to obey, she followed the man down into the ship. He opened the door to a cabin and she stepped inside. The cabin was large and spacious, the bunk was neatly made, all was in order and clean. It was far different from what she had expected a pirate ship to be, as was the captain. A glimmer of hope sparked within her and she drew a deep relaxing breath that she has been holding up until now. of course ransom could be arranged. All was not lost. She would be treated with courtesy and allowed to continue on her way to her uncles place in Barbados.

"Is there anything you will be needing ma'am"? her guide asked.

Raven managed a smile. No. Not now. Thank you Rodney.

Again pulling his forelock politely, Rodney began backing out the door. Then if you will excuse me, I've got some work to do. Captain Fortune will take care of you later.