Chapter Six

That kiss he’d placed on her had rocked him. No woman’s lips had ever garnered any reaction remotely close to this one. Primal. Primitive. He wanted to forget everything and do it again. Properly, this time.

Her stride kept her even with him, despite her carrying weapons and not wearing shoes. There was one boat waiting, and two men hovered by it.

“Push off,” he hollered, closing the distance, Sabeen right with him, hands still entwined. I rather like it.

Barely slowly, he released her hand and went to lift her in, only to find she’d already vaulted in the boat. He followed suit, impressed. Seated by Mac, he stared at Sabeen. She still stood. Her breeches were wet as was parts of her white shirt. Her weapons belt crisscrossed along her hips, showing off her tiny waist. Some of her hair had broken free of her braid and waved in the wind.

“Ya know, Cap, she looks—”

“I know, Mac.” Pug ran his hand down his face, trying not to be totally enamored by this woman who stirred him in ways he wasn’t sure any would.

Sabeen would make a perfect pirate woman. Her body instinctively adjusted to the boat’s movement. The sun adored her, casting loving light on her candied skin. He wanted to touch it. Explore it. Explore her.

When they reached his ship, he barely blinked before she scurried up the rope ladder with an agility that amazed him. Pug crested the top in time to see her drop to her knees, arms open wide, and embrace all the children. Her touch intimate as she pressed her hand to each child’s cheek before brushing a kiss along each forehead.

“Slaves?”

Pug glanced at Mr. Krill who’d ordered men to stand ready for the tide and to keep an eye on the tree line.

“The two youngest girls, oldest boy, and Sabeen, but not the others. Even though they are all filthy, their clothes are better made.”

“What will we do with five kids and a woman aboard, Cap?”

“Let me go find out. Keep an eye on the children.” Pug made his way to the group and met Sabeen’s gaze. “A word.” Her eyes flashed over to the children before returning to him. “They are safe.” He gestured with one hand toward his cabin. “Shall we?”

Her reluctance so heavy he could taste it. Still, she walked with him, not showing any of the hesitation he knew was within her. Brave. Courageous. And defender of the young. Pug closed his cabin door and faced the waiting woman.

He strode to his desk and stood behind it, hands spread over the maps resting there. “What is your name?” Sure, the girl had mentioned it before, but he wanted her to say it.

She stared at the floor. “Sabeen.”

“What are you doing with those kids?” He sat and watched her expression as best he could with her looking down.

“There was a revolt a few days ago, and everyone was being killed. I grabbed who I could and ran.”

“Sit down.” Her gaze flashed to his. “Chair. Right here. Sit.” He didn’t oft have more than one in his quarters, but he’d been sewn up by Drav for the wound she’d inflicted, and the chair brought in for that remained, for which he was glad.

She floated over the floor to the chair where she perched on the edge as if worried it would bite her. Or she was in a receiving room in England.

“What will you do now?”

“Are you letting us go?” she asked.

He steepled his fingers. No, he didn’t think so. “Not sure. If I was to, what would you do?”

“Find and secure passage to England.”

“All of you?” His heartbeat increased.

“All of us.”

“What is in England?”

“Crissy and Stephen’s uncle. Hopefully, he would take them in.”

Pug could sense his father’s disapproval that he’d not immediately offered them passage. He shrugged it off. This was why he’d left England. Well, mostly.

“Not all of you?”

“We are not his brother’s children. I do not know if they could even afford the two of them. I have to try.”

More admiration for her grew. “I will take you to England.” One brow rose. “All of you.”

She pulled a pouch from around her neck, withdrew a roll from it, and placed it before him.

He whistled low. “That is a lot of money.” She had to have stolen it. He didn’t care.

“Will it be enough?”

More than. He pretended to consider it. She didn’t flinch, just waited. “Yes.”

“Thank you, and I apologize for drugging you before.”

“Yes, that. Do you apologize for leaving me in the cave as well?”

“Yes.”

He bit back his laughter. “Do not lie; you were protecting kids. I would have left me, too. Or killed me in your place.”

“Why would you help us?” Her jaw set.

“Believe it or not, luv, I am not a bad guy. Some may even say I am honorable.”

She canted her head to the side. “Perhaps.”

He did laugh this time. “My mother is going to love you. Especially the fact you use weapons.” He couldn’t wait to see that meeting.

Sabeen ignored the heaviness of doubt in her stomach. This man seemed different than the others. His kiss was a surprise. She licked her lips, and his gaze followed the movement before a slow grin built on his face, as if he knew what thoughts ran through her mind.

He allowed his gaze to lower and run over her. She knew the look, but unlike others, this man didn’t make her skin crawl. Not that she would be doing anything, but it made her wonder what it was about him.

“Why would I meet your mother?”

“My entire family, luv.” He shifted on the seat. “My father is an earl. He will be able to help find their uncle.”

An earl. Her palms grew sweaty. Members of peerage tended to make their own rules, so he may not keep his word. “My lord.”

“No need for titles, luv. I do not have one. My brother Alex is the one who carries the title.”

There existed no anger in his tone. In fact, he seemed relieved.

“What would you have me call you?”

His grin nothing short of roguish. “Pug is fine. Or Captain.”