A Pirate's Love by Johanna Lindsey Read Free Book Online

that.”
    â€œThen be done with it!” she said sharply.
    His eyes narrowed angrily. He mounted her then, his great weight pressing her into the soft mattress. He thrust into her quickly, and a searing pain followed. She screamed and dug her nails into his back, but as quickly as the pain had come, it was gone.
    He moved inside her, slowly at first, then faster, much faster, and it actually felt good. Bettina relaxed and shamefully enjoyed the feeling of him inside her. But then he gave a final deep thrust and relaxed completely, crushing her with his huge body.
    Bettina didn’t know what to do. Was that all there was to it? She admitted it had been pleasant after the initial pain, but if that was all there was to making love, she could do without it. Where was the extreme pleasure that could make a man risk death? Perhaps only the man experienced pleasure from making love.
    â€œI’m sorry, Bettina. I didn’t mean to be so quick, but you have a sharp tongue. Next time, it will be better for you.”
    â€œNext time!” she gasped. “But I—I thought that—”
    â€œNo, little one,” he cut her off with an amused smile. “Saint Martin is a long way off. And since you will be sharing my cabin with me, I will make love to you whenever I wish. This will be a most pleasant voyage.”
    When he got up and began to dress, Bettina quickly pulled the cover over her nakedness. What was she going to do? Lying with him once was bad enough, but he had given her no choice and she would have been able to live with that shame. But to submit to him again and again, and not be able to fight him—she would be his mistress! How could she live with that?
    Tristan had been quietly scrutinizing her. Now he leaned over her and softly brushed his lips against hers.
    â€œI must leave you now, to see my crew andchange course for Saint Martin. Under no condition do I want you to leave this cabin.”
    â€œBut I want to see Maddy. I want to see the prisoners and tell them they have nothing to fear.”
    â€œNo,” he said sharply. “Your servant can see to the prisoners, and you can see her later—not now.”
    With that he left the cabin. Bettina thought of locking the door against him. But he would only break it down, and then she would have to suffer his anger. She shuddered to think what that would be like. So far, this Tristan had been in a good mood and had shown only one side of his character, and yet he had taken her against her will. She wouldn’t care to see his violent side.
    She was at the mercy of a ruthless pirate! He could kill her if he wanted to! She was completely in his power, and she didn’t know what to do about it.
    She got off the bed and stared stupidly at the blood on the covers—her own blood. I hate you, Capitaine Tristan, she thought bitterly. You have ruined me, shamed me, dishonored me! She stamped her foot in outraged fury.
    Bettina’s breathing slowed. There was no point in getting so upset, when she couldn’t take it out on him. But she wanted to—how she wanted to!
    There was a small bowl of water on a washstand by the bed, and with this Bettina washed herself as best she could. She hurriedly dressed, then rebelliously poured more wine into the tankard on the table. She sat down and started to drink, but then she heard a soft knock on the door. A second later, it opened and Madeleine rushed in and closed the door quickly.
    â€œOh, Bettina, are you all right? He—he didn’t—he—”
    â€œHe will take us to Saint Martin, but—”
    â€œThen you were spared—thank God! I was afraid for you, Bettina. Mon Dieu! I did not know what to think when he had me locked up. The capitaine is such a big man—I was afraid he would hurt you.”
    â€œI was not spared,” Bettina said quietly. “He was determined to take me, and he did.”
    â€œBettina—no!” Madeleine