Fortune's Flames by Janelle Taylor Read Free Book Online Page A

peaceful sounds of the ocean atlow tide. When she opened them, she noticed that everything seemed to be taking on a pearly gray cast. Dusk was near. She had to return to the hotel soon, but not quite yet. She removed her slippers, lifted her hem slightly, and wiggled her toes in the embracing sand. Merry laughter spilled forth then, as pleasure flowed within her.
    Maren walked for a time, delighting in the feel of sand against her naked feet, of cool air wafting over her bare arms. She finally halted and leaned against a palm tree with a nature-slanted trunk. She had not felt this calm in a long time, and she wanted to savor the feeling for a while longer. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply.
    “Don’t you realize how dangerous it is to be out here alone?” the mellow voice chided. “There are countless wild sailors in port tonight.”
    Her eyes opened, even though she knew who was there. “I can protect myself. Besides, I was waiting for you,” she jested happily.
    Jared slipped a leg over the slanted tree and the woman, his body and her semireclining position imprisoning Maren, but she made no attempt to push him aside or to rise. As his eyes locked with hers, he leaned forward and placed his hands on the trunk above her head. “But who will protect you from me, my hypnotic siren?” he teased. Then his mouth gently but hungrily captured hers. As his weight settled lightly against her, Maren’s arms slid under his and encircled his body. She flattened her palms against the middle of his broad back and urgedhim closer.
    Jared’s arms banded the tree and he used his hold on it to eliminate any space between them. His mouth greedily ravished hers, and when she encouraged him, his lips sensuously wandered over her face and throat.
    Maren responded heatedly and uninhibitedly. “How did you find me?” she murmured hoarsely.
    Jared tensed briefly, and she noticed his reaction. He ceased his amorous siege to reply, “You found me. I was the one heading for Jamaica; your ship was supposedly sailing for Martinique. Captain Canton does realize this is a British port and we’re at war with England?”
    “Then what are you doing here, my bold privateer?” she asked, trying to shift her pinioned body so the rough bark did not bite more deeply into her tender flesh and create a discomfort she had not noticed earlier. Her action caused her inflamed body to rub intimately against his, stimulating both of them. “I thought you said the British were your enemies. Is it safe for you to be here?”
    Jared moved aside so she could alter her awkward position. He watched her stand and straighten her mussed clothing; then he leaned his firm buttocks and the sole of one boot against the sloping tree which she had vacated. “As long as you have the right papers and flags, you can sail anywhere you wish. Isn’t that right, Maren?”
    “But you could be in danger if someone recognized you or your ship.”
    Jared knew she had intentionally avoided his question. “Would that bother you, Maren?” The way she looked at him, she didn’t have to answer. “I’ll be careful,” he promised, “and the same should apply to you.”
    “We’re only exchanging goods. We sail tomorrow afternoon,” she said, forgetting he had recently robbed her ship and knew its contents.
    “What kind of goods?” he asked. “I may be interested in them.”
    “I don’t know; they were boxed.” Too late she realized what she had said.
    “Which storehouse are they using?”
    “I didn’t hear them mention one. You could come to the hotel to speak with James about it. He’s to return around nine for dinner.” Suddenly Maren noticed how dark it was. “Oh, my,” she fretted. “It’s late. I must return to my room before I get into trouble.”
    “Why don’t you have dinner with me… and we’ll have a long talk afterward?” His gaze smoldered, inflaming both of them.
    Maren licked her lips. “I wish I could, but I doubt I would be allowed to