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

spend time with the pirate who robbed us a few days ago. In fact, you wouldn’t be safe here if you were spotted.”
    They laughed together. “You’re right,” he agreed huskily. “Do you think you can sneak out in the morning? Claim you’re going shopping or strolling? I’d like to spend more time with you, Maren.”
    “I’d like to spend more time with you…. Do youat least have a first name you can share with me? I hate to call you Captain Hawk.”
    Moonlight gleamed on the golden streaks in his pale brown hair as he chuckled and pulled her into his embrace. He liked it when she swayed against him and rested her hands on his chest. They gazed at each other for a time; then he remarked, “There’s something unique about you, woman, besides your being the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen. I guess it’s obvious how much I want you, and it impresses the hell out of me that my desire doesn’t frighten you.”
    “I suppose that’s because you strike me in the same way. I’d like to get to know you better, starting with at least one name.”
    They exchanged smiles. “Is Jared enough for now?” he asked.
    She did not want to be threatening or overly aggressive. She needed to work on him slowly, carefully, mysteriously. She had to concentrate on now, not the distant future. Her eyes glowed as she replied, “Yes, Jared, it’s plenty for now.” He had proven that he wanted to trust her by revealing his real name, although he didn’t know she knew that.
    “Will you meet me in the morning? I’m in room ten of your hotel. With this war raging, I don’t know when I can make New Orleans.”
    Maren knew the risks and consequences of her response, but she was willing to accept them. “I’ll come to your room as soon as I can sneak away. Do you have any other plans in the morning?”
    “Not anymore. I’ll be up by dawn, waiting for you.”
    Their eyes fused, then their lips. They clung to each other and kissed urgently, caressing pleading flesh, trying to soothe it.
    Suddenly Jared drew away. He was breathing heavily. “If we don’t halt this, I won’t release you on this night.”
    “I wish you didn’t have to,” she bravely confessed. “I should get moving or they’ll have a search party out for me.”
    Jared couldn’t draw Slade’s attention to him right now, so he reluctantly released her. But more importantly, he did not want a swift, primitive mating with her. “I’ll follow you back at a safe distance. Get away as soon as you can. Our time together is short.”
    Maren clasped his face between her hands, drew it down to seal their lips a final time, and kissed him stirringly. “I’ll be there, Jared.” She then scooped up her slippers and raced toward the lighted area at the edge of town. Sneaking in the rear door of the hotel, she hurried to her room. Eric had not yet returned, so she had time to freshen up and change.
    When Kerry Osgood returned to Jared’s room, he reported, “I followed them like you ordered, Jared. They took the boxes to a plantation a few miles outside of town. It’s my guess they were locked in the cellar. Whatever was inside was a mighty heavysecret. I’d say guns or gold, ‘cause it ain’t illegal to sell whiskey.”
    “Did you find out who owns the plantation?”
    “Eric James of James Shipping, and it’s guarded well. I overheard something else; that ship came straight from London, not France. You were right; they lied to us and those papers were false.”
    “Did you hear them mention a girl?” Jared asked. Since Kerry was his best friend and first mate, Jared trusted him in all ways. The two men had known each other for years, and had been nearly inseparable for most of that time, so Jared did not have to conceal or deny his feelings.
    “Not once,” the blue-eyed Kerry answered. Seeing Jared’s relief, he then grinned mischievously. “Did you get anywhere with her?”
    Jared sent him a playful scowl. “Not like you mean, Kip. I don’t know