Taken by You by Connie Mason Read Free Book Online Page A

his nude body displayed in all its masculine beauty.
    Without his trousers.
    God help her.
    Morgan did not easily find sleep despite the forced cadence of his breathing. He lay awake, fiercely aware of the woman who claimed to be a nun. She affected him in ways that made him uncomfortable. There had been many women in his life. He was a virile man, one who took sensual pleasure in women and the sexual relief they Drought him. There were many ports and many women. None were like Sister Luca. What was it about the little nun that made him want her? He should just take her like his body demanded and promptly forget her. She was a Spaniard, wasn’t she? He had never known a Spaniard he hadn’t hated with consuming passion.
    She was a nun.
    He didn’t believe her for a minute.
    He wanted her. It would be so easy to disregard her holy calling and take her body. So easy…
    Was she truly a holy woman?
    He glanced down at Luca, curled tip on the hard deck, stunned by the direction of his thoughts. He’d captured one or two Spanish women before and had promptly ransomed them. He had never felt desire for them despite their willingness to accommodate El Diablo. One in particular had made it quite apparent that she fancied him. But she hadn’t appealed to him. He found no beauty in her dark, sloe-eyed features, and so he had rebuffed her.
    Morgan sighed raggedly and turned toward the wall. Why should he worry about the comfort of a Spanish witch? Sleeping on the deck had been her choice. So be it.
    Luca awoke to the morning sun slanting through the open port window. She gasped in shock when she realized she was lying in Morgan’s bunk and leaped up as if burned, staring down at the rumpled bed in horror. How had she gotten from the floor to the bed? She had no memory of moving or being moved. Where was the pirate? What had he done to her?
    Taking stock of her clothing, she appeared to be lacking nothing that she’d worn the previous day. Her body felt stiff from sleeping on the hard floor, but other man that she suffered no pain in unusual places. She had no time for further inspection, for the door opened and Morgan stepped inside, closing die door firmly behind him. He carried a tray from which delicious odors emanated.
    “Ah, you’re awake, I see. I’ve brought you something to eat. You must be hungry after skipping supper last night.” He set the tray down on the desk, pushing a map aside as he did so.
    Luca’s mouth watered. “I have no appetite,” she lied. But her stomach betrayed her, for it rumbled loud enough for Morgan to hear. “H-how did I get on the bunk?”
    “I put you there,” Morgan said. “I arose at dawn You looked so uncomfortable I moved you to the bunk. You were still sleeping soundly when I left the cabin.”
    “You didn’t…” She licked her lips, uncertain how to continue. “You didn’t… take advantage of me, did you? Are you evil enough to defile a handmaiden of God?”
    Morgan scowled so fiercely that Luca leaped back in alarm. “When I take you I want you awake to know it. I want you responsive in my arms, not unconscious and unaware of what I am doing to you. I may be a bastard, but there are some things even I will not stoop to. Eat now. I have a ship to run.” He turned to leave.
    “Wait!” Morgan paused but did not turn around. “May I… may I walk out on deck?”
    “My men are loyal, but pirates nonetheless, Sister Luca. I cannot protect you from them once you step outside this cabin. They will assume that I have already tired of you and that they are free to satisfy their urges. You may do as you please, but if you do not wish to submit to my crew, then I suggest you remain safely inside.”
    A shudder went through Luca. She believed him. Were all men so vile? So reprehensible? By the time he had proceeded out the door she knew that wild horses couldn’t drive her out of the cabin. The captain’s dubious protection was preferable to being ravished by the entire