Saved by My Blackguard (Linked Across Time Book 1) Read Online Free Page A

after?”
    “Oh, what I want has been clear all along, love.” His grin grew wider on his face. “I want every inch of you naked and spread out willingly for me on my bed. I plan to feast on. Say the word and I’ll make it happen.”
    “No.” Her mouth formed a firm flat line. “Quit teasing me.”
    He sighed. “Have it your way. Instead I’m going to give you the freedom you seek. My men know to leave you alone or to suffer the consequence. Go roam the ship.”
    She was afraid to step out of the cabin. What if she did and he expected something she was not willing to give him? She had to know exactly what she was getting into before she took him for his word.
    “And you don’t expect me to pay for this gift later?”
    He lifted his hand and did a crisscross motion over his heart. “I promise. This is something I want you to have. If I show you some generosity maybe you won’t see me for the evil man you believe me to be.”
    Of course he had an ulterior motive. That didn’t surprise her one iota. She wouldn’t turn down his offer though. Evelyn was desperate to get out of the cabin. The only thing she was surprised about was him caving into her desire.
    “How long until we get to this pirates’ den you told me about?”
    “Making plans, are you?” He laughed. “Don’t worry I will protect you. The other pirates won’t touch what belongs to me.”
    “I am not yours,” she replied. “I belong to no man.”
    Maybe this was for the best. Her father had ruled her life. She needed this space to breathe. Captain Jack wasn’t for her, but she could weave her own path.
    He saluted her. “I do enjoy these chats. To answer your question we should be there within the hour.”
    No wonder he was allowing her on deck. The ship would be docking soon. If they were going to the pirates’ den she’d be reluctant to leave the ship. Pirates were an untrustworthy lot. What Captain Jack had planned for her she did not know. He could be a hard man to read at times. She fidgeted under his stare. “Can I go on deck now?”
    “Of course, would you like me to escort you?”
    That was the last thing she wanted. She needed some space between them. Over the long week she had started to like him, but that didn’t mean she would give him her innocence. A bit of an epiphany hit her during their conversation. She had more freedom than to stroll on the deck. For the first time in her life she had options, and one of them was to marry for love.
    “Can I go by myself?”
    “Yes,” he replied. “Enjoy your stroll. If you change your mind you know where to find me.”
    She spun on her heels and faced him. Perhaps she should mess with him a little bit. Give a little tit for tat. Evelyn sashayed over to him, lifted her hand and twinkled her fingers up his chest all the way to his lips. She traced them with the tip of her finger. “Jack, darling, please I beg you…” She leaned in close and whispered, “I need something only you can give me.”
    “Tell me?” His voice took on a husky tone as he leaned in closer to her.
    Evelyn stepped back and grinned. “Space. All I need is what you’ve already granted me, freedom to explore the ship and the same once we dock in Port Royal.”
    It had been too easy to suck him in. Perhaps he did desire her in truth. Evelyn wanted more than the pirate had to offer. She wanted love and stability. He gave off a menacing aura. Jack was a pirate—a  fact of life—but she rather liked him. He lived by his own code of ethics and she respected him. He wasn’t the man she needed in her life though.
    “You’re a wicked lass messing with a man.” He shook his head. “Where did an innocent learn such a trick?”
    She shrugged. “I’m a quick study.”
    “I do love your wit and quick thinking.” He chuckled. “I will give you that. Go explore the ship. We’ll continue this discussion later.”
    Evelyn nodded and headed out of the cabin. None of the pirates stopped to ask her what she was