The Black Morass (Pirates of the Coast Book 1) Read Online Free Page B

me, this morning.”
    “You object to something as innocent as brushing my hair?”  In that instant, he drew to a halt and prepared to play the ignorant, because he knew precisely what ruffled her pretty little feathers.  “Explain how that was offensive.”
    “You made me stand between your legs, which defied logic, given I could scarcely reach the back length.”  As he cleared the way with his cutlass, she ducked to avoid low branches.  “Are you never reasonable?”
    “I am always reasonable.”  Not to mention savvy, as the position Jean Marc required of her, as she combed his long locks, afforded a spectacular view of her breasts when she bent at the waist.  “The real question is why you buck my authority, at every turn, when I have been nothing but a gentleman.”
    She snorted.  “Do you even know what that word—” Her shrill scream pierced the relative quiet.  “ A snake .”
    To his delight, she flung herself at him, pressing her feminine curves to his frame, and he savored her lush body.  In seconds, he located the source of her distress and chuckled.  “ Mon Chou , that is a harmless creature, and I wager it will not bite if you do not pester it.”
    “Are you sure, as it appears quite dangerous.”  Twining her arms about his neck, she buried her face in his chest.  “And I would not know, as never have I seen a snake, in my life.”
    “Then you should rely on my expertise, as I am familiar with these parts.”  Ever so slowly, he skimmed his palm along her hip, continued to the swell of her derriere, and discovered her fear tempered her awareness.  Instead, she shuddered and squeezed tighter.  “Please, take me to the ship.  I promise I will do whatever you ask, and I will protest not.”
    “Why do I doubt you?”  Hefting her to his side, he trudged the last few strides and parted the greenery.  “Now relax and enjoy the day I have arranged for us.”
    “I beg your pardon?”  As he set her down, she peered over his shoulder and blinked.  “Oh, Jean Marc, what is this place?”
    “It is an isolated cove, and we must descend carefully, using the rocks as nature’s staircase, to the beach crevasse below.”  Inch by inch, and holding her hand, he preceded her down the rudimentary path.  “Worry not, Mon Chou , because I will catch you if you fall.”
    “The water is like crystal and smooth as fresh-pressed sheets.”  She paused.  “Is the cove completely enclosed?”
    “The limestone breaks just beneath the surface, and we should deposit our belongings here, as the tide will rise as the afternoon passes.”  Using a large boulder as a seat, he stopped and doffed his boots and shirt.  As he unhooked his breeches, Maddie averted her gaze.
    “What are you doing?”  Wringing her hands, she shuffled her feet.  “Although I have no knowledge of your motives, and make no claims to apprehend your rationale, just this once, can you remain clothed?”
    “No.”  How fetching she appeared, in her pretty pink frock, with her hair piled in charming curls atop her head, and he savored her eventual defilement.  Naked, he approached his soon-to-be fallen angel from behind and whispered, “Now take off your clothes, as I intend to teach you to swim.”
    From the rear, silence reigned supreme when he bargained on additional protest.  Checking on his lady, he found her standing stock-still, just as he left her, and her face deathly pale.
    “Jean Marc, please, do not make me do it.  I am terrified of the water.”  A tear streamed her cheek, and he returned to her.  “What I said earlier I meant.  Whatever you command of me, I will perform the task, if you let me stay here, where it is dry.”
    With hands on her shoulders, he rotated her.  In seconds, he untied and loosened her laces, and she wept and shivered.  “Will you remove the rest or shall I, because you will do as I say?”
    A few minutes ticked past, and he tugged on the dress, but she broke