Land ahoy!!!

Land ahoy!!!

They shouted from all corners of the ship. He pulled away slightly and gave her beautiful face one last glance before reluctantly pulling away to see what was going on.

She watched as he slowly turned away and began shouting orders. The men all around began to run in different directions and pull on ropes and roll barrels out of the way.

Tempest turned and went to the side of the ship and gasped. Land.

It was not far off in the distance but as the sails were adjusted it wasn't long before the wind propelled them closer. She enjoyed the view of the island as it got closer. The lush green terrain was surrounded by a white sandy beach.

In no time the order for the anchors to be dropped was bellowed and then suddenly the ship lay buoyant in the water bobbing about facing the island at a distance.

Bellamy slowly made his way towards her with a curt smile before joining her at the railing.

"Is that Tortuga?" she looked at the island and the large palm trees that speckled the terrain.

"Nay lass, t'is an uninhabited island," he said observing it.

"How can you tell?" she asked looking at him in awe.

He pointed briefly to it. "No smoke means no natives or people are near cooking or using fire," he said studying the sky above it.

She turned to look at it all. An uninhabited island she mused.

She stood around and watched as orders were bellowed by Justin to load two empty barrels on one boat with two men and the rest gather what they needed to go ashore.

In no time 7 boats were in the water surrounding her as she sat quietly between Justin and Quinn as they rowed towards the island. One by one as the boats edged onto the sand, lines were tied together and hoisted onto the sand and held down with boulders and rocks. She figured it was to keep them from floating away.

The boat rocked steadily as they climbed off and held onto it swimming further in before joining the others. She watched as they began to walk the sandy beach and looking around.

She watched Justin hand Quinn a satchel filled with kettles and tools before turning to her and holding out his hand. She peered into his eyes as she reached for them. Without hesitation, as she swung her feet over to step into the water, he lifted her up into his arms and carried her. Her heart fluttered as her fingers curled around his neck and his gaze briefly held hers as he held her tight before looking away and wading through the water.

Walking further up to dryer sand, he lowered her slowly to stand on her own feet. She felt a relief wash over as the warm sand curled between her toes. She could do nothing but giddily smile and wiggle them more.

With a grin pulling at the edge of his lips he watched her as she playfully wiggled her toes in the sand and slowly turned in a circle. When she stopped she looked up to him and paused. They stared at one another for a brief moment.

Cap'n we have fresh water!!!

The shouts pulled his eyes away to watch one of his men quickly approach them with a smile and excitement in his eyes.

He turned to the man and gave him a curt nod before extending his hands to her once more. Slowly they walked further in and were surrounded by the men that gladly accepted Justin's orders to comb the area before they settled in. Gather what they could find edible to eat and build a small fire.

In no time they shuffled about and did what he ordered as he gently held her hand and walked with her to find the freshwater.

They stepped over the clearing deeper beyond some palm trees where the loud hiss of water could be heard at a distance. He pulled a large banana leaf out of her way and helped her over a log until he stood at her side in awe at the breathtaking view of a large waterfall.

She beamed with a radiant smile and anxiously sunk to her knees at the water's edge and scooped up a handful of it, raised it to her face; splashing its freshness over her thirsty skin. She washed her fingers before scooping more up to greedily drink it. It was sweet, cool, and it quenched her thirst.

She was in another world entirely as she sat on the floor and idly glided her fingers through it. He knelt beside her and did the same.

"I take it you want to go for a swim?" he asked watching her smile at the ripple of water she was creating.

She turned to him. It was evident she wanted to but...she looked down at herself and then around the secluded spot.

"Don't worry, I will leave you alone," he assured her with a warm smile.

"Thank you," she whispered standing as he gave a curt nod and walked around her then left. She watched him disappear before she shed her clothing. She slowly waved her toes in the cool water before diving in and breaking the serene blue surface.

Swimming nude was nothing compared to her confined baths before a fire. It was an unimaginable sense of happiness she felt as she swam to the bottom before breaking the surface once more. She felt free and it felt wonderful. She swam towards the roaring waterfall and slowly stepped on a rock to stand beneath the vigorous stream as it pelted down on her head.

Waist deep, she stood there enjoying the shower of clean water falling over her with eyes shut. She barely heard or saw Justin as he stepped closer to the edge of the swirling water until she finally opened her eyes.

Tempest tensed with the raucous noises of his men approaching in the distance. Her throat tightened with dread as she was not able to dive beneath the water fast enough. He immediately bellowed and ordered them to turn away and stood watch until they were alone again. He slowly turned to face her. Fixed to the spot, her gaze met his. Daringly, his gaze held hers. The slight shiver that she felt had nothing to do with the crisp tropical air that brushed her skin, but the raging emotions he stirred within her did.

A subtle rush of blood lowered to parts of her making her fully aware of just what he is doing to her as his gaze slowly grazed over every inch of her naked body caressing her curves, her breasts and the part of her intimately concealed beneath the water.

The heat of his gaze alarmingly tightened her nïpples into pebbles sending a flush of arousal through her and jolting her slightly that she raised her arms modestly to cover them.

She should have dove deeper into the water but she couldn't move. For some odd inexplicable reason, she couldn't.

The illusion of his sensual raw perusal shattered immediately as he lowered his gaze and bent to get her clothes. Slowly he stood and opened her blouse.

"It is getting late. The men have found food to eat. Come," he offered gently holding up the blouse.

She hesitated some before slowly lowering herself into the pool to swim towards him. Until she was at shoulder length she stopped. Self-consciously aware of his nearness it stopped her. Her eyes met his and the unmistaken amusement in his eyes sparkled.

"I've had my fill of you love, no need to hide," the breathtaking grin that formed on his lips sent a shivering pulse to the pit of her stomach. Nervously she looked around.

He looked up briefly away from her slight discomfort and looked around the secluded spot around them. "No one is near. Come," he whispered assuring her and offering his hand.

Her eyes lowered to his fingers before she reached for them and placed hers in them. Strong to pull her out, yet gentle at the same time; he pulled her close and lifted her blouse through her arms, and quickly covered her.

She pulled on her breeches grateful to finally be clothed. He said nothing as he held out his hands for her to grab. They walked in silence towards the sandy beach where the men had built a fire that he directed her to. Seconds had not passed before Quinn plopped at her side and placed a banana leaf before her pipping hot with cooked fish and sliced fruit. He snatched his fingers back and blew on his burning fingers as she let out a beautiful laugh.

"Here you go lass, I doubt t'is any good but we must fill our guts, and if we must meet our maker tonight might as well be with our bellies full," he wiggled his fingers and blew on them reaching for his own fish; gingerly pulling apart his catch of the evening.

They sat around the fire in brisk conversation and ate as she sat back and listened. Every so often she giggled at their jests and the keen blue eyes in the distance caught it all.

The bright blue sky above them slowly turned to a dark orange hue with the sun setting at the distance. The men fell into lively chatter and laughter as wine barrels were pulled along the sand from off the boats.

He slowly stood up and walked towards her. He dropped to his haunches before her and held her gaze. The pleasant atmosphere did her good. Her jovial smile held his and it settled deep in his chest.

"T'is best we depart. They tend to become unbearable and rowdy with their drinking," he nodded towards the men that began serving each other wine from the large barrels.

She did not protest as she stood with him. He turned to Bellamy and another man he called Willem and ordered that they stand watch.

They gave a curt nod in silent agreement.

He turned her towards the wooded area and let her lead them away from the camp. She slowed down some and stopped as the space before them slightly darkened. She turned to face him with an edge of panic before he said anything, he bent down and gathered her up into his arms. Her arms wrapped around his neck but her gaze looked above them filled with fright.

He gently squeezed her close and that got her attention. She looked directly at him. His face although silhouetted by the night, she could feel the heat of his piercing blue eyes. "You have nothing to fear," he whispered.

She slumped into his warm arms as he carried her through the thickly wooded area littered with tall palm trees and shrubs. Paradise engulfed in darkness with nothing but the stars above them. He finally reached the inner parts of it before standing in front of a wall. She turned to look at the cavernous indenture before them where a roaring fire billowed in the distance.

In awe, she took in the beautiful rock covered in leaves that led all the way up past the trees. He stepped closer until they stood before the warm fire and he lowered her to the makeshift bed before it.

"I think this will do for the night," he said kneeling beside her briefly poking the fire with a nearby stick.

As she sat by the fire, the flame flickered in and out through the strands of her hair. Justin sat back behind her and leaned up against the nearby rock observing her and watched as she slowly combed her fingers through her damp hair. Gently, she untangled her hair pulling it to one side of her shoulders.

He remembered the softness of it. He slowly reached over and touched a brown tendril. A smile escaped as she stopped and turned slightly to look at him. He frowned softly staring at it as he twirled it gently between his fingers.

"Your hair is beautiful," he whispered.

She nibbled her lips nervously not able to reply. How could she respond to such a tender compliment coming from him? Her heart picked up a rapid pace.

"Promise me you will not put those atrocious powdered wigs upon your head," he looked up into her eyes.

Curiously she faced him. "Why?"

He shook his head before focusing on the strand of her curl. "Those drated things resemble nests. Lord only knows what creatures they harbor," he murmured.

The thought brought a smile to her lips and as she thought more about it she tried to suppress the laugh that bubbled up and escaped her. It was airy and a gratifying response. Beautiful and sort of contagious that a breathless chuckle escaped him as well.

In truth, she never really considered the latest London fashion. She sobered down from the laugh and looked down at her fingers in her lap. She hadn't really thought anything of it. And now that he mentioned it, it was evident that she was being returned to her family.

He noticed how quiet she had become. How he wished to know what she was thinking.

"What is wrong?" he asked. A slight edge of concern to his tone pulled her around to fully face him.

She fidgeted slightly before looking down at her hair still in his fingers.

"What is it like?" she looked at him.

Of all the stories growing up, London was rarely mentioned. But, from what was mentioned other than the Seasonal Balls and Opera; he painted a different picture entirely. It was a gray and morose description of a dark gloomy city with smog-filled air and filthy cobblestone streets.

A breath escaped her and her stomach curled as he mentioned the stench in the summer air or how contents from chamber pots were dumped out of windows onto a poor unfortunate passerby's. He looked up blinking and cursed under breath with his crudeness. He had forgotten outright she had never been to London.

Her pallor changed and her eyes grew sad.

"Come here," he gently pulled her close, opening his thighs to make space for her. Tempest followed slowly, settling with her back against his chest. "Forgive me, I did not mean to upset you," he whispered pressing his lips to her soft hair.

The gesture although inappropriate escaped her as she settled closer and listened to him.

He pressed his back and his head against the cool wall of the cave. He looked past the fire at the dark sky above them. The maddening tease of the warmth from her soft small form nestled against him flamed his desire but he brushed it aside with measured control to explain to her what she deserved to hear.

'The London of her dreams would be extremely fashionable..' he murmured.

She slowly relaxed as he idly began to stroke her hair. Opulent gowns of every color imaginable would be in her possession as she graces the halls of every ball, party, and soiree.

The expectant gaze of those beautiful eyes watched him while he looked up at the sky admiring the stars as he spoke. He could feel the heat of them and then slowly looked down at her.

"You will no doubt be the Belle of every ball," he smiled slightly.

He continued to talk and in no time the soothing quietness of the night, the crackling fire, and his voice lulled her into a restful sleep in his arms.

He stared long and hard at the cherub in his arms. His gaze took in her peaceful sleep and settled on her pouty lips. He fought against the warm searing urge to kiss her. A smile formed on his lips at the thought of her stormy gaze pinning him to the spot if he did. Automatically, he brushed the back of his knuckles across her soft cheek.

"Aye, the Belle of the ball indeed," he whispered softly under his breath.

With dawning interest, he realized his words were so true as he observed her more. A sense of sorrow fluttered in his chest with the thought of her being thrust into the grasp of the Ton. A spirited young beauty such as she snuffed before his eyes and molded to conform to the ways of society.

He suddenly felt the tiny pinprick of jealousy in his chest growing at the idea of her being swept away by eligible suitors worthy of her station. He frowned at why he should feel this way. He shook his head scowling at the thought.

'You are to deliver her unscathed to her family you dolt.'

...His mind shouted. He lowered his gaze to look at her once more. Pretty soon they will get to Tortuga and he will leave her in the care of the British Army to get her safely to London's Port. She was the daughter of an Admiral. She would be safer with them than enduring any more time with him.

Because at this rate her innocence was in more peril around him than he would like to admit. With each day that passes the idea of having her beneath him in his bed, pliant with her legs wrapped around his waist and in the throes of passion was looking very promising. A surge of pleasure slithered through him with the thought, his control was slowly slipping. The agonizing truth pushed through to the surface and it frightened him terribly.

She curled further into him seeking his warmth and buried her face into his chest with a sigh. He tightened his jaw and closed his eyes suppressing a soft moan and pushing the thought of just how good she felt against him. He lowered his lips to her soft hair with sour resignation of his decision before settling his head back and letting his mind wander and sleep take him.