The Pirate Wench
Can a staid, by-the-book journalist find love with a modern day pirate?
Melani Canton is about to find out. When she travels to Florida to be maid-of-honor at her best friend’s wedding, she takes on an extra duty: taking a good look at Ahoy, Matey, the pirate- themed park where the wedding is set to take place, and writing a story that will attract visitors. While there, she meets handsome swashbuckler, Royce McKenna. Royce is a former lawyer who has given up the courtroom for life on the high seas, amusement park style.
McKenna is the co-owner of Ahoy, Matey. When Royce sees Melani he knows that he has to have her. Melani is not, however, the type to sleep with a man she has just met.
So Royce does what any good pirate would do. He “abducts” Melani and gives her a wild night of passion on his pirate ship, where Melani discovers that being Royce’s pirate wench isn’t such a bad thing. But when the time comes for her to go back to her stoic life, will Royce let her sail off into the sunset? Or will he find a way to keep his Pirate Wench?
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Excerpt
“How am I supposed to get out of this thing alone? It laces in the back. Ellie!” No answer came and Mel shouted out her friend’s name again. When no one came she was tempted to use the dreaded f-word again. Twice in one day. A new record for her.
She reached behind her back and tried to grab the vest strings from the top and from the bottom. On her third attempt an exasperated sigh escaped her lips. She imagined what she looked like as she danced from foot to foot, moving her arms behind her back in a strange parody of the Hokey Pokey.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Her breasts were pressed tight against the material and each attempt to reach the tie pushed them further up toward the scooped neck of the blouse. She was sure that she now looked more like a stripper than she had before.
The tie was at the top of the vest, which meant it was really in the middle of her back. She moved both hands behind her back and tried again to grab the bow, then let out a sigh of relief when the door opened.
“Finally. Could you help me with this, please? I can’t reach the tie.”
Reassuring footsteps resounded against the walls. Her breasts would be freed of their prison soon.
“Did you find him? Is he really mad?”
Fingers pulled on the string and began unlacing the vest. Melani heaved a sigh of relief as the pressure on her chest decreased. The vest fell away and the low cut blouse lowered, exposing most of Melani’s cleavage.
“I mean I’ll wear it, he just needs to do something about how tight this vest is.”
“It looks fine to me.” The deep voice forced Melani’s eyes open. She whirled around and stared at the… pirate?
The man standing in front of her was dressed in a white blouse cut to his navel, tight black pants and thigh high boots. His shirt revealed a muscled chest lightly covered with dark hair. He had a sword attached to his hip and near that sword, oh lord, a package that looked like it would make the porn star happy.
Melani tried not to stare but it was hard. He was gorgeous, from top to bottom. She raised her face to his and saw mischievous green eyes and a dazzling smile. His black hair was long and curly, tied at the nape of his neck.
“How dare you!”
“I was only doing what you asked. You must be new here. This is a communal dressing room, you know, so you need to get over your shyness. Plus, with a body like yours you’ve got nothing to be shy about.”
Melani’s hands flew to her chest as redness spread across her cheeks and neck.
“Get out! Now!”
“Sorry, love, no can do. I took a dip in the drink earlier and I need to change before the next show, which is in fifteen minutes.”
He sat down on a bench and put his foot out toward Melani.
“Care to help me with my boots? These things are a bitch to get off.”
“I will not. Please, leave so I can get dressed.”
“Don’t be shy, we’re all friends here. Plus, I’m in a hurry. And the way you were checking out my, um…” his eyes drifted down and then lifted back up to hers.
A devilish grin gleamed in his eyes and Melani knew that her blush increased. He was so gorgeous, and she was half-naked. Her blush moved down to her neck and she shivered.
“I was not checking it, you, that… out. I was … dammit.”
But she had been. Melani had stared at the bulge and wondered what was hidden beneath, what it would look like when it was freed from its prison. She fought to get her breathing under control. Melani Cantor did not ogle men she’d just met. At least Melani Cantor the writer didn’t. What about Melani Cantor the pirate wench? Surely she was allowed a look or two. Or three. Or four.
She licked her lips as he continued to undress.
“You have a name, shy one?”
“Melani.” The word was a whisper. She stared as he dropped the second boot on the floor next to him and began to work the tight pants from his frame. A little bit more. There, almost. Would he be hard? She gasped and turned her back to him.
A low whistle filled the room. “I hate to tell you this, but you’re not wearing a skirt, so your back’s as naked as your front. I’m Royce McKenna. Welcome to Ahoy, Matey, Melani. Or should I call you Red?”
“My hair’s not red.” She knew her voice sounded wobbly and she hated it. Damn! Why was Ellie not here to save her from this embarrassment? It had been so long since a man had affected her this way.
“No, but your face is,” he said, humor evident in his voice.