cocky bastard like yourself. Who you carrying?”
I walk up to him as the rowdy piano and accordion begin a particularly salty tune, and the entire bar sings along. “Girl I found in a shipwreck.”
He reaches out, his hand grazing her hair. I want to slap him away, but I stay my hand. Crook and I have long been friends, and no woman will change it.
“Come on in and get some food and drink. I heard your stomach rumbling from fifty paces.” He strokes her hair before drawing his hand away. “She’s a beauty.”
I follow him into the Conch, and yells of “Cash, where’s my money?” and “Cash, you lily livered scallywag!” rise up from the crowd.
“Leave him alone. You can collect your debts tomorrow.” Crook waves a meaty palm, and the pirates return to their wine and women as the music plays.
Several of the men eye Nere, and I clutch her closer to my chest.
“This lot is too rowdy for a beauty like that. Go on up to your usual room. I’ll send Shade with some food.” Crook walks behind the bar and shoots out a fist, knocking a drunk on his ass. “Reach for my liquor again, and I’ll feed your cock to the seagulls.”
The bar swells with laughter. I take the rickety stairs to the second level, passing Hannah the Whore.
She smiles at me, a white trail of spend still on her chin from her last customer. “Nice to see you again, Cash.”
“You too, Hannah.” I hurry past her, though she still manages to run her hand over my ass.
Nere moans against my neck. It raises goosebumps along my skin, and my cock grows rigid, despite how tired I am. I pass another prostitute on the landing and finally make it to my door. The room is simple—a small bed, a cabinet for clothes, and a window—but more than a pirate needs.
I lay Nere on the bed. Her dress is tattered, the intricate lace destroyed by the hardships of the past few days. I roll her to her side and start unfastening the back. My calloused fingers can’t grip the fine buttons. So, I grab the dress and yank. It tears apart easily, revealing her alabaster skin.
She moans again but doesn’t wake. I strip the dress down her body. Her tits are revealed, the light pink tips pearling in the open air. My cock pushes against my trousers. Do I have the strength for one good fuck before I fall asleep? Of course I do.
Her pantalets go next. Once she’s naked, I push her to her back. My hands itch to touch her, and I want to finally get a taste of the heaven between her legs. Instead, I stand at the foot of the bed and drink her in—the rose-tipped breasts, small waist, and the pink pussy covered with fine curls. My cock aches to be inside of her.
I reach down to unbutton my pants when there’s a quiet knock at the door. Fuck . I slip the sheet over Nere and yank my sword free. My debts and enemies abound in Port Royal.
“Who’s there?”
“Shade.” Her familiar, silky voice filters through the wood.
I open the door, and Shade steps inside with a plate of bread, mutton, and cheese. She carries a bottle of rum in her other hand. I take both the plate and the bottle. Biting off the cork, I drink, the sweet liquid burning my empty stomach and bringing me back to life.
Shade surveys Nere’s sleeping form. “Who’s the girl?”
“Shipwreck survivor.”
“Since when do you take on survivors?”
“Since now.” I snag a piece of bread and tear into it. Stale, but edible. “How’s Captain Lament?”
Shade is the ancient captain’s woman. She tends his needs and warms his bed, though I’ve had a turn or two with her.
She drops her eyes. “He’s fine.”
“He hasn’t sold my ship, has he?” The bread settles in my stomach, and exhaustion finally pulls me down. My ass lands on the bed next to Nere. She needs to eat, but I’ll let her sleep for a while.
Shade picks at the short hem of her skirt. “No, the Gloomy Lotus hasn’t been claimed.”
“It will be. Soon.” I think of the gem tucked under my shirt.
She watches
Marc Nager, Clint Nelsen, Franck Nouyrigat