The Game Read Online Free PDF Page B

hysteria sounding in her tone.
    Surprise filled his gray gaze—quickly followed by amusement. “As you wish, mistress.”
    The instant she was free she backed away from him, rubbing her wrist, never taking her eyes from his face. He regarded her with lazy anticipation. He was supremely confident. Katherine realized that she was shaking visibly. How could he not be certain of victory? He was the captain of the pirates, the king of this thieving lot, and she was his helpless prisoner. Her glance shot to the right, to the cold winter gray swells of the sea.
    “There is no escape, mistress,” the pirate said softly. “Unless you think to jump to your death?”
    That thought was just occurring to her. He recognized her intent in that same moment. As Katherine turned with the intention of hurling herself to a watery grave, he leapt upon her. She was pulled against his muscular body from behind—and wrapped in his embrace.
    She screamed in impotence and fear and anger, twisting,desperate to escape. His iron grip only fueled her anger and encouraged her to increase her futile efforts at resistance. She grew so faint from her exertions that she feared she might collapse in his arms. Finally he grew bored. Abruptly he tightened his arms around her, and she was forced to become absolutely still.
    “Better,” he breathed against her neck and ear. “I can not allow you to escape, mistress; in truth, you have only succeeded in whetting my appetite further.”
    Katherine trembled. Would he rape her now—on the deck—publicly? “Please.”
    “Please, what?” His arms were still wrapped around her waist. When he spoke, his mouth brushed her neck, and sparks of unwelcome sensation seemed to ignite there. His body, pressed against hers, was far too warm, and far too hard. Katherine had never before been held by a man. It was shocking. It was terrifying. Katherine found it difficult to breathe. “Please, let me go.” She was acutely aware of every male inch of him.
    He turned her to face him. “Come, sweetheart, I am not going to hurt you. Do not be afraid.”
    Katherine jerked her arm free of his. But suddenly she was hopeful, and it showed in her eyes.
    His beautiful mouth curled. “You misunderstand me. I will not hurt you, but surely you do not think to dissuade me from the pleasures of your body? Have you not heard it said that all is fair in love and war? Do you not understand that to the victors go the spoils—and that you are, by far, the loveliest treasure I have won in some time?”
    Katherine stood very still. “This is not love.”
    His pause was brief, barely discernible. “No.”
    “And to attack a small ship like this, ’tis not war. ’Tis piracy, ’tis savage aggression,” Katherine cried.
    His gaze was hooded, but his teeth glimmered white again. “But I am a savage, fair lady, and wars of words, while amusing, cannot deter me from your charms and my evil design.”
    Katherine was rigid, anger flaring and mingling with her fear. “How does one argue with a savage?”
    “A difficult task,” he agreed.
    “You must release me! My father—”
    He cut her words off. “No.”
    Katherine looked into his cold gray eyes and knew that she would not be able to move this man. Hatred welled up within her. “ Damn you .”
    His response was a flash of white teeth and a short, rich chuckle. “From the lips of a near nun?”
    “You play God with my life!” she shouted furiously.
    “I am only intent on bedding you, mistress, not murdering you.”
    “’Tis the same.”
    His glance grew speculative. “You would jump to your death before lying with me? Or perhaps, afterward?”
    Her glance strayed to the sea. She knew she did not have the courage to do it, but she lied. “Yes.”
    “Suicide is a greater sin than fornication.” His glance impaled hers.
    He blurred before her very eyes. “Then perhaps you will feel some remorse in the end.”
    He tilted up her chin. “How very foolish you are. I will not