Jewel Adams - Romance with a Touch of Spice

Hi Everyone,

I have been in hiding the last few months, at least it feels that way lol and I plan on changing that condition. Thank you all for your support, your well wishes were a wonderful pick me up.

Oh, I do have a lot of news. I've been writing again, whew! Sometimes we just need a break. I would love to share that I have finished my new Time Travel, SCARLET RAVEN!

What a wonderful adventure and love story, my goodness but Corin and Rogan do warm up those cool waters in the Carribean lol. You know, I've been writing/researching this pirate adventure story for nearly 8 years, started it long before Pirates of the Carribean came out. I have to say that I think my pirates are a wee bit more realistic and those kisses don't stop there, LOL.

SCARLET RAVEN will be out in March 2008 in both print and ebook formats. I have a new publisher and can't wait to get my novels out there for my readers. I will keep you posted.

See what you think of SCARLET RAVEN...

SCARLET RAVEN by Jewel Adams

Corin McCloud stows away on a refurbished schooner—the Raven. The journey barely begins when a violent storm rolls over the schooner, throwing her world upside down and lands her in Charlotte Amalie, 1725.

Rogan Drake spent the last two years building his reputation as the infamous pirate—Dragon, in order to revenge his brother's murder. He forgoes following the pirate Billings, to keep an eye on a girl that just entered the city. She certainly wasn't from here, not dressed so…openly. "Brave little woman, but hardly wise." The exotic shape of her eyes reminded him of a wild cat. Add in the sensual blend of amber and chocolate, and a man could drown in their depth. "Are you untamed my little stranger?"

Can Rogan give up his quest to revenge his brother's death in order to keep Corin safe? Will she accept her new life as his wife? Can they both survive the anger of Black Diamond, the most notorious pirate in the Caribbean?

SCARLET RAVEN is an adventure in Time that will fill your heart with love and your soul with life that once roamed the open seas!

You can read the excerpt on my Coffee Time Romance Author page:

http://authors.coffeetimeromance.com/jeweladams/

I thought it would be a real nice way to start off the release of MOONDOCK by giving away a ebook copy of MOONDOCK.

You can enter the contest by emailing, one email will do, me at jeweladams10 @yahoo.com (without the space) and tell me who Rolley is?? That's right Rolley. I will take all the right answers and draw a winner :)

You have until Sunday tonight, March 4th at 9PM Eastern US time. to get your entry in and I'll announce the winner on Monday :)
http://www.midnightshowcase.com/Moondock.htm
MOONDOCK

by

Jewel Adams

 Chosen by the High Council to find the ancient Selams and save the Nemow race from destruction, Melane melds the inherited magical powers of her Syron birth mother and her training as Captain of the Lamar Grand Guard, to confront the men of childhood myths. Melane learns that neither magic nor her warrior skills can protect her from Wylan, King of Moondock, the man that now claims her as his own in a ritual as old as time.

--
Jewel Adams - Best Selling author - Romance with a touch of Spice!
http://www.jeweladams.midnightshowcase.com
Do you like the Old West? Do You Believe in Magic will take you there!
http://www.midnightshowcase.com/blue_noir.htm
Spellfire Hearts 2 brings you Purrly...Gnome Magic, what better way to spend your time in Spellfire
http://www.midnightshowcase.com/spellfirehearts2.htm
Time Travel at its best - STARGAZER by Jewel Adams
http://www.midnightshowcase.com/stargazer.htm

Can you imagine how you would feel if a nice trip to an old movie actually ended you back in the Old West. More important, is there really a Tall, Dark and Handsome hero waiting there for you?

You won't find out unless you follow Ali back in time in the BLUE NOIR Digest.

DO YOU BELIEVE IN MAGIC? When Ali plays a wishing game with her goddaughter nothing could have prepared her for the trip back in time, where arrows fly and men are as large and powerful as the great Wild West!

Do You Believe In Magic

By

Jewel Adams

Chapter One

"Come on, Ali. Pleazzz come with me."

"Evie, I have so much to do, can't we stay here and watch a movie?"

"It isn't the same, this is in a theater. Besides, you will really liked the movie, Ali. The Captain is handsome and everyone rides horses."

"Good looking, huh?" She ruffled Evie's blonde curls, swallowing down her agitation that she'd have to be in her eighties just know who the actor might be. Watching an old, black and white movie about the old west just wasn't in her plans for the night. Neither was babysitting her godchild, Evie. "How do you know he is handsome?"

"Oh, my friend told me."

"One of your friends went to see this movie?"

The girl nodded her head.

What kind of parents give their ten year olds tickets to a rundown theater, to watch old movies? Ali picked up the tickets and looked at them. They looked as old as the movie probably would be. "Are you sure your mom gave you the tickets, Evie?"

"Oh yeah, she got them from some charity event." Evie's little girl face lit up as she looked at Ali and took hold of her hand. "You will like it, Ali. It is so nice back in the old days."

"I am sure I will." God, she sounded like a kid, herself. It must be babysitting that did this to her, a grown woman just didn't do this anymore, even if Tracey was her cousin. If Ali were honest, she would admit what she just didn't like about the situation.

Evie wasn't just hungry for attention, she must be starved for it to want her godmother as company. Ali didn't think most kids would want to go see an ancient movie. "Where did you say she got these tickets, Evie?"

"I think she said a 'silent auction' or something like that."

Now that, Ali could believe. Tracey carried the charity event queen label, along with her other activities. So many that she had no time for little Evie. Like tonight, another class or other. "Alright Evie, but after this movie is over I need to get home and do the work I brought home."

"Oh, it won't take long, you'll see"

"I need to change first."

Evie followed her into the bedroom.

"You better start thinking about the place."

"Why?" Ali slipped out of her work suit and kicked off her heels, half listening to the girl.

"The movie is in this small town, what would you want to be back then?"

As she walked past Evie to the dresser, she twisted Evie's pigtail. "Don't push your luck, Evie. I'm going, and right now all I want to see is some good looking dude on that screen."

The giggling Evie fell back on the bed.

When she pulled on her sweater, Ali looked at the girl. "What's so funny?"

 "Oh Ali, you have Chet."

"Hmm, he's definitely good looking, but forget the have part." Ali recalled their conversation from last night, he certainly didn't agree with her standards.

 "Ali, your ideas are archaic."

 "I don't think waiting until we're married, to go to bed with you, is an ancient philosophy."

 "The is the twentieth-first century Ali, wake up!"

Ali closed her eyes over how hard he slammed her door, "It's how I feel..."

"What is Ali?"

She brought her attention back to the girl. "Nothing, honey. Where were we?"

"We are going to the movies."

"Right." Ali held up the tickets before slipping them into her jean pocket

"We should live in the old west."

She gave Evie a rueful look. "Oh sure and what could I be?"

"My mother?"

Ali rolled her eyes up to the ceiling.

"Sister?"

"You could be a teacher. In the movie the lady is a school marm."

Ali conjured up the image of a spectacled spinster. "It doesn't sound very flattering."

"You are prettier than she is and she gets the cowboy."

"He better be tall, dark, and extremely handsome if I have to teach a room full of kids."

Ali reached out and started tickling Evie. "Come on, we better get to this theater of yours."

* * * *

"You have to sit here, Ali."

Ali followed the girl down the dimly lit aisle, glad that she stopped half way. Leaning back to see any movie wasn't something Ali wanted to experience. Seeing as the place was empty, they could have any seat they wanted.

On the drive here, Evie never stopped talking. She explained to Ali that they needed to do a wishing game at the theater. Ali just nodded, deciding she'd play along with the girl.

Ali lowered herself down into the seat beside Evie.

"Now we have to think together about the same thing."

"Set the stage?" At the girl's questioning look, Ali took the lead, trying to make the evening fun for Evie. "I see blue sky all around."

Evie chimed in, "And mountains, big ones."

"Green grass and rolling hills."

"Looks pretty, Ali."

"Now what do we do, Evie?" The girl's attention was on the movie starting to play.

"We close our eyes and wait."

Ali wondered how they would watch the movie. "What about the movie, Evie?"

The girl asked for the tickets. When Ali held them out, Evie took hold of them, but didn't take them.

"It is starting, Ali, so we need to begin our wishes."

"Pretend we are there and the movie works its magic." Thankfully, Evie was still too young to hear Ali's sarcasm.

"See, it's easy, Ali."

Maybe Evie's game wasn't so bad. The girl needed the escape it lent from her rocky home life. What with Tracey and Bob always at each other, Ali couldn't see the harm.

"You have to close your eyes, Ali."

"Right. I forgot, sorry."

It proved hard to play along, the movie was beginning, and Ali kept thinking about all the work waiting for her at home. She watched the opening credits roll by and wondered why Evie would want to watch an old western.

"Ali, you aren't playing."

"Yes I am, I was just wondering how we will know when it works."

"Oh, you will know."

Ali took a deep breath and forced her eyes to shut. She tried to clear her mind, whispering to herself "Blue sky, mountains and green rolling hills..."

She let her mind go with the imaginary scene, she could hear gunshots and racing horses from the movie. Ali began to relax under the spell's silent peace. A strange feeling of calm washed over her as if she were floating on a cloud. Snow capped mountains encircled the expanse of countryside. Wild flowers covered the open slopes of the hills moving past. A rocking sensation rolled over her, she smiled and wondered how Evie was doing.

Ali sighed, letting the tranquility block out reality...if only for a little while.

But a sudden lurch jarred Ali out of her peaceful dream.

She blinked furiously against the glaring sunlight. "What...sunlight?"

Ali bit her lip to silence what she didn't want to hear, but her senses betrayed her efforts.

The changes came at her like arrows. The assault's speed left her breathless as one reality slipped pass and became replaced by another foreign one.

"Evie?" Ali didn't like the fear she heard in her voice.

Shaking her head against what she felt and still refused to let her mind comprehend, Ali flatly refused to let this go any further!

She took a steadying breath and silently laughed at what she almost allowed herself to believe. Old theaters and movies didn't make the imagination come alive. She forced her eyes open to seek out the old row of seats…

What came made her denial strengthen against the frightening reality taking hold of her. She squeezed her eyes shut, and forced them to reopen, sure she'd been overcome by Evie's game.

"No!...it can't be real." The stage coach…Oh God, it really is one. Another rut sent the coach swaying and she bounced all over the seat. Automatically her hand reached out to grip the open door frame. Ali couldn't breathe over what shouldn't be there to hold.

"Evie?"

Ali turned against the swaying, thankful that she found the girl beside her. She reached for her, "Evie?"

The girl looked up at her with the same confusion Ali felt. "Come here, honey."

Evie needed no coaxing to accept Ali's embrace.

"Lady, get down!"

Her mouth opened more from the realization that a man sat across from them than his shouted order.

The curse he directed at her was nothing compared to the blast of the gun in his hand that cut loose.

Ali instinctively fell over Evie to shield her. "What is going on?" She shouted over the blasting noise.

"Are you blind?" He cursed and kept shooting. "Damn Easterners. Stay down or those arrows the redskins are shooting will give you the answer!"

"Indians?"

Ali's gasps drew Evie's frightened whimper. "Ali, I don't want to be here anymore."

"I know, Evie." The swish and thud above their heads confirmed all the man's threatening words. The arrow wasn't imaginary, neither was the fear it instilled.

"Hush, Evie, it will be okay."

"Ali, it's not right, what happened?"

"I don't know, honey, I don't know." The arguments waged inside her head that none of this could be happening. A stupid old movie couldn't make something this crazy happen. Could it?

Another bone jarring jolt of the stagecoach made her teeth bite down against the answer.

Arrows kept flying, she could hear the war-hoops of the attacking men, yet all she could do was look at the clothes on Evie and then herself.

"Calico?" The tiny flower print dress looked a far cry from her jeans. Her hand rose and touched the bonnet secured by the satin blow under her chin. A light, short traveling cape fell about her shoulders. Ali truly wished it could shield them from the danger.

"Ugh!"

She looked up at the man's cry. Ali swallowed her scream over the arrow protruding from the man's chest.

"Ali!"

"Don't look, Evie."

The sideway lean of the coach stole her transfixed gaze from the dead man. A bare arm and hand moved about the open door panel, followed by the painted chest.

"Oh, no way!"

Looking to the man for help, she groaned. She tried to look away, catching the site of the gun still clutched in his lifeless hold. "I'm not really doing this…" Ali kept repeating the lie as she pried his fingers away from the weapon.

It took both hands for her to hold the heavy gun up and point it at the Indian now fully in view, clinging to the door. His eyes went to the weapon, then her. The vicious sneer that crossed his face sent ice through her veins. When he raised his arm, she saw the knife, the gun in her hands fired as if it held its own agenda.

The horrible scream filled her ears. Dropping the gun, she tried to block it out with her hands, but Evie demanded her attention. Cradling the child in her arms, Ali heard the reassuring words she spoke to Evie, while she silently demanded that they be brought back!

Ali gave up the effort over the new sound of a bugle and the slowing of the stagecoach.

"Where is it?" She scrambled about the floor with her hands, searching under the folds of dress material for the gun, nearly crying when she finally felt the warm metal.

"Evie, stay behind me."

She held the gun before her. Ali waited for the next savage to appear. Her only thought was to protect Evie, nothing else mattered any more…

Special Edition Vol 06-22
ISSN#1555-5488, 
Words: 68.073
Ebook Formats $4.00, Print $13.31
Time Travel Romance - Sensual Rating
http://www.midnightshowcase.com/stargazer.htm
 

                           STARGAZER

                               by

                        Jewel Adams
                   Romance Time Travel

Determined to be the Chicago Sun's top foreign reporter, Cassandra Malone is on her way to Riyadh. Cassie's adventure turns ugly when a group of terrorist highjack the jet. Gunfire fills the plane and bullets rip through the hull, Cassie's only thought is to survive the explosion.

Captain Blaine Sterling's last voyage on the Stargazer is more profitable than he ever imagined when the ocean depths surrender a beautiful woman! Once given the gift, Blaine refuses to let death take the girl. The first time their gazes touch they both know their future is sealed.

Together they face an adventure in love that takes them on a journey through the American wilderness of 1784. Cassie's modern knowledge might protect Blaine's thriving new settlement from the British allies, but can Blaine protect Cassie from the uncivilized frontier and the dangers lurking in every shadow.

Stargazer is a story of love that thrives despite all the diversities thrown in its path. Don't miss this touching story of Cassie and Blaine's shared adventure in time.

EXCERPT - General Audience
http://www.midnightshowcase.com/stargazer.htm

STARGAZER
By
Jewel Adams

Prologue

“Damn it all Cassie, you don’t have to do this!”
Unruffled by his outburst the exasperating woman stuffed another file into her already crammed briefcase. “You’ll have a coronary if you don’t calm down and Mable will blame me.”
“I don’t give a good Gawd d…!” John silently finished his heated thought. For all her I’m an equal attitude, Cassie Malone blushed like a trooper. God, she was a constant headache for him. With a rueful smile, he knew she was also the one thing in this dilapidated newsroom that kept him young and sane.
Watching her unorganized search for what must be another vital bit of data, hidden somewhere in the mess Cassie called a desk, his temper began to cool down. Cassie usually got her way. Grumbling to himself, somewhere young lady there’s a man that you won’t be able to wrap around that pretty pinky of yours. Though, as often as he wished it to happen, John Cummings didn’t think there was a man around that could accomplish the feat.
At twenty-five, Cassandra Malone was the epitome of the independent woman.
Ah, James, if only you’d not left her to her own devices. To this day, he wondered if his friend could have changed his daughter. Probably not, even if he’d lived after that plane crash five years ago, she’d still have gone her own way. As her Godfather, John gave up trying to control her and settled on lending advice and guidance.
Proud as he was over her abilities he couldn’t help but worry. Cassie possessed a powerful need to prove herself. Sadly, John knew it stemmed from her dad’s death. Always a driven man, James Malone liked to push too far in order to get an inside story. He feared his friend’s daughter was bent on doing the same thing. Once she flew out of Chicago he would lose all control to prevent any disastrous course she might decide upon. “Look Cassie, Tim is already over there…”
“And he’s scared of his own shadow. Gees, he’s spent more time in the shelters than on the wire. We haven’t had a story in two days from Riyadh. You’ve heard the reports, nothing has really happened, so what’s holding him back?”
Arguing when she was so right wasn’t possible!
“Where is it?” Cassie tossed another file onto the desktop.
John watched as she impatiently pushed back the long spiraling hair. The girl only concentrated on what she perceived as important and her looks weren’t part of the goals. In fact, she’d probable say it was an annoying nuisance. A striking combination of dark and light, an artist couldn’t have captured a more perfect balance. Black as a moonless night, the long thick curls fell in a satin curtain about her slim shoulders, nearly reaching her waist. He’d seen her efforts in the past to capture the full-bodied waves into some kind of order, but as usual they always broke free with a will of their own.
“I found it!”
“I don’t know how…” Cassie’s desk became the office joke.
Tossing the hand-held tape recorder into her shoulder bag, along with a notebook and tickets, she snapped the purse and case shut. “There I’m ready.”
“Well I’m not.” John stepped forward, “You think this is some snap assignment. It’s dangerous over there, maybe Tim has the right idea. Chemicals and bombs are nothing to laugh at, little lady.”
The darkening in her sharp gaze came from the hurt inflicted by his unfair words. She wasn’t a fool. “Who’s laughing John? Hey, I’ll be careful, I promise.”
The girl gave him a reassuring kiss on his reddened cheek. “I’ll be sure to stay low, no chances, alright?”
“Make sure you remember that.”
* * * *
…A deafening noise blocked out everything; all Cassie heard was the rapid fire of the gun and then a monstrous ripping sound like nothing she ever experienced. A sudden flash…burning…Oh God, it was so hot! A fire seemed to be racing through her body. Another roll of the plane sent her falling back into something hard that connected with her head…
…Dark dreams filled with strange, heart stopping screams and explosions came, one after another, surrounding her, yet she felt above it all…so unreal. She could have been floating on a cloud, watching as everything started to pull away in a thousand different directions. Spinning out of control, she felt jettisoned away from the horrible scenes taking place…then it stopped.
The silence brought a soothing peacefulness over her, leaving her in a cool weightless world. Nothing seemed to matter as she floated, adrift in a peaceful existence. Closing her eyes, it became too hard to keep them open as the dream took over, “I must be dead…heaven must be a pool.” The cool lapping took away the burning sensation until it stole the last of her touch with reality.

CHAPTER ONE – The Gift

“Looks to be a beautiful morning, Mr. Brunson.”
“Aye, that it does Captain.”
Grabbing the rail with both hands, Blaine leaned into the brisk wind. The sea was the only one of nature’s powers that a man could pit his strength against and still see the beauty beneath the beast. Crystal blue, the rolling expanse vibrated over the hidden life within its secret depths. The sea held his fascination as nothing else could; he’d not like leaving its majestic boundaries. Even now his nostrils flared over the scent of approaching land. Two, maybe three days were all that remained of his life at sea.
Knuckles whitened beneath the strength of his conviction. His green eyes drove out to capture what would soon be denied to him. The year went by swiftly and what a fine voyage. Honesty made his eyes brighten in eager anticipation. Already he longed to set sight on his new home and life.
White Haven… a gamble, like none he attempted before and one that issued a fine share of challenges over the last two years. Buying more than ten thousand acres, sight unseen, in an unopened territory, had been considered, not only foolish, but also lethal, by most of his associates. Insuring he retained his rights to claim it, before the ink dried on the Paris Treaty, took even his mettle to the limits. A landowner he wanted to be and handing over six ships to the right individuals brought a tremendous amount of insurance.
Blaine’s only regret came in leaving the sea, but then White Haven proved to be the most beautiful ground he’d ever laid eyes on. Situated in a lush, emerald valley between two mountain ranges, the virgin soil took to any seed that landed in its moist depth. Every cent he’d accumulated from his shipping business went into developing the land and building his home. Finding the right man to manage it turned into a stroke of luck. Mr. Long, a dreamer in his own right, proved to be a rare find. To insure the man’s enthusiasm continued in his absence, Blaine set five hundred acres aside, which Long would secure ownership to at the end of the third profitable year from White Haven.
A self made, wealthy man, Blaine knew what to expect before White Haven could stand on its own. The location alone stood as a major problem, but always a man to look ahead, he knew that very shortly the newly opened lands would be thriving with new settlers. Because Blaine needed all the capital he could acquire, before dissolving Sterling Shipping Line, these last years were devoted to accomplishing his goal.
The last voyage of Sterling Shipping did better than he hoped. With the major outlay already taken from his past holdings, the take from the final run gave him the capital he would need until White Haven was established.
“Might be a storm brewing to the south, Captain Sterling. The wind’s picking up a might fast for the trades this time of year.”
Judging the mainsails, Blaine’s senses stiffened. “It’s a good possibility. Keep a close watch. It could come up fast.”
“Aye, sir.”
His powerful strides moved with comfortable ease over the rolling deck. The Stargazer rode deep in the water under a full cargo. He faced a gut full of risk this last year; the remaining days at sea would be captained in safety. Blaine called down his orders for the men to secure the cargo, both above and below deck.
Only hearing of his father’s death during his absence dampened Blaine’s pleasure over his success. His sister’s letter also carried the unsettling news that their mother remarried shortly after father’s passing. Blaine’s homecoming wouldn’t be as welcomed, as he would have liked. Alisa didn’t actually write about a problem, but her hints were clear enough.
John Gallagher wasted little time in taking over his father’s shipping line and warehouses. The man was a sorry lot, making it hard to understand his mother’s choice. But then, the uncaring haste of her marriage should be expected, from such a selfish woman. His eyes darkened over what he would soon face in Williamsburg. Blaine could make their lives miserable should he take the legal recourse available to him. All his father’s property was by rights his. It would serve them right if he did go to the courts, but he couldn’t afford to be away from White Haven.
“Captain! Off the port bow.”
“What is it Mr. Brunson?”
“An object sir, can’t quite make it out.”
Running to the bow, Blaine took up the glass and scanned the rolling waves. “There, I’ve a fix on it. What the…” Bringing the glass down, he stared at the small object bobbing up and over the waves. He could only shake his head over what he felt positive he saw.
“Lower the longboat! Mr. Brunson, cut the mainsail and bring her around.” Never releasing his sight on the object, Blaine swore violently as a large swell washed over the silvery piece of flotsam.
Pulling off his boots and shirt with the urgency taking hold of his stomach, he went up, balanced upon the rail. He took a final sighting before pushing off, his clear dive slipped into the water.
“Captain’s gone over, Mr. Brunson!”
“Toss out the floats, Mr. Whitney!”
“Aye sir!”
A deep dive, his strong legs propelled him through the cool waters. Breaking the surface with a rush, Blaine saw it. He also saw the clinging object slowly sink beneath the surface.
“Hold on, damn it!” Powerful, long reaching strokes drove him forward, but when he looked again the silver piece was clean. Diving deep he refused to give up. Searching the sightless water, he was finally forced to surface. Filling his lungs, he went down again. Come on where are you?
The depth he went to drove the pressure hard against his ears. Blaine shook his head to clear it…there! He couldn’t go back for air. No, he needed to reach her now! As shocking as it may be, the floating dark wisp of hair could only belong to a woman. Barely reaching her, he wrapped his fingers into the vanishing black lace. Kicking upward he pulled them both to the surface.
Gasping as he broke the surface his arms never stopped pulling her up. Like a babe bursting from the womb that didn’t want to release its precious treasure, he flung her out of the sucking depths. Holding her upon his chest to keep her out of the water, he pulled the dark wet blanket of hair away from her face. The pale beauty made him suck in the air he forgot to take.
“Breathe! Damn you, I’ll not lose what I’ve just found. Breathe!” Kicking with every ounce of strength he possessed Blaine struggled to reach the ship. Bumping into the hull, he gripped the ropes. “Come on men, get her up!”
No one said a word. The frantic tone of his voice was enough to tell them what he feared. Over and over, Blaine willed her to breathe. The battle he waged against death’s hold, could now be witnessed in her graying pallor.
Following her up, he landed on the deck just as they laid her out. Death by drowning wasn’t a new experience, but he refused to accept this one. “No! You will breathe, even if I have to force you!”
Stunned by the vehemence that drove their captain, the crew watched as he carried out his threat against the poor limp form. More than one man crossed himself against the deed. Blowing into her mouth, Blaine covered her cold, purple lips with his warm ones. Taking a deep breath, he repeated the process, refusing to give up. As he cradled her head against him, he could feel her body’s heat against his own. The evidence drove him on until first, only a small gag, and then a wrenching revulsion of water poured from her mouth. Holding her so she could expel the ocean, “Breathe! Now take in some air, my lady! Damn it, I said breathe!”
A great, vibrating gasp came as if she heard his command and was unable to refuse his order.
“Again, that’s the way.” She sucked in the air and Blaine’s joy drove the laughter from him.
Coughing…Ugh, the pain! It hurt so…Stop! It hurts. I don’t want to listen anymore. But she couldn’t refuse the demanding voice in her head.
“That’s it, slow now, take it slow.”
One of the men placed a blanket over the woman. “Is she…?”
“She’s fine.”
“You brought her back. You did Captain.” The man’s breathless exclamation made Blaine cringe.
“She’d barely gone under when I reached her. She was just afraid to breathe, fearing she’d find only water to suck in. She’s a strong willed lady.” Seamen were a superstitious lot and after what happened he couldn’t blame their fear filled looks. But neither could he allow it to take hold. The elation over the life in his arms became too important. Aware of the seizing shivers taking hold of the woman, Blaine lifted her up in his arms.
“Ugh!” Her sharp moan drew his brows together. There, where the blanket slipped down, a crimson blotch began to spread.
“Mr. Blackwell, bring the medical chest! Mr. Brunson you have the bridge!”
“Aye, Captain!”
Entering his cabin he gently lowered her into the bed. The woman was caught in the throes of a chill, there was only one thing to be done.
“The medical kit Captain.” A big man, Blackwell didn’t need any help to see the problem.
“Thank you, please leave us, Mr. Blackwell.”
“Aye, Captain, I should get some hot water, it might help to warm her.”
“Yes, thank you.”
His man shut the door. Blaine heard him dismiss the few curious men away. Blackwell wasn’t a man to argue with.
Taking a steadying breath, Blaine started to rid the girl of the wet clothes. As much as he wanted her conscious, he said a silent plea she would not wake until he’d finished.
Discarding the heavy boots and soaked skirt, he was surprised she held on as long as she did under their weight. The balance of her lower garments were too few, in ways that made him blush for the first time in his life. “A strange mermaid the sea has given to this mortal man.” But there was nothing at all wrong with what laid beneath those garments.
Carefully easing the jacket and blouse away from her shoulders, his eyes burned in fierce awareness over the injury. There was only one instrument that made that kind of a mark.
“A bullet?” Whistling out in disbelief, Blaine quickly finished with the remaining clothes. The burst of questions were stored away in light of her injury. “Ach, lady, I can hardly wait to hear your story.”
Rubbing her briskly with a drying cloth, he slipped one of his shirts over her. Blackwell would have to extract the bullet, still lodged inside. “You better have nine lives, madam.”
That willpower he’d spoken of to his crew, better be there as well. Taking a bullet from a man wasn’t a pleasant experience. The pain she’d suffer made his own body shake. Doing all he could for her, he called Blackwell back in.
Blaine stood over him as he inspected her wound.
“That’s a bullet hole!”
“I know.”
“Who would shoot a woman? It will have to come out.” Their gazes met in troubled understanding. “Waiting won’t help her any. God sir, I hope she doesn’t come around, you’d best hold her just in case.”
Silently, Blaine begged the lady’s forgiveness. Madam, believe me when I say—this is painful for both of us.
There was only one way Blaine could insure the woman didn’t move. Easing himself over her, he pinned her lower body down with his powerful thighs. Holding the uninjured arm above her head he braced his other across her chest. The searing awareness of the soft curves beneath him proved an uncomfortable position in which to find himself. Telling himself she was gravely ill and it must be done, didn’t blind his traitorous male senses, to the full swells and dips of every feminine curve and mound within his possession. More than a little angry with himself, he issued his harsh command. “Get on with it!”
“Don’t let her move, if she jumps she might make me drive it deeper.”
“Alright, I’ve got her.”
“I hope so sir. She’s waking up.” Beneath the man’s gruff curse, “This isn’t going to be easy.”
Holding his breath, he watched the black fringed lids begin to flutter. Butterfly wings, yes, they looked as fragile. He was so close that her soft warm breath brushed his lips. The temptation nearly drove him mad. Captured by the exquisite stirring beneath him, Blaine seemed frozen, anxiously awaiting the moment he would see her eyes.
Like the ocean meeting the evening sky, they held each other’s gaze. Something happened between them then, a silent passing, but it came with a power he felt to his very soul. He saw she felt it too—the deepening awareness in her gaze couldn’t be anything else as they questioned him in wonder.
Blackwell’s movement broke the spell, causing them both to blink at the intrusion.
“Wait Blackwell.” He hoped she could understand, for he saw the fear and confusion taking hold of her.
“My lady?” He carefully tightened his hold in order not to frighten her more. “You’re safe now, but I’m afraid the bullet must come out. I am going to hold you, so you won’t cause more injury to yourself. Do you understand?”
Clear and bright her eyes grew large over his words…she understood.
“It is going to be painful.” Nodding to the man beside them, he never released her gaze. Every powerful muscle came into play to act against her if necessary. “I am sorry.”
He thought she nodded just before her teeth clenched in readiness. Her eyes never left his as if she needed his strength to face what was coming. She didn’t fight him, but he felt her try to brace herself against him. “That’s it, draw on all your strength, you can do it. Now Blackwell!”
The pain tore through her flesh! Baring down against the brutality, Cassie struggled to escape the fire. He held her fast, refusing the release she sought. She wanted to strike out at the man and inflict the same intense agony that moved in wild, shocking velocity through her crippled form. So large! He’s so heavy…she couldn’t breathe! “Oh God…get off of me!”
“Blackwell!”
“I found it! Hold her! Damn, she’s strong.”
Blackwell didn’t know the half of it. Driven by the pain contorting her features she’d found a strength that proved a fair match to his own. He didn’t want to hurt her. “Lady, look at me! Show me those gorgeous eyes.” Blaine didn’t know if he was shocked or pleased when she just growled at him. “Do you defy my order?”
“Let me go! Ohhh…!”
“My lady has a temper!” Struggling to prevent the break she came near to accomplishing, he called on her anger.
“Temper! Let me loose and I’ll show you a temper!” Through the stabbing pain, she ground out her threat. “Can’t he hurry?” She didn’t want to cry, but God it hurt. “Hold me. Please. It hurts.”
All the struggles ended in unnerving defeat as he felt the strength fall away from her. Still holding her good arm, he slowly raised his hold off her chest. Smoothing back the damp curls from her forehead his fingers caressed the tight lines of pain. “It’s almost over. Just a little more, then you can sleep.”
A soft whimper followed as she leaned into his large palm. Laying his cheek against her flushed face, he spoke softly into her ear. “You are a strong lady, madam. I have never seen a woman take what you have and few men would equal your willpower. I am proud of you.”
“It was you.”
Rising up to look at her, she met his gaze past the pain being inflicted.
“You told me to breathe. It was you.”
Blaine felt the violent stab of pain shoot through her as Blackwell pulled the bullet out. Her sharp gasp floated away as her eyes closed, oblivious to any more pain.
Blaine smoothed back the dark strands that fell across her brow, “Rest now, it’s over.” Easing himself off her, he forced himself not to linger when every instinct repulsed at the idea of leaving her side.
“Never seen the likes before.”
“No…neither have I.” The man’s gruff cough made Blaine pull his thoughts away from her.
“The bullet Captain, haven’t ever seen one of its kind before.”
Dropping it into his hand, Blaine saw what the man meant. Larger than any musket ball, it wouldn’t have fit into a pistol. There was a distinct, sharply pointed mold to the slug, even in its present state. The weight and size made him look at her. If it had hit anywhere, but at her shoulder bone, it would have killed her. Frowning, he wondered why it hadn’t shattered her shoulder. Pocketing it, Blaine’s questions were accumulating for the lady.