Love's Abyss (St. John Series) (19 page)

“I agree,” Max said as he watched them. Alex was beginning to let his guard down, which was evident by the confrontation with the British sailors this morning. She made his mind cloudy.

“Capt’n says we be settin’ sail wit da evenin’ tide on Saturday,” Slim informed Max.

Max gave a curt nod. “Good. Oh, and Slim, keep your thoughts to yourself about the captain and his woman.”

“Aye, aye, sir.”

Max continued to watch Alex and Madison. He was beginning to worry about his friend. This wasn’t part of the plan. He was afraid Alex was beginning to have feelings for the captive. Max placed his elbow on the railing and scratched the stubble growth on his chin.
We’re going to have to get rid of her soon. She’s a distraction for the captain. I’ll have to inform him Port Royal will be the next stop. We should be there about three days after we set sail, if he agrees.

Max’s thoughts were interrupted by a hand seductively running over his shoulders. “Where are your thoughts, my lover,” purred the seductive voice.

Max turned his head slightly towards the voice. Kris’s eyes called to him. “On them,” he replied as he nodded his head in Alex’s direction.

Kris looked at them. “I think it’s wonderful that Alex has found someone, but I don’t like the fact that it’s Madison, especially since we all know the outcome.”

She walked in front of Max, allowing her hand to travel around him. She played with the collar of his shirt. “I have an idea of what you should be thinking about,” she said as she placed her other hand on the back of his head to bring him only inches away from her face. She seductively allowed her tongue to lick her lips. She caught her bottom lip with her top teeth. She then placed her tongue on his lips and traced them. He grabbed her and pulled her close to him and kissed her. “Let’s take this somewhere else,” she purred.

“After you.”

She looked at him with lust in her eyes. She approached the steps, her hips swaying tantalizingly. He followed, his eyes locked on the hypnotic sway of her hips. She reached behind her and grabbed the waist of his trousers. “Slim, keep watch,” Max yelled over his shoulder as he descended down the steps.

Slim watched the quartermaster descend the steps with his wife. His eyes then traveled to the captain. “Dis place is turnin’ into a bloody love nest,” he mumbled to himself. About that time a brown and white cat jumped up beside him. “Now where did ya come from, Gato? I haf not seen ya in some time. I thought ya got tossed off da ship durin’ dat squall.”

The cat nudged Slim’s hand with its head.

“Well, cat, it looks like it’s goin’ ta be me and ya tonight,” Slim said as he petted Kris’s cat.

Chapter Twenty-One

Madison woke to hammering. Rubbing her eyes, she gave a small stretch. It felt good to sleep in a bed instead of the loveseat. She smiled as she thought about last night on the deck with Alex’s strong arms wrapped around her. She loved the way it felt in his arms.

When they came back to the room last night she had curled up on the loveseat. She could still hear his voice stating that there was no need to sleep there anymore as he patted the bed.

She looked at the loveseat and a curious expression came across her face. She looked around the room, but there was no sign of Alex.

She stood up and walked to the loveseat. There was a note with her name on it lying on top of a package.

Madison,

Thought you might want to go

to the festival tonight.  I’ll be

back around three. See you then.

Alex

Her fingers tore into the brown paper. She was taken aback by what she saw. It was the blouse and skirt she saw yesterday in that storefront window. As she held up the blouse, she heard something hard hit the floor. She bent down and picked up what fell. “Oh,” she gasped with surprise in her voice. It was a tiny gold Aztec coin attached to a long gold necklace. She placed it around her neck and ran her finger along the coin’s ribbed edge.

She looked back to the clothing. She quickly tried it on and raced to the mirror to view her reflection.

“Oh my goodness! You look gorgeous!” Kris exclaimed from the door.

“You really think so?” Madison asked. She turned to her reflection and pulled the shoulders of the blouse up.

“Not like that,” Kris said as she walked towards her friend. She placed her hands on the blouse and pulled it off Madison’s shoulders. “Like that,” she informed her friend. “So, what’s the occasion? Are you going to the festival this evening with Alex?”

“I guess so.” Madison said as she handed Kris the note, there was a hopeful smile to her face.

Kris read the note and looked at her friend. “Well, I’ll see you there.” She watched Madison thumbing the necklace. Kris turned her around and picked up the charm. She looked at it, then at Madison. “He gave this to you as well?”

Madison nodded her head enthusiastically. She looked down at the necklace with a dreamlike look to her face.

“Madison,” Kris began softly.

“Yes?”

She knew that look in Madison’s eyes. How should she warn her friend of the outcome of this romance? “Just be careful,” Kris said with a sadness to her voice.

“With what?”

“I know the path you’re taking. Just make sure you’re ready for what’s to come when it ends.”

Madison nodded her head slowly. “I understand,” she sadly replied.

Alex arrived later that afternoon. Madison was awaiting him. She had just finished dressing when he returned. He stopped short when he entered the room. The sight of her took his breath. “You look beautiful.”

Madison twisted towards him, a slight blush to her cheeks. “You really think so?” she questioned with doubt in her voice.

He crossed the room to her. “Yes. I have never seen a more stunning image in my life,” he said softly.

She looked down at the floor and then peered at him through her top lashes. “Thank you.”

He placed a finger under her chin and raised her face to him. He kissed her lips lightly. He pulled back from her. “I’ll be ready shortly. We are to meet Max and Kris for an early supper at Aphrodite’s.”

“Who’s she?”

Alex smiled. “She is a restaurant and a damned good one, too. I had to pull some strings, but I managed to get us a table.”

Madison looked down at her attire. “Am I dressed appropriately?”

Alex looked at her. “Turn around.” She slowly spun around, the skirt twirling upward as she did. “Yes, I believe that will do.” Alex replied. He spied the necklace around her neck. He gently picked up the coin. “Do you like it?”

“I love it,” she whispered.

“I spotted it in the store and thought of you . . . rare, exotic.”

“Stop.” A blush covered her face. “When did you get this?” she asked as she held her arms to her side displaying her attire.

“Last night. My errand.”

“You shouldn’t have. It was way too expensive,” she said as she turned towards the mirror with a childlike smile to her face. “But I’m glad you did. I love it.”

“I figured you did from the way you were looking at it last night,” he said as he placed a gentle kiss on her shoulders. He took off his shirt and walked to the washbasin to clean up. He dressed quickly in a white poplin shirt with a black vest and matching black trousers. He donned his belt, cutlass, and gun. “You ready?”

“Yes,” she happily replied.

They walked leisurely to the restaurant. He smiled at her youthful enthusiasm as she took in the exotic treasures the merchants had to offer. He picked up a white hibiscus flower and handed it to her. She smiled and placed it to her nose. She then placed it behind her ear.

They met Max and Kris in front of the restaurant. Kris was wearing an outfit of similar style except hers was a brilliant red. Her hair was pulled up with a red rose intertwined in her long ebony locks.

“I can’t believe you were able to get us a table here,” Kris said, “especially with the festival. How did you manage it?”

“I have a few connections,” Alex replied.

Max leaned over and whispered to Kris. “It helps if you’ve slept with the owner in the past.”

“Max, be good,” Kris hissed.

Their dinner went fantastically. The food and wine were wonderful. They talked for hours and Madison laughed so hard her sides ached from the tales Max told of his and Alex’s adventures. Max finally appreciated what Kris saw in Madison, especially after she told off another patron who was complaining about the improper table manners and noise coming from their table.

“Why are you complaining about someone not using the proper fork and having a good time? It should be us complaining about you—chewing your food like a cow chews its cud, belching indecently loud, and blowing your nose and sounding like a drunken goose. Now, if you kindly don’t mind, keep your nose in your own business,” was what she told the straitlaced thin brunette.

After dinner they proceeded to the festival. The town square was covered in paper lanterns and colorful flowers. There was a band set up on the far side of the square playing a festive tune. Vendors were scattered throughout the square selling drinks, a variety of foods and deserts.

The band played a slow tune. “Come on, lover,” Kris cooed at Max. “Dance with me.” Max followed Kris to the center of the square and began dancing with his wife.

Alex watched his friend and then looked at Madison. She was watching the other people dance and was swaying with the music. He stepped in front of her and bowed. “May I have this dance, my lady?”

She pretended to think for a minute. “Well, as long as you don’t try anything inappropriate.”

A wolfish grin formed in the corner of his mouth. “I promise, for now.”

He took her hand and led her to the edge of the crowd. He placed his arms around her and they moved with the music. “Are you having a good time?” he asked.

“Yes. I couldn’t have imagined a more perfect evening,” she said looking into his eyes. She placed her head on his chest. He sat his chin on top of her head and held her close.

He enjoyed the feel of holding her body close to his. She brought out feelings and emotions he never dreamed of. He became disturbed by the feelings running through his body. The music stopped and she looked up at him. “Are you okay?” Madison asked.

“I’m fine.”

The couples danced and drank until late into the night. As they began to leave, the band started playing a lively song. “Come, Madison,” Kris shouted, “dance with me.”

Kris took her by the hand. “I don’t know how to dance to this type of music,” Madison replied.

“It’s easy,” Kris replied. “Don’t think, just feel. Go with the music!”

The words she said reminded Madison of the first night with Alex. The color rose to her cheeks. She quickly shook the thought from her mind and followed Kris’s lead.

Alex watched the two. The sounds of drums filled the air, and Madison began to move her feet. The passion in Madison’s soul was easy to see as she moved with the beat of the music. All eyes turned to the two exotic women dancing. As they danced their skirts twirled, moving up and down with each movement of their hips. Madison placed her hands in the air above her head and moved them. The moon reflected off her auburn hair, causing her to cast a spell of seduction. Alex was mesmerized by her.

Max looked at his friend and could tell by the look on his face that he had fallen in love with the frolicking beauty. He was afraid of this. Alex had already had too much heartache in his life without having to deal with another. Max’s gaze turned back to the women. A movement across the square caught his attention. He watched as a man shoved his companion and then pointed towards the exotic dancing beauties. “There’s about to be trouble,” he said.

Max’s voice broke Madison’s hypnotic spell over Alex. “What?”

“Trouble. Come on,” he said as he started towards the two women. Alex followed Max. “Time to go,” Max told Kris.

“Why, we’re having such a good time.”

“That’s the problem,” Max replied.

Kris nodded her head knowing what her husband meant. Madison and her dancing would attract the looks of too many men who had been at sea too long. Kris looked at Max. “It’s your fault. I never would have danced like that if I hadn’t been tipsy.”

Madison looked at Alex. He took her hand. “You’re too beautiful for your own good.” Madison smiled impishly in her drunken state.

“I agree with Kris. I would have never danced in such a manner sober, but I just feel so freeeeeee!” she said as she gave a last twirl and stumbled into Alex.

“Come on, minx. Let’s leave before I have to defend your virtue.”

“I believe you took my virtue,” she said. Then a coquettish smile appeared on her face as she whispered, “many times.”

Kris giggled at her comment. “I like her. She’s my best friend!” Catching her breath, she turned to Alex. “You be sure to give her virtue a good time. I know Max will mine,” and laughed harder. Madison looked at her friend and joined her merriment.

“We better get going, Max. I believe the ladies have had enough entertainment tonight.”

Alex and Max escorted the two inebriated women, laughing and dancing the entire way to the ship. They occasionally had to stop when one of the women would fall, or in Kris’s case, get distracted by the vendors.

Kris’s and Madison’s laughter was contagious, and Alex found himself occasionally caught up in their silly antics. Madison’s happiness brought him joy.

Once aboard
The
Abyss
, the couples bid each other good evening and headed to their quarters. When Alex and Madison reached the room, Madison started to giggle again as she danced. “I had such a wonderful time. I thank you, Captain, for taking me,” she said in a poor attempt to sound proper.

“You’re drunk,” Alex replied.

“I thought we had already established that. And you, sir, are handsome,” she said as she ran a finger along his clean-shaven face. “I like the beard better. Don’t get me wrong, you’re quite handsome this way with that dimple and all, but the short beard, I like it better. Not the long short, but the short-short beard, the one where I can still see your skin.”

He listened to her babbling and grinned. “I think you’ve spent too much time with Kris. You’re beginning to sound like her.”

“I like her. She’s my best friend, other than Cassandra, of course.”             

“Who’s Cassandra?” Alex asked.

“My maid back home,” she said.

The smile disappeared on his face when the words reminded him of the eventual reality of taking her back home. She had been with him for three weeks. Her parents were probably worried sick about her.

She turned her head sideways and looked at him. “Why the serious face?”

“No reason.”

“Good,” she said and skipped to the wardrobe. She tried to untie the ribbon to her skirt. He watched her attempt to grasp the end of it several times, but to no avail. “This damn thing won’t hold still.” She turned in circles like a dog chasing its tail.

“Here,” he said as he took the tip of the ribbon in his fingers and pulled the bow until it loosened.

A playful look passed over her face as she stepped back from him. She turned slightly and enticed him by unlacing her skirt. “What are you up to?” he questioned.

“Shhh,” she whispered. “If I can’t dance out there, then I’ll dance in here for you.”

He watched as she held the waist of her skirt in her hands and twirled. The skirt rose up revealing her long legs. She quickly stopped and turned the other direction. She then took his hand and pulled him to the loveseat. “Sit down,” she commanded. He did as she asked, curious as to what she was up to.