“Because I hired the place for the night.”

“The entire house?”

“Yes, to allow us privacy.”

It amazed her that Kell would have gone to such trouble and paid what undoubtedly was an exorbitant expense, and yet she was grateful he intended to keep their tryst private. She might be unconventional at heart, but the prospect of a group fantasy enticed her not at all.

“Ordinarily,” he continued, “clients select their partners for the evening and dress in appropriate costume. The Turkish harem is one of the prime entertainments.”

He paused at an alcove that had a small viewing window. Raven could smell the scent of incense as she stepped up to the glass. The exotic scene was of an Eastern palace, with swaths of filmy draperies and wisping smoke and silken cushions.

He led her to another alcove, but the viewing window was curtained, Raven saw as they entered the fantasy room through a door. This scene was lit by flaming torches and resembled the deck of a ship with railings and sails and a tall wooden mast.

“The pirate ship is also a favorite here. The clients dress up as pirates and take captive a ship of female passengers.”

Raven raised an eyebrow. “And what do they do with their captives?”

“What do you suppose?” Kell asked, flashing a provocative half smile. “Ravishment is quite a popular fantasy. Here a man can have his wicked way without consequence. And adventurous ladies can pay for the pleasure of being one of the captives.”

“I collect that I am to play the role of captive?”

“And I will be your pirate lover. You said your fantasy lover is a pirate, did you not?”

She nodded hesitantly, not certain she liked where this game could lead.

“Tell me, has your lover ever ravished you or threatened your virtue?”

Raven felt herself flush. “My fantasies are my own,” she replied, unwilling to answer.

“Not tonight, vixen. Tonight I will be your fantasy.”

He ushered her across the deck to a small door. Beyond was the captain’s cabin, Raven presumed. It was lit by flickering sconces and luxuriously appointed, unlike any real pirate ship she could imagine. Black satin sheets and red silk pillows embellished the large bunk, while gilt mirrors adorned the opposite wall.

On a peg hung a filmy garment, which Kell handed her. “Your costume, my sweet.”

Raven eyed the gossamer nightdress. “That fabric will be as revealing as wearing nothing at all.”

Kell’s wicked grin flashed again. “I believe that is precisely the point.”

On the captain’s desk lay a jeweled chest from which he withdrew a demimask. “For anonymity,” Kell explained, handing it to her. He also withdrew several gauzy scarves.

“What are those for?” she asked, although suspecting.

“For tying your wrists. Have you never indulged in bondage with your fantasy lover?”

Raven shook her head, and yet Kell’s suggestion didn’t shock her; there were several incidents of such erotic delights described in the journal.

“Then you can let your imagination run riot,” he said. Her uncertainty must have shown on her face, for he added in an amused voice, “Do you think I would hurt you?”

“No…not really.”

“Here, you will need these as well.”

He gave her the bag of sponges and left her to undress while he donned his own costume.

When she was attired in the diaphanous nightdress, Raven sat in the captain’s chair to wait. She was glad for the coal brazier that warmed the cabin, yet she found herself shivering, not because of the cold or her near nakedness. Despite her misgivings, the thought of the night to come was dangerously exciting.

Moments later her heart turned over when she looked up to see her pirate filling the doorway. He wore a billowing white shirt and tight black breeches and thigh-high boots, while a dagger was tucked into his sashed waist. The demimask concealed the upper part of his face, but she could make out Kell’s gleaming gaze as it roamed over her revealing nightdress.

“Stand up,” he commanded in a low voice. “Let me see what treasure my men have brought me.”

She rose slowly, her heart thudding in her chest as he boldly surveyed her, measuring her rose-hued nipples and the dusky curls crowning her thighs.

“Exquisite,” he said with a satisfied smile. Taking her elbow, he drew her toward the door. “You will come with me, captive.”

When she held back, he withdrew his dagger from his sash and held it menacingly to her throat. “Remember you are my prisoner, mademoiselle. I can have you thrown overboard in an instant.”

Uneasily Raven complied, telling herself she should enter into the spirit of the fantasy.

The pirate led her from the cabin and across the deck to the mast, where he turned her to face him. Sheathing his dagger, he forced her arms behind her and secured her to the timber with the scarves. Then he leaned forward to kiss her, pulling her lower lip between his teeth and nipping softly.

When she made a sound of protest, his hand went to her throat and held her still as he pressed his full length against her. He kissed her more thoroughly then, his tongue plunging deep while he moved his hips in a slow, rotating motion that made her pulse race.

Raven’s breath was coming in soft pants when he finally drew back. Reaching to his waist, he brandished the dagger again, startling her. With the point, he drew a slow line down the valley between her breasts. Then turning the blade, he deliberately sliced her nightdress from throat to hem, exposing her pale body to his view.

Raven couldn’t stifle a gasp.

“There is no use crying for help,” he chastised. “My crew does my bidding.”

The cool air caressed her naked skin, puckering her nipples. Raven wet her lips, staring at him. She was completely at his mercy. The knowledge made her tremble, even as it thrilled her.

He saw her convulsive shiver and smiled. Returning the dagger to his sash, he lifted the curtain of her hair, drawing the long tresses over her pouting breasts. He was playing with her, prolonging the moment, Raven knew.

“Such smooth, white skin,” he said in approval. He stroked his hand over the swelling mounds of her breasts, cupping the ripe fullness in his palms. “Such lush flesh.”

His fingers traced a circle around her jutting nipples, making her arch against the delicious sensation. “These ripe buds are just waiting for me to taste them.”

She bit her lower lip hard, trying not to respond as he pulled at the swollen crests. Yet shameful pleasure flared wherever he touched her.

“I think I will suck on your nipples until you come.” He bent his head, his breath hot and moist against her skin, sending liquid warmth coursing downward between her legs. Yet he didn’t kiss her. Instead his tongue barely flickered over the taut peaks.

Raven twisted against her bonds, fighting the keen sensations he was deliberately arousing in her.

A moment later he stood, a frown of disapproval drawing down the corners of his sensual mouth. “What, no response, my beauty? No matter. You will soon be begging me, offering me anything I choose to take.”

She raised her chin in defiance. “I will never beg.”

His smile was utterly devilish. “You will do as I say. If you are disobedient, I will give you to my men.”

“You wouldn’t,” she replied, although her tone held uncertainty.

“No,” he said, his voice husky. “I wouldn’t. I intend to keep you all to myself. I won’t share my treasure with any man. You are mine.”

Possessively, his palm covered her breast, then glided down the silken skin of her belly to her loins.

“Tell me, are you a virgin, mademoiselle?”

She hesitated before answering honestly. “No.”

“Excellent. The better for me to enjoy you. I am a man of strong appetites, and I am not easily appeased.”

He slid a probing finger between her thighs, along her wet, slippery cleft. Already it was pulsing eagerly.

“You’re very hot, mademoiselle, are you not?”

Raven arched her hips convulsively, feeling her bonds tighten in warning at her wrists.

“How easily aroused you are.”

One of his hands remained between her legs, while the other moved up to fondle her swelling, aching breasts. When he pinched her nipple, a needy whimper escaped her lips.

“Be silent, captive,” he ordered. “You mustn’t scream, or my men might come to watch. You don’t want them to see you naked and helpless like this, do you?”

Raven swallowed her moan, yet the thought of his lusty, rugged crew seeing her ravishment roused a shameless throbbing heat between her legs.

“Good, you know who is your master.” His indulgent, arrogant smile made her blood boil and race at the same time.

“You must remain completely still, or I won’t satisfy you.”

He was teasing her, making her wait, and the delay excited her beyond bearing. She strained against his hand, shamelessly seeking his penetration.

“I said be still! You will obey me if you want me to take you.” His fingers thrust inside her a mere inch and then stopped. “Do you want me to take you, captive?”

She drew a long shuddering breath. “Yes,” she said through gritted teeth.

“Then you will beg me.”

“I won’t.”

“We shall see how long you resist when I put my mouth on you.”

Going down on one knee, he parted her thighs and pressed his lips to her sleek folds, seeking the point of feminine pleasure. Raven sucked in a sharp breath, her legs instinctively parting even more.

His long tongue lapped at her slowly, thoroughly, rasping against her sensitized flesh until she burned with frenzy.