The Pirate & The Adventurer & The Cowboy

earlier opinion, we do indeed have something in common."

    "Do you think so?" she asked with mocking doubt.

    "I'm very sure of it."

    Without releasing her, Jared swung around so his back was against the tree trunk. He deliberately widened his stance and drew Kate between his legs. The skirts of her yellow gown drifted over his thighs. She put her hands on his waist and felt the hilt of the dagger. She was aware of cold metal under her palm. Definitely not plastic, she thought with a start.

    "Is this real?"

    "The dagger or me?" He nuzzled her throat.

    Kate laughed softly. "Both."

    "Yes."

    "Where did you get it?" She touched the dagger again as she leaned her head against Jared's shoulder.

    "He left it behind when he sailed away from the island for the last time. I found it along with some other stuff in an old chest a few years ago."

    "Who left it behind? The pirate who built the castle?"

    "Umm-hmm." Jared slid his fingers tantalizingly over her bare arm and dropped a small kiss on her shoulder.

    "Is this really his birthday?"

    "Yes."

    "You said this was your birthday."

    "It is."

    "You're teasing me. Whose birthday is it really?"

    "His. And mine." Jared's tongue touched the pulse of her throat.

    "That's too much of a coincidence. What was his name?"

    "Whose?"

    Kate tugged at the crisp hair that filled the neck opening of his shirt. "The pirate's."

    "Ouch. That hurts."

    "Tell me his name."

    "Such a demanding little creature." Jared lifted his head and looked down at her. Then he caught her face between his strong fingers. "His name was Hawthorne. Roger Hawthorne."

    Kate was mesmerized. Her mouth fell open. "Really?"

    Jared grinned. "It's the truth."

    "You're related to him?"

    "The connection is a little distant after all these years, but yes, I'm a descendant. I found out about this island through some old records that had come down through the family. One day about fifteen years ago I chucked everything and came out here to find AmethystIsland."

    "That's wonderful," Kate breathed.

    "You, my sweet, are obviously a sucker for pirates. But who am I to complain? Come closer and let me show you my dagger." He captured her hand and began to guide it slowly down below his belt.

    She pulled her fingers free quickly. "Don't get carried away. I'm not a complete pushover for the species."

    "How do you know? You've never met a real one. The only pirates you know are the ones you invent in your imagination."

    "But I told you I'm an expert." Kate was suddenly tense as the atmosphere became more highly charged. "As much as I may be attracted to pirates, I should warn you that I am not equally attracted to the idea of a vacation fling with one."

    The teasing humor went out of him in an instant. "I'm not into flings, either. And as a rule, I don't get involved with paying guests. But I think I'm going to make an exception in your case."

    "Is that right?" Kate felt something come alive within her, something that might have been hope.

    "Please don't play games with me," Jared said quietly. "We're both old enough and single enough to be able to admit we're attracted to each other. And this…" He stroked her arm in a slow caress and shook his head in silent wonder. "This is something special. I'm old enough to know that, too."

    "What happens next?"

    "Let's find out." Jared started to kiss her again but halted when a loud, youthful voice called from the garden path.

    "Hey, Dad, where are you? Lani says to tell you it's time for the cake. Everyone's waiting."

    "Tell her I'll be there in a minute, Dave," Jared called back.

    "Okay. Hey, where are you, anyhow? How come you're… Oh. Hi, Ms Inskip."

    There was a rustle of leaves and Kate turned in Jared's arms to see David peering in through the foliage. "Hi, Dave."

    "What are you guys doing out here in the bushes?" David asked with the perfect innocence only a nine-year-old can muster.

    "I was showing Ms Inskip the Hawthorne dagger," Jared said calmly as he released Kate and stepped out from under the heavy leaves.

    "Oh, yeah? It's neat, huh, Ms Inskip? Dad uses it to cut the first piece of cake at these parties."

    "That's wonderful," Kate murmured. "It's always nice to see an antique get some use. I was afraid the Hawthorne dagger might be nothing more than a useless museum piece after all these years."

    Jared bit back a laugh, his eyes glinting with sensual warning. "I'm a great believer in the old adage, use it or lose it. Come on, you two.