What’s so amusing, wench?” came a gravel-throated voice…

““What’s so amusing, wench?” came a gravel-throated voice from behind her, followed by a gentle swat across her sheet-covered backside. “Just plotting my mutiny, Captain,” she said. “Mutiny?” he said, pulling the sheet, and her, closer to him. “I thought I’d convinced you to join my merry little band of thieves.” He tugged at the sheet she’d grabbed in her fist, rolling her neatly over and right up against his side. “You don’t want to be the pirate queen of the high seas?” “You’re a merry band of one who can’t sail a boat, so--” He silenced her with a kiss. When he finally lifted his head, she sighed and let her head loll back on his arm. “Well, when you put it that way…” He rolled on top of her, making her squeal. “I’m happy to put it another way, if that’ll help persuade you.” “Sheath your sword, pirate king. Your wench needs some sustenance before she can allow you to have your pirate ways with her again.” “I thought I was sheathing my sword,” he said, then laughed when she hooked her leg over his and rolled him to his back. “I see you’ve been paying attention to my pirate tricks.” “Indeed I have,” she said, looking down into his handsome face and twinkling blue eyes. She didn’t want to think about the next chapter, not now, not yet. But there it was, staring up at her, framed in tousled blond hair and five o’clock shadow. This could be your life, Kerry McCrae. Just say yes. ””

— Donna Kauffman