Free The Rogue Pirate’s Bride by Shana Galen Page A

was feisty and strong. It took all of his concentration to keep her under control. He might have had a moment to enjoy the kiss—she still tasted of cherries—but she bit his lip, and he had to suppress a bark of pain.
    He heard the men passing, heard the remark, spoken in Arabic, about the lovers, and then their boots clicked away. He drew back from his cabin girl, careful to cover her mouth again before she could protest. He peered out from the alcove again and saw El Santo turn a corner down the hall. Immediately, he released the woman and started after him.
    At least he tried. The little hellion stuck out her foot and caught his ankle. He would have sprawled across the floor if he hadn’t caught himself. He tossed her an impatient frown. “I don’t have time for your games, chérie . But if you’re good, I promise to play with you again later.”
    “Bastard. What the hell is going on? What was that about?” She pointed to the alcove where he’d just been embracing her.
    He glanced impatiently at the corner down the corridor. “Once again I succumbed to your many charms, mademoiselle. I assure you it will not happen again.” He took her hand, kissed it. “Now I must be away.”
    He started after El Santo, but she was right behind him. Merde! But he did not want her following him, and every moment he spent with her meant El Santo was getting farther away. “Isn’t your father in some need of assistance?”
    Her eyes narrowed. “Oh, so now you want to be rid of me. Is there something you don’t want me to see?”
    He stopped himself from glancing over his shoulder again, but she must have caught the movement nonetheless.
    “What are you looking for? Who are you looking for?”
    He gritted his teeth and tried to remain calm. He had to get away from her. “Why don’t I explain everything tomorrow? I shall call on you and your father in the morning. I’ll bring your sword.”
    Her eyebrows winged up. “You must want to be rid of me quite badly if you’re willing to go to all that trouble.”
    “No, but…” He could see she didn’t believe him. He might as well stop wasting time and tell the truth. “Very well. I spotted someone I have been looking for, someone I need to see very badly. Now if you’ll excuse me…” He started down the corridor, but she was right by his side. At this point, he had no choice but to continue with her beside him, else he would lose any chance of finding El Santo again.
    “Who is this man?”
    He gave her an impatient look and continued walking.
    “Oh, perhaps it’s a woman.”
    They were nearing the corner, and Bastien did not know what he would find when he rounded it. “It’s no one you need concern yourself with. I assure you.”
    “Oh, but I want to concern myself, pirate. After all, you did say I needed to do more research.”
    The smug look on her face devastated the last of his patience. He pushed her up against the wall, disappointed to see the action didn’t seem to faze her at all. “This isn’t a game, Miss Russell. This is serious. Now go back to your father and your ball.”
    “And you can continue to treat me like a child,” she said, green eyes searing him, “but you’re wasting your time, and the man you’re seeking is getting away. Now, who are we following?”
    A hundred thoughts raced through his mind; most centered on how to be rid of her, if not for good, for a good long time. His hands itched to circle her neck and throttle her. She was like a plague he couldn’t seem to be rid of—one who infested him at the most inopportune times.
    Unfortunately, she was right. He was out of time. “Stay out of my way. If you can’t keep up or get into trouble, don’t look to me for assistance.”
    She sneered at him. “As though I would need your assistance, pirate.”
    He was about to release her but leaned close instead. A hint of cherries teased his senses, but he resolutely resisted inhaling more deeply. “And if you do anything to