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You do have a smart mouth don’t you Anna Pemberton and it does seem you have a nasty sucker punch as well.” Robert grinned as he held his jaw, with the palm of his hand.

“So what is it that you like about me Robert Marsh?” Anna challenged for an answer with a little smile across her lips.

“Actually everything.” He announced in a low raspy voice. “That’s why I wanted to talk with you.”

Anna felt like her heart was in her throat; she could only hope that meant what you thought it did. Was it possible Robert loved her too? She could only pray this was what he wanted to talk about.

“Anna you know I’m promised to another in marriage in England when I return?” Robert asked watching her closely. He had come to realize more and more that he didn’t think he wanted to live without this woman. Robert knew he wasn’t the only man in England that desired another woman other than the one they were promised to marry. A mistress was a common thing in England; he just hoped Anna would agree. He wanted her to agree to go back with him to England but he was unsure how she would handle his proposition.

Anna found a crate at the bow of the boat to sit on and waited for Robert to do the same. She felt a little guilty about the slug she gave him to his jaw earlier; it was a bit bruised looking already. The darn man shouldn’t keep trying to push her around. He should have learned that by now, she thought to herself.

“Does your jaw hurt?” She questioned in an apologetic tone. “I didn’t mean to hit you so hard but you got my temper riled up.”

Robert watched her with amusement, and noticed how she skirted around the apology without actually making one. He finally busted out laughing, and then moaned at the same time because it made his jaw ache.

“Have I ever said how much I enjoy being around you?” He asked, with a hint of laughter in his bright blue eyes.

“Why no you haven’t Robert.” Anna laughed too. “Is it the way I throw a sucker punch?”

Anna had to admit to herself she liked Major Robert Marsh too. The worst part of the voyage ending was never seeing him again, she had realized. The man had the charm of a rattlesnake at times, but she loved him nonetheless. He might be a rogue but he was the rogue that she fell in love with and desired.

The crowd starting moving away and so did Anna, but Robert’s hand snaked out and grabbed her arm to stop her escape. At that point she felt like biting his fingers off, just to get him to release her, because she was so mad. “If you don’t remove your fingers I won’t be responsible for what happens to them!” She ranted darting sparks shooting from her green eyes.

“Hold on there you little spitfire, just stay here. I d like to have a conversation with you.” Robert suggested in a calm tone and she nodded her head in agreement.

(stay tuned for Chapter 9 - Coming up soon!)

This time it was different, he didn’t release her right away he continued to kiss her and as he did, he felt the kicks and fists stop. He could feel her relax in his arms and felt her kissing him back, with the same force he gave her. Robert felt Anna wrap her arms around his neck and push her lips closer to his as they both deepened the kiss and their tongues tangled and danced together.

Robert relaxed into the kiss and forgot where he was at as his hands traveled up and down her back and they held each other. Then he heard the cheers once more from the crowds, and someone hollering Major Marsh won this one. He felt her instantly stiffen in his grip, and try to pull away. Damn crowd he thought to himself.

Anna was furious at herself for responding to this rogue of a man once more, and without thinking she laid back and slugged him in the jaw with her fist. His grip released its hold on her instantly. The shock registered on his face, as she saw the mark she left on his jaw. The crowd were still roaring in laughter once more as she heard someone say, I believe Anna’s won this round.

Major Marsh had a dark look in his eyes, as he drilled his blue eyes into her green ones. “I hope you’re happy Miss Pemberton! It feels like you’ve broken my jaw. You are a dangerous woman to be around, and I guess I should have realized that the first day you fell on me on the deck.” He added with a slight grin on one corner of his lips.

“Well, I never Major Marsh!” Anna stuttered back, with her mouth ajar. “I’ll have you know that was all your fault, so don’t go blaming me for your blunderings!”

Robert looked around and remembered the crowd. Damn ship, he thought to himself! “I hope everyone has enjoyed the show, but it’s over so I suggest you find another means of entertainment.” He allowed holding his jaw and glaring at them.

She pulled her mouth away and yelled as she continued to hit him with her fists and feet. “You beast, get your lousy stinking hands off me!”

“Well, everyone you see the punishment hasn’t worked so I will have to punish further until she behaves.” And with that remark, the crowd started to roar with laughter as his lips reclaimed hers, with an even greater force, demanding and punishing.

Captain Drake wasn’t sure if he should interfere or not. These two defiantly had to get whatever was between them worked out, but he wasn’t sure this was the right way. He decided to stand back and watch for a few more minutes to see what would happen.

Robert pulled her even closer as she continued to fight and he pulled his mouth away and put it next to her ear as he whispered. “You could make everything stop if you just behave. Anna, kiss me like you like it and I’ll let you go.” Robert demanded.

“I will not! Get your hands off me, do you hear me!” She hollered again. This man was crazy if he thought he was going to get her to kiss him back, even though every nerve in her body wanted just that. This was another of his punishments, how could he be so cruel. She was sure he knew how she felt about him and then to try to embarrass her in front of everyone again, that was just hateful.

“You’re not obeying.” And again he pulled her roughly to his body and kissed her with a demanding force, which was driving him crazy. Who was he kidding? Who was he punishing more, himself or Anna, but he had to teach her a lesson. The darn woman needed to be kept on a rope to keep her out of trouble.