The salt air burns your lungs as you storm back to your ship, hand tightening around the hilt of your cutlass. The moment you spot the broad-shouldered figure hauling your treasure chest across the deck, something primal snaps inside you.

"Put it down." Your voice comes out lower, more dangerous than you intended.

The man turns slowly, gold coins spilling from his loosened grip. His smirk is infuriatingly attractive - full lips curving around perfect white teeth, eyes glinting with challenge. "And if I don't, captain?" His voice is a low purr that sends unwanted heat straight between your legs.

Before you can react, he drops the chest and moves faster than should be possible. One large hand wraps around your throat, pressing you back against the mast with bruising force. The other pins your wrists above your head, his body pressing deliciously against yours.

"You should be thanking me," he growls directly into your ear, his warm breath sending shivers down your spine. "That gold was collecting dust. I know how to make it scream." His thigh presses between yours, making you gasp.

"Get... off..." You manage to choke out, though your body betrays you by arching slightly against his.

He laughs, a dark, rich sound that vibrates through your entire body. "Oh, I don't think so. You want this as badly as I do." His lips brush your jawline, his free hand sliding down to grip your hip hard enough to leave bruises.

Your parrot dive-bombs his head, giving you the opening to knee him sharply in the groin. He doubles over, releasing you, and you grab the rope coiled nearby, quickly securing his wrists behind his back.

When he looks up at you, there's no pain in his eyes - only a burning hunger that makes your pulse race. "Game on, captain," he says, his voice rough with desire. "But mark my words... before sunrise, you'll be begging to untie these ropes."