“Nay, cap’n. I am just getting started. Ahoy!”

He shakes his head, and pulls out a cigarette, lighting it. He turns and walks over to the large table at the back of the room, and he sits down at it. A moment later, Senny saunters in, wearing a pair of too tight jeans and a top that has her breasts overflowing. I watch as she slides onto the table in front of Hendrix, and says something that has him chuckling. Oh lordy, when he smiles, he has these killer dimples. My heart begins thumping, and my head spins, giving me a light airy feeling.

“Is there any music on this here ship?” I say, turning back to the guys.

GG nods, and stands, walking over to a large stereo in the corner. He flicks it on, and moments later, some ridiculous seventies music comes blaring out. I raise my brows, horrified.

“Seriously, seventies?”

GG shrugs. “It’s the radio, Indi girl. We don’t control it.”

“Boo!”

I stand and walk toward the door. I really need to pee.

“Going already?” Hendrix says, just as I reach it.

I turn, meeting his gaze dead on. “Oh, I’ll be back, don’t you worry your pretty head about that.”

His lips twitch again.

I’m softening the shell….

I stumble out the door and down the hall until I find Hendrix’s room. I walk in, hitting four walls before reaching the bathroom. When I’m done, I wash my hands and head back out to see Drake standing at the door. He smiles at me.

“The boss man sent you to make sure I didn’t drop over the side of the ship.” I smirk.

Drake walks over, hooking his arm through mine. “Yeah, something like that.”

“Well then, Drakey-boy, let’s get this party started. Do you want to hear a joke?”

He snorts. “Not really.”

“I’m telling you anyway. Why can’t a pirate watch a horror film?”

He shakes his head, smirking. “You’re about to tell me.”

“Because it’s rated ARRRRRRR!”

He chuckles. “That’s the worst pirate joke I’ve ever heard.”

“Oh, oh, oh, I have another one. Why are pirates awesome?”

He doesn’t answer; he just shrugs.

“They just ARRRRR!”

Laughing, we walk back to the dining room. When we step in, Hendrix appears in front of us. “She causing problems, buddy?” he asks Drake.

“If you call bad pirate jokes problems, then sure.”

Hendrix raises his brows at me. “Bad jokes, eh?”

“You want to hear one?” I cry, removing my arm from Drake’s and putting it through Hendrix’s. He stiffens, like he’s shocked, but I don’t give him a chance to react.

We join the other guys, and I sit in the middle on the floor. GG hands me another shot, and I clap my hands together, shooting it back before beginning my jokes again.

“You boys want to hear the best joke?”

GG nods, chuckling “Go on, hit us with your best shot.”

“Why do pirates wear eye patches?”

GG shrugs.

“Because they can’t afford iPads!”

GG snorts and Drake chuckles.

“That the best you got, inocencia?” Hendrix purrs.

I crack my knuckles. “I’m just getting started, pirate. Why did the pirate go on vacation? He needed some ARRRR and ARRRR!”

Hendrix rolls his eyes.

“I’ll make you laugh, pirate,” I vow. I wiggle on the floor, and cross my legs. “What’s a pirate’s favorite doll?”

Hendrix’s eyes are dancing with amusement as he shrugs.

“A BARRRRBIE!”

He snorts, and a lazy half grin appears on his face.

It’s working.

We’re bonding.

“Oh my God!” I squeal, standing and spinning in a big circle. I am so drunk I can’t see straight, but I haven’t had so much fun in years.

I shouldn’t be having fun, this I know, but I have to believe there is hope for me if I get to know the crew. Maybe Hendrix will change his mind. Maybe he’ll let me go, or hell, keep me here. I’d rather spend my life here than as someone’s slave. I have better chance of escape

“I love this song!”

I spin in the middle of the dining room while the rest of the crew eat. I dance and twirl, completely oblivious to the people around me. I’m having the time of my life. I begin singing at the top of my lungs, waving my hands around. I spin too fast and trip, landing on my ass so hard I bellow a curse and fall backwards, flopping onto the floor like the tragic drunk girl I am. We girls are really classy drunks.

“Think it’s time for you to go to bed,” Hendrix says, suddenly appearing above me.

“You’re beautiful, do you know that? Oh yes you ARRRRRRR,” I slur, squinting my eyes and taking him in. “Ohhh, so beautiful.”

He shakes his head and leans down, wrapping his fingers around my arms and pulling me up with one quick movement.

“You’re drunk, come on, before you hurt yourself.”

“Would you save me, c…c…c…cap’n?” I chuckle.

“Unlikely, you’re a messy drunk.”

“Dance with me, buccaneer?” I giggle, spinning and wrapping my arms around him. He stiffens, and reaches back, gripping my hands and leaning down close.

“No, now come on, quit while you’re ahead.”

“Fun spoiler.”