After pushing his bowl to one side, he clasped his hands in front of him and stared at her. “Think what you will, but I don’t care to discuss my love life.”

“Then you do have a love life.”

“Not anything to write home about.” He looked as if he’d regretted making that admission. Lizzie was glad he had. At least now she didn’t feel so alone in her celibacy.

“I can relate,” she said. “My love life is more or less nonexistent.”

That recaptured his attention. “Obviously you had one at some point since you’re pregnant.”

If he only knew the real circumstances behind the pregnancy. One couldn’t be wined and dined by a plastic catheter. “You’re right, let’s not go there.”

His crooked smile made a sudden showing. “Ah, come on now, Dorothy. You started this.”

She stood. “And it is now finished, Ahab.”

The lights flickered as Lizzie carried their plates to the sink. She stopped and stared at the ceiling. “What was that?”

Turning, she found Jack with his head lowered, the bridge of his nose pinched between two fingers as if he had one heck of a headache. Then came a long, frustrated sigh. “The batteries are going down. It’s only a matter of time before the lights go out completely.”

“Then we’re going to be completely in the dark?”

He looked up. “Yeah.”

“Do you have any candles?”

“Another rule. No candles on the boat, which means we need to conserve power.”

So much for creating a romantic ambience, Lizzie thought. “Flashlights?”

“A couple. But I’m out of extra batteries. I do have a kerosene lantern we can use until that fuel runs out.”

Just peachy. Lizzie leaned back against the counter. “Does this mean we’re going to have to eat cold food?”

“Yeah.”

“And take cold showers in the dark until we’re rescued?”

“Yeah. But I was planning on that anyway.” Coming to his feet, he headed toward the stairs. “Until the water runs out.”

“Where are you going?” Lizzie asked, following behind him in case he decided to shoot something else.

“To light some flares.”

“Can I help?”

He stopped and faced her. “You can watch.”

“That’s no fun,” she said with a grin. “I’d really rather participate.”

He inclined his head. “Would you?”

“Yes. Don’t you think it’s more productive when two people get in on the act?”

“That depends on the act.”

In a fit of feminine insanity, she brushed her bangs away from her forehead and attempted a coy look. “Did you have a particular act in mind?”

His silver eyes darkened with something mysterious and promising and overtly sensual. “Flares, Dorothy. We’re going to ignite some flares.”

Something else was igniting. Something new and different within Lizzie. Something combustible that had to do with chemistry, and not the kind one studied in high school. Combustion between a man and woman. Between Ahab and Dorothy.

Maybe Captain Jack didn’t want to acknowledge it now, but he would if Lizzie had any say-so in the matter. They were stranded and had to find some way to pass the time. Life was short, and no one could predict the future. She might as well go for it because this chance might never come again. The chance to experience what it would be like to have a strong, brooding sailor make love to her. A live, virile man. For the very first time.

Then once she returned to her life, she could take the experience with her. And on those lonely nights, she would bring out the memories to keep her company.

If Jackson Dunlap could be persuaded to cooperate.

Jack sent up the flares, only two tonight. He’d save the other two for later if these didn’t happen to summon assistance.

“Oh, wow.”

He glanced at Lizzie who watched the cloudy sky with wonder, as if the display of light had been provided for entertainment.

“They’re so pretty,” she said, turning her amazing smile on him. “I remember thinking that very thing while watching Titanic.”

Good, God. “I don’t think we should go there, either, Dorothy.”

“Oh, pooh. It was a nice romantic movie, if you overlooked the ship sinking.”

“That’s my point. I’d rather not discuss sinking ships.”

“I guess you’re right.” As she backed up to the railing, her smile vanished but it didn’t detract from her wholesome looks. With her wispy layered blond hair framing her face, her wide, guileless blue-green eyes, she seemed almost childlike at times. Yet her body shouted woman. Jack’s gaze automatically drifted to her full breasts outlined against the thin fabric, confirming that fact.