If the captain hadn’t caught her in his arms.
Chapter 16
Cadan was as shocked as the lady seemed to be at finding herself suddenly in his arms.Shocked, aye, butnotdispleased.At least not on his part.Her feminine scent flooded him even as his fingers touched her soft skin, far softer than it looked.His body reacted.His blood heated, and he found he didn’t wish to release her.She pressed the babe closer to her chest.Her blue eyes shot to his, terror sparking across them…followed by indignation and horror.
They were but inches apart.He lowered his gaze to her lips, full and pink, and oh, how he longed to kiss her, to sample her sweet taste.If only for a moment.Unable to resist, he pressed his lips to hers…not forcefully, not lustfully, but gently, warmly, caressing, tasting.
At first she responded, accepting his touch, returning his kiss as a moan of pleasure escaped her throat…
Before she kicked his shin, sending pain coursing through his leg.
“Let me go at once!”She struggled, clinging to the babe, whose eyes had opened and latched upon Cadan.
He fully expected the child to let out a horrified wail, but instead, he merely blinked and continued to stare at Cadan with an innocent dependence that did something strange to his insides.
Lady Fox shoved against him all the more forcefully, this time, real fear on her face.He released her but kept a loose grip on her arms to ensure she was steady on the rolling deck.
She backed away from him, eyes alight with fear, her chest rising and falling rapidly.Had she felt the same yearning, the same excitement during their brief kiss as he had?Whatever she’d felt, clearly it unnerved her.Mayhap even repulsed.
“How dare you take such liberties!”
A sarcastic quip rode on his tongue, but the look of real terror on her face halted it.If she had indeed been ravished by Allard, then Cadan’s kiss had no doubt alarmed her.
“Why did you summon me, Captain?”She glanced at the door as if planning her escape.
Hmm.Why had he?Ah yes.“To discover how you came to be so well versed in seamanship.”
She raised her chin.“Since I have answered your question, may I have your leave?”
“Aye, Begone with you,” he said a bit too harshly.But ’twas for the best.The last thing he wantedor neededwas to form any attachment to the lady.Not only was she too much like Elyna, but if need be, he must be strong enough to sacrifice her and the babe to get his revenge.
Ah, but that kiss… He strode to the stern windows and gazed out.Like none he’d ever experienced.
???
Gabrielle stood at the larboard railing on the main deck, raising her face to the warm sun.She closed her eyes and pretended for a moment she was back on her father’s ship, theRedemption, safe with her family, back in their good graces.Andin God’s.Back when she believed in a God who rewarded those who served Him.Life was simple then.Filled with joy and purpose and the love of family.Did they know how far she had fallen?If so, how utterly disappointed they must be.
“Lay aft the braces.Starboard main and larboard head!”the captain’s strong voice bellowed over the deck, repeated by Durwin, sending men leaping into the shrouds.She risked a glance in his direction, then snapped her eyes back to the sea lest he see her looking at him.
His kiss had been unexpected, shocking, yet so gentle and loving, she’d not resisted him.Not at first, anyway.In truth, her lips still tingled when she remembered his touch.Not like Damien’s harsh, lustful, greedy kisses.Those, she’d fought with all her might.But the Captain’s…his was different, even pleasurable.
How dare he?
And with her holding her babe in her arms!The audacity, the brazen impudence!
Yet her reaction was even worse, proving her growing fear that she was indeed a wanton woman.All she could hope for was that he hadn’t noticedandthat he, henceforth, would keep his distance.
Inhaling a deep breath of the sea, she wondered how Omphile was faring with Matthew.Perhaps she should not have accepted the lady’s offer to watch over him whilst he slept and give Gabrielle a much-needed break.But the woman used the time to further teach Moses how to read.The two made a happy couple, indeed.Omphile deserved it after all she’d been through.
A white blur caught her eye, and Gabrielle spun to see Hellfire hopping across the deck, Soot lumbering on her heels.
Reaching down, she scooped the rabbit into her arms and gently rubbed between her floppy ears.
“Ah, Miss.Thank you.”Soot halted beside her and smiled, revealing two missing teeth.“She sure ’as takin’ a liking to ye.”
Gabrielle returned his smile, enjoying the feel of the rabbit’s soft fur beneath her fingers.“She’s precious.How ever do you keep her from hopping overboard?”
Soot brushed what looked to be ashes from his waistcoat, then ran a hand through his hair as if he were trying to make himself presentable.“She’s a wise one, that.She seems t’ know ’er boundaries.Well”—he quirked a grin—“’cept coming to me when I need t’ put ’er in ’er cage.”
