She did as he’d instructed, dragging a chair over near the foot of his bed and setting the lantern on the dining table behind her.
“I believe there’s a page marked,” he said as she settled in the chair. “You may begin there.”
She found the page, cleared her throat, and began to read. “‘There was nary a doubt that I had ever seen such big ones, round and ripe. My teeth ached to bite them.’”God, what tripe. This would have them both asleep in minutes. “‘I pinched one and heard her gasp of delight. The other beckoned my mouth, which was panting to oblige. Oh, heaven! Oh, sweet bliss, the taste of those succulent…breasts…’”
Georgina slammed the book closed with a horrified gasp. “This…this—”
“Yes, I know. It’s called erotica, dear boy. Don’t tell me you’ve never read such garbage before? All boys your age do, those that can read, that is.”
She knew she ought to be one of all those boys, but she was too embarrassed to care. “Well, I haven’t.”
“Are we being missish again, George? Well, read on, anyway. You’ll find it educational, if nothing else.”
It was times like this that she hated the pretense of her disguise the most. Georgina wanted to blister his ears about corrupting the morals of young boys, but Georgie would likely welcome the corruption.
“Do you actually like this—garbage, I believe you called it?”
“Good God, no. If I liked it, it wouldn’t put me to sleep, now would it?”
That he sounded so appalled lessened some of her embarrassment. But not even the threat of torture could get her to open that disgusting book again—at least not while he was around.
“If you don’t mind, Captain, I’d rather find some other book to bore you with, something less…less…”
“Priggish as well as missish, are you?” A long sigh came from the bed. “I can see I’m not going to make a man of you in just a few weeks. Well, never mind, George. It’s a bloody headache that’s keeping me awake, anyway, but your fingers can take care of it just as well. Come and massage my temples, and I’ll be asleep before you know it.”
Massage, as in touchingandgetting closer? She didn’t budge from her chair.
“I wouldn’t know how—”
“’Course you wouldn’t, not until I show you. So give us your hands.”
She groaned inwardly. “Captain—”
“Damnation, George!” he cut in sharply. “Don’t argue with a man who’s in pain. Or do you mean for me to suffer all night?” When she still didn’t move, he lowered his voice, though its tone was still brusque. “If it’s that ailment you’re worried about, lad, putting it from your mind will help. But whether it takes you or not, my malady takes precedence over yours just now.”
He was right, of course. The captain was all-important, while she was just his lowly cabin boy. To try and put herself before him would come across as the actions of a spoiled, thoughtless child.
She changed positions slowly, sitting down very gingerly beside him on the bed.
Put it from your mind as he said, and whatever you do, don’t look at him.
She kept her eyes trained on the arched columns in the headboard behind him, so she started when his fingers closed over hers and drew them to his face.
Pretend he’s Mac. You’d do this willingly for Mac or any one of your brothers.
Her fingertips were pressed to his temples, then moved in very small circles.
“Relax, George. This isn’t going to kill you.”
That was going to be her own next thought, but Georgina wouldn’t have put it quite as dryly as he did. What must he be thinking?That you’re afraid of him. Well, she was, though she couldn’t say exactly why anymore. Living so closely with him this week, she honestly didn’t think he would hurt her, but…then what?
“You’re on your own now, George. Just keep up the same motion.”
The warmth of his hands holding hers was gone, but it made her notice the warmth of his skin beneath her fingertips. She was actually touching him. It wasn’t so bad…until he moved slightly and his hair fell over the backs of her fingers. How soft his hair was, and cool. Such contrast. But there was more heat. She could feel it coming off his body near her hip. It made her realize he didn’t have the thick, quilted cover drawn up, only the silk sheet,the thin silk sheetthat would do no more than cling to him.
There was no reason for her to look, no reason at all. But what if he fell asleep? Was she supposed to just go on massaging when it was no longer necessary? But he’d snore once he was asleep. That would let her know. But she had yet to hear the man snore a single time. Maybe he never did. And maybe he was asleep already.
Look! Just do it and get it over with!
