Romancing the Pirate 01.5 - Beneath The Water's Edge Read Online Free Page B

skin puckered across her flesh. Was it because of the draft landing upon her naked skin, or the heated expression passing over the captain’s amused face?
    “Turn around,” he said, taking her tunic and tossing it to the table.
    She did as he bade and faced the door. His salty scent filled her nose as he neared from behind, reminding her of the gentle rains she so loved rolling in from the sea. Elyssa suspected he was no gentle rain, but rather a boisterous storm. And yet, she breathed him in deep.
    “Christ. Who made these knots? They’re dreadful.”
    “Dob—”
    “The lubber knew nothing about knots.”
    The captain worked and tugged on the bonds. ’Twas such an intimate act. Undressing should be done in the company of a husband, not a stranger. Still, with the pressure of his fingers working on the cloth at her back, her heart picked up pace.
    “By gads, these will never come loose. Shit. Hold still.”
    The moment the blade touched her skin she froze.
    “Be very still, do you understand?”
    She nodded.
    He worked the knife slowly up her spine, slicing through the fabric nearly to the top. She exhaled when he removed the dagger. And with a final tug, he ripped the bindings away, exposing her fully.
    Her breasts fell free and her clammy skin chilled in the brisk relief. She could finally take a full breath. And would have done so had the door not flung open.
    Elyssa shrieked. For a full moment, Mister Kipp, wide-eyed and shaken by her scream, stared, his mouth hanging agape. She flung her arms over her bosom and spun around smacking into the captain’s hard chest.
    His throaty chuckle rumbled in her ear. How dare he laugh. Mister Kipp got quite an eyeful. She was mortified with embarrassment and Captain Blackthorn found it all entertaining. She should be teeming with resentment. ’Twas his doing, making her disrobe. But the moment he wrapped his arm around her shoulder, pulling her close, well, her mind muddled. His hold, the warmth seeping in from his arm, the gentle squeeze, confused her. Heat from his calloused hand burned upon her flesh. And she liked it. Such foolhardy thoughts. He was a dangerous man, and she his prisoner. She shouldn’t lose sight of that.
    “I think it wise to knock, eh, Mister Kipp?”
    “So it seems, Capt’n. My deepest apologies to ya, and to ye, miss.”
    Elyssa could only nod, not wanting to look Mister Kipp in the face, as much for not wanting to move from the captain’s embrace as for humiliation.
    “Remember that French bucket we claimed last month?” Captain Blackthorn said. “If I recall, we acquired one pompous traveler’s chest of fine dresses and under things, no?”
    “Ah, yes. I’ll never forget that cat-claw. Couldn’t stuff a gag in her vicious yap fast enough.” Mister Kipp chuckled. “Ya be wantin’ me to bring it up?”
    “Aye. Mrs. Montgomery will be staying in my cabin for the rest of the voyage.”
    “I reckon that’ll be a bid for trouble, mate.”
    “So was that cat-claw, yet you still managed a dalliance with her.”
    “Aye, that I did.” A crooked smile hitched up Mister Kipp’s cheek. “Then I couldn’t get rid of the fair piece. Trouble, I say.”
    “Verily. No more trouble than I can handle.”
    Bedad. She was practically stark naked and these two were reminiscing. Elyssa cleared her throat.
    The captain smiled down to her, his eyes migrating to her breasts she squished to hide. Though she didn’t hear Mister Kipp’s response, she did hear the latch of the hatch door closing over her pounding heartbeat.
    “The quartermaster is usually the first to handle the spoils of quarry. ’Tis fitting, I suppose, that Mister Kipp witnessed your prizes before his captain.”
    She gulped down the chirrup caught in her throat.
    “Do not fret, lass, I’ll be a gentleman…for the time being.”
    His arm dropped away and she suddenly felt the vulnerability she should have had all along.
    Captain Blackthorn handed back her shirt. “I’ll