The Captain's Lady Read Online Free

Eric stood over him at 6'2". They had been friends for almost fifteen years and Joe understood where Eric's views came from. A neglected childhood, abandonment. Yet there were still many facets he kept locked away.
    "Damn, she was worked over pretty good.” The pain in his voice was unmasked as he held himself rigid, darting a glance at Joe who stood silent beside him.
    Startled by his friend's rare show of emotion, he shot a piercing look at some curious crewmen passing by. “Let's talk in your office.” Joe gestured to Eric with a quick tilt of his head.
    He cursed under his breath, allowing the rush of anger to surge through him for being so careless. This was the last thing his crew needed to see, an outward display of emotion from their hardened captain, stirring up an already dramatic situation. What was wrong with him? He had been rattled all morning. He was usually so driven, focused, so in control of any given situation. Maybe talking with Joe would help clear the muddle in his head. With an abrupt spin on his heel, he headed to his cabin, with Joe following close behind.
    Closing the door, Joe watched as Eric walked around the dark mahogany of his L-shaped desk. He pulled out the high-backed leather chair and in one fluid motion dropped down, leaning back into the buttery softness. He smoothed his hand over his chin and the scratchy growth of the dark shadow that was a subtle reminder he needed to shave.
    The cabin was large and spacious. The dark carpeting covering the floor was the same as in other officer's cabins; the only difference was this cabin had a separate sleeping room. The outer office they were in was large with a newly furnished couch and chair. This was where they held their daily department head meetings. The large desk took up a goodly portion of the room, boasting more the status of CEO of a large corporation instead of captain on a US Navy destroyer. The ship was new; all the amenities were first rate.
    Pulling out the upholstered chair on the other side of the desk, Joe sat, crossed his legs, and waited for Eric to continue. After several minutes of dead silence, Joe cleared his throat. Eric smiled at the gentle reminder to get on with the show. How often had he heard this in their morning meetings?
    "So how is she? What did the doc say?” Eric just raised his eyebrows at the repeated question. “Sorry, just thought I'd ask again."
    Closing his eyes for a moment, running his fingers through his short-cropped hair, he physically gained control over the jumbled thoughts in his head. “As I said, she's dehydrated, baby appears to be fine. She's pretty close to her delivery date. Doc thought just a few weeks.” He clenched his jaw as a tweak in his cheek betrayed his mounting frustration. “As I also said, she was worked over pretty good; a lot of bruising, including her ribs, so at the very least, she'll be sore for a while. Right now anyway, she stays put."
    "Is that what the doc said? She's going to remain on board?"
    Leaning forward as the predator within him revealed itself, he said, “No that's what I say.” Agitated, Eric jabbed a thumb into his chest, then pushed out of the chair and paced to a side table holding a pitcher of water and cups. Keeping his back turned, and with slow deliberation, he poured a cool drink, taking the time to reign in his temper and the wave of possessiveness that smoldered just below the surface. What the hell was wrong with him?
    He swallowed the water in one gulp as confusion swelled. Eric turned to face Joe with a fierce glow sparking in his eyes, a warning to say no more.
    Joe sat calmly in his chair, used to the short outbursts of temper by his boss. Keep her here? What the hell was that all about? Eric was a stubborn lout and opinionated as hell about women. Taking that into consideration, why was Eric so protective of this newcomer? What the hell had gotten into him?
    A drug-addicted mother had abandoned him at the age of eight in a dark alley in