Hart's Desire (Pirates & Petticoats Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

secret now,” he said.
    She nodded and studied the branch’s leaves. It seemed safer than looking directly into his eyes again. Might as well just say it. Taking a deep breath she plunged ahead. “Captain Hart, I would sincerely appreciate it if you would keep the knowledge to yourself. For Daniel’s sake,” she added quickly.  
    “For Daniel’s sake?”
    She nodded. “My uncle will have him disciplined severely if he finds out we defied his orders.” She held her breath and awaited his answer.
    “But what about your sake?” he said, eyebrows raised.
    “I can deal with any repercussions which affect only me,” she replied, clenching her jaw. He didn’t understand her plea. This wasn’t about her, it was about protecting Daniel. “I don’t want Daniel in trouble with my uncle.”
    Hart glanced up and appeared to ponder her request.
    What a truly arrogant, conceited, horse’s ass.  
    She had to bite her lower lip to prevent herself from saying it out loud.
    After a couple more moments of torture, Hart smiled. “Of course. Your secret is safe with me,” he said.  
    Her quiet sigh of relief was short-lived, however, as he continued to smile broadly. She now noticed he had a slight dimple in his left cheek, which was distracting.
    “My terms for keeping a lady’s charade a secret…are…”
    “You wouldn’t!” she whispered. Would he? Another one of Captain Hart’s kisses would surely be her undoing.  
    Worse, what if another kiss wasn’t enough to buy his silence? What if he wanted more? A strange thrill rippled up her spine and she fought to squelch it. She’d not jeopardize her future any more than she already had. They were lucky no one had seen them. Her family would spare no time dragging Hart before a man of the cloth at gunpoint and forcing him to take her as his bride.  
    She’d become the lonely wife of a man who was, in truth, married to the sea. She could not let that happen.  
    She would not let that happen. Her mother lived a miserable, lonely life while her father was at sea. Her greatest fear was to become a woman like her mother.
    “Should a member of my family witness…”
    Keelan’s words were silenced as he pressed his lips into her palm and sucked gently at its center. The heat from his mouth stirred a hotter sensation within Keelan’s core, leaving her too stunned to speak, too aroused to reason. The power she sensed earlier pulsed through the air around them and she found herself unable to move.  
    Unwilling to move. How did he do that?
    He slowly released her hand. “I shall collect my due another day. Soon.” He gave her a mocking wink. “I promise to remain mute on the topic. In addition, I am pleased to tell you I’ve liberated those imprisoned locks of silk from this wicked bush. You, my dear, are free.”  
    Not yet trusting herself to speak, Keelan stared at him. The raw desire in those piercing blue eyes shook her almost as much as her reaction.
    A smile spread across his face with the slowness of a sunrise. “It’s indeed been my pleasure serving you.” The mockery in his tone made her want to punch him. “As much as I desire to linger, regrettably I must go, though it takes all my strength as a man to do so.” He gave her an exaggerated bow, bade her farewell, and left the garden.
    In a mute stupor, Keelan watched him walk away. Numbly, she lifted a shaking hand to her throbbing lips, still swollen and hot, and uncurled her palm. Oddly, it was not marked, but it burned as if a hot coal had been pressed against it. The sensations both thrilled and terrified her. She inhaled and tried to steady her frayed nerves and slow her pounding heart. Even as reason had warned her to resist, her body hadn’t listened. Keelan had never been drawn to a man in this way before. It left her horrified, bewildered…even a little curious.
    As reason returned, the way she’d allowed Hart to take advantage of her position infuriated her. Her own stupidity disgusted