The Captain's Lady Read Online Free PDF

a pair of chairs near the wall. Then the captain turned slightly. Was he deliberately watching her? What did he think she'd do, spill her soup? His penetrating gaze followed her every move. Now she'd surely spill something, she thought, realizing his silent message wasn't cautious or worried at all. It was loaded with sensual overtones. So unnerving. He sat.
    Heat suffused her cheeks, and not from the hot liquid. She felt exposed beneath that all-knowing gaze, naked. But at the same time infuriated at feeling so self-conscious. It was embarrassing to be the focus of all this attention. The men spoke in low tones that came to her only as murmurs. They were talking about her. The knowledge gave her a feeling of powerlessness that was extremely disconcerting.
    His steady gaze met hers anew. This time it bore another message: he was now her protector. She was stunned by the power of this; it was almost magical, the intoxicating effect that drew her to him and, god help her, oh how she wanted him to touch her. Trembling from the brief contact of several moments before, she lowered her head to continue eating.
    Closing her eyes tightly, she forced herself to concentrate on the rich vegetable soup, all the while encouraging herself, eat your lunch, get a grip. The emotions surging through her seemed to be thickening the air the in sickbay. She wondered if the men could see it too. It hung in the room like cotton batting.
    What made him care so much about her? Was he just that type of person? Though Abby had never met one, she knew there were people whose entire lives were spent serving. Yes, that must be it. She'd about convinced herself of his altruistic nature, when he turned and gazed at her again. No, selflessness wasn't his goal. He cared for her. How? They'd just met. Had barely carried on a conversation. Yet the emotion was as palpable as—well, as the baby kicking inside her.
    Struck by this revelation, Abby sucked in her breath and covered the sound with the napkin pressed to her mouth. The movement also served to steady her trembling hands. She set the napkin on her plate, clasped her hands together and lowered them to her lap.
    Eric watched Abby eat, noticing her discomfort and the shy awkward glances. When their eyes met, the timid smile she bestowed on him was intoxicating, as was the innocence and exposed honesty in her face as she meekly lowered her head to eat. How refreshing it was that she wore her emotions openly. S he's not capable of playing coy. What you see is what you get with her.
    Eric folded his arms, legs extended and crossed out in front of him. He listened with intent as the doctor spoke, all the while keeping his eyes on Abby. He knew it was disconcerting to her, but could do nothing to stop himself. He simply could not remove his gaze.
    "So, may I ask what Carruthers did to be sent away?"
    Wrenching his eyes back to his friend, Eric scowled at the bitter reminder of Gail Carruthers.
    Eric's negative opinion on the role of women, especially in the military, was common knowledge, probably spoken about in all venues from the rec room to the showers. He'd openly voiced his views on that subject and others. What it boiled down to: he wasn't interested in playing the game as many men did; saying one thing, but meaning another.
    Larry did not share his views on women, but said he understood Eric's concerns. As the born peacemaker, he'd taken it upon himself to keep female officers well away from the captain. Though Larry tried to hide it, Eric was well aware of what he was doing.
    "She's a stupid twit, lacking all common sense,” Eric finally said. “The last thing I wanted was for her to upset Abby and, frankly, her clumsiness makes me wonder what the hell she's doing here in the first place."
    Larry raised an eyebrow at the crude definition of his corpsman. “Could you try and cut her some slack? You should know by now, you make her nervous. She knows you don't like her, she's voiced her concern to me a