The Captain's Pearl Read Online Free PDF Page A

forced it under his. A wicked smile tilted his lips. “Make this look good, blue eyes,” he murmured.
    Her scream was muted by his mouth over hers. She tried to wiggle away. She raised her fists to strike him, but his other hand grasped her wrists and pinned them to the pallet. She struggled beneath him until he laughed.
    In horror, she looked up. His green-gray eyes twinkled with merriment. When his hand settled on the curve of her hip, she shivered. Why did this fire burn wherever he touched her? Was he a demon sent to torture her?
    There was a strange, rough sound in his voice as he whispered, “Keep squirming like this, and I might forget that I promised to do no more than keep an eye on you.”
    She froze, frightened by the potent heat in his eyes and the wisp of a smile beneath his mustache. When his hand brushed her cheek, fire cascaded through her again. She closed her eyes, unable to resist the sweet temptation of his mouth caressing her eyelids before teasing the tip of her nose.
    â€œYou must stop,” she whispered. “This is—”
    â€œDelicious.” His tongue traced her lips, and the brush of his mustache tickled her. “Absolutely delicious. Now let’s convince your nosey friend that you’re earning your keep.” He captured her mouth again.
    Knowing he was trying to protect her, she did not fight him. Instead, she was fighting herself and the longing to touch him as he was her. His fierce kisses swept away her breath as he held her between his rock hard arms and his lips.
    His mouth explored hers, sparking every inch to life. Her fingers discovered firm muscles beneath his cotton shirt. Loosening his grip on her hair, he outlined her body with undisguised eagerness. She sighed against his mouth, unable to battle her own craving.
    His tongue jabbed past her lips to find that soft sound. Astounded by the lightning which shot through her as he boldly explored her mouth, she delighted in the forbidden rapture. Her fingers rose through his hair and discovered his sweaty skin at the open collar of his shirt. Fiercely he pressed her to the ground, demanding as much pleasure as he gave.
    â€œWhat in hell—?” came a gasp.
    â€œDon’t get ruffled, Captain,” Bryce said in English, as he stood and pulled Lian to her feet. “We were just making sure that bastard out there didn’t get suspicious.”
    Davis glanced at Lian who was staring at his first mate an unfocused gaze. “Does she realize that was why you were kissing her?”
    â€œI explained it.” He smiled. “Like I said last night, she’s ripe for a tumble.”
    â€œDammit, Bryce! She is my sister.” He motioned to Lian.
    When she edged around Bryce, Davis gave her an encouraging smile.
    â€œI would make love to your Great-Aunt Tildy to get out of place with my head unbashed. It’s probably too late to tell you this is not going to work, Captain.”
    â€œFar too late.” Davis stared into Lian’s eyes which were so like his father’s. Not just in color. He saw the same nugget of determination. “Lian, we’re going to take you to the ship.”
    â€œShip? The China Shadow ?”
    Bryce commented dryly, “She learns fast, doesn’t she?”
    Davis put his finger to her lips. “Don’t say its name here, Lian. Put these on.”
    Lian looked at the odd clothes he shoved into her hands. Slipping her legs into the trousers, she drew them beneath the silken drape. The waistband reached up under her breasts.
    â€œLovely creature this new sister of yours is!” Bryce chuckled, as he took a piece of rope from his pocket and reached out to tie the trousers around her.
    When she flinched away, he scowled.
    â€œDon’t frighten the poor child, Bryce,” Davis admonished.
    â€œShe is no child. If you had held her as I have—”
    â€œLieutenant Trevarian!”
    Lian could not mistake the anger in