Within a Captain's Treasure Read Online Free PDF

the boy’s topside. Teach him to keep a sharper eye. Be a shame if we saved him from Port Royal, only to kill him at sea.”
    “I’ll see te him, Capt’n,” volunteered Robbins.
    “Good man. Mind your duties first. Bringing Bump aboard was my decision alone, but another pair of watchful eyes may just save the lad.”
    Quinn remembered the day Bump had crossed his path. He had tripped over the lad in the muck of the street. He was filthy, half starved. A woman older than any being he had ever seen had struggled to pick up the child. Quinn gave her assistance and learned about her dear William. How they’d both come to live in a pirate’s den and because William was deaf he was often the victim of brutal treatment. A “fever when he be only a babe stole his ears.” Barely able to stand on her own, she pleaded with Quinn to help. He decided then and there to take the lad aboard and find him some place among the crew.
    He pled momentary insanity when Bellamy questioned him. Through the lad’s seasickness and finding some way to communicate with him, Quinn repeatedly asked himself “why?” but he knew the answer.
    “Robbins, one more favor if you could.”
    Robbins rose, and ruffled the thick, unruly hair on Bump’s head. “Sir?”
    “Mistress Tupper is in need of some clothing. You’re a slim lad. Might you have a spare set of britches?”
    Robbins shook his head and muttered, “Aye, Capt’n.” He rolled his eyes at Bump. “Another damn woman in me pants and nothin’ to show fer it. Ain’t fair I tell ya.”
     

Chapter 4
     
    When Quinn entered his quarters, he found their famous guest curled up upon his bed fast asleep. She wore his shirt, which tucked beneath her and pulled tight to her body. A length of smooth, pale thigh stretched out beneath. He fingered the breeches in his hands and could picture her legs and the curve of her bottom clad in the snug buff fabric.
    It had been a long time since he had a beautiful woman in his bed. And Alice was beautiful. The realization threw him off guard. She’d scrubbed her face and let down her hair. Chestnut waves caressed her pale cheek and caught the lantern light.
    The ties at the neck of the shirt hung loose, exposing a tempting shadow between her breasts. He closed his eyes to the sight, willing his body to squelch the sudden flare of heat that pooled in his crotch.
    His disobedient mind envisioned another fine-milled, garment from long ago, with its row of tiny white shell buttons. Each slipping in turn from their assigned loop from neckline to waist. Parting the fabric, he slipped a hand beneath to stroke the impossible softness of her breast. Was there anything to compare with the silk of a woman’s skin? Warm, round. He could still smell the rosewater she used.
    Pushing aside the fragile fabric, he kissed his way down to take her tightened nipple into his mouth. Circling the firm tip with his tongue, he swept her nightshift off her shoulders and cupped the opposite breast. She trembled at his touch. Moaning when he began to suckle. Pushing her hand into his hair to hold him to her, she begged him not to stop and covered his kneading hand with her own, urging him on. Arching into her pleasure, she sighed his name. He could almost hear her. “Gavin…”
    Hands curled into fists. Sweat rolled between his shoulder blades. The pain in his chest competed with the surging ache in his cock. When he opened his eyes, Alice Tupper lay in his bed staring at him. Her bright green gaze held his.
    Turning his back to her, he grasped at the shreds of his control. Black anger dimmed the edges of his vision. He pulled a great breath into his lungs. His jaw ticked. It wasn’t her fault her eyes weren’t blue.
    * * * *
    Alice woke to Quinn watching her with a queer look about his face. She knew that look. Having seen it on more than one occasion, it was usually followed by her fighting for her honor with some man intent on rutting between her thighs. But then another