Page 21 of Hired by Pirates

I had no idea how to finish that thought, so I interrupted myself by leaning in to kiss her again. Those lovely lips parted, welcoming me in. Soon we were wrapped in each other’s arms, moaning as our kiss became more passionate.

The dinner bell broke our embrace, and Astor looked up at me with dreamy eyes.

Whatever we were, there was a deep, fiery connection brewing between the two of us that felt like a pile of dry kindling just waiting for the match.

~ Chapter 9 ~ Astor ~

* Terrible Timing *

By the time I slipped into my nightgown and got ready for bed, I was the wonderful sort of tired that comes from having a busy, fulfilling day.

&n

bsp; From pulling a deep splinter from Jake’s shoulder to making suggestions for Barnaby’s creaky knee, I felt that I was a big medical help to the crew. Plus, I’d managed to repair two shirts and a pair of trousers.

It felt surprisingly restful not being on my feet all day long. I would never have guessed that in some ways, it felt that I was actually being pampered. There were many hands to cook and clean, and there was always someone around if I had a question.

Being connected to so many people, it felt like having a family, or at least a circle of fellow workers. It was positively glorious.

I was greatly relieved that the entire crew seemed to accept me as one of their own without question. Although they wouldn’t allow me to lift anything heavy, or exert myself. They still definitely treated me like a lady.

I was determined to toughen up, and once I found my sea legs, whatever that really meant, hoped I could be of even more help.

As I prepared to get into bed, it wasn’t clear which one I should slip into. Just because the Captain invited me into his bed for one evening did not necessarily mean that he wanted my company there permanently.

Sitting nervously on the edge of the other bed, wondering what to do, the Captain burst in with a laugh.

“I just knew you’d be sitting here fretting about which bed you should take,” he said, closing the door and pulling me into his arms.

“I didn’t want to assume,” I said meekly, looking down.

“And I never thought to mention it, my lovely lass. You must understand, I’ve never officially courted a woman before. I’ll likely forget to tell you all sorts of things. So please, don’t fret. Just ask me if you have a question. All right?”

The Captain considered us courting. That word made my heart sing.

“All right.”

“Good. You’re welcome to sleep alone, of course, but I greatly enjoy your company in my bed. It’s up to you.”

I moved to his bed and politely turned away as he pulled off his shirt. Since the lamps were still lit, I couldn’t resist sneaking a look at the dark tattoos that ran up and down his thick arms. Someday I wanted to hear the story behind each one.

He sat on the edge of the bed and pulled off his boots. Then he sat me up, pulling me into his lap to hold me against him.

His lips met mine in a gentle kiss. “I can’t believe the most beautiful woman in all the land is on my ship, much less in my bed,” he said in a low, smoldering voice. “If we were in town, I would take you for a moonlight stroll along the lake. Buy you little gifts like…” his nose crinkled as he scratched his head. “What do women like? Hair ribbons?”

I laughed a bit too loudly, which only seemed to delight him more. My hand fell against his bare chest as he rocked me in his lap.

“My sweet girl, I’m so very proud of how you’re fitting in with the crew.”

“Thank you, Cap—” he cut me off with a kiss that held more heat than I was expecting.

His hand ran up my spine to grip my hair, angling my mouth precisely how he needed it. It felt like the air was falling out of my body, until I was a rag doll. Looping my arms around his neck, I held on tightly as he kissed me more deeply, lying me back onto the bed.

I couldn’t believe how much passion he conveyed through such simple gestures. His hand slipped up my waist, stopping at my ribs just below my breast.

His hesitation was sweet. “Astor, I would like to touch you. May I?”

My frantic heart surged with joy, and what I assumed were the first waves of blossoming love. This giant of a man, the commander of a ship, could have simply taken me. Yet he would rather I gave myself to him. It was one of the most beautiful moments I’d ever experienced.

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