Free Romancing the Pirate by Michelle Beattie Page B

down to her throat, where her nightdress revealed the creamy swells of her breasts. He lost his breath. They weren’t the most voluptuous but they pressed together, creating a seam that made his mouth want to explore.
    Breathing softly beside him, she slept on, unaware of his struggles. And he had more than one. Yes, she reminded him of his past, and yes, she stirred his needs, but it was the jealousy he’d felt biting him yesterday that bothered him. He didn’t like her. It shouldn’t matter that Nate thought her attractive, or that Lewis was interested in spending time with her. He shouldn’t care. But the thought of that little whelp, or even Nate, touching her made Blake want to stand guard, protecting her from anyone who would take advantage of her innocence.
    Blake grunted, closed his eyes. Some protector he was. Wasn’t he, even now, yearning for her, despite her innocence?
    “Blake?”
    He felt her hand on his forearm and nearly jumped out of his skin. His eyes opened, and he cursed himself a fool even as his gaze ravished her. She hadn’t braided her hair the way he knew most women did when they slept, and it fell in a tangled mass around her face and over her shoulder. Clear blue eyes filled with concern looked down on him. She’d propped herself on her left elbow, and with her right hand on his arm, gravity did the rest.
    Her nightdress gaped open. Her breasts swayed, unfettered by any of those womanly bindings. And if she took another deep breath like the one she’d just taken, he’d see everything he’d need to go straight to Hell. Yet he found himself unable to look away.
    “Blake?”
    She leaned closer and he saw what he’d both wanted and yet been afraid to see. A perfect nipple, pink and hard, ready to be plucked. His blood slammed into his groin.
    Groaning, he threw an arm over his eyes and flipped onto his back.
    “What is it?” she asked.
    He knew by the dip the bed made that she’d slid closer to him. Nate was right—she smelled clean and fresh. It was taking all his will not to reach out and touch her. His hand fisted into the sheet. He didn’t dare speak because he didn’t trust his mouth not to betray him.
    It wasn’t until she grabbed the blanket and he felt cool air brush his navel that he realized what she was up to. He grabbed the cover as though it were a line tossed to a drowning man in the middle of a hurricane. His eyes flew open, and he strained to keep them on her face. Because if they dipped down again … He inhaled sharply.
    “Don’t do that,” he growled, holding the blanket at his waist.
    “Why, are you hurt?” Her gaze trailed over his chest and he clenched his teeth, because in his mind he saw her do the same with her mouth.
    “No, I’m not hurt.”
    Their eyes met and the concern in hers made him feel like a scoundrel. She was worried about him and all he wanted to do was get her naked and devour her like a ripe peach. He closed his eyes again. Hell, what was the matter with him?
    “Are you sure? Because perhaps I can help.”
    She tugged on the blanket.
    “Alicia, unless you want the surprise of your life,” Blake said, eyes still closed, “I suggest you stop right now.”
    Silence reigned for a moment, and Blake thought he had himself under control until she asked, as innocently as she no doubt was, “Why? What’s under there?”
    The situation was anything but funny and yet he couldn’t help chuckling. How did a man answer a question like that?
    He opened his eyes, saw her serious expression. Felt a little tug around his heart.
    “Nothing you’re ready for,” he answered.
    She frowned, dark blond eyebrows slanting over stunning blue eyes.
    “I don’t understand.”
    “And that, Alicia, is why you need to sleep in the hammock until we reach St. Kitts.” Blake slid up the bed, taking the blanket with him, and leaned his back against the wall. Alicia leaned the other way. Now that they were a safe distance apart, Blake sighed deeply, feeling