Free Tempest Tossed: A Love Unexpected Novel by Alissa Adams Page A

company—specifically my company.
    "C'mon, Ms. Mischief, let's go up to the bridge. I'll let you drive." She clamored up my arm and took her place on my shoulder as if to say "let's go!" Lady D. loved the bridge. All the multi-colored screens blinking as depths were charted and fish sightings recorded fascinated her. She didn't have the strength in her little hands to push anything hard enough to move it, so she spent her time watching the changing lights, trailing her tiny fingers over the patterns.
    "You're relieved, Jackson," I told the mate. He snapped me a little salute and left me alone on the pilot deck with my thoughts. I was mulling over my unexpected failure to live up to my 'reputation' when I heard the door open behind me. Lady D. sounded a stressed call and I turned to see Rene standing in the door to the control room. I quickly grabbed the monkey because I never knew how she'd react, especially to a female she'd only just met.
    "Mr. Cruz. Oh. Stephen told me to wait here for him . . . um . . . He got called away. I was having a tour. Well then. I'm sorry to disturb you." She turned to make a flustered exit.
    "You aren't disturbing me at all. Come get to know Lady Delaney." Rene took a couple of tentative steps toward me and I watched the capuchin carefully. I hoped she wouldn't make a mad dash for the chef's hair or worse. Lady D. had bitten a woman once and even without her canines it wasn't pretty. The golddigger actually sued and my little monkey ended up costing me twenty-five grand. If it had been her perfect face instead of her ankle it could have been a lot more. Fortunately, it was only a nasty bruise that even her shark of a lawyer hadn't been able to paint as anything more serious.
    Rene didn't seem the least bit afraid of the monkey, but she certainly seemed less than comfortable with me. She kept her eyes firmly averted from mine. I patted the seat beside the captain's chair and she perched on the edge of it, stiff as hell and ready to bolt. The muscles on her shapely legs were tense. I could make out the definition of her delicate, but defined muscles. Spending her days on her feet had given her an awesome set of wheels.
    She smiled kindly at my monkey and looked at her through downcast eyes. It was intuitive. Lowering her head, shyly peeking at the monkey through her lashes was a naturally submissive gesture. It was also damn cute. Lady D. read the body language and leapt from my hand onto Rene's bare knee. I knew how those cool little hands tickled on bare flesh. Rene didn't flinch, but predictably she giggled.
    "Hello there, little one," she said in a sea-soft voice. Lady D. began an inspection tour of Rene's body beginning with the edge of her denim shorts. She wiggled her hand into the pocket nearest her no doubt hoping there were bears in there.
    "Lady D. . . . be good. No more candy today." The monkey gave me one of her most disarming grins and Rene laughed out loud. Tiny simian hands plucked at the buttons on Rene's blouse and reached the swell of her breasts. Of course, capuchins don't have any manners and Lady D. gave the two perfect small mounds her complete attention. Rene continued to be a good sport about it. I envied my monkey as she explored my chef’s ripe roundness.
    "You don't see many of those covered up, do you?" Rene quipped. As soon as she said it, I could see the fire rise in her cheeks. "Oh . . . oh I am so, so sorry. It just came out." She stood up suddenly, causing Lady D. to scamper up to her shoulder. When Rene reached up to take her in her hands, the monkey bolted for the opposite shoulder. After a couple more back and forths, Lady D. climbed to the top of the chef's head.
    "Would you please get her off of me?"
    I patted my shoulder but Lady D. refused to obey. The whole scene was pretty hilarious.
    "She doesn't seem to want to let you go." Rene still wouldn't look me in the eye. I didn't think it was possible for a person to turn such a bright shade of red without