Page 22 of Hired by Pirates

“Yes,” I breathed, moaning at the feeling of his palm touching the underside of my breast through my thin nightgown.

I’m not sure who shuddered harder, him or me.

His large palm gripped me gently, his thumb swiping back and forth across my nipple until I felt the spot between my legs become heated and damp.

“So soft, my sweet angel,” he murmured, slipping his hand into the front to caress my bare flesh.

My gasp was swallowed by another deep, dreamy kiss.

In the back of my mind, I knew this was completely inappropriate behavior for a respectable young lady. Somehow, that made it even more delicious. If I was my own person now, declaring myself a doctor out on the high seas, I could do anything I wanted, wild and free.

The Captain’s other hand reached down, slipping under my skirt and trailing up my thigh. His fingers brushed through the fabric, just where I felt myself becoming wet. Another soft moan escaped me as I spread my legs a bit to tell him that I needed him to touch me more.

It was wondrous how easily we were able to communicate through touch and raspy little breaths. I could sense how much he enjoyed my fingers threaded through his hair, and my palm as it slid along his bicep. We began to move together, as the hard ridge of his arousal began to press against my hip.

I wanted him to make me a woman. Completely. Even though I was still nervous, and not sure whether or not it should be tonight, I knew in that moment that Captain Evans was the man whom I would give myself to when the time came.

“You are the most seductive woman in the world,” he said, those steel gray eyes burning into mine. “Astor, I needed you from the second I laid eyes on you. But now–”

A sharp knock at the door made me squeal in surprise.

“What is it?” The Captain grumbled. He lifted me to sit on the bed beside him, frowning.

“Sir — there’s a skiff beside us. Apparently Captain Searcy of the Black Stag has been injured, and they’re trying to find a ship that has a doctor.”

I could tell by the set of the Captain’s jaw that he knew this other ship.

No matter how frustrating it might be given the moment that was interrupted, a good doctor always puts the needs of the patient first. Standing up, I began to gather my supplies.

The Captain looked at me in shock. There was something new in his eyes. “Lass, you don’t know what sort of men are on that ship.”

“Yes, I do. They’re men that need a doctor. I have to help,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “It’s the right thing to do.”

“Astor, these men aren’t the naughty sort of traders that we are. They don’t just steal from the rich as we do. They plunder anything that amuses them. They’re murderers, thieves.”

“Did you not tell me I was a real doctor?”

“Yes, absolutely, lass.”

“A doctor goes to a patient in need.”

He averted his gaze as I pulled on my dress. Then I thought of a new angle.

“Besides, if these are bad men with a bad reputation, other doctors might not assist them. It seems to me it might be useful if they owed you a...rather large favor.”

His mouth fell open in shock, then snapped shut. “You’re a wonder indeed,” he whispered. I grinned.

“Where is the Black Stag now?” the Captain called through the door.

“Lumsden port.”

“Follow them at full sail. Tell them our doctor does not have all of the supplies and tools, but they are prepared to do their best.”

“Aye, Captain.”

“And Jocko?”

“Yes, sir?”

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