Her Very Strict Captain by Carpenter, Maggie (best book club books of all time TXT) 📗

another, his days of living in fear were over. He’d either make himself disappear, or be dead. If he survived, the watch would be a constant reminder of dark days, and he certainly wouldn’t need it six feet under.

Roxy stirred next to him.

As much as he wanted to start the day devouring her, his mind was focused on his mission.

“Roxy baby, I have to roll,” he murmured, hugging her tightly. “I’m not sure when I’ll be back, hopefully this afternoon, but there are some things up in the air. I’ll call you when I can.”

“I’d like that,” she said softly.

“I need a favor. There are some bad dudes after me. If anyone asks if I’ve been here in the last twenty-four hours—”

“I haven’t seen you,” she said softly, interrupting him, “and whatever it is you have to do, I hope it goes smoothly.”

“Thanks, me too,” he muttered, wondering what the morning would bring.

“I’ll get you the keys.”

“There’s no need for you to get up, it’s still early. Stay in bed and get some sleep. Just tell me where they are.”

“The hall tree drawer. It’s berth 42 at the Crown Bay Marina. She’s a motor launch named Minnie. I keep her gassed up and ready to go.”

“Great, thanks, Roxy, you’re a lifesaver,” he said, kissing her quickly before climbing from the bed.

Though the word was an overused adage, she actually was.

* * *

Waking up to find Scott holding her from behind, and his stiff member sliding into her channel, Elizabeth moaned as he nuzzled her neck and kneaded her breasts. Losing track of time as he passionately pumped, and his hands roamed over her body, when she reached the brink and begged for permission to climax, she expected him to pause, but he continued his vigorous thrusting.

Suddenly placing his hand over her mouth, he whispered his permission and rode her into her orgasm. Muffling her cries as she shuddered through the spasms, he pressed his lips against her neck and stifled his loud groans. A few minutes later, still floating in the post-orgasmic haze, she felt him start to move from the bed.

“Do you have to leave already?” she asked, her eyes still half-closed. “Can’t you stay and snuggle for just a little while?”

“I have to check in and make sure there were no surprises overnight, then I’m having breakfast with Jack and heading to St. John. I have a meeting with the agents working with the catering companies. Once I’ve done that—”

“It’s okay. You don’t need to give me the laundry list.”

“You’re welcome to join Jack and me if you want,” he offered, walking into the bathroom. “He always cooks too much.”

“I will, I think I’m hungry.”

“You think?” he said with a chuckle, pausing at the door.

She broke into a grin. “I am.”

As he disappeared, she stretched her arms above her head, then climbed from the bed and padded across to the sliding glass window. Peering through the shades, she found a beatific day. The aqua waters sparkled, no ominous clouds hung low in the sky, and the hint of a breeze fluttered the colorful flora.

But later that night Scott would be entering a dangerous den swirling with a tempest of treachery.

A chill pricked her skin.

“Please keep him safe,” she quietly prayed, closing her eyes.

Leaning her forehead against the glass and letting out a worried sigh, she resolved to appear bright and positive regardless of the fear coursing through her veins.

“He’s only a man.”

Scott’s voice startling her, she turned to see him walking toward her, a towel wrapped around his waist. Droplets of water dribbled down his torso. She wanted to lie on top of him and lick away every single—

“Did you hear what I said?”

“Uh, yeah, but I’m not worried,” she replied, forcing a smile. “I know everything will go well.”

“I thought we agreed to be straight with each other.”

“But I do know everything will go well.”

“You’re scared,” he said softly, taking her into his arms. “I can read you at fifty paces.”

“So you’re psychic on top of everything else?”

“Sometimes, and what I just said is true. Sonny Conchello is only a man.”

“He may be only a man, but he’s still an evil genius,” she murmured, pulling back and looking up at him.

“An evil genius is still only human, and humans are inherently flawed,” he said confidently. “They make mistakes. He’s no different.”

“You, on the other hand, being Superman, are incapable of such frailty.”

“On the contrary, making mistakes has made me smarter and wiser. What’s the old saying? If it doesn’t kill you, it makes you stronger.”

“But have you ever taken down an international drug lord and lived to tell the tale?”

“Nope, but I’ve taken down international terrorists, and they’re a whole lot tougher and meaner than some self-important drug dealer.”

“Yeah, I guess they would be,” she muttered, trying to imagine his days in the Middle East.

“Elizabeth, listen to me,” he said, lowering his voice and walking her back to the bed to sit down “Much of Conchello’s power comes from the illusion he’s created. All knowing, all powerful, eyes in the back of his head. The people around him think like you do, so they’re afraid to go up against him, and if they do dare to take the plunge, they go into battle expecting to be outwitted.”

“With good reason,” she interjected. “You don’t know him.”

“Trust me, I know plenty, and I’m going in with the opposite expectation. I will outmaneuver him, and I don’t see him as some brilliant warlord. I see him as a narcissistic psychopath, and believe me, beneath his fearless exterior beats the heart of a coward. I have absolutely no doubt I’ll be leading him out of that estate in handcuffs… assuming he’s still alive.”

The short earnest speech hit home.

“You’re right,” she whispered. “Everyone thinks he’s an indestructible being who sees and hears everything, and is impossible to defeat.”

“It’s all theater, Elizabeth. Yeah, he’s cruel and sadistic, but he also plays a role. Strip off his flashy jewelry and clothes, and