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

sleeve, then started back down the dock. Moving at a leisurely pace, he passed a couple of people on the way. They smiled, he smiled back. Reaching the catamaran, he quietly climbed on board, his long legs making the move easy and silent, then creeping up to the door, he crouched down and strained to listen.

Scott spoke. A female voice answered.

Dan considered his options.

Elizabeth was wanted by the authorities in Los Angeles. Though he didn’t have jurisdiction, he had his badge. He’d be within his rights to hold her and call the local police, and they’d be obliged to help him.

Gently testing the door, he was elated to find it unlocked.

Softly pushing it open, he dramatically burst into the cabin.

“Elizabeth McKay, you’re under arrest!”

Chapter 3

Staring at the shocked face of the lanky detective bent over and standing in the doorway, Scott hastily stepped in front of the startled young waitress from the Shady Shack.

“Okay, that’s it,” Scott exclaimed angrily. “I don’t know what your problem is, but I’m contacting the local police and filing an official complaint.”

“I’m sorry,” Dan began haltingly. “I thought—”

“I don’t give a shit what you thought,” Scott barked, cutting him off. “First you break in here, and now this. Carrying a badge doesn’t give you the right to come barging in any time you want. Don’t come back unless you have a warrant.”

A dark frown furrowing his brow, the detective turned to leave, but banged his head on the top of the door frame.

“Fuck!” he snarled, urgently rubbing the sore spot. “Damn boats.”

Scott was tempted to make a smart retort, but not wanting to make the situation any worse he held his tongue.

“What was all that about?” Mandy asked, obviously shaken by the intrusion.

“He must have thought you were that girl he’s looking for,” Scott replied, closing the door and watching Dan Miller stride off down the dock.

“But he showed me the picture. I don’t look anything like her.”

“Who knows what his story is, and I’m sorry you had to go through that,” Scott said with a heavy sigh. “Here, take this,” he continued, giving her a ten-dollar bill, “and thanks for bringing the chips and salsa.”

“You’re welcome, but jeez, what a creepy guy.”

“Steer clear of him.”

“Don’t worry, I will.”

Helping her off the catamaran, he walked with her a short distance to make sure the obnoxious detective had left, then quickly returned to the salon and called Jack.

“Hi, Scott, perfect timing,” Jack declared, answering the call on the first ring. “I’ve just finished talking to Jay, one of the cops I told you about. Dan Miller did check in, but he was told he couldn’t take any action without notifying them.”

“Well, he did, and he was just here again,” Scott exclaimed. “Mandy was dropping off the chips and salsa she forgot to put in the bags, and he burst through the door threatening to arrest that woman he’s looking for. The guy is out of control.”

“What? He can’t do that. I’m calling Jay back right now to tell him about this.”

“I think you should, then can you come over for a minute? I want to leave, but I’m here by myself and I need another pair of hands for the lines.”

“Sure, and I take it this means your date showed up?”

“Yep, and I’m setting sail before that asshole decides to come back.”

“Good idea, I’ll be right there.”

“Thanks, Jack.”

* * *

Music had always soothed Elizabeth’s soul, and under strict orders to wait in her cabin until Scott returned, she had retrieved her iPod from her bag. Pushing the EarPods in place, she’d stretched out and closed her eyes. Exhausted from no sleep, no food, and the danger swirling around her, she soon drifted off, remaining sublimely unaware of the drama playing out in the salon. But in her dreams, she had her own scene evolving…

Carrying her against his hip like a sack of potatoes, the muscled seaman crossed the deck and kicked open the door of his cabin.

“Let me go, you bastard,” she squealed, trying to squirm from his fierce hold.

“You’ve always been a spirited wench, but I’ll soon tame you,” he retorted, marching across to his bed. “A good walloping will put you in your place, then you’ll find out what it’s like to be taken by a real man.”

“You’re not a man,” she wailed, trying to beat him with her fists. “You’re a beast and a brute.”

Ignoring her feeble attempts to escape, he settled on the side of the bed and effortlessly shifted her across his lap.

“I’ve watched you wiggle your hips walking around in that tavern, now I’ll finally see your naked ass.”

“No, no, stop!”

“Be quiet and be still, or you’ll be sorry,” he warned, tightly holding her as he lifted the folds of her dress over her waist.

Mortified and afraid, she held her breath, waiting for the inevitable exposure.

“Ah yes, full and plump just as I thought…” he mumbled, smoothing his hand over her backside.

Though still covered by the thin cotton pantaloons, she could feel the roughness of his hand as he fondled and lightly slapped her backside.

“Already she settles,” he grunted. “Perhaps she’s easier to tame than I thought.”

“She?” Elizabeth shouted impulsively, infuriated by his comment and violently kicking out her legs.

Laughing out loud, he placed his leg over the back of her knees and landed a flurry of hot, stinging swats. Though she wailed and tried to gyrate her hips away from the smarting smacks, he had her locked in place.

“Disobey and my hand talks for me. Do you understand?”

“Ooh, yes…”

“You will say yes, Captain.”

“Yes, Captain,” she whimpered.

“Don’t forget it,” he added sternly, delivering another searing smack.

“I won’t. Please don’t spank me anymore.”

“Ha, foolish wench. I’ve only started to tame you. Do as I say and be still.”

Taking in a deep breath, she tried to calm her thundering heart, but not because of his barked command. If she was to get away she needed to think.

When he’d scooped her up in the alley behind the tavern, she’d been