Read Online A Taste of Paradise by Connie Mason - Free Book Online

Chris managed his crew and ship. He introduced her to Mr. Blaine, his first mate, and pointed out different parts of the ship, offering explanations as he went. When Sophia saw the mainmast, her mouth gaped open.
    â€œIs that the mast you climbed?”
    â€œIt is.”
    â€œYou could have been killed!”
    â€œThat’s a bit dramatic, Sophia. I’ve been doing it for years and haven’t fallen once.”
    â€œOnce is all it would take to kill you. You always were headstrong and reckless.”
    Cocking his head, he sent her an odd look. “I could say the same about you.”
    Sophia sought to change the subject. Every time their past was brought up, Chris became sullen and unreasonable. “If you have something pressing to do, you can leave. I want to stand at the rail and watch the sea.”
    â€œI suppose you can’t get into trouble if you stand here and behave yourself. If you get cold, feel free to return to the cabin.”
    Sophia nodded agreement and returned her attention to the sea, clapping delightedly when she spotted a school of frolicking porpoises.
    â€œSo that’s our little stowaway,” Blaine said when Chris joined him a few minutes later. “How was she? I assume she spent the night in your bunk.”
    â€œShe did, but not in the way you think, Mr. Blaine.”
    Blaine sent him a startled look. “Never say you didn’t tup her.”
    â€œThat’s precisely what I’m saying, though I suggest you keep it under your hat. I want the men to believe Sophia is mine in every way.”
    Blaine wagged his head in disbelief. “I’ve never known you to pass up a good thing when it falls in your lap. Give her to me if she doesn’t appeal to you.”
    Chris sent him a hard look. “Sophia is mine, don’t forget it.” Though Chris didn’t like the way Blaine was regarding Sophia, he didn’t want to reveal their past relationship. It was still too painful to talk about. “Don’t you have something to do, Mr. Blaine?”
    â€œI have a great deal to do, but I’d rather watch you stare holes into your stowaway. For pity’s sake, Captain, if you want the woman, take her.”
    â€œI don’t want her.”
    â€œTell that to someone who will believe you.”
    There was no help for it. He had to tell his friend a bit of the truth. “Sophia isn’t what you think. I knew her a long time ago. It didn’t work out between us.”
    â€œDid you meet her in a bordello in London?” Blaine asked.
    â€œNot even close,” Chris replied. “Sophia is a virgin. She’s running from someone but refuses to enlighten me as to why.”
    Blaine stared at Chris in disbelief. “She’s a virgin? How can you be sure if you didn’t tup her?”
    â€œDon’t you think I can tell when a woman is a virgin?”
    â€œOf course, but wouldn’t you have had to—”
    Chris’s expression must have warned Blaine he was treading in dangerous waters, for he quickly changed the subject. “Do you still intend to ship her back to England once we reach Jamaica?”
    â€œI do. Sophia is a responsibility I don’t need, a woman I refuse to get involved with again. She’s trouble, Blaine. She’s
in
trouble.”
    â€œShe’s in trouble? How can you return her to England to face whoever is threatening her if you know she’s in danger?”
    â€œWhose side are you on, Blaine?”
    â€œYours, of course, Captain. I’m just saying I’ve never known you to throw a woman to the wolves.”
    Chris returned his gaze to Sophia, wondering why he was letting her plague him, why he felt the need to protect her. Blaine was right, it was going to be difficult to return her to a dangerous situation, but what choice did he have. These were unsettled times in Jamaica. According to reports, the slave situation on the island was primed to