Read Online Commanding Heart by Madeline Evering - Free Book Online Page B

cheekbones with their
high color, and the golden tumble of curls that hung freely down her back. His
eyes flashed a warning but before Catherine could free herself his mouth came
down upon hers in a punishing kiss.
    A riot of sensations crashed over Catherine
as Knight took possession of her. The feel of his hot, demanding mouth on hers
sent waves of desire through her body. She struggled to remain controlled but
as his hands slid across her back and tangled in her loose hair, Catherine
sagged against him weak with desire. Nothing in life had prepared her for the
raw intensity of this moment, the burning flame that threatened to consume them
both. The heat from his body felt through the thin fabric of her gown sent
shockwaves through Catherine. This was madness and she should stop him, stop
herself from responding, but Catherine found she could not. Instead, she
clutched at his shoulders for support, her heart hammering within her chest as
she eagerly returned his kiss.
    In a sudden, rough motion, Captain Knight
pulled away, holding Catherine at arm’s length. The two panted for breath,
neither speaking, only staring at the other. After what felt like an eternity,
the captain spoke brusquely: “Miss Gibson… I beg your forgiveness. I should not
have….. I beg your forgiveness” he said again, then turned and left the room as
suddenly as he had entered.
    Catherine felt another wave of shock
pass over her as the door clicked firmly closed. She reached out blindly, grabbing
the bedpost for support. Trembling in every limb, Catherine settled at the foot
of the bed. After a long time, she slowly lay down and drew up the covers. The
ship continued to rock in violent motion the remainder of the night, but
Catherine scarce noticed. She lay awake until the storm broke near dawn, seeing
nothing in the darkness but the black glittering pools of the captain’s eyes,
feeling nothing but the touch of the captain’s hands.

Chapter X
    The morning after the storm,
Lieutenant Matthews hurried to Catherine’s cabin to check on his niece. HMS
Triton had weathered the storm well and Matthews was anxious to know
Catherine had done the same. At his knock, he heard slow movements from inside
and after a long time the door finally opened. A pale, wan Catherine stood
inside, blue eyes deeply shadowed in an ashen face. She held her left arm
carefully and Matthews could tell she was in great discomfort. The lieutenant’s
look of good humor was quickly replaced by one of grave concern as he took in
the spectacle of his niece. “Catherine!” he exclaimed, “Are you unwell? You
look a fright.” Catherine smiled weakly at his words: “I will be fine, uncle. I
had a small… mishap last night but I will soon be right as rain.” “What on
earth happened?” Matthews cried in distress, moving inside to get a better look
at the girl.
    Catherine’s mind raced at his
question: What had happened, indeed? She had spent the entire night thinking over
the strange scene with the captain; his unexpected actions, and her even more
unexpected response. She flushed deeply in remembrance of her wanton behavior
and tried to clear her thoughts once more; “I struck my arm, Uncle. I fell and
hit the desk but I am quite well this morning.”
    Matthews could clearly see that she
was anything but well. He clucked like a mother hen, leading her carefully to
the bed and sitting her down. “Stay right there, miss” he ordered. “I am going
to fetch the surgeon to take a look at that arm. Damn me for not checking on
you sooner. I am so sorry I did not come to you earlier Catherine, to see you
were safe…..” “Uncle!” Catherine cut in, wishing desperately to end this
interview, “Please, do not trouble yourself, or the surgeon. I am quite well.
But I do think that I might spend the day here in my cabin, to… to rest a bit…
if that is alright?” She looked at him with such pleading in her eyes that the kind
man could not refuse. “Certainly, child,