Read Online Sea Panther (Crimson Storm) by Dawn Marie Hamilton - Free Book Online Page A

rumored to
have been hired by one of my ex-clients. But he called me the Panther’s whore
and you the son of the devil. He said you only bring women onboard Sea
Panther for perverted sex.”
    “Really? Perverted sex? That is insane.”
    “I’m not making this up. He said he’d be back. Said he’d
take the life of one slut to avenge another.”
    “What the hell does that mean?”
    “Haven’t a clue. Do you?”
    “Nae.” Robert scanned the street. “Come. Let us return to
the yacht before we run into more difficulties. And what is this about a hit
man?” He stopped walking and twisted to stare at her. “You neglected to mention
that wee detail in your job interview.”
    * * *
    Oops . Kimberly hadn’t meant to let that tidbit of
information slip. She swallowed and met the captain’s gaze straight on. “On the
merits of a financial tip I received from a trusted friend, I invested my money
and the money of a couple of clients in an off-shore deal. The investment
failed and we lost everything. After my firm fired me, I heard a rumor one of
my clients put out a hit contract on me. But I can’t believe he’d do such a
thing. He’s a really nice man.”
    “Was the loss great?”
    “Yeah.” Kimberly closed her eyes, swamped by the
embarrassment of her stupidity.
    The captain’s fingers grazed her scraped cheek, leaving a
trail of tingling sensation. “No man is really nice after he loses a
substantial sum of money. His ego will compel him to lash out at the one who
caused the loss.”
    “Is that what you would do?” Kimberly placed a palm where
Robert had stroked, marveling at the tingling effect of his touch.
    “Not if it were you, sweetling.” He leaned forward.
    Her pulse quickened. He placed a hand behind her head,
slowly pulled her forward, and kissed her. A brief touch of satiny lips. Enough
to cause a craving for more to burn within her breast.
    She shouldn’t allow him to kiss her. Shouldn’t lean on him,
but she was vulnerable. He felt so good. Kimberly wrapped her arms around his
neck and kissed him back with all the pent-up passion within her demanding
release.
    His sharp intake of breath indicated his surprise. She took
advantage, slipping her tongue into his mouth. He tasted great. A combination
of champagne and berries.
    He got with the program and angled his head, allowing deeper
penetration.
    She wanted to climb his body. Ride him.
    He pulled away, leaving her breathless. A low growl escaped
his throat, startling her. “What’s wrong?”
    “That will not happen again.” He grasped her hand. “Come. I
need to return to Sea Panther and figure out what to do about you.”
    * * *
    Rays of golden sunlight shimmered through the porthole and
Kimberly stretched lazily. Although Robert’s kiss the previous night started
out tentative, she’d responded with unrestrained passion. Who would have
thought she’d had it in her? Certainly not her ex-fiancé.
    Holding Robert in her arms had made her feel complete, as if
he filled a void deep inside her of which she’d been unaware. She’d felt empty
when he pulled away. She wanted to hold onto the good part, but the delicious
memory of their intimate embrace faded quickly when she glanced at the clock
and noted it was past noon.
    Her alarm hadn’t gone off. Someone should have wakened her. Shit .
Had she blown it? Had Robert decided to fire her?
    She pushed away the bed sheet, swung her legs over the side
of the bunk, and chewed on her bottom lip. Would she be left to fend for
herself in Annapolis? This late in the season, it would be difficult finding a
crew position on another boat headed south. There wasn’t enough money to get
back to New Jersey. Besides, she wouldn’t be safe there.
    She couldn’t go north.
    Was it safe here? Would it be safer farther south? She’d be
safe with Robert. And she didn’t want to leave him. Not before exploring the
new sensations he provoked.
    Oh, God, what did he have planned? Could he be convinced to
let