Read Online Temptation: 3 (Timeless Series) by Sandy Loyd - Free Book Online

He wasn’t her beloved Geoff, and she was no simpering fool. She could handle him. In the last year she’d discovered she could handle just about anything.
    
    Jacques’s mocking laughter followed Parker as he made his way to the wheelhouse on the top deck. The sound didn’t ease his frame of mind. If anything, it added fuel to his ire.
    “What cat scratched your back?” Lucas asked, eyeing him thoughtfully.
    “Instead of warning me off, you should’ve saved your warning for Jacques,” Parker snapped.
    “He’ll behave.”
    “Oh? You warn me but not him?” His mouth tightened.
    “If it makes you happy, I’ll warn him off too.” Lucas puffed on his pipe as his gaze returned to the water. “But like I said, there’s no need.”
    “No need?” He rolled his eyes and snorted. “He’s down below flirting outrageously with a naive girl. He’ll have her eating out of his hand in no time.”
    Lucas chuckled and lifted a brow. “What’s the matter, Parker? Jealous? If I didn’t know better, I’d say the woman has you twisted up inside and my warning was justified.”
    “That’s not it.” His spine straightened.
    “Oh? Then what is it?”
    “I just don’t want that Frenchman getting fresh. She does need protecting.”
    Lucas threw back his head and laughed. “Now you see why I avoid passengers. They’re too much trouble and definitely not worth the money.”
    Parker fisted his hand and glared, resisting the urge to plow one into him.
    “All right.” Still grinning, Lucas nodded. “I’ll protect her from Jacques and he’ll protect her from you. How’s that?”
    “This is not a joke,” he said, almost growling. “I’ll even concede you were right to worry about my intentions, as the attraction she stirs is a strong one, but I’m not about to let another take liberties either.”
    Lucas’s smile faded on a sigh. “I can’t believe we’re having this conversation. Jacques is toying with you. We agreed last night. He’s to keep her occupied and out of your way. If you feel there’s impropriety, then I’ll speak to him. But I must confess, he’ll only be more amused.”
    “That bastard,” Parker hissed as his brother’s words sank in. His grin was quick. “I should’ve known.”
    “Aye, you should have. And if she didn’t consume you so, I’m sure you would have.”
    Parker shot his brother a contrite look. “You’ve made your point. I’ll keep my distance.”
    “Good. Finally I can relax. And since I see Hillman heading this way, I think I’ll do just that. I need a little shut-eye and I don’t have time to worry about you and your fixation.”
    “Go and sleep. You’ll have no need to worry anymore over me or my fixation .”
    ~~
    Days turned into a week. The weather cooperated and graced them with clear blue skies and steady winds. The ship progressed, but not quickly enough for Parker.
    True to his word, he’d stayed away from the enchanting Miss Layton as much as he could. The only time he allowed himself in her presence was during meals or when on deck with the distraction of activity or seamen surrounding them. Those times proved the hardest to endure, because the fascinating woman would hold them all spellbound with stories of her adventures with her two friends in their younger years. She’d have them laughing and jesting in no time. Most of the men, including him, were half in love with her, yet all stayed within the bounds of propriety. If someone said or did something she disapproved of, she had a way of cutting him to the quick with a word or a look.
    Parker was no more immune to Miss Layton now than that first night and went to great lengths to avoid her. If he happened to find himself alone with her, he’d offer an excuse and leave. He’d long grown accustomed to the steady arousal he felt around the lovely lady, easily hiding the desire ever present and humming through his system. Still, every now and again, a yearning would overtake him and he’d have