The Captain of All Pleasures by Kresley Cole

hair of hers. It was twisted in an elaborate style, and he could more easily see the golden strands threaded throughout. Piled atop her head, it made the rest of her form seem fragile and small.
    Though she seemed so slight, she’d been soft. Soft when he’d come across what had to be the most beautifully shaped breast he’d ever held in his life. Shrugging away that too-appealing memory, he asked in a voice gone husky, “Can I get you something to drink?”
    â€œOh, I’m not supposed to—” She stopped, then said, “Yes, I think I would like one—whatever you’re having, please.”
    He was having whiskey—neat—but he didn’t think that’d do for the slight girl, so he added water to hers before handing it to her. “I have some questions for you.”
    â€œAnd I for you,” she replied. “But I’d like to hear yours first.”
    â€œVery well.” He moved to a chair and motioned for her to sit. She tucked a leg under as she sank into the plush settee facing him.
    She took a drink, not a dainty sip but a good draw. He nearly chuckled at her watering eyes and convulsive swallowing. It was strong liquor, and since she was obviously a novice drinker, he was impressed she’d kept from gasping aloud or coughing.
    When she recovered a bit, he asked, “Who were those men following you?”
    As she recalled that night, her face turned fierce. Not afraid any longer, just very angry. “They’d broken aboard the ship. I stumbled onto them,” she replied with a sharp look in her eyes. He thought she studied him, as if trying to see how her words affected him.
    When she gathered he wasn’t satisfied with her abrupt answer, she added, “That’s all I can say.”
    He sensed that was all he’d get on the subject, so he asked, “Why were you in the Mermaid the other night?”
    She brought the glass to her lips to drink again, then said, “I heard my father was going there to get some information.”
    â€œNice way to put it.”
    She looked surprised before bowing her head as if hiding a grin. But when she looked up, her brows were knitted, and she appeared annoyed. “Then weren’t you there for information also, Captain Sutherland?”
    He almost grinned, but admitted, “I was there because I was too drunk to know better.”
    Her eyes widened. She hadn’t expected that answer.
    â€œI hadn’t realized what kind of place it was either,” she commented with a bright blush.
    He liked the way she blushed. She had such vivid coloring, he wouldn’t expect her to blush prettily, but she did. He found himself asking in an admiring tone, “Why haven’t I seen you before?”
    She stared at her glass and answered, “I’ve been away.”
    â€œAway?”
    She raised her face again. “Oh, here and there.”
    Derek’s lips tilted in a hint of a smile, but he knew it wasn’t a pleasant sight. So she guarded her past? Smart girl. “Why didn’t you tell me who you were?”
    She took another deep pull from her glass. “I didn’t know what kind of man you were. You might have hurt me just to spite my father—I couldn’t be sure.”
    â€œYet you came here tonight?”
    She nodded while pushing a stray curl behind her ear. “I need to hear what you have to say. I want Father released…. I didn’t feel I had much choice.”
    He knew little, and certainly not anything that could overtly benefit her. He’d just wanted her to come tonight.
    He sat back and said, “I will tell you what I know. I did drop the charges against your father. In fact, I went to the constabulary personally to make sure he was released. The constable told me he had evidence of other crimes on Lassiter—”
    â€œThat’s not—”
    â€œI thought the man was lying,” he said. “I don’t