Read Fiery Pursuit (Passionate Pursuits, Book One) for Free Online Page B

clever, aren’t you, Lars?” Her great eyes stared into his, but he could read little in them beyond curiosity. Well, perhaps a tiny flare in the back of her eyes, but it would be unwise to keep staring at her with all his men watching.
    “Not so clever,” he said. “But I would like to know every bit about you.”
    She shrugged. “There is a little story to my name, but I’m not sure if it’s interesting to you. Did you ever hear of Sophia Germain?”
    He thought a moment. “I believe I have. She worked with numbers theory, as I recall, and is regarded as a true mathematical genius. But I thought her name was Sophie.”
    “Ah, there’s the rub. She was known by both, but my father was adamant about Sophia, and I prefer Sophie. I’m named after her though.”
    He stopped and kissed her forehead. Everything she did was irresistible. Let his crew gawk all they wanted. He’d make it plain this girl was his, and therefore inviolate.
    “Then I shall call you Sophie, unless we’re at some grand occasion that calls for Sophia. She died earlier this century, I believe. I don’t know much else about her.”
    Sophie grinned up at him. “Have you visited the Eiffel Tower?”
    “Of course.” Lars was puzzled at the switch of topic.
    Sophie gave a crow of laughter. “Sophia’s theory of elasticity is what enabled it to be built. We women are not stupid, you know.”
    Lars gave her a little shake. “You have no call to accuse me of making such an assumption, my dear. Now let us resume our tour. You’ve seen the masts and the sails and the deck my crew keep so well polished. Would you like to go below again and see the steam engines?”
    He wanted to get her below and out of sight of the crew. He didn’t like the way that one big deckhand stared at her. He’d best keep an eye on him. Damn, he’d thought that blanket protection enough. He should have known her face and hair would attract any male on earth. How the hell had her father kept such a gorgeous treasure under wraps?
    * * * * *
     
    Lars walked her back to his cabin, showed her where he kept some books under his bed and left her already engrossed in one. The book described a complicated method of navigation, but he guessed she was the type who enjoyed reading anything. He resumed thinking furiously how best to protect her. His plans about dressing her in the cabin boy’s clothes seemed riskier than he’d expected. If the men couldn’t take their eyes off her when she was draped in a blanket, he hated to think of their reaction to seeing the curves he imagined a boy’s pants would emphasize. They’d walked past the small-sized clothes pinned to a cord and flapping in the brisk breeze. Perhaps he’d see if they were dry and take them to her. And then they’d decide.
    The garments were dry, and he slung them over his arm and started below. A sudden strong gust of wind changed his mind, so he decided to stop by the engine room and see if the ship should unfurl sails and take advantage of the wind’s power.
    Finding Captain Stevens already issuing orders, he watched a moment, then complimented him and left. Grinning, he imagined Sophie in the boy’s pants. At least she could be comfortable in the cabin, but he knew with certainty she’d still need the blanket if she went on deck.
    Going down the steps, he heard a muffled scream. Tossing down the clothes, he rushed toward Sophie’s cabin, drawing his dagger as he ran at his elf’s speed and threw open the door.
    The black-haired man hulked over her and pinned her against the wall, the blanket tossed away. His beefy hands clutched her throat and his body thrust in lewd rhythm against hers as he sought to subdue her. Lars didn’t need to call on any of his elfin powers. Furious, he put one hand on the brute’s shoulder, twirled him around and slammed his fist into first his chin, and then his stomach. With only a grunt the brute slumped to the floor.
    Lars turned to Sophie and held out his arms. Her