Page 10 of A Flash of Golden Fire

“No, Captain. I ain’t got proof, but that’s my age.”

And then, his gaze shifted to my lower half. I held my breath as he stared at my standing prick.

“That’s interesting.”

I took a deep breath. “Is it?”

“Then again,” he murmured, licking his bottom lip and continuing, “Some men your age will swell at anything.”

“Aye, Captain. Somemen will.”

He brought his gaze back to mine, and there passed between us the confirmation of an unspoken secret. He smiled for a brief moment.

“Hmm,” he hummed. His gaze returned to my scar. “It doesn’t hurt?”

“No.”

He frowned. “I should whip you for letting that goat chew my sails.”

I gulped. “Yes, Captain.”

I wasn’t exactly agreeing with him, and I definitely didn’t want that. I didn’t think he was serious.

“But…you look rather a delicate fellow,” he said, gaze sweeping over me as if he was only now allowing himself the pleasure of seeing me in my nakedness.

“Thank you for your mercy. I promise to do better.”

He waved a hand in the air as if the whole goat thing was inconsequential after all.

“May I put my clothes back on, Captain?” I asked, feeling rather vulnerable and still not completely sure he was ‘on my side’, so to speak.

“No, I’m afraid not, Mr Simon Bartholomew White. You must continue to stand for inspection.”

My eyes went wide. “Inspection!”

His lips twitched as if he were trying not to smile. “Oh yes. I inspect all the men who come aboard this ship, in one form or another.”

“All the men?”

“Well, perhaps only the ones who interest me,” he admitted. “In the way that you do.”

My heart rate pounded in my ears, and my cock was at a full stand. He met my gaze again and more than a spark leapt between us.

“May I ask, Captain, in what way do I interest you?” I said, with breathless anticipation of his answer.

He let himself smile then. “Well, definitely not in your animal handling capacity.”

“No,” I agreed. “Not that.” I swallowed thickly. “Then…how?”

Captain Martin and I gazed at each other with much silent messaging.

“Oh,” I said. “That.”

He raised his eyebrows. “You understand me?”

“Aye, I think I do. But perhaps you should say what you mean out loud, in case I am mistaken.” My voice wavered, and I truly hoped Ihadn’t misunderstood him. But best to be clear.

“All right, Simon Bartholomew White. I agree that we should speak plainly, in a situation such as this.”