Mystery in the Moonlight by Lynn Patrick

wanted. But if you were thinking of jumping ship, I’d suggest you forget it. You’d never make it to land.”
    Disturbed by his nearness, Caitlin snapped, “Don’t worry, I wouldn’t think of offering myself as dinner to your nasty sharks.”
    Bryce’s expression lightened as he leaned toward her, steadying himself by flattening a hand against the cabin’s wall behind her. “They’re not my sharks. And they’re not particularly nasty. Just hungry, like all animals.”
    Caitlin felt suffocated by his nearness, ashamed that she was still attracted to the scoundrel. And what did he think he was doing, anyway? she wondered, indignant that Bryce obviously was turning his charms on her. She pushed by him, trying to ignore the dizziness that swept through her at the slightest contact with him.
    “Exactly what are your plans for me?”
    “Until your lover ransoms you, or until you decide to cooperate, I plan on putting you to work.” Caitlin was sure that her horrified expression fueled Bryce’s hearty laughter. “Surely you have no objections to some honest work.”
    “Work?” Caitlin asked, deciding to leave the “honest” part for later. “I don’t know anything about boats.”
    “Ship. We took you off a boat, but this is a ship.”
    “Whatever.”
    “Everyone hauls his or her own weight, one way or another. There are quite a few things you can learn to do on a ship with minimal training.”
    She ignored his amused tone and sat back down on the bunk to stop the dizziness she was still feeling. Did the man affect her that strongly?
    Focusing on Bryce with difficulty, Caitlin said, “You’re holding me captive and you think you’re going to convince me to work for you? You’d better think again.”
    “You’ll work when you’re hungry. And don’t worry,” Bryce told her, his voice low as he began unbuttoning his black shirt. “I’ll be happy to teach you whatever you need to know.”
    Caitlin watched his long fingers quickly strip him of the garment, revealing curly chest hair. “What do you think you’re doing?”
    “Getting ready for bed,” he replied so casually, she could only raise her gaze and stare at him. “My watch starts in two and a half hours. I don’t have much time.”
    “Time?” she croaked. “For what?”
    “Why, sleep, of course, unless you’re anxious to begin your new duties immediately,” he said, pulling off a boot. “That’s what I like. An enthusiastic hand.”
    She’d like to give him a hand! Caitlin thought, making a fist. And he wouldn’t like how or where she’d put it, either. “And just where do you propose to sleep?”
    Bryce dropped his pants, and Caitlin popped up out of the bunk when he said, “Right next to you. There’s only one bunk, as I’m sure you’ve discerned. But, being a gentleman, I’m willing to share.”
    “If you were any kind of gentleman, you’d sleep on the floor.”
    “I don’t believe in taking anything to the extreme.”
    “Well, I do!”
    Avoiding looking at Bryce—she was sure he was about to strip the skimpy briefs from his hips!—Caitlin grabbed a blanket and pillow, off his bunk before he could protest. Looking around the small cabin, she decided she could make do with a large old trunk that was pushed up against one wall.
    Once on it, however, she realized her mistake. Not only was it uncomfortable with lumps and bumps sticking into her, but it was narrow too. With every pitch of the ship she chanced rolling off it. Caitlin was about to choose another spot for the night—the floor, if necessary—when Bryce changed her mind for her.
    He said sleepily, “If you’re sensible, you’ll sleep right here next to me on this soft, comfortable, clean bunk.” He yawned widely. “But I presume you’re not into being sensible?” When she didn’t answer, Bryce yawned again and turned on his side. “Have a good night’s sleep, then.”
    “Don’t worry, I will, Captain!” Caitlin declared, trying in vain to find