Tempest's Embrace

Chapter 16

The bright light and the urge to piss woke him from his drunken slumber.
With a moan, he slowly turned over onto his back and exhaled a long guttural groan then reached for his thumping head.

Noticing the lonely sensation in the bed, he looked to his side slowly expecting to meet the little hellion's eyes filled with contempt. Grumbling under his breath, he looked slowly around the cabin. His heart stopped. He blinked to clear his eyes.

"Tempest?"

He sat upright  holding his head then cursed, "Bloody hell!"

He looked around. Where the hell can she be? He swallowed hard.

Clamoring off the bed, he looked around for his boots then frowned. He did not take them off. Did he? With another curse, he bolted for the door and stumbled down the hall towards the upper deck.

In no time as he cleared the last step, he could hear the raucous laughter and singing. As if they did not sleep. With a gruff oath, he continued on towards the quarterdeck and stopped mid-stride. His mind was deceiving him as he watched from afar his men sitting and drinking...

Along with her!!!!....

"When I was a little boy my mother always told me...That if I did not kiss the girls, my lips would grow all moldy." they sang in an off-key tone.

He shook his head in disbelief.
He watched in stark shock as she raised a mug to her lips.

In no time, he was before her pulling the cup away and setting it aside.  Suddenly, the singing stopped. She swayed a bit before peering up into his grim face.

A small giggle escaped her as she looked at him. 

Sloshed- the poor girl was absolutely soused.

His glare went up straight to Quinn that was at her side. The fool gave a coy look and tried to shrink away.

"Have you lost your mind? You don't give grog to a young lady you idiot," Justin hissed.

Immediately, he turned to face her, the dreamy glazed look said more than he guessed...

She was way past her cups.

Her cheeks were flushed with a warm pinkish hue. Severely Flushed.

"D...ddo not be upsset with them," she slurred sadly.

He remained quiet staring down at her. "I was hhhungry," she hiccuped. Dainty fingers cover her lips.

"I tried to offer you supper last night but you refused to talk to me," he pointed out.

She frowned and lowered her head.
With a sigh, he looked toward Quinn.
"Did you at least feed her before you plied her with all this rum?" he whispered in agitation.

"Ay cap'n. We...," He hiccuped. "Just had nothing for the poor lass to drink. She was thirsty," Quinn explained shying away from Justin's ominous glare as he too swayed in his own drunken stooper.

Shaking his head he turned to look down at her again. His heart was sinking to his stomach with the realization that she was alone, drunk, and in the company of his men.
"Are you going to...," she hiccuped. " Toss me o..or board?" she covered her lips.

Then looked up at him with worry.
He clenched his jaw.
"No," he murmured. " But I should throw the lot of them overboard for such a careless act," he turned to them before bending to pick her up in his arms.

She slumped into his embrace and rested her head on his shoulder. He turned then to face his men.
"Clean all of this up and all of you find something to do," he ordered in an exasperated tone.