Chapter Seventeen
Samantha helped pushthe longboat into the water, ignoring the silent form next to her. Definitely ignoring the tanned muscles of his arms exposed by his bunched-up sleeves. Christian hadn’t said a single word since agreeing to come with them.
Why had she pressed so hard for him to join them? The question continued to echo in her mind as they climbed into the boat. So that he could go after Thorne sooner. Except, could he really stand up against the pirate? Look at what had happened last time he tried.
But if the governor gave him more men, more ships, he might stand a chance. And Thorne might not come after her. She let her fingers brush her pocket, where the stolen half of Read’s map rested and gave the dark ship on the other side of the bay a sidelong glance.
When Thorne woke and discovered his map missing... She shivered and grabbed an oar, throwing all her weight into each stroke. Best to get as far away as possible.
True to form, as soon as they climbed onto the deck, the crew had nearly finished preparations to sail. The anchor lifted from the water before the longboat had been secured in place and the ship slid forward. Samantha left Christian on the main deck and sprinted up to the helm.
As her hands closed on the wheel, the sails unfurled. The topsail slapped in the breeze and when her crew tied it down, it filled and theRaveneased into motion. Her heart rate eased and she guided the ship from the bay.
The rest of the sails were secured and the ship picked up speed.Samantha took off her hat and tied it to her belt as they began to cut through the swells. Still damp from her swim, her hair whipped back in messy curls. It would be a nightmare to tame later, but for now, she let herself fully enjoy the freedom.
Stars sparkled in the clear night sky and she made a few adjustments to their course by memory. She closed her eyes and stroked her hand across the wheel.I missed you.Her lips twisted. If anyone, even Griff, ever found out she spoke to the ship, she’d be a laughingstock. One thing to sing with a ship, quite another to have a conversation with it.
“This isn’t a game for you, is it?”
Christian’s words jerked her back to reality and she turned to where he stood leaning against the railing.
“Of course not.”
He watched her for a long while. “I don’t know what to think of you.”
She turned back to the wheel. “Think whatever you want. I won’t try to sway your opinion of me.”
“You’re a good liar.”
Her hands tightened on the spokes and he sauntered over. “You almost had me believing we were married.”
She rolled her eyes. She’d made a terrible fool of herself with that little act and still didn’t understand how the guards hadn’t called her bluff. “Nonsense.”
“You did have one thing right, however. We have our differences.”
Of course they did. What did he want her to say?
His face darkened. “You had me fooled. All that time. All one big lie. You must have been laughing at my expense.”
She shook her head. “No. It was quite uncomfortable, if you must know.”
He leaned over. “You didn’t seem uncomfortable when naked beneath me. In fact, you were quite enthusiastic, if I recall.”
Thank God for the darkness, because her cheeks flamed. “I—”
“Tell me something, Red. That sob story about your parents, that was a lie as well, wasn’t it?”
Her lip trembled as a ringing began in her ears.
“Don’t you dare bring my parents into this.” She wrenched from the wheel. “Griff!”
Without even waiting to see that he was on his way to take over, she marched down the stairs to the main deck. Her steps led her as far away from the helm as she could go, until she leaned over the bow spirit. Dark waves crashed against the hull below, sending stinging mist into her face.
“Why do you keep saving me?”
He’d followed her.
She twisted with a cry. “Why can’t you leave me alone?”
