The cabin boy stood frowning at her back, and Christian turned her. A hiss of pain escaped her lips and he let out a curse. A tear in the white blouse revealed smooth skin, marred by an angry red welt. At the edge of the linen, a small splinter of wood poked out. The wet fabric clung to her, pink around the edges from blood.
Once again, his hands clenched. She’d nearly died.
He stood. “To oars, men.”
They jumped into action, splitting into watches that would take turns at the oars. Red sat silently through it all, but at the third change, she took a place at an oar.
Christian set a hand on her shoulder. “No.”
She pulled from his touch. “Don’t coddle me, Lieutenant.”
He made to respond, but Griff met his eyes and gave a shake of his head.
“Fine,” he ground out. “But you’re not rowing alone.”
He sat on the bench next to her and closed his hands over the rough wood of the oar. He’d rowed through both of the previous watches and his arms burned, but he gritted his teeth and extended the oar.
Minutes slid by and he began pacing his breaths, counting them, willing time to pass by with greater speed. When a warm heat crept up his thigh, he glanced down. Red had shifted and her leg pressed against his. Each pump of the oar increased the pleasant pressure. Suddenly, he didn’t care how much longer the watch took.
He could row like this all day.
Griff had been right, and they approached the atoll before the sun began to set. Navigating over the reef took all their effort and concentration, and once the longboats passed the breaking waves, they made quick work of pulling up to the beach.
Someone dragged a large box from under a bench and Red distributed supplies, delegating men to find shelter and food. New watches were organized to post men on each side of the little island for keeping an eye out for any passing vessels. Christian helped gather driftwood and when a decent stack had been piled, he sank onto one of the lightweight blankets procured from the chest.
A rusty glow fell over them as the sun edged toward the horizon. Red walked over and threw down a sack filled with young coconuts near the small fire now burning in the center of all their activity. She barely spared a glance for him.
It shouldn’t bother him.
But it did.
The men sat on mats of palm fronds and passed around a tin ofhard biscuits. When the notes from a tin whistle floated over them, Christian let out a chuckle. Leave it to a bunch of rough and tumble pirates to be so utterly prepared for such an event.
Red didn’t join them. She stood at the edge of the group, kicking sand around in a little pile. Griff patted the empty spot next to him, but she shook her head.
“I’m going to go for a swim and wash up.” She turned and began walking down the beach.
A prickle of unease swept over Christian and he stood. “She shouldn’t be alone.”
Griff huffed. “We certainly don’t have any ladies’ maids around, and I’m positive she wouldn’t want any of us spying on her.”
Christian grabbed the blanket he’d been sitting on. “No. Swimming so soon after being in shock could be dangerous.” A vision of her sinking beneath the water thrust itself to the front of his mind.
“Does that chest contain any bandages?” He folded the blanket as Griff rummaged through it and produced a roll of muslin.
By the time he set out after her, she’d disappeared around a bend. He quickened his pace and jogged along the water’s edge, wet sand pressing into his bare feet. The chatter from the crew faded away until only the quiet sounds of night surrounded him. The soft lap of waves against the beach. The rustle of palm fronds to his right.
When he rounded the bend, he drew up short as Red strode into the water.
Naked.
Her hair cascaded down her back in unruly curls, hiding the welt he’d meant to wrap. Water splashed around her ankles, up to her knees and his throat went tight. The setting sun silhouetted her body, the curve of her buttocks barely visible.
Shit. He rubbed his hand along the itchy stubble on his jaw. If she turned, she’d see him.
Spying.
She didn’t turn. Instead, she dove beneath the swell of a wave. He held his breath until she surfaced. And then his breath left him completely.
