Red twisted from his grasp and joined her men, keeping her back to him as the first group began boarding a longboat. He turned to the water. Best to deal with her later.
It took two trips rowing back and forth to get everyone on board. Red stayed on the beach until the last man set foot in the boat. She helped push the vessel into the waves and Christian made his way over to give her a boost in.
She swatted his hand away. “No thank you, Lieutenant. I can take care of myself.”
With one jump, she lifted herself from the water and took an open space on a bench. He shook his head and followed suit, making sure to sit behind her. The rigid line of her spine never eased. Not until they reached the schooner and clambered aboard. Men crowded the main deck, and with nowhere to go, she leaned against the railing.
Christian pushed through the sailors and climbed up to the forecastle where Isaac and his other officers stood. “We’ll be setting up watches. Griff, your men will stay in the cargo hold until morning.”
The sun already hovered near the horizon and he scowled. It would have been nice to get sailing before dark.
“Make it quick so my crew can get this ship ready to sail.”
Everyone below sprang into action and he turned to Isaac. “Get the anchor raised and ready the sails.”
He moved to the railing and kept watch over the sorting process going on below. Everything went smoothly, until a flash of red hair caught his eye. She moved in unison with her crew, toward the hatch.
“Damn it.”
He vaulted to the deck and fought his way to her. Just as she turned to climb below, he reached out and grabbed her shoulder. Her eyes narrowed and she tried to pull away.
“Where are you going?”
“To the cargo hold. With my crew. That’s where you told us to go, right?”
“I didn’t mean you.” The thought of her crammed in the small space, between a bunch of men, with no way to see to her needs, sent a frown over his face. “You’ll take the main cabin.”
She sniffed. “I don’t need special treatment, Lieutenant.”
“Stop acting so tough. I’m offering you the cabin. Take it. God knows you could use it.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
He raked a hand through his hair before tugging her up. Blasted woman. They made it halfway across the deck before she dug in her heels.
“No need to drag me around in front of your men. I’ll follow you.”
When he released her, she pulled her arm away and fell into step behind him. Opening the door, he ushered her inside. A lantern had been lit, sending soft light through the small space.
“It’s not much—”
She brushed past him. “It’s fine.”
Not half the size of his old cabin, this one had barely enough room for the desk and shelves against the wall. A tiny captain’s bed took up the other wall, and instead of big windows, three portholes gave the only glimpse outside.
At the desk, she ran her hands over a weathered map.
“Red?”
She stiffened.
“About last night . . .”
“It’s alright. I already told you, no need to discuss it further.”
He crossed the room in two strides. “Look at me.”
Turning, she blinked at him. Wary. He sighed. Couldn’t blame her. “I didn’t mean it.”
