Her eyes widened slightly as her brows pulled together. “But you did.”
Damn her for being right. He did. Even as every gentlemanly part of him screamed in denial, he wanted her. Wanted her for himself. Wanted to be able to take her in his arms whenever he desired.
He stepped closer, his body only inches from her. “Nonetheless, I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
She swallowed, the movement drawing his gaze down to the pale column of her neck. Farther, to the swell of her breasts beneath the still-damp fabric of her blouse.
Her lips parted.
A tremor ran through the ship, and she took a staggering step back. “Best be going, wind is in the sails and her anchor is up.”
He took a step back. God, he’d nearly kissed her. With a tight nod, he turned.
“If you need anything, let me know.”
Outside, he blew out a long breath. The next two days would be hell.
Sails sang above, the gentle whoosh countering his raging pulse.
Humid air filled his lungs and he turned toward the forecastle. He crossed to the stairs and set a foot on the first one.
Soft footfalls fell behind him.
“Lieutenant?” Red stood there, twisting her clenched fingers, and he lifted a brow. “There is something I need.” She took a breath. “I mean, need to talk to you about. Ask you.”
His heart gave a little lurch.Invite me back to the cabin.The plea filled his mind for a brief second. He shook his head. Nonsense. Still...
Without waiting for him to answer, she continued on, her words tumbling out in a rapid stream. “Without Thorne following us, we could stop for the treasure. It’s on the way back, wouldn’t waste much time at all. Please. It would mean—”
“No.” A roiling heat washed through his gut. “No more pirate nonsense.”
“But—”
He crossed his arms. “Enough.”
The word rang across the deck and a few of his men looked up. Her shoulders heaved and for a moment, he thought she would continue. But she spun on her heels and stalked away. A tightness spread from his jaw.
Let her be angry.
Someone had to put their foot down on her antics. It was a miracle they’d made it this far. He massaged his temples. Besides, he had enough to worry about. Namely, writing a letter to the governor to explain how he lost one of the navy’s most valuable ships.
She stopped at the mainmast and flung her hair over her shoulder before climbing up to the crow’s nest. The moon reflected off the supple curve of her bottom and he swallowed as she swung one lithe leg over the railing. A moment later a young sailor jumped out and scrambled down.
He forced himself to look away as she set her elbows on the railing and dropped her chin to her hands. Her hair trailed behind in the brisk wind. A beautiful sentinel. Half his crew stared at her as well and he let out a growl. As soon as she went below, he’d have to have a stern talk with them.
She was off limits.
Isaac waved at him from the helm and moments later he joined his friend and took the wheel. They sailed in silence for a while, the crash of waves against the hull echoing through the night. He twisted his hands around the weathered spokes and closed his eyes.
“I take it Miss Warstein’s big reveal didn’t go over well?” Isaac said nonchalantly. Too nonchalantly.
Christian turned to him. “You knew who she was?”
Isaac slapped his shoulder. “Anyone with eyes could have put two and two together.”
Christian pulled away, his muscles tensing. “For how long?”
Something in his look must have warned Isaac because the teasing glint left his friend’s eyes. “I suspected it at the ball. Was surprised you didn’t see it. But when she engaged us the second time, I knew it had to be her.”
