I glance at Hook.
He dips his head to me. “It’s your say-so, lass.”
My say-so. I like the sound of that.
“Yes.” I offer my hand to Tiger Lily. “You have a deal.”
She takes it and covers it with her other one. “You have our protection for as long as you want it.” She squeezes my hand. “And our friendship.”
I blush. I can’t help it. I can’t wait to tell Widow about this. “Thank you.”
We pull away, the meeting over and a shaky alliance struck. It was only words, but I feel like we all took a momentous step forward … toward what, I don’t know.
“Starkey!” I hear Bill Jukes roar and then a hard thud.
Tiger Lily gives Hook a questioning look.
“I think the lads are showing off for you in the garden.” He leans over to peek out the window. “Yes, peacocking at its finest. Starkey’s already shirtless and Bill is out for blood.”
Shiner grins. “I’d like to try my luck.”
Hook makes ahmmsound. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea—oh, hell, Cobweb’s already thrown herself into the ring and is duking it out with Cecco.”
“Woooo!” Shiner jets out of the office.
“I thought you said no bloodshed.” Tiger Lily peers out the window as Shiner joins the fray, the violin music whining faster now.
“No serious bloodshed. Maybe a little for fun.” Hook grins as the brawl grows, though there are plenty of laughs and whoops included in the fighting. “It’s the way of pirates.”
“And of Guardians. I suppose we can let them blow off some steam.” Tiger Lily glides from the room, her long dark hair shining in the lantern light. “I’ll keep an eye on them, make sure no one dies.” She closes the doors to the study, leaving Hook and me alone.
He returns from the window. “We’re all wild things here, I suppose.”
“Definitely.” I’m looking at the wildest thing of all.
He stands in front of me, close enough to touch. Close enough to feel the heat coming off him.
“Why won’t you tell me what you asked the island for?” I look up and try to pry his secrets free from the deep blue of his eyes.
He studies me for a long while, our breaths mingling as our souls seek to find some common ground between lust and curiosity and fear.
“I don’t want to scare you, lass,” he finally says.
“Why would I be scared? Did you ask for Cthulhu or something? Maybe the kraken?”
One side of his lips quirk up. “Something bigger.”
“You did say you were greedy.” I run my fingers along the jewels at my throat. “Treasure, then?”
“Aye.” He moves closer, his hands at my waist.
I’m falling again, his spell wrapping me up in his scent and the need that blooms inside me.
He tilts my chin up, his mouth grazing across mine. “I think you know what I wished for, lass.”
My breath catches when he uses the forbidden word, and for the meaning that lies beneath it.
His lips are so soft against me, gentle and teasing. He’s a man full of ironies, one who I don’t know if I’ll ever fully understand.
