Perhaps ’twas for the best.The last woman whose affections he’d enjoyed betrayed him.And that betrayal had cost many lives.
“Isheretruly so horrible?”he finally said.
Her gaze snapped to his as she slid a strand of her hair behind her ear.“If you only knew.”
“Perhaps you will tell me someday of this future world from which you hail.”
“So you can tease me?”She raised a curt brow.“And then not believe me anyway.No thanks.”
He smiled at her bold tongue.The sound of besotted sailors engaging in a loud chorus ofPique la baleinerang through the thin walls as a seagull screeched outside the window.
Caleb longed to stay, to comfort the lady, to learn more about the mysterious woman who surprised him at every turn.But ’twas not proper to be alone with her.
And Caleb had learned long ago ’twas best to avoid temptation.
“I’ll leave you then, Miss.Lock the door after me, and I’ll come for you in the morning.”He spun around to do just that.
“Are you a murderer?”she asked, and the question brought him back around to face her.
Was he?Releasing a heavy sigh, he fisted hands at his waist and glanced out the window.A question that had plagued him for years.But what to share with this lady?
♥
How dare the man stand there looking like a romantic hero of old?Brown pants clung to muscular thighs stuffed inside tall leather boots.A leather vest covered his white shirt and did nothing to hide the strength of his chest and arms.A gleaming sword hung by his side while a pistol was stuffed in his belt.Strands of black hair slid across his stubbled jaw, loosened from their tie during the fight.Eyes as deep and blue as the sea gazed at her from a masculine face that exuded nothing but strength, confidence, and oddly, at the moment, kindness.
He was a hero.Fearless, skilled, powerful.A gentleman who stood when a woman entered the room, pulled out her chair and protected her with his life.This was the hero of her story, the hero she longed to write about in her novel, the one she never thought existed.
His jaw bunched and then released.“Some say I am.”He hesitated, still staring out the window.“In truth, those who were under my protection died due to my actions.Hence, I suppose the accusation is valid.”
The look of pain in his eyes nearly brought tears to her own.“I’m sorry,” was all she could think to say.She wished to know more but sensed he didn’t want to talk about it.
Particularly when he slowly approached, a grin lifting one side of his lips.“Perhaps that allays your fear of me, for I would never harm a lady.”
“Really?I seem to remember you threatening to turn me over to the authorities?”she countered, rising from the bed.“Or chop off my hand and lock me in the hold?”
He waved a hand through the air.“Words meant to loosen your tongue, Miss.”
“And were you satisfied with what my loose tongue had to say?”
“I cannot deny that everything you say, Miss, has me quite captivated.”
The man’s gaze dropped to her lips.He took a step closer, and his smoky scent of salted leather and bay rum filled her nose, evoking a reaction she quickly shoved aside.Girl, you are not falling for this guy.Stop it!
Raising his hand, he stroked her chin with his thumb ever so gently, then caressed her cheek.“So soft,” he muttered before he released her, a hint of surprise crossing his eyes.“You do not fear me, despite hearing I am a murderer.”
It was more a statement than a question, so Desi merely stood there, doing her best to ignore the jolt of heat spiraling through her at his touch.
He cocked his head studying her, the closeness of him overpowering her every sense.
“I perceive you have formed an attraction toward me, Miss Starr.”
The spell broke.His arrogant vanity snapped her back to reality.Hadn’t she heard the man was a Cassanova, a flirt, a man who used women and then casts them away?She retreated, anger flaring.“I guess you expect every woman you fight to protect or buy a meal for to faint in your arms, praise your manliness, and give herself to you.”
A mischievous grin raised his lips.“A simple thank you would suffice, but if you’re offering a kiss, I won’t deny you the pleasure.”
“Methe pleasure?You flatter yourself, Captain.My kiss would beyourpleasure, one you will neverexperience.”
The infuriating man was grinning again as if he didn’t believe her.The pride, the audacious ego!She crossed arms over her chest and gave him a monstrous glare.
