“Aye, I did.” At some point, he’d lost his jacket, leaving just a loose shirt tucked into his breeches. “And I always keep my word. But first, close your eyes, love.”
Apprehension coiled in her gut, but she complied. Of course he wouldn’t want her to see where he kept the treasure. It was so hard not to peek.
Shuffling, a few clicks, and the scrape of wood met her ears. Time seemed to stretch forever. Her back went stiff as the captain’s footsteps trailed across the carpet to where she stood.
“Can I look?”
“Aye.”
Her eyes snapped open as he set a thin box on the desk. “May I present…” He lifted the lid. “The Heart of Fire.”
A gold necklace dotted with rubies the size of her thumb stared back. It would be a lie to say her mouth didn’t water. The object she needed, the first step in her ticket home, was finally within her grasp.
Hook leaned over her, his chest nearly pressing against her back. From his deep inhale of breath, she could have sworn he sniffed her hair.Weird pirate.
“Would you like to try it on?”
Her breath caught. She nearly vibrated with joy. “Yes! Um…I mean, who wouldn’t want to? Something so beautiful.”
“Indeed.” The edge of one finger grazed her cheek as he took the necklace from its box, lifting one end of the chain with the tip of his hook through a link.
The mermaids wanted this stunning necklace back in their hoard, and soon she’d get it to them. Her teeth dug into her lip as she tried to hold back her grin. Weird and filthy pirate or not, he was playing right into her hands. When the heavy weight settled onto her chest, Tink faced him, making sure toaccidentallybrush against his crotch in the process.
Hooded eyes raked her form as Hook took a seat in his wide chair and reclined against the red velvet, legs spread, hands on the armrests like a great king. “Lovely.”
Merrin’s teeth, it is.Was this how the great queens felt with their hoards of jewels? She wouldn’t know. Pixies weren’t supposed to like such things. Perhaps that part of her broke when her bracelet did, sealing her banishment. Or perhaps she was doomed to be an outcast from the start.
“Is it better like this?” She gestured to the necklace. “Or…” Tink released her cloak, letting it fall to the floor. Next, she undid the ties at the top of her shirt, pulling it open until the necklace rested against her skin, just above the bindings concealing her breasts and wings. “Like this?”
Hook nestled further in his chair, rubbing at the stubble on his chin but never taking his searing gaze off her. “That. Yes, I like that.”
Heat coiled deep in her gut as she climbed onto his lap, straddling him in the chair. “I thought you might.”
The captain momentarily went rigid before relaxing and wrapping his arms around her backside, pulling her close. Damn, the feel of his hand on her made everything blurry. It would be so easy to forget what he was and why she was there. To give into those coal-darkened eyes, honeyed words, and deft touches. He’d be a skillful lover—of that she had no doubt. She could enjoy him, accept whatever he had to offer. Steal his jewels in the morning and be off before he even woke.
No. Too risky. More of his crew might come back to the ship. They could leave port before she woke, and then she’d be in over her head just like she’d been with Captain Blackbeard. She stiffened at the thought—the reminder of what she’d sacrificed.
“Love?”
Shit. There she went again, falling back into memories and forgetting why she was there.
Coarse whiskers scraped her palms as she took his face in her hands. She gave a coy grin. “Captain?”
He let out a soft groan, clenching her tighter as she rubbed against him. The hard bulge pressing against her core sent a thrill up her spine. He was ready, right where she wanted him. Hook placed his forehead against hers, leaning in until they shared the same breath. Tink’s hands slid down his neck, his chest, savoring the hard muscle underneath.
“I’m going to kiss you now,” he whispered.
Her heart leaped, breath catching in her throat. “Finally.”
Demanding lips crashed into hers, consuming, conquering. Stubble scraped against her skin. He cupped her backside, grinding her against him. Tink’s hands wove through his short, dark hair, holding him to her as his tongue flicked against her own. Hints of rum teased her as she arched into the embrace, giving as much as she took. His earring scraped her palm as she slid her hands down to his shirt, pulling, tugging, wanting it gone.
Tink let out a squeal as the captain stood in one fluid motion, lifting her into the air with him. Her legs wrapped around his waist, her arms circled his neck. Hook drew back, just enough to give her a scalding, hungry gaze as he carried her to the bed. Her toes curled in her boots, her body going liquid at the heat in that look. He wanted her. All of her, even though she was a pixie. How long since someone wanted her like that? A renowned captain, no less.
A long time. Too long.
Rather than lay her on the bed with her wings trapped, he sat on the edge before laying down and pulling her onto his chest.
Nagging guilt swelled up like a wave, threatening to swallow her. He gazed up at her as if she were a treasure, a precious gem plucked from obscurity.
