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I glanced over my shoulder to be sure Bellamy was still sleeping. As quickly as I could move my shivering body, I stepped out of my wet jeans and top. I kept my bra and underwear, hoping they’d hurry and dry. Slipping a tunic that was much too big for me over my head, I breathed a sigh of relief as the feel of dry clothing touched my skin.
“That’s a bit big for you, love.” I whipped around at the sound of Bellamy’s laughter.
“Were you watching me that whole time?” I snapped.
“Hard not to when you decide to undress right here in front of me.”
I shook my head, feeling the heat rushing to my face and a flutter in my stomach.
“Come here,” he muttered, propping himself up in his hammock.
I hesitated but stepped closer. I flinched when he reached forward and touched my hand.
“You’re half-frozen,” he uttered. “Lie here with me.”
“What?” I stepped backward, nearly tripping over my own feet.
“I don’t believe I stuttered, lass. Body heat works wonders.”
I rubbed my arms, unsure of how to respond.
“Get in. Now.” His voice was solid as stone.
I choked down the feeling that this was wrong. That I was somehow betraying Milo. It was just to keep me warm, I reassured myself. Nothing more. It was either this or the cold floor again.
With careful steps, I pulled myself into the cloth hammock. Bellamy grasped me by both my arms and pulled me toward him, so that I was fully wrapped in this hanging cocoon of blankets with him. He pulled me close to him, pressing our bodies together, and I thought my wet hair would dry from the heat of my blood racing alone.
I searched for something to say, but nothing would come out. Bellamy rubbed my arms slowly, his blue eyes staring back into mine by the moonlight barely illuminating this small space through the small open slit of a window in the wall. I shivered without meaning to, and he drew me even closer. Face to face, we lay there in the hammock, so close that I could feel the warm air from Bellamy’s nostrils against my neck.
“Now go to sleep,” Bellamy whispered. I nodded.
What was I doing? Lying here with Bellamy alone in his quarters. All while I knew Milo was lost at sea. My conscience wouldn’t silence itself, no matter how much I rationalized it. But before long my eyes grew heavy. My body was finally warm. And I finally fell asleep.
When morning came, I opened my eyes to find my head resting against Bellamy’s chest, rising and falling with his slow, steady breaths. I jolted upright to see he was already awake.
“I have to go,” I stuttered, scrambling out of the hammock. “I’m completely dry now.” I shuffled my feet across the wooden floor to the door, nearly tripping over the long pants and swallowed by the man-sized tunic covering my upper half.
“Who is he?” Bellamy’s question caught me off guard. Just as I reached for the door I stopped and looked over my shoulder, but I didn’t meet his gaze. I stared at the floor. The weight of his eyes on me felt like stones tied to my ankles.
“Who is who?” I asked.
“The name you were whispering in your sleep all night long.” Bellamy sat up in the hammock, dangling his sock-covered feet over them like a child on a swing. “Milo, was it?”
“I…I didn’t know I said anything.”
“Oh, you certainly did.” Bellamy cocked his head. “Who is he? A lover?”
“Y…yes.” I tried to think fast. I didn’t know if saying too much about Milo here could endanger him or somehow alter the past. I was afraid to speak, not knowing how much I could safely say.
“Where is he?”
I hesitated, biting my lower lip as I fought against acknowledging the reality of what happened to Milo. “I…I don’t know.” Gripping the door handle, I went to open it, but forgot Bellamy had locked it last night. I waited for him to offer to open it, and when he didn’t, I asked, “Can I leave now?”
“Whatever you want, love.” He tossed me the key from wherever he’d been holding it. “Later we’ll get you and your friends some proper clothing. I believe there might’ve been some women’s fineries aboard the loot from the last ship we took. Surely there’s something in there for you.”
Great. Now he’s going to make me squeeze into a corset or something.
I turned the key in the lock. Bellamy reminded me to leave it in the keyhole for him.
