Jack gave a lazy stretch and hopped off the dais. “Anyone needs me, I’ll be in our lady’s chamber.”
“Studying black holes,” snorted Quinn.
The pirate captain left the command deck to the sound of laughter.
Jack strode down the corridor, thinking about Aria. Although his thoughts were filled with lust-soaked images, the scheming part of his brain that never quite turned off was asking him urgent questions about his true intentions.
Enough of that, you old worry wart.He gave a brisk knock on the door to Aria’s quarters and strode in.
Jack surveyed the room. Not exactly what he would call shipshape, but the lady had made a significant improvement to the earlier chaos. She had clearly learned her way around the vacuum and had even attempted to make the bed.
“Looks lovely, milady!” He closed the door and sat on the edge of the bed. Aria was clothed—a shame, that—but her hair was down, and she looked adorably rumpled.Great gods of Tarma, what a stunning woman.
“How gracious of you to favor me with your presence,” Aria snarked.
Jack chose to ignore it. “Well, business before pleasure, my dear,” he said. “I had some captain-y things to do, so I’m afraid seeing you again had to wait.”
“Selling my father’s stolen mandalum, no doubt.”
“Well, let’s just leave those sorts of details to the professionals, if you don’t mind,” replied Jack.
“And what would you have me do? Twiddle my thumbs?” said Aria angrily.
“In the absence of anything else to twiddle, I suppose.”
“Ugh!” exclaimed Aria. “Seriously, Jack, what are you going to do with me? Have your fun and dump me in some lonely part of the galaxy? Is that your plan?”
Jack sat up and looked Aria straight in the eye. “Whatever happens, Aria…not that.”
“Then what?”
“You could always join us,” he suggested.
Aria burst out into laughter mixed with disbelief. “You must be mad.”
“Well, they do call me Mad Jack,” he said. “Is it truly such an outrageous idea?”
“You want me to give up my family, my reputation, my standing, in favor of…what, exactly?”
“Adventure,” he said. “Not knowing what is over the horizon, or around the corner. Living, truly living, from moment to moment.”
Is he serious, or is this another of his games?
It was all too much. Part of Aria, the part of her that had gazed at the stars as a little child and promised to visit every one, thrilled to the idea.Adventure.The idea spoke to her in a way nothing else had for a very long time.
Not only adventure but adventure at the side of this man—such a man! Charming, cunning, handsome—an absolute rogue, a dangerous pirate who lived as fiercely as he loved.What a thing that would be!
That was where the thought faded as well. A rogue, a thief, and a liar. He had talked his way into her bed in order to accomplish a daring heist. He had lied to her from the beginning. What was there to disprove that he was lying to her now, to try to get between her legs yet again?
But he seems absolutely sincere.A part of herself warned,That’s when you should trust him least of all.
Aria’s moment of silence continued for a long time. Finally Jack broke it.
“Aye, well, that’s a lot for a young noblewoman to consider. Think on it.” He stood up.
“Wait!” said Aria in sudden panic. She did not want him to leave, especially like this. “Are you going so soon?”
“Your room is clean; you’re in good condition. Why should I stay?”
