“I’m a pirate captain, lass. Always work to do,” he says easily. A little too easily.
“Are you avoiding talking with me?”
“What? We’re talking right now.” He moves in, his hands at my waist as he bends me backwards, kissing me roughly as he takes my breath away.
I dig my nails into his shoulders to get him to let up, but it only makes him growl into my mouth and tongue me more deeply. He’s insatiable, to say the least. A pirate through and through. I’d be lying if I said I don’t love it. But that brings my mind to a screeching halt when I remember what the Spinner told me.
“Captain, we’re getting close!” Smee calls from his spot at the wheel.
Hook slowly sets me upright, then lets me go, grumbling under his breath as he climbs to the upper deck.
Cookson limps up to me, a plate with bread and cheese in one hand and a cup of water in the other. “You worked up an appetite with all that fighting, didn’t you? I figured I’d bring these ter you, give you a little pick-me-up.”
“Thanks.” I take his offerings. “You always show up at just the right time.”
He beams. “Happy to be of service.”
I sit on the stairs and have my snack as Smee and Hook discuss our route through the Neverstorm while poring over a map Hook’s knifed to the wall outside his cabin. The sky is dark up ahead, far darker than usual. No moonglow penetrates the sky, but every so often I see a flash of what must be lightning. The Neverstorm.
“No, the gale blows backwards through these parts.” Hook points to a spot on the map. “Can’t navigate it.”
How can there be a map of a storm? I would ask that question, but I’ve discovered that nothing in Neverland has an easy answer, and there are still plenty of things even the Guardians can’t explain. The Neverstorm probably fits right into that category.
Once I’m done eating, I glance at Hook. He’s still deep in conversation with Smee, who honestly seems glowingly happy that Hook is talking to him at all.
I leave them be and wander below decks to return my dishes to Cookson. He’s sprinkling some unknown herbs into a big pot of lamb stew. It smells amazing. Maybe one day he can show me his ways. As it is, the galley is too hot and close for me to stay inside it for long. I grab a fresh cup of water and another hunk of bread with a slice of cheese, then sneak out the way I came.
I run into Shiner and Skylights.
“Hey, I thought you two wanted to practice with Widow and me. We just finished.”
“Oh, I um, I had some things to do. Sorry I missed it. I’ll get the next one.” Shiner hurries away.
“What was that about?” I ask Skylights.
“Nothing.” He steps past me, and when he walks directly beneath one of the lanterns, I gasp. “You’ve got a hickey!”
“What?” He turns to me. “A what?”
I tap my neck. “Right there!”
He reaches up and pops his collar. “Don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Looks like you two have been practicing all on your own.” I cross my arms over my stomach. “Don’t you dare deny it.”
He gives me a wry smile. “I don’t deny it, but Shiner might.”
“You’re her sneaky link?”
He cocks his head to the side, clearly confused.
“Her booty call?”
His head turns even farther, like a German Shepherd listening to its owner.
“Never mind. You two have fun.” I turn to walk away, then stop. “But be careful. If you cross her, it won’t end well for you.”
“I’m aware. The danger is just a bonus.” He strides away whistling, a strut in his gait.
