Wait… is that what I’m doing?Heading to the inn?
Before I can even get the thought to fully process in my sleep deprived brain, I’m up and pulling on a pair of linen trousers.
After throwing on a shirt and light boots, I’m out of my quarters and leaving the ship. The island is dark with only the occasional torch light leading the way. The silence is welcoming,calm and soothing. Something my tired body is grateful for.
The walk down the centre of the village isn’t long, but when your limbs feel like lead and Tally Ho Inn is right at the end, it feels like the walk takes all night.
I’m halfway up the street when someone exits the tavern, huffing and puffing, kicking at loose rocks along the path. A deep scowl burrowed into his cheeks. Anger and resentment radiates from him and it instantly puts me on edge. Wishing I’d stashed more weapons on me than the small blade hidden in my boot. I recognise him as one of Tally’s people, maybe his mood was just from a bad shift working behind the bar.
Yes, that must be it.
Still I keep my distance as he walks my way, sticking closer to the shadows. Watching him angrily swish his cloak with each exaggerated hand movement. My body is more alert than it's been since Tally left the deck earlier today after her crawling comment.
My heart throbbed. For some reason, the idea appeals to the deepest, depraved part of me. It’s not something I’ve ever done before and now I almost want to.
We pass one another, he doesn’t even register that I walk by. Then I make haste to the shadows in front of the tavern, watching and waiting.
Other than muttering to himself and kicking some stones, he does nothing but walk down the road until he's swallowed by the horizon and shadows.
Just a bad shift, Cyrus, nothing more.
Dragging in deep breaths, I head inside.
Only to come face to face with Tally, as she stands behind the bar opposite me. Her eyes snap up to meet mine. Her expression once filled with displeasure breaks into a cheeky grin.
I’ll look forward to the moment you come crawling to me.
Suddenly my muscles remember how tired I am. It becomes a very real possibility that I will be crawling towards her.
Not for sex.
But for comfort, so I can finally relax and sleep.
Chapter Fourteen
TALLY
She’s here.
I can’t help the way I light up when she comes in. All night I’ve waited for her and now she’s finally here. In the low light she looks beautiful, ethereal.
It’s only when she steps closer I see how weighted down her steps are, and when the light reaches her features I notice the bags under her eyes.
My smile dims, concern scrunching my brows up. “Please tell me you haven’t just stopped working.”
She shakes her head. “I tried to sleep on the ship and couldn’t. Figured I’d come back here and try.”
Relief settles in my bones slightly. Her voice is tired, slightly slurred by the weight of her exhaustion. But she came here, she needed something more than what normally suits her andcame here.
Deciding I can leave the last of the dishes until the morning, I dry my hands on some rags, and come out from behind the bar.
“Come on, I'll see you up to your room.”
She nods and slowly follows behind me. Her exhaustionand sadness rolling off her in waves. All I want to do is bundle her up in cuddles. But that might be pushing it too far. I’ll see her to her room and if she wishes to call it a night, I'll be respectful. Even if that’s really fucking hard to do, consent is important, even if I’ve already pushed her limits.
We make our way upstairs until we’re at the same door we both stood outside of yesterday. Silence a thick entity between us. Opening the door for her she walks in and makes her way to the bed.
The silence stretches, and although I want to stay, I told her what was going to happen next and what I want won’t be happening tonight. Not with her like this. And she hasn’t asked for me to stay.
