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The whole stupid situation had me feeling all sorts of vulnerable, and I didn’t do vulnerable. People didn’t hurt me because they couldn’t, because I didn’t let them in. But right then, everything I was feeling was coming from a place of hurt and I didn’t like it one bit.
“Did you trick me into your bed so you could take it? Was it just a ruse to get a stupid magic rock? Because I’ll find another way home.” Those were some big words, considering I had no idea where to even start looking. Surely, since Petra was able to travel to my world, and I was able to travel to hers, there had to be other ways in and out of the realm.
Hook’s features gave nothing away. Nothing about his posture or breathing indicated my question or my heightened emotions had any effect on him at all, until he reached in his pocket and pulled out the necklace. He let the pendant dangle from the chain in front of him, a look of longing following the gentle swing of the yellow-green stone.
I hesitated for a moment. Was it a trick? Was he taunting me?
“Give me your hand.”
It took me a solid five seconds to convince myself to reach out. When I did, he cupped his outstretched hand around the backside of mine and set the pendant in my palm, folding my fingers gently over it and pinning me with a fiery gaze.
“If this is what you need to get home, then take it.”
Why did I have the urge to thank him? He’d stolen the necklace from me. Took it from me while I was sleeping. I really wanted to ask what the hell was so special about the little glowy rock. Like why would he even bother with it, aside from its apparent powers of transportation? But for once, I knew enough to keep my mouth shut.
I also knew there was no way in hell I was letting him get his hands on it again. I pulled my hand free of his and clasped the chain around the back of my neck. The fire in his eyes flared when the pendant settled against my breastbone.
“What now?” I asked, my voice sounding more breathless to my own ears than I wanted.
“I owe you an apology.” His eyes were still locked on the pendant, and I covered it with my hand to break the spell. When he finally looked up, there was confusion in his expression. Confusion mixed with something I couldn’t quite identify. “Another apology. I shouldn’t have taken it.”
I took a step back. “No, you shouldn’t have.”
“It wasn’t a ruse.”
I chewed on my bottom lip. Some shameless, desperate part of me wanted to believe him, but once bitten and all that. “Are we going to work on that plan for freeing my brother or am on my own? I’m good either way, but—”
He pushed away from the desk and looped his warm hand around the back of my neck, pulling me to him and capturing my lips with his before my brain had a chance to react properly. The kiss was deep and needy and deliciously hot.
My body started to melt in the space of a heartbeat, but he pulled back entirely too soon and pressed his forehead to mine, his breathing heavy. Why that reaction sent a shiver of excitement through me, I didn’t know, but I wanted to chase that feeling.
“It wasn’t a ruse, Never.” He dipped his head and trailed his lips along my jaw. “No trick.” His words tickled my neck as those lips worked their way lower, nipping along the sensitive flesh. “I want you more than I have ever wanted anything.”
All too easily, I could see myself pressed face down, flat against his desk with my hands clawing for purchase while he drove that gorgeous cock of his into me. The image was as clear in my mind as if I were watching it on a screen. My anger, and hurt, and frustration all melted away with the heat of his breath on my collarbone and the flick of his tongue along my skin.
A gentle knock stole the moment away from me, and it was only then that I realized the door to that tiny little room had been standing wide open since Leo had left. Any of Hook’s men could have seen what we were working up to.
Come on, girl. Get your fucking head on straight. The man might have some magical ability to make you wet and wanting on command, but that doesn’t mean you have to give in to the lust.
I kept my eyes clenched shut and waited, hoping the intruder would see himself out.
“Sir?” William’s voice was quiet and distant, and when I pried my eyes open, I saw why. He was in the doorway, but with his back to us. He really was the most gentlemanly sailor. “It’s nearly sunrise. Should I have Cook prepare breakfast for you and the lady?”
If I could have stopped the wildly audible growl of my stomach in that moment, I would have. My cheeks caught fire at the sound, and Hook pressed his head to my shoulder, letting out a deep but distinctly disappointed chuckle.
“Yes, William. That would be perfect,” he said, lifting his head. He pinned me with a delicious glare. “Any special requests?”
I couldn’t seem to find my voice, or form words, so I gave my head a little shake and tried to will the flush from my cheeks. I was not usually the shy type, not quick to be embarrassed by anything, but even with both of us fully clothed, that moment with Hook was intensely intimate. Realizing anyone from his ship could have walked by and seen us, seen me on the brink of giving myself over to him, left me feeling exposed.
As if he could sense my discomfort, he pulled me around him so my body was partially hidden behind his. “Have Cook make it a large meal, would you? Afterward, we’ll need to work out a new plan for getting Never’s brother away from the demon.”
William tensed visibly, but he nodded once. “Yes, sir. Should I have the food brought here or to your quarters?”
He took a few seconds before responding. “Here will be fine. Thank you, William.”
I peered over Hook’s shoulder as the other man disappeared from view. “What now?”
“Now we talk.” He motioned to the chair.
