AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He smiles in a way that makes his scar move and look angrier than before. I wonder how new it is. “They couldn’t prove my lineage so they simply kept me on board and taught me the ways of the sea.”
I nod to show that I am listening to his tragic tale.
“I was raised by strong men and learned to be a pirate. Captain Sullivan of the Empress Fortune took me under his wing. Until he was… incapacitated.”
“What happened?” I shift in my seat, needing focus to follow this tragic tale that’s probably nothing but the spun lie of a murderer.
“Mutiny.”
My lips part. “His own men turned against him?”
“They did.”
Could that happen here? I daren’t ask so instead I prompt him to finish his story. “Then?”
“Then is a story for another time.”
“What?” I want to shake him. “You can’t start and stop there. Worst cliff-hanger ever.”
His perfect teeth flash as he scrapes them over his lower lip. “Join me in bed and maybe I’ll tell you the rest.”
I flip him the bird and turn away. “Not a chance.”
Chuckling, he pulls back the blanket and lies down. “If you change your mind…”
“I won’t.”
I hear rain, heavy rain and the sound of men running around. Thunder rumbles and lightning cracks but it passes over fast enough.
I’m brought breakfast with a request to join the captain up on deck when I’m done. I almost daren’t but at this point it’s best that I just do as I’m told.
I scoff down my porridge relieved that there’s no sign of nausea, slip my feet into my sneakers and follow Clunk up to the deck.
The sun beams down, so warm and purifying. It feels amazing despite the cold wind that whips through my loosened braid.
Clunk takes me around the bridge and towards the stern. We sidestep working men and carefully move around a gun that’s bigger than me. This is insane.
“Come on,” Clunk grumbles, urging me along.
When we round the base of the gun, I find myself at the curved rear of the ship with the captain.
“I thought you might want to see this,” he says, motioning for me to come closer.
I stand at his side and look at the horizon, gasping when I see what he’s pointing at.
My hands grip the railings and I lean closer as though these extra few inches will make any difference in my vision.
What I can see is brilliant. It’s the remnant of the storm that we just escaped. Purple lightning flashes through a thick black cloud and a mist of rain falls onto the choppy waters. It may as well be happening on a different world entirely.
“That’s incredible,” I breathe, gripping the railing so tightly my hands turn white.
“It’s my favourite part of a storm.”
“Being out of it?” I ask, grinning as he leans on his arms on the railing, putting him just a little lower than me in height.
“Exactly.” He reaches with his calloused fingers and gently pulls free a few strands of hair that became tangled in my lips.
I shouldn’t allow it but there’s a softness to his gaze that I can’t resist. I prefer soft him to angry him, not that I’ve seen angry him but I’d rather not.
Licking them when they’re free of hair, I pull my eyes away with difficulty and look at the magnificent image. Wishing I could take a picture.
“Why am I here?” I ask before I can stop myself.
He smirks and turns so his hip is against the railing and he’s back to his towering height. “Kiss me and I’ll tell you.”
“You just had to ruin it,” I murmur and ignore his following laughter. “May I return to your room?”
“No, you may not,” he mimics my accent and backs me into the rail until his arms are caging me in and all I can see is the top of his shirt and the hollow of his throat. “What do you think of Niall?”
My eyes narrow as my brain tries to figure out what game he’s playing now. “As in my boyfriend?”
“The one and only.” He leans back and looks down at me, watching my face for a reaction. “Is he a good person?”
I nod. “The best.”
“But you’re not.”
My breath catches in my throat. “I’m not a bad person.”
“You were arrested and that’s how you both met?”
How does he know? I wasn’t charged so it’s not a matter of public record. “That was a long time ago.”
“Three years.”
Not liking where this is going, I push against his chest but he doesn’t budge. “Let me go.”
“What did you do?”
“That’s none of your business.”
His lips brush my ear, filling my nose with the scent of fresh lemons and clean laundry. “Exactly.”
He bites on the lobe which sends tingles burning and racing through my limbs. I gasp, trying to think of anything but the way he’s making me feel.
