Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 72233 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 361(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 241(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72233 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 361(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 241(@300wpm)
How could she go from this back to her refined life? There were two totally different versions of her.
“Which is the real you, the one in London or the one here, kneeling on my floor?”
“Why does one have to be fake?”
“Because it does! If you stay here, you’d be giving up that life. If you leave, you’d go back to living like a modest little church mouse. Either way, you lose something.”
“We all lose something. It’s called growing up.”
“No. You could have it all if you admitted what you actually wanted.”
“I haven’t figured out what I want yet.”
“So you’ll go back and pretend you’re satisfied until you do?”
“Everyone’s pretending on some level.”
“I’m not.”
“You’re different.”
“Because I’m honest. Think about what you’re saying, Wendy. What does your life matter if it’s filled with lies and you have to pretend you're someone else?” He pulled her to his lap. “If you stayed with me, you could be yourself.”
“As long as I don’t oppose you—”
“No, even if you disagreed with me, I’d accept you.” He nuzzled her ear and whispered, “I’d take care of you, see to all your needs, and you could see to mine.”
She clung to him. “To what end?”
“Why should there be an end? Why can’t it be forever?”
“We barely know each other.”
“That’s part of the adventure. We’ll learn each other’s secrets. You could teach me things. And I could teach you.”
“What do I know that you don’t?”
“Plenty.”
Until today, he didn’t know what it felt like to be washed by a gentle set of hands. He didn’t know how soundly he could sleep with her by his side. He didn’t know that he wanted the things he never had until she gave him a glimpse of how such kindness could feel.
She shook her head. “You’ll grow tired of me.”
“No.” The lump in his throat made it nearly impossible to speak. “You could teach me how to love.”
“James…” She looked away, and he felt her pulling back, but he wasn’t ready to let her go.
“You were right,” he confessed. “I have secrets. But I’m willing to give them all to you if you give me this one thing. I can change—”
“People don’t change.”
“Then love me the way I am. Is there some part of me that you could learn to love?”
“James…”
He couldn’t bear more excuses, so he kissed her possessively, showing her how much he was willing to lay his soul bare to keep her here. “Stay with me.”
“I—”
He needed more time to convince her. If he kept kissing her, she’d see.
“Stop! This isn’t you!” She shoved him back and covered her abused lips. “You’re not a man who begs.”
Infuriated by her rejection, he toppled her to the carpet and held her throat. “Is this what you want? A monster?”
“You’re not a monster either.”
“Then why has no one ever loved me?”
The walls shook, and a loud bang rattled the ship. He was on his feet and rushing to the window.
“What was that?”
A small boat tied to the side of the ship. They were out of time.
“James, what’s happening?”
He yanked her off the floor, deposited her on the bed, and rushed to the dresser, flinging a dry shirt at her as he pulled on pants. “Put this on. Don’t move from that bed.” He snatched his weapons from the dresser as another crash sounded from above, and the floorboards rattled.
“Tell me what’s happening!”
“We’re under attack. It looks like you’re going home.”
Her eyes went wide. “Peter’s here? On the ship?”
He rushed to the bed, pressing a kiss to her lips as he slipped a key into her hand. “Lock the door behind me and don’t open it for anyone, no matter what happens.”
“What’s going to happen?”
“Just do as I say.” Swiping his tourné blade from the table, he rushed out the door and up to the deck.
Pistols fired, and men screamed. Bodies and barrels were thrown overboard while others raced into the fight. James froze at the sight of his brother battling with his crew on the lookout.
“Where is she?” Peter demanded, angling a nasty dagger with a golden blade at James.
“She’s in my bed.”
“Bastard!”
“Yes,” he agreed, glad to finally witness his brother’s outrage when he felt his revenge. “She’s ruined, and I enjoyed every second of it…brother.”
“She wasn’t yours!” Peter rushed forward and then stilled, his golden brow twitching in confusion. “What did you just call me?”
“You’re kidding. Do you really not know who I am?” Could he honestly forget him so completely?
“Black Jack,” he said, lifting his blade. “I know exactly who you are—captain of this ship and scourge of the Seven Seas.”
“Is that all I am? Look harder, Peter. What do you see?”
“I see nothing. A criminal.”
“Shame on you, Peter. You should always know the full name of a man you rob.”
“I don’t care what your name is—”
“Hook.” He grinned when Peter staggered back and lowered his dagger. “The name’s Hook.”