Page 43 of Beneath the Starlight and Storms

I was only exploring the place Hook brought me to… the place he didn’treallywant me to go. I thought it was because he wanted to have some fun. But now I’m starting to think it was because he was trying to make sure something like this didn’t happen.

Hook just had a way of getting under my skin and pushing me. He always did.

Time passes in slow drugging waves and before I know it, it’s night. The stars are slowly blinking awake and he’s still not back.

A sliver of worry slips past my defenses, and I start to think about what he could’ve gotten himself into.

His words from earlier flitter across my thoughts. Of the types ofadventureshe’s drawn towards. The type that usually involves his life being put at risk.

I shouldn’t care. Not about him. He’s probably off enjoying himself, having fun while I’m worrying over nothing.

But nothing I come up with seems to stop the uneasiness that is growing inside me.

And then I hear a familiar voice and quickly shut that pointless emotion down.

Following the irritating noise, I head out of my room and down the twists and turns of halls just as Hook walks into his own room.

I follow after him ready to give him a piece of my mind when the sound of water hits my ears followed by a low, husky chuckle.

“Did you want to join me?”

I glance up at Hook, wearing a smug smirk, his dark eyes lit with a hint of amusement.

“I…” I glance around and it’s only then that I notice I’ve followed him into his bathroom. My eyes swing back to him and his chest where his top half lays bare and on display. His extremely built, well-defined chest, that revealed every smooth and toned muscle.

I’m lost in some strange haze of heat for what feels like too long, when my eyes finally land on the blood and small cuts sprinkled across his chest.

“What happened?” I step forward to inspect them, but I can’t see how deep they are with all the blood.

“Let’s just say a few people needed to be taught a lesson.” Delight rings out in his dark tone.

“What kind of lesson?” I look up to meet his eyes and a flame ignites inside them.

“Nothing your little, innocent mind needs to worry about.” The way he says it makes it seem like that part of me needs protecting. Like I’m too young and naïve to understand the type of people in this world that are evil, corrupt and ruthless.

But I had seen more blood and gore than anyone should have in a lifetime. And met even more depraved, despicable people that seemed to taint anything they touched.

Pain and torture were nothing new to me, nor would it ever be.

“I’m not that innocent.” I glare at him and something in my look makes him pause. He straightens up before narrowing his eyes on me.

“Tink…”

“Where are your healing supplies?” I glance away from him and his questioning gaze as I look for something to clean his wounds with.

“There’s a first aid kit under the sink.” His tone is different, softer. I ignore what it does to me and go to the spot he pointed out to find a small black bag with bandages, ointment and a bunch of small wet cloths.

Turning to him, I pull out a cloth that smells like alcohol and narrow my eyes on his faint smile.

“You’re an idiot,” I tell him.

His smile grows. “Oh, I know. A fool too lost to admit it, but damned either way.”

I ignore his reply and step closer to him to see where I should start.

My eyes flick up to his and I watch his look grow heated as he stares at me.

“This means nothing,” I remind him. Even if my body is betraying me, it is attraction and nothing more.

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