Page 46 of Scourge of the Shores
Robert just chuckled. “Aye, matey.” He had no intention of staying away. He had at most five days with her away from the island. Five beautiful days of pure alone time. Well, not counting the four other men on the sloop.
Ethan shot him a deadly glare like a hound guarding its master. The ship was small, which was both to his advantage and detriment—too many listening ears and watchful eyes. And Thane calling her a “wench” was more than just a passing statement. That was a threat, and he had to watch himself. He was still earning his men’s trust with his father gone.
As he thought, his gaze lingered on her until the pull of the sea dragged it away and settled him into the rhythm of the voyage.
He knew the tides, learned how to read the wind, but her? He had no map for her. And he wasn’t sure if he wanted one. For if these five days went well, he might just end up convincing himself to stay on that blasted island and give up his father’s legacy altogether.
Thane and Ethan went below deck to catch some shuteye. Robert attended to the sails, adjusting for the wind as Danna manned the tiller. Scotty and Otto attended to the cargo hold’s needs.
Robert fulfilled his duty to the best of his ability, which was excellent, just as his father had taught him. He noticed Danna’s watchful gaze and the slight grin of pride in his knowledge of the ship. When the wind hit a steady current, he finished securing the rigging and hopped up beside her at the stern.
“This is for helmsmen only,” she said, cutting him off before he could speak, but he didn’t leave. He leaned on the massive tiller but was careful not to move it.
“I only came to lend a hand if it got to be too much for you. A sloop’s not like a ship with a wheel.”
“I’m just as good as ye,” she spat.
“I don’t doubt it,” he said. “But holding a wheel is much easier than holding a tiller.”
“Strange. Ye sounded like a proper seadog last night. Now ye talk like a lad courtin’ a lass,” she said, gripping the tiller a little harder.
“Men ain’t here. It’s just you and me,” he said and softened his gaze.
“Gut me now.” She scoffed and turned her face away from him.
“You’re a natural at sailing,” he said. The compliment visibly shook her before she peered at him.
“Aye, I know,” she said. “Did ye doubt me?”
He grinned at her wit and confidence. “Well, you’re good for an islander,” he added as a playful retort.
She laughed in disdain. “What’d ye do different, O’great sea dog?”
“Well . . . since you asked,” he said and walked around to her side of the tiller. He stood behind her while her neck craned to follow him. He wrapped his hand around her grip and moved it closer to the tiller’s end.
“What’re ye doin’?” she protested, but he was stronger and shuffled her forward.
“Helping,” he said. “See?” He came around to face her again. “It’s a lot easier to manage the tiller here, rather than there.” He pointed to where she had choked up on the long wooden handle.
Her grip tightened out of stubbornness. But after a moment, she glanced at where his hand had adjusted hers. It was about as much of a concession as he’d receive.
“Ye don’t have to thank me,” he said with a small caress over her fingers.
“I wasn’t gonna,” she said, pulling her hand from beneath his after letting him linger a moment too long.
“Well, that’s not very nice,” he teased, letting her replace her grip.
“Niceties don’t suit either of us,” She threw his words in his face, but he only chuckled in amusement.
“I agree, but you realize why I wanted to come, aye?” he asked, stepping a little closer to her, invading her space, gauging her shallow breaths and the flush of rose on her cheeks.
Her jaw grew taut, and her muscles tightened. He affected her, that was certain—whether discomfort or desire, he wasn’t sure. Though he’d watched her long enough to know she didn’t rattle easily, and he’d assumed she had reciprocal feelings when they’d walked the shore. Maybe he was wrong.
His voice softened with a gaze steadily locked with hers. Their bodies moved in sync with the ship’s sway.
Either way, he wouldn’t reveal all the cards in his hands. Not yet.
“I wanted to see how good a Captain you were, how well ye knew how to sail,” he half-lied. He pulled her finger until it lay on the correct spot on the tiller.
