Page 62 of Scourge of the Shores
Why did it have to be him?
“This is me place, not yers,” she said with her heart hammering in her chest. “Leave. Now. Get out.” It was more of a plea than a command.
He drew closer, and she sidestepped him. But instead of leaving, he squared his shoulders and stepped into her space.
"Ye want me gone, but I see the way ye look at me, Danna. If I’m just another pirate to ye, say the word, and I’ll never touch ye again."
She opened her mouth, but nothing came out.
Robert waited. He knew.
"Ye’re just..." she started with disdain in her tone, but the words stuck in her throat. She forced herself to meet his gaze, burning into hers.
"Ye’re just another pirate to me," she finally bit out, the words tasting bitter. Her eyes searched the depths of his soul—deep, dark, mysterious, and sure. He didn’t believe her. She had to do better.
“Ye’re just another pirate to me.” The words came out empty, brittle. He saw straight through them.
She swallowed hard and repeated herself a third time, but it came out a whisper, “Ye’re just another pirate to me.”
"Really?" he murmured, stepping closer.
Danna took a step back.
He followed.
Another step.
His fingers trailed the length of her arm, and she shivered.
“Ye’re just,” she started, her defenses failing.
Her gaze fell to his lips. She didn’t understand the pull to him. He could be playing her. Could be trying to—what? Kill her? He’d already saved her three times. What was the point? If Tophet claimed her, his worries would be over—Cain or not. Take the island, take the gold, and be on his merry way. If he was only after glory with Cain, why risk his life to be on her ship and save her life? If she died, it didn’t matter; Lucas had already agreed to the bargain.
But there he was, standing before her, trailing his fingers up her neck. He lifted her face to his, forcing her to look him in the eye. Fear rooted her to the spot. What was he doing? For what purpose? The last excuse she could muster came front of mind: it was a wager between the pirate kings—see if he could claim Danna Chadwick. He said he wasn’t playing any games, but pirates lie.
He pushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear and stepped closer. The closeness of his body felt right. It felt like everything she needed, wanted.
“If I’m just another pirate to you,” he whispered slowly, his breath on her lips. “Tell me again, and I’ll leave you alone.”
“Ye’re just,” she started, but couldn’t finish.
Instead, she stepped back. Her breath hitched again and again. She scanned her surroundings. “Is this some barter, wager?”
“No, Danna.” He stepped back, his hands thrown to his side. “If the pirate kings knew I was here with you, of all the people on this island, they’d string me up faster than a traitor at a hangman’s noose. If I just needed a good lay, I could pay for one at Rogue’s Isle. I wouldn’t need to give up enchantments or risk my life?—”
“Then why? Why are ye here?”
“Why am I here?” he asked with a sad chuckle, his words ending in a whisper. His gaze hit the rock, searching it for words.
Instead of answering, he asked a question of his own.
“If ye had the chance to sail away, just once, would ye take it?”
His eyes penetrated her soul. He saw her, knew her answer before she spoke it. There was no use in hiding it. He’d seen it on the sloop, stated it too many times, and asked her in the barn. She couldn’t lie to him or herself any longer.
“I wanna be on the sea.” Her words were meek, as if feeding him the truth to see if he dashed it against the rock, but the confession felt good.
Robert didn’t smile. Didn’t smirk. He only nodded as if he understood.
