Page 37 of Hush Darling
“How do you know he was a crook?”
“All pirates are criminals. They steal whatever they want and live lawlessly. But Black Jack is the greatest sea devil of all.”
That may be true, but Peter also stole. Did that make him a pirate, too? His friends shamelessly admitted to living without rules. All but one. Perhaps that made Peter the captain of their little crew.
“Well, regardless of who the coat’s true owner is, thank you. I love it.” And now she felt dressed enough to attend a party.
“You’re welcome. We better catch up to the others before Peter gets angry.”
She couldn’t care less about Peter’s happiness at the moment. He was the one who left her behind, after all.
The lagoon was located on the banks of Peter’s island. It wasn’t a far walk, but a muddy one. Due to the jungle’s humidity, surfaces were constantly wet with dew, making everything slippery. Wendy was grateful when they finally reached the sand.
The lagoon was a small grotto that opened to an endless sea. The water sparkled under the moonlight, each little ripple glinting like diamonds dancing beneath the night sky.
Sensual music and wild revelry echoed off the jetties and from the hidden caves. While there were plenty of men present, it was mostly feminine voices Wendy heard. She suddenly felt shy and uncertain by the number of strangers who apparently were all familiar with each other—familiar enough to kiss and touch and—oh my.
Her eyes widened at the couple railing away in the stark openness of the beach. Okay, this was that sort of party. She took Cassian’s arm so she wasn’t standing alone.
Capriciousness carried on the breeze. The Lost Boys were gone, as was Peter. “Where are the others?”
Cassian shrugged. “We don’t need them.” His arm tightened around her. “They’re probably getting drinks, or dancing, or swimming, or maybe already fucking.”
She gaped up at him, and he laughed.
“What did you think we meant when we said lagoon party?”
“Not that.”
He chuckled. “You’ll have fun, especially if this is your first time.”
He had no idea how literal the term ‘first time’ truly was for her.
The air came alive with something sinful. Crystal-blue water shimmered as it lapped at the banks where pale pebbles and pink shells glittered atop the white sand. The tranquil setting seemed at odds with the throbbing music and gyrating bodies dancing around the grotto.
Beautiful women lounged on the larger rocks like jewels on display. They wore tightly fitted dresses, elegantly detailed sarongs, and glittering bikini tops. All of them were in impeccable shape, with figures that could make a supermodel jealous.
Fragrant, tropical flowers grew wildly among the dunes. The salt air rolled off the sea, disrupting the naturally fruit-scented breeze of the Never Lands, hinting at something ominous unfolding.
She searched the horizon but only saw darkness. Soft splashing mingled with low moans along the banks of the lagoon as techno music pulsed from the grotto. Wendy preferred the outskirts of the party, but Cassian pulled her closer.
“I’ll catch up in a minute,” she said, slipping from his grip.
He hesitated only a second before loping off toward the others.
Wendy scanned the lagoon as palms waved overhead. What was she doing there?
A woman laughed, the ethereal sound singing through the breeze like a haunting melody that stole everyone’s attention, including hers. And there was Peter, lying amongst a school of women petting and fawning over him.
Wendy’s lips firmed into a flat line. He was certainly making progress on his goals.
“Oh, Peter, you’re so muscular,” one woman purred, stroking his bare chest where his shirt had been unbuttoned.
Her gaze went to the water where others swam naked, no doubt performing dark deeds beneath the surface. Didn’t the cold bother them?
While the sand still held a bit of warmth from the sun, the wind was cool. She had no plans of going near the water, so she kept a safe distance and stayed hidden in the shadows of the trees.
Despite the serene nature of this place, an ominous shroud hung in the air. The idyllic, dreamlike mood boasted of fantasies, but there was also a lurking sense of danger. Though the lagoon mimicked a careless place of temptation and seduction, an undercurrent of peril waded in the undertow.
