Chapter Nine
By the time Celestewoke, Captain Hook was gone.
“Good riddance,” she muttered, climbing from the bed.
After a few tense moments with him beside her, she’d finally fallen into a fitful sleep. How he’d managed to keep his distance and not touch her left her perplexed. Their exchange the day before had left her bound by fury and twisted with need.
His kiss consumed every part of her mind. How could he lay claim to her in such a manner, then leave her to make such an agonizing choice? Of course she wanted him. Who wouldn’t, with his handsome looks and devilish charm? But he was a pirate, and all she was to him was a means to an end. There would be nothing between them aside from unbridled lust. A pirate captain loved nothing other than the sea, his ship, and the glitter of gold.
She scoffed as she walked to the window overlooking blue water. A ship faded on the horizon, disappearing in a blink of sunlight.
The captain was taking her back to Port Royale to claim his reward. Unless...she bit her lip and glanced down at her silk garments. Neither these nor her stolen rags would do for seduction.
Why was she even considering such madness?
To save Caroline, a voice in her mind whispered.
Damn and blast.
As the battle waged in her mind, she searched the room for something else to wear. There was nothing but the captain’s garments stuffed into the trunk and the wardrobe. Plucking a white shirt from the pile, she held it up to the light. Practically sheer in the sun. As tempting as it would be to parade in front of him in his own shirt and watch him writhe, she pushed the fabric aside.
The door clicked as it unlocked behind her.
Celeste hastily stood, knocking the trunk lid closed with a thud. She flinched at the noise, her heart hammering in her chest.
“Have you come to berate me again?” she asked, straightening to her full height.
“On the contrary, I have brought you something to eat.”
A tall, handsome pirate—most decidedly not the captain—stood with a tray in the doorway.
“Oh.” She pressed her hand to her chest, closing the gaping garment. “Th-thank you.”
He smiled and entered the room, leaving the door open behind him. “I apologize. I should have brought you something sooner.”
“I am sure you are quite busy without having to tend to me.”
“I am quite busy, but it does not excuse poor manners.” He chuckled and set the tray on the table.
Celeste took a tentative step closer, lured by the tantalizing scent of meat. On the tray lay a haunch of sliced mutton, a variety of fruit, and some dried biscuits. A goblet of wine stood in the center. She licked her lips before snatching a handful of grapes and popping them in her mouth, one by one.
“You’re hungry,” the pirate said with a laugh. “I told the captain you would be.”
“I am sure he has many things aside from my comfort to occupy his attention.” Celeste grabbed some meat and moaned in delight at the taste.
The pirate cleared his throat and dropped his gaze. “I shall leave you to your meal.”
“Wait.” She reached out a hand to stop him and dropped it when he paused. “Won’t you join me?”
His gaze drifted to the open door. He sighed. “I should return to my duties.”
“Please. I would prefer your company than to dine alone.” Or with the captain, she added silently and gestured to one of the chairs.
With a heavy sigh, the man drew a chair closer and sat. She eyed him with curiosity as she took her own seat.
“Do you have a name?” she asked between bites.
“Mr. Smee.” He folded his arms across his broad chest.
“And what is your job on this ship, Mr. Smee?”
“First mate.”
Celeste paused midbite and considered him carefully. His thick dark hair lay in waves across his forehead. The faded red-and-white cap on his head was the only color save his vivid blue eyes, like gentian flowers in a summer field. While he shared similar features with the captain, Mr. Smee’s full lips curved in a sincere smile and his eyes held nothing but kindness.
“How are you a pirate?”
Mr. Smee laughed at her question. “I...fell into it.”
She gaped at him. “Fell into it?”
He nodded, amusement flickering across his face as he rubbed his whiskered jaw. “And what of you?”
“What of me?” She slipped another morsel into her mouth and washed it down with a sip of wine.
“What is a princess doing on the docks, making deals with pirates?”
Celeste choked before managing to swallow. Her face warmed at his scrutiny. “I hardly see how it matters. The captain has made his intentions quite clear.”
“Has he now?” Mr. Smee hazarded a sidelong glance at the door, as if he expected the captain to appear at any moment. “And what would that be?”
She set aside the goblet and sighed. “He intends to return me to my uncle for the reward.”
“Is that so?” Smee leaned back, stroking his short beard.
“They will kill me the moment I return.” Celeste let venom seep into her words. “I am but a means to an end. Nothing more.”
Mr. Smee sat silently listening, his gaze taking her full measure. Never did he allow it to roam, to take in her silken garments and the curves beneath them. His attention remained solely on her face and her words.
Unlike the captain. Interesting.
“What goes on here?”
Celeste turned, meeting the captain’s scowl where he leaned against the doorway.
“Captain.” Mr. Smee stood, quickly crossing the room. “I brought her something to eat, as you directed.”
“Aye. You can leave now.” He growled at his first mate before stepping into the cabin.
Mr. Smee cast her a parting smile before retreating, leaving her alone with Hook.
“What do you want?” She pushed aside the food, her appetite gone.
“I want many things,” he said, closing the door with a firm click. “But as you have made your choice, I will abide by your terms.”
She scoffed. “When do we arrive?”
“By nightfall.” He commandeered the chair left vacant by Mr. Smee.
The contrast in their mannerisms, their appearance, and their temperament left her stunned. Both were pirates, but of vastly different natures. Curious. Were all pirates this way?
“Have you changed your mind, little star?” he asked.
“Why would you ask me if you already know what my answer will be?”
“You seemed...lost in thought, as though weighing options.”
Curse him. How could he possibly know the conflict raging within her? Could he read her so easily?
Celeste cleared her throat. “If I agree, you will help me recover my sister and take us both to safe harbor?”
“Aye. So long as you lead us to the treasure.”
Her father would have punished her for even contemplating such an exchange. But he was no longer alive, and the throne sat empty, guarded by a liar and traitor. She huffed out a breath. There were no good options, her only ally this ruthless pirate before her.
Celeste rose and paced the floor, unable to bear the weight of the decision upon her shoulders. She could not let her sister suffer at her uncle’s cruel hand. There was no one else to save them. No one to come to their aid. She alone could set this right. All it would take was one small exchange.
But could she give him only her body? Or would she risk more with her surrender?
Pressing her eyes closed, she inhaled deeply. The scents of sea and leather surrounded her.
When she opened her eyes, Hook stood before her, his stormy gaze fixed upon her.
“Well then, little star, do we have an accord?”
Celeste swallowed her remaining hesitation and nodded. “We have an accord.” She thrust out her hand, and he took it, pulling her to him.
Her hands splayed across his chest, soaking up strength and warmth. His heart beat calmly beneath her palm, unlike the thundering of her own.
“Tell me, Princess,” he murmured against her cheek. “Is this venture worth your life?”
She inhaled a deep breath, and his scent surrounded her, making her sway. The rough edges of his garments pressed through the silk she wore, biting her skin. Her body hummed with need. She steeled her spine and met his enchanting eyes. They bore into her, as though seeking lost truth.
“She is my sister. I would die for her.”
“That would be a waste.” He clucked his tongue before smiling.
“It would be a pity if you lost your prize, wouldn’t it?”
“Such fire, Princess.” He chuckled, and her stomach flipped at the sound. “But I am not the enemy. You would do well to remember that.”
“You forced me into this position.” She wrenched herself from his hold, but he grasped her wrist and held her steady. “I hate you.”
“Excellent. I prefer a spirited lover.”
“You may claim my body,” she spat, “but if you cross me, I will slit your throat and toss your corpse into the depths of the sea.”
“I would expect nothing less, little star.”
He released his hold so quickly, she nearly stumbled backward.
The absence of his heat left her shivering. She straightened, glaring at him to cover her reaction.
“Eat. Rest.” He inclined his head. “For tonight, you will need your wits about you.”
“Where are you taking me?” she asked again.
“Tortoluga,” he replied with a smirk. “If you wish to play pirate, love, you must act the part.” He grabbed a sack beside the door and tossed it to the floor at her feet. Then he left.
She stared ahead, unseeing. Tortoluga? The pirate port? Saints, what have I done?
Slow panic crept into her, leaving her limbs weak and shaking.
I am no pirate. They will see right through me.
She retrieved the bag and blinked at the contents.
Clothing?
She lifted the garments from the sack and held them up to the light. A pair of trousers, a shirt, several scarves, boots, and a corset that wrapped around her shoulders.
“Curse him.” She tossed the items to the bed and stripped off the silks.
Halfway through dressing, she realized something important.
He hadn’t locked the cabin door.