“What?” he snarled, twirling on his heels.
He grabbed his skull. That Pan would dare to take her from his ship made rage boil inside him like molten lava. Hot and thick and vexing, making him feel reckless and wanton with a passion for violence. Wanting a moment’s privacy he marched to the stairwell, intending to head back to his cabin, to see if there was anything he might have over looked. Also, he was afraid if he opened his mouth once again he’d say something he regretted, and Smee did not deserve that.
“But, sir,” Smee said quietly, following him down, “Callum has spotted something from the crow’s nest. A small object moving at a great rate, carting a glittering pink bundle.”
Glittering pink, Danika’s colors.
Relief washed through him. “Thank you,” he gripped Smee’s shoulder and then brushing pass him, ran back up the steps.
The moment he was back on deck he saw her. Danika was just turning to go back, when she gave him a two-finger salute, opened up a slice of blue in the sky and disappeared quickly within its fold.
He just stood there, not sure what to do. So many emotions swirled inside him at the moment. Impossible, thick ones. The need to grab her up, to make absolutely certain she’d come to no harm, the need to roar his fury to the heavens and curse Pan to the bitterest depths of Davy Jones’ Locker.
She sat in the middle of the netting, long, lean legs outstretched before her, the spider silk gown covering her body, but barely. Leaving very little to the imagination. Her wild mane of blonde hair curled becomingly around her perfect pixie features. She looked a siren the way she sat and in that moment reminded him fiercely of Talia, hair wind-blown and skin pinkened with a seductive flush. That was when he became aware of the others.
“Back to work!” he snapped at the men who’d turned to look her over, lascivious greed glittering in the depths of their hard, cold eyes. All but Smee returned to their duties.
“Trishelle,” he said with a voice grown hoarse from so much yelling. The moment of mute numbness passed, he walked up to her and held out his hand.
When her small one slipped in his, he could finally breathe again. Disturbed by the depths of his reaction, he scowled. She stared at the ship with a blank look, then said, “Can we go back to your room? I don’t feel like being around anyone right now?”
She didn’t want to be around anyone, and yet she wanted him to go with her? The thought made him warm. Nodding, he held her hand as they walked back to their room. When he opened the door, she gasped.
“What happened in here?”
The sheets had been ripped off the bed, the curtains were on the floor, books were strewn all about. He’d torn the place in two during his search for clues.
Smiling, she patted his arm. “Aww, Hook, did you do this for me?” Her green eyes glinted with laughter and his lips twitched. Stepping inside, she looked around again. “Did you happen to see a gown before you worked the room over? Sirenade gave me a gift and I tucked it into that dress, I really don’t want to lose it.”
He shut the door behind him. “The gown is hanging in the closet, and what gift did she give you?”
She spread her fingers. “A little seahorse.”
“If she gave you one, she must truly like you. Those are her familiars. It is a great honor.” He wondered whether Trishelle realized how quickly she beguiled those around her? Drinking her in, he looked over her body, making certain Peter hadn’t hurt her in anyway. The only reason why that boy still lived was because she was here with him now, had anything happened…none would have been safe and Danika couldn’t have stopped him this time.
“I sort of thought it might be.” She smiled. “It’s good to see you again.”
The region of his heart both heated and went soft. He couldn’t understand why, but in the short time he’d been around her, he’d come to enjoy her presence. “I tried to find you. I scoured the globe.” He took a step forward.
Her lashes fluttered and a soft smile graced her full lips. “You’re just saying that because I gave you great sex.” She laughed and again he felt like they’d never been apart.
He’d spent nearly all of an entire day searching for her, not understanding why he was so obsessed with finding her, knowing after tomorrow she’d leave and that’s what he wanted too. It truly was, he’d grown to enjoy Trishelle, but he never wanted to open himself to the possibility of such crippling pain again. After today, he knew the possibility of it happening with her was strong.
He did care. Too much. But she was here now and he’d enjoy it for however long they had. “You did at that.”
He grinned, taking another hesitant step forward.
“Hook,” she whispered.
“Yes?”
She stepped toward him, the flame of the gaslight on his wall flickered in her eyes. Suddenly the room felt hot and cloying, crawling with tension and snapping with sexual heat. His body responded with a rush of blood.