inside the book...
Ethan quietly shut the door to their hotel room, eyes falling to the sleeping woman on the bed knowing she was out cold even though the oil lamp threw faint light. Closing the steps, looking down at his wife; his wife! No reason to withhold tug at mouth taking in her peaceful sleeping face. He married the woman he quite literally pulled from the middle of the sea, chuckle inward. It had been her who spoke quickly in Viejo, hence saving them all her included. Recalling her words of why she had taken the sea voyage in the first place deepened his amusement. Adventure and relaxation; they had certainly given her more than enough of both. Accepting Sonora and he had far more ‘adventure’ the last two months because of her.
Filled with unanswered questions as it was, knowledge this intriguing beautiful woman had spent an entire night trapped with another man he knew wanted her brought frown to his handsome face. It wasn’t he doubted her; West knew as intelligent and wise as she was there was no possibility this woman could stand up to the experience of either him or Laffite. If the man had an entire uninterrupted night with her…well, if he was in the other man’s position he certainly would take advantage of the time. Reaching hand trailing index down her cheek, his exhalation deep. He was painfully aware he’d made an ideal situation for Laffite with his foolishness beginning all the way back in Cartagena if he was honest. With shake of head, moving to quietly get ready for some much-needed rest, though doubting sleep would come for some time as he was weighed down with chaotic thoughts.
Across the hall another man lie awake in the dark though not attempting to fall asleep; unable to get this woman out of his head Laffite had long since stopped trying, now only attempting come up with a way to keep her. Every possibility seemed to cost her far too much in the end; not to mention all the severed friendships it would cost them both. Was worth it? Chuckling without humor as he remembered every time she was in his arms; deciding yes it was. He was a pirate, privateer what have you, this trying to find some way to legitimately walk away with what he knew should be his was new for him and likely reason he’d yet to come up with anything. Occurring to him again he wouldn’t be returning to sail with Sonora and Henley didn’t know that, hadn’t thought of it; why would she? Aware how comfortable and secure she felt with him there, but he couldn’t; no reason to. What was he supposed to do; ask West if he could join his crew and sail under his command in hopes eventually when the other captain made some irreparable mistake, he’d be there to catch her broken heart? Thought brought daring, reckless look. Always taking what he wanted, maybe he’d just keep her here with him; musing countless times since first laying eyes on her, damn the consequences. In his next breath knowing he couldn’t, didn’t want that with her. Would she love him then, because he knew she did. His love for her was the same reason holding her in his arms when they were on an isolated beach the entire night was all that happened when he knew it could’ve been more. Roguish look reappeared; well not all that happened, falling completely in love with her. Curious again if Jean deliberately suggested he lead a group for the last load of bounty, staying behind with West. He’d always had differences with his brother but it seemed the younger man was trying to do him a favor. Pierre began to think he was the fool if he didn’t use the opportunity afforded him, again. One thing was certain much as it turned his stomach, he would have to tell her he wasn’t sailing with Sonora. Crease appeared his forehead as he stared at dim moonlight streaming in the window the far wall; not looking forward to seeing misinterpretation reflected in her eyes. How was he supposed to sail in the other direction, leaving her in his wake? Laffite managed to exhaust himself attempting to come up with answers; accepting all he wanted to do was fall asleep with the woman he loved safe beside in his arms. Tired as he was, once he had that thought there was no falling asleep and when he finally did it was as restless as his heart and thoughts.
Across the hall another man lie awake in the dark though not attempting to fall asleep; unable to get this woman out of his head Laffite had long since stopped trying, now only attempting come up with a way to keep her. Every possibility seemed to cost her far too much in the end; not to mention all the severed friendships it would cost them both. Was worth it? Chuckling without humor as he remembered every time she was in his arms; deciding yes it was. He was a pirate, privateer what have you, this trying to find some way to legitimately walk away with what he knew should be his was new for him and likely reason he’d yet to come up with anything. Occurring to him again he wouldn’t be returning to sail with Sonora and Henley didn’t know that, hadn’t thought of it; why would she? Aware how comfortable and secure she felt with him there, but he couldn’t; no reason to. What was he supposed to do; ask West if he could join his crew and sail under his command in hopes eventually when the other captain made some irreparable mistake, he’d be there to catch her broken heart? Thought brought daring, reckless look. Always taking what he wanted, maybe he’d just keep her here with him; musing countless times since first laying eyes on her, damn the consequences. In his next breath knowing he couldn’t, didn’t want that with her. Would she love him then, because he knew she did. His love for her was the same reason holding her in his arms when they were on an isolated beach the entire night was all that happened when he knew it could’ve been more. Roguish look reappeared; well not all that happened, falling completely in love with her. Curious again if Jean deliberately suggested he lead a group for the last load of bounty, staying behind with West. He’d always had differences with his brother but it seemed the younger man was trying to do him a favor. Pierre began to think he was the fool if he didn’t use the opportunity afforded him, again. One thing was certain much as it turned his stomach, he would have to tell her he wasn’t sailing with Sonora. Crease appeared his forehead as he stared at dim moonlight streaming in the window the far wall; not looking forward to seeing misinterpretation reflected in her eyes. How was he supposed to sail in the other direction, leaving her in his wake? Laffite managed to exhaust himself attempting to come up with answers; accepting all he wanted to do was fall asleep with the woman he loved safe beside in his arms. Tired as he was, once he had that thought there was no falling asleep and when he finally did it was as restless as his heart and thoughts.
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The warehouse...