Chapter 16: The Kiss

When Sloane began to snore, Charlisse laid her head on the pillow and tried to rest, but once again sleep evaded her. An eerie silence crept over the ship as it sat passively in the shallows of the islands. Maybe she missed the rhythmic movement of the sea as the ship creaked and moaned in exuberant song as it sailed across the waters. But tonight, the Redemption slept soundlynot even the usual revelry of the pirates shattered its peaceful repose. It was unnerving.

Charlisse got up and paced the tiny cabin. She ran her fingers over the books lining the shelves, shaking her head at the exquisite collection of fine literatureso at odds with the character of a pirate captain. Perhaps she could find something among his things that would help her understand himhis weaknesses, strengths, what mattered to him. Avoiding the bottles of rum, she picked up a gold figurine of a soldier, examined the workmanship, then tried on a silver ring embedded with rubies that lay beside it. It was too big for her small fingers. She admired the brass candlesticks, the fine silver chalice. Lifting a velvet bag, she sifted through its glimmering contentsrubies, sapphires, and emeralds. Lustrous pearls glowed from within a small silver chest, threatening to overflow onto the captain's desk. Shuffling through the charts tossed about haphazardly, she spotted the open Bible. What attracted Merrick to this ancient book? Her uncle had told her it was the word of God, but was it? Had anything he told her been true? She started to walk away. But wait. Maybe this was Merrick's weaknessthis God of his. Sitting, she scanned the open page.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Sloane muttered in his sleep and turned in his chair. Charlisse skipped down a few lines.

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

And down a few more lines.

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The love of God. Where had God been when her uncle had beaten her, whipped her, lusted after her, and berated her with insults? She slammed the book shut and stood, even more restless than before.

What attracted a man like Merrick to the idea of a loving God who gave His life for him? He seemed too strong a man to be in need of anyone or anything, especially an elusive God, who for all she could tell had abandoned the creation He insisted He loved so much.

Hours later, as Charlisse lay in bed, floating in and out of consciousness, she heard Merrick return and Sloane leave. When the captain finally settled on the floor, something inside her relaxed, and she drifted off to sleep.

The squawking of birds filled her earsat first soft and distant, then growing louder, jarring her awake. For a brief moment, she thought she was back on her island again, and terror stiffened her spine. Darting up, she rubbed her eyes. Morning sun filtered through the stained-glass window, oscillating over the still form of Captain Merrick lying on the hard floor. Despite the pressure and responsibility that coursed through his daily life, he slept peacefully. She envied him.

He stirred, opened his eyes, and slowly propped himself on his elbows. When he caught her gaze upon him, a smile curved his lipsthat sultry smile that could melt her heart if she allowed it.

Turning aside, Charlisse fumbled with her hair, pushing the wayward curls from her face, keeping one strand between her fingers.

"You always play with your hair when you're nervous." His deep voice broke the silence.

"I'm not nervous."

"Hmm." He jumped to his feet, rubbed his neck, and moved his injured shoulder back and forth. "It will be a busy day, milady. I hope not a deadly one, but it would be in your best interest to stay in my cabin."

"I will not be locked up like some pirate's booty along with your other plunder."

Merrick chuckled. "Is that so? Well, by all means, milady, come above. I could use someone to man the swivel guns."

She lifted her chin. "Are you going to take the galleon?"

"Aye."

"Will you kill the Spaniards?"

He gazed at her solemnly. "That is not my intention." Pulling off his shirt, he tossed it in the corner. "Yet sometimes killing is unavoidable." He opened his armoire and grabbed a clean garment, his thickly corded muscles gliding across his back as he moved. "The galleon is a worthy prize, and I have others to answer to besides myself."

"A disloyal crew who turn on you at the slightest opportunity?"

He let out a groan of exasperation. "They have a part in my decisions, to be sure." He sat in his chair and pulled on his boots. "There are things you don't understand, miss."

"Oh, I understand perfectly well," she said, getting up. "I understand that the pull of greed can be stronger than the sanctity of human life."

"Then you don't know me very well."

"I know you're a pirate. That is all I need to know." Charlisse strode to the window.

At his silence, a twinge of regret pinched her heart. Had she been too harsh? So far, he had done nothing to harm her. And the mercy he extended to Kent last night revealed an inner core of decency. But maybe it was all an acta pretense of civility to gain her trust, to get her to lower her defenses so he could lure her into his web. How could there be a good-hearted pirate?

She rubbed her eyes, still swollen with sleep. But she did know one thing. This pirate captain was a volatile manin more ways than one.

Seeing him open his Bible, she added in an insolent tone, "There is much about greed in your holy book. Perhaps you have skipped those verses."

He grinned. "Now you are an expert on the Word of God? I thought you didn't believe in Him."

Huffing, she turned back to gaze out the window. Her tumultuous feelings seemed as fickle as the palm fronds vacillating in the morning breeze on the island beyond. New surprising emotions flowed through her that made no sense at all, and she decided, once again, they were not to be trusted.

The sun broke above the trees of the little island and fanned its golden rays over the shoreline, setting aglow the rippling waves and crystallizing the grains of sand. The scene reminded her of the island where she had spent the last month, and where she would probably have died if not for this pirate with her now.

She faced him. He finished reading, stood, and strapped on his weapons. After tying his hair back, he gazed at her, uncertainty wrinkling his brow. Silence stretched between them. Charlisse realized he faced great peril today, possibly even his own death. Her insides quivered at the thought. He must have seen the concern in her eyes for he smiled and sauntered toward her.

He halted so close, his scent showered her in waves of musk and salt. "Never fear, milady. I'll be quite all right."

"Why should I care?" Snorting, she snapped her gaze away.

He put his finger under her chin and lifted her face to his. Her body tensed and her heart quickened, but she stared into his dark eyes, determined not to reveal the turmoil in her heart.

"A kiss for a soldier about to go off to battle?" A faint smirk alighted on his lips.

"How dare you suggest such a"

Merrick started to turn away. Clutching his arms, Charlisse pulled him back and drove her lips onto his. He responded immediately, encircling her in a warm embrace.

Pinpricks of excitement showered over her. Her insides melted, and she lost all resolve. She closed her eyes, enjoying the warmth and vigor of his lips as they hungrily sought hers, the musky smell of his skin, the scratch of his stubble against her cheek.

He released her, a wicked grin on his face. Stepping back, he gave her a gracious bow, grabbed his hat, and left the room without a word.

Stunned, Charlisse felt as though she would melt into the floor. She touched her lips, still on fire from his kiss, her body still tinglingunknown feelings, exciting and powerful.

She liked them.

Sitting on the bed, she clung to the post, ashamed, embarrassed, and beginning to believe that her uncle's accusations had been true all along. How could she have thrown herself at Merrick so easily? How weak I am!

The passions that had consumed her slowly faded, and a firm determination sprouted in their place.

This must never happen again.

She must stay away from Captain Edmund Merrick.