Free The Mermaid's Pearl (Tears of the Deep Book 1) by Brooke Kennedy Page B

said, his body straightening up to hide the concern that filled him just moments ago. He was good at hiding his feelings, playing the one who didn’t care, and he was doing it again. He waved a hand in the air carelessly. “Alright, since that is settled. I suppose I will go back on deck.”
    He turned to leave, but I reached out to take a hold of his arm, trying to avoid staring at his scars. I had the sudden urge for him to stay with me. I no longer wanted to be alone after almost losing my life.
    He turned back to me and eyed me questionably, his voice irritated. “What?”
    “Would you consider staying with me?”
    He took a moment to think about his answer, finally settling on, “I suppose.”
    Aiden took a seat beside me on the window seat and gazed out onto the open sea. “Is this what you do all day long?”
    I nodded slowly as I gazed out at the sea. The tears once again threatened to flow from my eyes, but I squeezed them tightly shut and hoped they would stay away. I felt safer there in the cabin with him. A part of me wanted to tell him why I often stared out at the sea, but I sat silent. The other part of me reminded myself that he couldn’t know the truth.
    He lifted my chin with his knuckle and looked into my eyes. “Why, lass, don’t cry. It was a simple question.” His eyes grew wide for a moment as if he saw something rather interesting, and then leaned in closer to me. “Your eyes…they’re an awfully odd shade of blue.”
    It was a reminder of who I was, where I belonged. Where I might not be able to return . I pulled myself out of his grip and turned my head away.
    “They’re more like violet. Can you tell me, how that is?”
    I had no answer for him.
    My eyes traveled out the window again, this time looking up at the stars in the sky and wondering if Tristen was looking up at them too. It was one of the things we used do at night when slipping out of the king’s watchful eye and doing as we pleased throughout the night.
    “I miss home,” I whispered, hoping it would be enough to settle his curiosity and take the conversation away from my violet eyes.
    As he stood up from the window seat, he took my hand in his and pulled me to my feet. I was surprised when he pulled me to him into a tight embrace. It wasn’t something I wanted to run away from, but rather found myself melting into him. I sighed and rested my cheek on his chest.
    “If you would tell me who your family is, I could send word out for your ransom, and you would be free. If not, I suppose you will be here with me for a long time.”
    The anger spiked in me again. I’m nothing more than a prize for the money. Just as all the men in my life had seen me—for the gold of the king. It was mixed with fear Aiden was no different. It scared me, and I lashed out.
    “You’re the worst sort of pirate! A woman is worth more than her weight in gold!” I exclaimed.
    He wouldn’t let me go, just held on to me, running his fingers through my hair in a comforting sort of way. He didn’t stop until I ceased fighting him and relaxed again. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t find it in myself to stay angry at him. Each finger running through my hair was like a nail in my coffin—sealing me in with the charms of the merciless Captain Aiden.
    “There’s something I do…when I’m lonely…” he whispered.
    “What’s that?”             
    “Well, I would have to show you,” he said and coughed as if to clear his throat.
    “I still won’t tell you anything.” I pulled back to look at him. Now was not the time for flirting. I didn’t care what he wanted to show me, it wouldn’t change my mind.
    “That’s not what I’m after right now. I just want to show you something. I’m trying to help, lass.”
    When he removed his hands, I jumped back from him to put some space between us and tried to take a few deep breaths. It happened again. Time stopped in his arms. I was sure of it.
    That or I was going