Captive on the High Seas by Christina Rich

Author:Christina Rich
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2015-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

Ada followed the path leading to where Nicolaus sat. Her feet came to an abrupt halt and she gasped when she spied the red, welted lines slashing across Nicolaus’s back. He jumped to his feet.

“You should not be here, Ada.” His muscles expanded as he pulled his tunic into place but not before she’d seen the mark branded on his chest. “There are snakes crawling about.”

Her gaze flew to the ground as she shuffled her feet.

“You would not wish to get bitten.” He climbed from the rock and stood in front of her. “How did you find me?”

She ignored his question. She’d sought him out for a reason and it was not to argue as his tone suggested he was prepared to do. “I wished to apologize.”

Nicolaus bent to tie his sandal, but glanced up at her. “There is none needed, Ada.” He unfolded his length, his height imposing. “You were correct. It takes a certain kind of man to be a merchant. One that is ruthless with no care for others. As am I.”

“Nicolaus.” She searched his eyes, looking for something to belie his words. However, she knew differently, knew Nicolaus was nothing like the man he described. She knew him to be kind and compassionate even if he was grumpy at times.

He stepped around her and headed up the path she’d come down. She gathered the hem of her tunic and raced after him. “Nicolaus, stop.”

He turned toward her. Vulnerability glittered in the dark depths of his eyes. She dared not examine why he resembled a child fearful of rejection. It was obvious the wounds marring his flesh were nothing compared to the ones buried within his soul.

Her hand reached up. The tips of her fingers brushed over his brow. The curls blanketing his skin were as soft as she’d imagined, even dripping wet. She caressed her thumb over a small white scar above his eyebrow. A ripple of warmth cloaked over her hand, spiraling up her arm and straight to her heartstrings. She jerked her hand away, dropping it to her side. “What happened to your back? I’ve seen many such scars. I have treated them among my father’s slaves.”

His eyes narrowed, his nostrils flared. “Then you’ve no need for my answer.” He turned away and took giant strides up the hillside.

“They are recent.”

Nicolaus continued his trek until he disappeared between the greenery. Rocks slid from beneath her feet as she tried to catch up to him. She slid, and she cried out when her hands scraped against the stones. She inhaled a breath and released it as she pushed herself up from the ground and sat. Facing the water, she pulled her legs into her chest. She rested her chin on her knees and stared out at the endless blue waters.

“What are you doing?” Even though she jumped, his deep timbre soothed an ache in her chest, one that longed to be cared for, watched over. He sat beside her, nudging her with his shoulder.

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