Her Pirate to Love: A Sam Steele Romance by Michelle Beattie

Author:Michelle Beattie [Beattie, Michelle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tule Publishing Group, The
Published: 2016-02-08T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

The sweat hadn’t cooled from his back before Cale knew he’d made one of the biggest mistakes of his life. His heart continued to hammer against his ribs but that wasn’t what frightened him; it was the tremble shadowing the hammering. He’d kissed her. He hadn’t only bedded Grace; he’d made love to her. Like parched soil, he’d soaked in every touch, every scent, feeling more alive than he had since losing Catherine and Caden.

It didn’t matter if sharing himself with Grace—and having her share herself with him—was the purest thing he’d done in years, it didn’t change the rest. She had a child to think of, and she’d be safer without him in her life. Both of them would be.

So he shoved aside the regret, told his fool heart to snap out of it, and ignored the hurt lashing back at him. Because sure as he was lying naked on his quarterdeck looking up at the stars, he was sticking to his plan. He was leaving Grace in Claire’s capable hands the moment they made port in Santo Domingo.

Beside him, Grace stirred. His hands twitched with a fierce desire to reach over and draw her close, settle her head against his shoulder, and promise her the very stars that mocked him from above.

He turned toward her. Womanly curves and dips lay before him like a banquet. Her skin shone like the most priceless pearl and he knew it to be smooth as one as well. The uncertainty on her face told him she was unaware of just how exquisite she was. If he were a different man, he’d cover her with his body and love her again. And again. He’d tell her how beautiful she was, how brave. He’d make promises, say whatever it took to keep her at his side.

But he wasn’t. He’d spent most of his life thinking of only himself, of what was best for Cale. It was why he’d cast Vincent out of his life, why he never took the time to keep in contact with his sisters. It was why he hadn’t been there when Catherine and Caden had needed him most. He wouldn’t do the same to Grace. He cared for her and, because he did, he was putting her life and happiness above his own.

Selflessness wounded the heart and made it bleed.

“We should get dressed before the men decide they’ve had enough frivolity,” he said, rolling to his feet.

He found her scattered clothes, set them beside her then went in search of his own. How had his trousers ended up hanging from the wheel? Feeling her gaze on his back, Cale yanked them on.

He donned his shirt and boots, waited until the rustle of clothing behind him stopped before turning to her. She was fully dressed, his shirt once again keeping her gown as modest as possible. He searched her face and was relieved to see there were no tears gleaming in the green depths of her eyes. Nor was there a smile or a frown upon her face.

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