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 Nicolausâs back. He jumped to his feet.
âYou should not be here, Ada.â His muscles expanded as he pulled his tunic into place but not before sheâd seen the mark branded on his chest. âThere are snakes crawling about.â
Her gaze flew to the ground as she shuffled her feet.
âYou would not wish to get bitten.â He climbed from the rock and stood in front of her. âHow did you find me?â
She ignored his question. Sheâd sought him out for a reason and it was not to argue as his tone suggested he was prepared to do. âI wished to apologize.â
Nicolaus bent to tie his sandal, but glanced up at her. âThere is none needed, Ada.â He unfolded his length, his height imposing. âYou 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.â
âNicolaus.â 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 sheâd come down. She gathered the hem of her tunic and raced after him. âNicolaus, stop.â
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 sheâd 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. âWhat happened to your back? Iâve seen many such scars. I have treated them among my fatherâs slaves.â
His eyes narrowed, his nostrils flared. âThen youâve no need for my answer.â He turned away and took giant strides up the hillside.
âThey are recent.â
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.
âWhat are you doing?â 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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