Save the Sea (Saved by Pirates #3)(5)
“Things we need to be alone to discuss,” she says quietly.
“Sure, I will see you tomorrow then,” I place my hand on her shoulder and gently squeeze. “I’m so happy you are alive and well,” I say, and she nods with a small grin.
“I’m more than well. I’m finally home,” she says with a small smile on her lips I watch her go as she walks away. Zack comes to my side, sliding an arm around my shoulders.
“Let’s go back to our home,” Zack whispers close to my ear. Instantly, I relax as he speaks of home. That’s exactly where I want to be.
“Our home is on a ship, but for now, this will do,” I mumble.
“Your home is with your pirates, no matter where we are, on land or at sea,” he says, kissing the side of my head, and making me smile.
“That’s true,” I sigh.
“Is that what you see for our future? All of us on our ship together?” he asks me, and I rest my head against his chest, sliding my arm around his back as we walk out of the room.
“It’s my dream. I want us to be free, and together. I can see us all on our ship, rescuing changed ones, and bringing them here with their chosen and families. Helping people and travelling the world. I spent so much of my childhood and teenage years stuck on one island and hating it. I know it was necessary, but if we are going to fight for freedom, I want to truly be free,” I explain to him.
“I want that for you. I want to show you everything in Calais. You have seen so much of a world full of horrors, but little of its true beauty that is underneath the surface,” Zack says as we walk down the stone steps. Both of us go silent as two people in hoods walk past us. I'm only able to catch a glimpse of purple hair and purple eyes that almost seem to glow as we pass them. I turn back as we get to the bottom of the steps and see the man is looking back at me, but he turns away before I can make out anything else about him.
“I don’t want to talk about that place, so tell me something else. Anything else,” I implore as I face back forward, knowing I’m not ready to face the memories of my time with the king. I may have survived, and I may not have any scars on the outside, but there are plenty on the inside. I know I have to deal with them at some point, but it will have to be sometime in the future. Hopefully in the future when there isn't a war, and I know I'm safe. I’m not safe here, and that’s the problem. It’s all an illusion, because the king will never let me be free. One of us has to die, I'm determined that it's not going to be me.
“You don’t have to put on a brave face for me, little fighter,” he says and stops as we get to our door, holding it open for me.
“It’s not a brave face, Zack. It’s just I don’t want to spend too much more time focusing on the past and not the future,” I say, leaning up and kissing his rough-feeling cheek.
“So where should I sleep?” I ask awkwardly as Zack shuts the door behind us. He smiles, holding out a hand for me. I slide my hand into his without a second thought, and he leads me to the first door on the left. He opens it, and we walk into the bedroom hand in hand. It’s a big room, with a large bed with blue sheets and two candles lit on the bedside cabinets.
“We left this room for you,” he says, “I’ll leave you to get some sleep . . .”
“Don’t,” I say with a bit of panic. “Can’t you stay with me? I don’t want to be away from you,” I ask, grabbing his arm, and he turns slightly. His eyes lock with mine, and neither of us wants to look away as I await his decision. He doesn't answer, but goes to the door and shuts it, staying in the room with me.
“Cassandra, you deserve so much more than me . . .,” he begins as he walks towards me, sliding his leather-gloved hands onto my face, “but if you will have me, I’m yours. I will never leave your side, and I will always love you.” He kisses me before I can say a word, a harsh, but beautiful, kiss that takes my breath away. He pulls back, making sure my eyes are locked with his as he speaks.
“I’m not pretty, not under all this,” he says, and I shake my head.
“I love you for you, and for every scar you have, because it shows your bravery. I love every mark on your skin because it shows you’re a survivor. They make you who you are, Zack, and they are beautiful,” I say, and pull his hands from my face. He doesn’t move as I pull each of his gloves off, pausing to kiss each hand before letting them go.
“Cassandra,” he warns as I start unbuttoning his shirt. I don’t stop, even though his gravelly voice makes my hands shake a little, and sends goose bumps all over my skin. I pull his shirt over his shoulder, before smoothing my hands over his chest and feeling all the little scars that are littered around. I lean down, kissing each one, falling to my knees as I work my way down, and then I reach for his belt. I look up, locking my eyes with his as I undo his belt, and his trousers fall to his ankles. I take his length into my hand at first, before leaning forward and sucking the tip into my mouth, swirling my tongue around it as he moans. I’ve never done this, and I have no idea what I’m doing, but the noises he is making suggests I’m doing something right. Inch by inch I attempt to take him deeper into my mouth, but he slides his hands into my hair and gently pulls me up.
“I’ve never done this, you’re my first, and if you keep doing that, it’s going to be over far too quickly. I want to see you first,” he explains to me and slams his lips onto mine. I wrap my legs around him as he walks us to the bed, his length pressed against me, but my dress stops us. He lays me on the bed and leans over, using his hands to slowly pull my dress off me until I’m naked in front of him.