her chin up, Drake coming in and out of focus as she blinked back unwelcome tears forming in her eyes. “I also don’t want to hurt him.” She turned to Keegan again. “Eventually, I’m going to break his heart. The only question is when.”
A muscle jumped in his cheek while his eyes remained on the horizon. “If you’re looking for relationship advice, I’m the wrong pirate. Until Char, one-night stands were my specialty. Not much of a relationship counselor. You should talk to the cook. One-Eyed Bob loves meddling where he’s got no business. You’ll make his night.”
Heather chuckled. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
Drake dropped onto the deck and headed straight toward her. “My mate Keegan kept his hands on the wheel, right?”
“Fuck off, Drake. You sent her over here,” the pilot teased.
“That I did.” Drake slid his arm around her waist. “I want to show you something.”
Being near him, even in silence, inspired a peace and acceptance in her soul that she’d never known. How could she be contemplating walking through life alone again?
He led her to the bow of the ship and positioned her in front of him, his hands gripping the railing on either side. The wind stung her cheeks, filling her lungs with salty air as the ship cut through the calm waters. Ahead of them, the heavens painted the sky in purples and pinks and reds. Breathtaking.
His lips brushed her ear as he whispered, “Thank you for sailing with me. I built most of this ship with my own two hands, but this is the first time I’ve ever had someone to share it with.”
She leaned back in to his chest. “You have your whole crew.”
He wrapped one arm around her waist, his big hand resting protectively over her belly. “That’s not what I mean. My crew is all the family I have left, but I’ve shared more of myself with you in the past few weeks than I have with them in over two hundred years.”
His confession lodged in her heart, making it ache. She focused all her attention on the unfolding sunset. If she turned around now, lost herself in his eyes, she’d never be able to protect him.
“What’s wrong, love?” The warmth of his breath sent a ripple of desire through her body. Keeping her distance was impossible.
She stared down at the water. “My father used to love fishing.” She blinked, wondering where the memory had come from. She frowned, following the thread. “I could never go. Too much sun.”
Drake’s voice vibrated in his chest behind her. “What happened to your parents?”
“My dad drowned. He took Ashley out on a fishing trip in his Boston Whaler. A storm blew in and my sister fell overboard. Dad dove in to save her. She made it back into the boat. He never surfaced again. The Coast Guard found Ashley. After a few days they gave up searching for my dad.” She cleared her throat, forcing the words to come. “My mom never really recovered from that. We lost her about six months later. Heart attack.”
The words rang hollow to her ears. Just facts. Her emotions were no longer raw, but they never went away. She still missed them. Maybe you never stopped.
She turned around, searching his eyes. “I wish I could explain this. I still have moments when I ache to reach out and hug them. There are days when I’d give anything to be able to pick up a phone and hear their voices. They’re not lost, though, not really. They’re in the stars. They’re everywhere. Pure energy.” The thought brought a bittersweet smile to her lips. “And every time I think of them, they’re right here with me.” She reached up to caress Drake’s cheek. “That’s why I can’t drink from your cup. There’s so much more than this life we’re experiencing right now, and I want to see it someday.”
“Do you talk to them, like you do for your clients?”
Heather nodded. “I’ve communicated with my mom and my grandmother.”
“Not your father?”
She shook her head. “Sometimes I feel his energy. I’m not sure why he doesn’t speak to me. When I was younger, I used to push and ask spirit guides to help with the connection. All I got was… It sounds crazy.”
He chuckled, the sparkle in his eyes warming her all over. “Crazier than an immortal pirate?”
“Okay, fine.” She rolled her eyes. “All I see is a big ship. I don’t know if it’s his version of heaven or what. He’s