He narrowed his gaze into the gloom. “It’s just the park.”
“Just the park?”
He strode forward. His body relaxed, but his eyes never lost their sniper glare on everything around us. “The trees have a way of making you feel like you’re being watched.” He flashed me a half-smile. “Living on the streets, you constantly feel like you’re being stalked. Central Park is no different.” He laughed under his breath. “In fact, I met a guy here on my second year living rough. A guy called Penn Everett. I was good at stealing things, but he was great at staying hidden even in plain sight.”
Moving under the moon with skeleton trees and tiny leaves creating stencils on the pavement, I asked, “What happened to him?”
“No idea. He vanished one night and never came back.”
Ideas that he’d been murdered or arrested filled my mind. I hated to think so many people had it rough and not all of them ended with happy endings like mine.
Another twig crunched, whipping me to a standstill as I looked over my shoulder. “I swear someone is following us.”
Elder turned, his hand still around mine while his other tightened into a fist. He called into the night, “Who’s there?”
No reply.
He marched forward into the black spots untouched by streetlights. He didn’t pause as he reached a bush where a faint rustling noise came from. Shooting his arm into the undergrowth, he shook the branch of a sapling. “Who—”
Something tiny shot from the foliage, bashing into my legs and squeaking in fear.
“Oh, my God.” I jumped to the side as Elder bolted forward and scooped the racing body from the ground.
He held the wriggling, terrified puppy aloft. “I think we’ve found our stalker.”
The puppy yipped as Elder cuddled it close, uncaring about the dirty fur or the tiny teeth.
I looked into the bush, searching for a pissed-off mother or more litter mates but found nothing. Only bracken and forgotten rubbish swept into hiding by the wind. Moving toward Elder, who’d calmed the puppy with a gentle hand on its head, I asked, “Where do you suppose he’s come from?”
“Probably abandoned. I’ve come across lots of pets in this place. All unwanted...kind of like the humans who inhabit this place illegally.”
I shivered. “That’s terrible.”
“That’s life, I guess.” Elder held the puppy aloft, looking at the dangling, gangly legs and hesitantly wagging tale. “He’s just a mutt. He’ll either survive or not.” Placing the pooch back down, he came toward me. “Circle of life even if it is cruel.”
I couldn’t take my eyes off the little dog. Sensing freedom, I expected it to charge off and vanish, but it sniffed around our legs, bright black eyes inquisitive if not a little wary. Bending down, I let it sniff my hand. “Hi, little one.”
It licked me.
And that was it for my stupid heart.
Tess had mentioned adoption—that a baby could come from other ways than just my broken body. She’d hinted that sometimes adoption was the better choice as you were saving a life rather than creating one.
Here, I had the chance to save a life.
A little canine life who wriggled his way into my heart in an instant. If that was the way it would be with adoption, then...perhaps it wouldn’t be as terrifying as I’d thought.
Beckoning the puppy closer, I rubbed his little face before looping my hands beneath his belly and hoisting him into my arms. He didn’t yip this time; he snuggled close as if we’d earned his trust in such a short time. As if he knew what I was about to say.
Turning to Elder, I opened my mouth to argue for the little one’s life.
Elder crossed his arms and laughed. “Oh, Christ. That fast, huh?”
I laughed, shrugging, loving the way the pup licked my chin. “Do I need to put forth a debate?”
“A debate would be interesting, but I already know what you’re going to say.”
“In that case...” I grinned. “Can we?”
He rubbed his jaw, shaking his head with mirth. “The Phantom isn’t equipped for a dog, Pim.”
“Does it matter?” I giggled as the puppy squirmed closer, burrowing into my neck.
“Fuck, hearing you laugh makes me hard and hurt all at the same time.” He stepped closer. “If I’d known a simple mutt would make you this happy, I would’ve stolen one for you the moment I stowed you on board.”
I looked up, accepting his gentle kiss and shivering at the utmost adoration in his gaze. He didn’t look at the dog, only at me.
My tummy clenched. My heart whirled. I fell all over again. “So, we can keep him?”
Elder tickled the pup under its jaw, pressing a kiss to my cheek at the same time. “How can I say no?”
“By being honest and saying no.” I held my breath, my heart already bleeding at the thought of letting this little creature fend for itself in the cruel, cruel world.
Elder’s face softened as he cupped my cheek. “I’m always honest when it comes to you, Pimlico.”
“So you don’t want him?” I did my best to hide my pain, clutching the stray harder rather than preparing to let him go. I would obey Elder’s wishes, but it would hurt like hell.
“If he’s going to be a sea dog, he’ll need a proper name. Nothing stupid like Snoopy or Spot.”
“Truly?!” I leapt into his arms, squishing the puppy and raining Elder’s face with kisses. “We can call him anything you want.”
“Why am I already sensing this was a bad decision?”
I shut him up with a kiss.
That night, we sailed from New York with a new addition to our family.
One with four legs and a tail.
One who would most likely be called Spot.
Chapter Thirty-One
______________________________
Elder
RETURNING HOME TO the Phantom, I had an odd sense of closure and relief from seeing my mother, followed by uncertainty about bringing a land-dwelling animal onto an ocean-faring vessel.
It hadn’t exactly been the closure I needed, but my mother’s acknowledgment that I’d tried to fix my mistakes was enough....
For now.
Besides, I meant what I said about never needing anyone else again as long as I had Pim. She was everything and now I had to share her with a mutt.
The moon stayed hidden behind clouds threatening drizzle as Pim carried the pup into our bedroom and set him on the floor. Rigging creaked and engines hummed, waking from their seven-day rest as Jolfer prepared to set sail for a midnight cruise.
I hadn’t asked where we were going—this time, the itinerary was his choice. The only instruction I’d given was to follow the summer and to hold a poll with the staff to find any destinations they’d like to visit.
I’d been sailing with vengeance for too long.
This time, I wanted to have fun—for everyone on board.
Pim dashed into the bathroom, returning a few seconds later with her arms full of clean towels.
I sat on the bed with a smirk, rolling my eyes as she fashioned a bed for the newest member who was far more interested in exploring the bedroom and sniffing scents of blood and fighting even though the room had been cleaned since.
Pim giggled as the mutt raced back and leapt all over her. I’d never heard a sound like it fall from her lips. Something so pure and simple. I’d always hoped I’d be lucky enough to hear her laugh so freely but didn’t think it would ever happen.
Whatever I thought about owning a dog, I now loved that damn fleabag as it gave Pim yet another avenue of healing. She fucking glowed, and it took all my willpower to just sit back and watch instead of scoop her up and make love to her.
If I didn’t know her past horrors, I would’ve thought she was innocent and confident—someone far too unsullied for the likes of me.
Sometimes, I looked at her and felt ancient in comparison—as if she was too young to withstand my bullshit brain and the emotional baggage that came wi
th it. But then I’d see a flash of a silver scar or see her wince on sore bones, and I’d remember she’d withstood things far worse than anything I could ever do.
Her body had been in a battle, her soul had lived far more than it should, and it’d transformed her into someone so much wiser and better than I was.
I could spend hours watching Pim bathe and settle in the cute rascal, but my desire for her kept escalating.
My obsessive brain sticking on one thought.
Her.
It was her fault.
She shouldn’t be so fucking sexy when she was happy.
I needed to tell her how much I loved her. How watching her be so sweet and gentle with the dog raised caveman urges to protect and care for her, too.
But I also didn’t want to interrupt her joy at settling in the mutt who leaped and chased, tumbling beside her to get his belly scratched. Its short fur and random collection of sherry and amber spots meant he wasn’t the prettiest thing, but he sure looked fucking happy.
His concave little belly also looked empty.
How long since the poor thing ate?
Using my cell phone, I called the kitchen and requested food suitable for a puppy and fresh water to be brought up.
I’d give Pim and her four-legged beasty a little longer to get acquainted, but once the mutt’s midnight snack arrived, Pim was all mine again.
I don’t particularly like sharing.
We didn’t have to wait long. The gentle knock on the door shot me upright.
I strode to open it, smiling at Greta holding a tray full of shredded chicken and gravy with a jug of water and an extra porcelain bowl.
Handing it to me, she grinned. “New pet, I see.”
“Something like that.” I smirked. “Have a good night.”
“You, too.”
Closing the door, I set up dinner and water by the towel bed Pim had designed and made a mental note to take her dog bed shopping the next time we reached a port. For now though, the mutt was safe, fed, and had somewhere to call his own.
That means Pim is all mine.
Taking her wrist, I pulled her from the floor, intending to push her onto the bed and do whatever I damn well pleased with her. However, she rolled her arm, dislodged my hold and shook her head. “Not yet.”
“Not yet?” Frustration bubbled. “What do you mean, not yet?”
“I mean, I have something for you.” She smiled down at the dog as he woofed and shoved as much chicken into his tiny mouth as he could. “I want to give it to you.”
I chuckled under my breath. “And I have something for you, so let’s get into bed.”
She laughed. “Mine is real not just sex.”
“Not just sex, huh? Are you already over sleeping with me, little mouse?”
She narrowed her gaze. “You know that’s not possible.”
“Then...what is it you have to give me?” Glancing at the bed, I cursed the heavy ache between my legs. “Can’t it wait until morning?”
She backed away nervously, shaking her head again. “No. I asked Selix to buy it for me. We’ve been away a week and I’ve been dying to show you. I want to do it now...before we go to bed.”
“Hold up. Spot?” I narrowed my eyes. “I thought we agreed no stupid names for the dog.”
“Your fault for picking one that suits his spotty coat.”
“If you want something literal for him, how about Slobber or Fleabag?”
Her eyes glittered with happiness. “Fine, you name him.”
“Me?”
Turning to face the happily munching puppy, she nodded. “He’s a little skittish right now, but his curiosity makes him brave. Spot suits him, but if you want to call him Seahorse or Neptune or something to do with the ocean, then by all means.” She shot me a look over her shoulder, her delicious hair thick and glossy. “Meanwhile, I’ll focus on getting your gift.”
Marching toward her, I ran my fingers through the chocolate strands while wrapping my arm around her. “You’re good at distraction, I’ll give you that.” Pressing my lips to hers, I murmured into her mouth. “I can be good at distraction, too.” Deepening the kiss, I groaned as her tongue feathered mine. “Come to bed. Gift giving can wait.”
She melted into my embrace, shuddering as I pulled her hair, arching her neck back to kiss her harder. My cock thickened. I lost rational thought. All I wanted was her in bed.
Backing toward the mattress, I pulled her with me, breathless and kissing me back. I might not have won on naming the damn dog Spot, but I had won in making her forget about giving me something.
I didn’t know why but knowing she had a gift for me made me awkward and full of guilt. She had no need to buy me things. She’d given me herself—that was all I’d ever need.
The bed hit the back of my legs, and I sat heavily, dragging her between my thighs while keeping her mouth on mine. Leaning back, I grabbed her hips, intending to ease her on top of me, but she resisted, somehow slipping from my hold and blinking with bright, desire-filled eyes. “You almost made me forget again.” Wiping red-kissed lips, she pouted. “I want to show you, El. Please...let me.”
Sighing heavily and rearranging my throbbing erection, I stopped being an asshole. “Okay. You win. What is it?”
Her cheeks flushed pink, a blush filled with nerves. “I-I hope I’ve done the right thing.”
I could already tell her she hadn’t. She was about to give me more than I deserved. I didn’t need presents or keepsakes.
Before I could speak, she dashed to the sliding doors to the deck and vanished outside. A loud clunking noise filtered in, followed by a feminine curse.
“What the hell?” The puppy lost interest in his chicken and chased after her. Following them, I slammed to a stop as Pim tried to navigate a box almost as big as her.
My heart pounded.
The box wasn’t an ordinary box.
It was a shaped case I knew well.
Fuck.
How?
“What did you do, Pim?” Striding forward, I grabbed the neck of the cello container, taking the weight before it crushed her.
She ducked her eyes shyly. “I wanted to give you something after you’ve given me—” She looked away. “—everything.”
“Where did you even get this?” I forced myself not to run my fingers over the satin case or crack open the latches to see what was inside.
She shrugged. “I asked Selix to buy two of the best they had. It’s your choice which you prefer—”
“Wait.” My fingers latched around the case’s neck. “Two?”
She nodded, pointing at a shadow tucked by one of the lifeboats. “Yes. I didn’t know how or what to look for.” Her voice dropped, threading a little with panic. “I know I can never replace your old one. And it’s not my intention to overshadow it in any way. I just...I know how you feel about music, and I hate that it was stolen from you the same night as I was.”
She looked up, her eyes blazing with love. “You found me and fought for me. The least I could do was give you back your music. I hated it for so long. I cursed every note and song every minute of my life with him, but with you...you healed that part of me, and I actually miss hearing you play.”
I couldn’t speak as I rested the box against the wall and cupped her cheek. My hand shook with awe that she’d overcome one of her worst fears just for me and then somehow found a way to give me something I would never have been able to buy for myself.
“Thank you, Tasmin.”
She gasped as I bent to kiss her.
I kissed her with gratefulness and worship and every other little emotion falling in love with her had made me suffer.
She pulled away, resting her hand on my forearm. “Will you open them? I want to see what they look like.”
I laughed softly. “You haven’t looked?”
“No. I didn’t feel right. They’re yours. You should be the first to see.”
I shook my head. “How the hell did you become this creat
ure?” Clutching her close again, I tucked breeze-teased strands behind her ear. “You’re the best person I’ve ever met, and I can’t believe you’re mine.”
This time, I kissed her with passion and frustration and a thread of anger that she’d bought me two very expensive gifts when all I’d ever done was give her origami figurines or make her steal a dictionary and hotel spoon.
Pulling away, I kissed the tip of her nose. “I don’t deserve you. I’ll never fucking deserve you.”
I wanted to ask where she’d got the money from. I needed to know how she’d done this, but at the same time, I didn’t want to be rude and delve into secrets she hadn’t told me. I’d tried stripping her of her secrets at the start and look how that’d turned out. I’d hurt her instead of healed her.
I promised I wouldn’t do that again.
“Please.” She pushed me toward the awaiting cellos. “Open them.”
It physically hurt to look away from her, but I did as she asked and ran my hands along the case reclining against the wall. Holding my breath, I cracked open the latches and lifted the lid.
Inside was a stunning black-lacquered cello with bronze scroll, pegs, bridge, and tail spike. The strings had never been played; the bronze bow nestled in cream velvet begged me to be the first.
Pim stood beside me as I gawked at such a gorgeous instrument.
I’d never think anything but fondly for the beaten up second-hand cello my father had bought me, but the craftsmanship of this machine promised whatever I played would be almost magical in tune and body.
Pim drifted away, ducking to the other case and manhandling it upright. Spot tried to help, licking her hands and sniffing everything.
Striding toward her, I helped her put it upright. Once in position, I opened the lid.
I stopped breathing.
The polar opposite of the black one I’d just fallen in love with winked beneath the stars. White lacquer gleamed with silver scroll and accents, its bow sleek as a sword and just as lethal.
Night and day. Land and sea.
Both were stunning. Both would’ve cost a fortune.
“Why did you spend so much on me?” I turned to face her, my heart pounding like a drum.
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