The protective wall he’d struggled so hard to build around his battered heart cracked. He ground his teeth, reminding himself how good she’d been at pretending to be his wife. “Yer in love with your job, not me.”
He leaned his forearms on the railing, watching the sunset. There was no way to put any distance between them up here, and it was taking every ounce of his strength to keep from touching her.
She settled on the railing next to him. “I envisioned all this going differently.”
He swallowed and chuckled, stealing a glance her way. “Did ye think I would see yer beautiful face and forget I told you I loved you and you didn’t feel the same way?” He expected a pang of bitterness, but it didn’t come. Just being near her again soothed the hurt. He shook his head, taming the swell of emotion. “Ye probably convinced yourself I’d take you in my arms and all would be forgiven.”
“Maybe.” Her lips curved into a wistful smile. “Sounds silly when you say it out loud like that.”
He blinked, his brow furrowing. Had she really been expecting that? Did she want him to touch her? He faced the horizon again. “Why are you really in Savannah?”
She bumped his shoulder with hers. “I couldn’t spend another minute in my empty apartment in D.C. The only face I wanted to see was yours.”
He frowned, digesting her words. “Long drive just to come down and stare at a pirate.”
She laughed, but it wasn’t full of joy. It bordered on a sob as she met his eyes again. “I asked Agent Bale to make me the new head of the field office in Savannah or I’d turn in my resignation. Sooo…” She looked up at the twilight sky—anywhere but his face. “I guess I’ll be around Savannah if you ever want to do some target practice or get a beer or something.”
His jaw went slack as he turned to face her. She’d moved here for…him? He cleared his throat, searching for his voice. “Did you think I’d just be here waiting for you?”
“No.” She shook her head. “But I couldn’t keep pretending I was the same person I was before I stepped onto the boat. I’m not.” She finally met his gaze. “I guess I have the rest of forever to try to earn your trust. I know I made you believe our relationship was only a cover for my work, but I was wrong. I’m through lying to you and to myself.”
“You were willing to lose your job.” He still couldn’t believe it. “For me?”
“No. I did it for me. Don’t you see?” She searched his eyes. “After being with you and the crew, I realized that I’m more than my job, and my work alone isn’t enough for me anymore. I couldn’t stop thinking about you. I was willing to leave my job because it’s just a job now. I can find another one if I need to, but there’s only one immortal pirate in the world I would trust with my heart.”
He stared at her, memorizing every detail of her face, from the tiny scar at the side of her jaw to the sparkle in her bright-green eyes. She’d come back.
She really loved him.
He pulled her into his arms, fusing his lips to hers. She clung to him as their tongues wrestled in an urgent struggle to get as close as possible.
Gods, he’d missed her taste and the way her body fit with his like she’d been made for him. He tangled his fingers in the back of her hair. Her spicy scent slammed him with memories of her naked body tangled with his.
She was really here. How long would it take for him to believe it? He never wanted to let her go.
He broke the kiss, resting his forehead on hers. His voice was a ragged whisper. “I love you, Aura.”
Her full lips curved into a smile. “I love you, too.”
He chuckled. “About damn time.”
She grinned and caressed his cheek. “I’m sorry it took me so long to figure things out, but I’ve got a thick head and a stubborn streak.”
He stole one more kiss and whispered, “Part of how ye bewitched me, love.”
Her laughter warmed his old soul. She ran her hand down his arm and laced her fingers with his, her smile fading. “I’m so sorry I hurt you. I didn’t realize my work life didn’t have to be an either-or until I was ready to give up everything for another chance to see you.”
He was going to be fucking pissed if this was all some sort of dream. No one had ever given up anything for him before. It was going to take time for him to believe this was real.
He choked back the lump in his throat. “I couldn’t get ye out of my head, but there’s some saying about loving someone and setting them free, so I tried to leave you be.”
She squeezed his hand and kissed him slowly. “Thank you for saving room for me in your heart.”
“There was no carving you out of it, love.”
“Thank the gods for that,” she whispered as she kissed him again, long and slow.
He forced himself back as the sun vanished from view. “We better get down before it gets dark.”
She nodded, and together they slowly made their way back down the lines. He could’ve made it in half the time, but he kept pace right beside her the whole way.
When they dropped onto the deck, Bob cleared his throat. “Good to see you two getting along again.” His wide grin made Greyson suspicious. “I need to get back to the restaurant, but I wanted to test the oven. The hush puppies will be ready in five minutes.” He glanced between them. “Can I count on you both to finish them?”
Greyson turned toward the cook and smirked. “Just happened to have hush puppies onboard?” Greyson crossed his arms. “Did you know Aura was coming here?”
His sheepish shrug was all the answer Greyson needed.
Greyson shook his head, fighting back a smile. “Meddling old pirate.”
Aura chuckled. “Don’t be pissed at Bob. This was all my idea. I called him earlier to see if you were still working on the Sea Dog today.”
Bob came closer as he headed for the gangplank. “The hush puppies were my idea.” He waved. “See you soon.” He winked his good eye and crossed the gangplank.
Greyson led her into the newly restored galley as the timer rang for the oven. He took the hush puppies out and peered at her over his shoulder. “I think I’ll pack these up to go. We have a lot of catching up to do.”
She raised a brow. “You don’t live on the ship?”
“No.” He laughed as he poured the hot, round balls of salty dough into a brown paper bag. After turning off the stove, he caught her hand, leading her out of the galley. “I love the Sea Dog, but I need room to spread out.” He looked at her as they crossed the main deck to the gangplank and then scanned the cars parked along River Street. “Which one is yours?” She pointed to a black Nissan Sentra, and he chuckled. “You packed everything into that little car?”