From Tormented Tides (From Tormented Tides, #1)

by Val E. Lane

I had expected danger when I met him. After all, he was supposed to have died centuries ago.

We were two broken hearts, both fated to a dismal end, and I had accepted mine by now.

Never trust a pirate.

"Who do you think pulled you out of that rip current?" His demeanor became more serious as my breath caught in my chest at the revelation. “When I saw this picture, I realized that you might be in possession of something that is putting you in serious danger. Now I know my suspicions are true.”

“Such little faith in me. I’m more of a gentleman than you think.” He smirked.

“Remember the mermaid story? And the curse?” He paused and took a step toward me. He leaned in, his lips mere centimeters from my ear. He tickled my earlobes with his whispers. “What if I told you, it was all true? What if I told you that I’m one of those cursed to die at sea every day for eternity?”

“Don’t fear me, Katrina.”

“I’m difficult?” I huffed. “You’re the one who grabbed me.” “You’re right.” He spoke after a long pause. “I’m sorry. I suppose I deserved that.”

“I’m just sitting here in the woods with a ghost pirate. Why don’t you look like you did on the island? You had pirate clothes. You might as well have been Jack Sparrow there.”

“Great. So you’re a motorcycle riding ghost pirate.” I laughed, shaking my head in disbelief. “See, I’m not so medieval after all,” he chuckled, revving the engine.

Why was I so drawn to him? I wanted to be near him, to touch him. But I had to remind myself of one thing that could pose a problem. He’s a freaking ghost, Katrina.

Down by the shore Meet me once more By the light of the moon Love me, then leave me With the dawn rising Haunt me forevermore

Never trust a pirate.

I pointed the screen at Milo, whose green eyes lit up at the amazement of the moving pictures, but then his wonder turned to confusion as he watched Johnny Depp’s iconic scene as Captain Jack singing about his jar of dirt.

Because the way he had looked at me just then made me wonder if he yearned for more than just his soul’s redemption.

He was dangerous, but I had never felt safer than when I was with him. He was dead, but I’d never felt more alive than when he touched me. He was temporary, and yet nothing else had ever felt so permanent.

“But what good is the promise of a pirate?” I asked, the edges of my lips forming a smirk. “A pirate's word is everything when it involves his treasure,” he whispered, leaning closer to me. Treasure?

“Can you feel me?” I asked. “Almost.” he breathed. “And it’s enough.” “Enough for what?” “To make me want you.”

“Whatever is there between us, we have to ignore it, because if you break the curse, I’ll be gone. Forever. And if you don’t break the curse, I’m still just a ghost of the man I was. You will get hurt no matter how this ends. It just isn’t meant to be.”

“In another life, I have no doubt you could have been mine, Katrina. But fate has decided against us.”

“Don’t worry,” his voice smoothed over me as he took the hand that covered my necklace in his. “I’m not here for that this time.” “Then what are you here for?” I asked. “You.”

Every pirate knows his true place is in hell.”

“Because he seems to have won the heart of a siren, and he doesn’t want to share.” Bellamy slowly leaned into me, supporting my back with his strong grip as he dipped me backward in time with the music. He gently pressed his lips to my neck and kissed me right above my necklace. His voice crawled across my skin like a whisper in the dark. “But I’m a pirate, after all, so I intend to take it anyway.”

Bellamy was mysterious. Like a dark, opulent wine that tempted me with the promise of drunken pleasure when he was in front of me. But Milo was milk and honey. Always. And I savored him every moment.

“Katrina, I’d die a thousand deaths over again if it meant I could be with you. You’re the one I’d endure hell over and over again for. You are the one that I can’t stop seeing when I look up at the night sky. You are the first thing that guides me when the tide rises. You are my North Star.”

“With you, I can feel…I feel…something. But it’s not in the way you think. I feel you…almost in my soul. And it means more than any touch on my flesh ever could.”

With the moon you shall rise, As the night calls the tide. By day, bound to the depths Forevermore this curse shall be kept Lest to the depths is returned What was taken; the last of her.

“Don’t you dare touch her!”

“Well,” he breathed, “I’m not entirely sure, but my guess is that the legend must be true.” “What legend?” I rolled over, lying close against his side. “That any man who possesses a siren’s heart can cheat death.”