Page 53 of Hush Darling

“No.”

“Were you?” He held her stare.

She debated what would get her in more trouble, the truth or the lie. “Yes, at one time I found him attractive, but my feelings have changed.”

“So you’ve said. But what of his feelings? Does he still want you?”

“Peter wants everyone?—”

“Does he want to fuck you? Answer the question.”

She swallowed. “Yes.”

“Good.” He set down the glass of wine. “You’re not leaving here a virgin.”

“What—”

“This can happen in one of two ways. One will have pain, the other will not.”

Terrified of not only this man but all the men above deck, she panicked. “You can’t force me.”

“Don’t assume to tell me what I can and cannot do, Ms. Darling. The depravity of my childhood alone would bring you to tears. But I have no intention of forcing you. As I said, there are two options. The sooner you make up your mind, the faster it will be done and over with. Option one, you surrender. Option two, you take time to think things over.”

It had to be a trap. “I want the time.”

“Of course, you do,” he said all too easily. “I’ll call for Jukes and he’ll escort you below deck where you can contemplate your options and take all the time you need.”

“Wait. Below deck with the rats?” Unable to accept that this was her reality, she closed her eyes. If the outcome was inevitable, what was the point in suffering below deck? At least up here, there was a fire to keep her warm. It wasn’t a complicated choice, but it wasn’t that simple either. He was a stranger and a terrifying one. But he was still a lot better than Jukes or the others in his crew.

He once again lifted her chin and forced her to meet his dark stare. “It can be as easy as cheating on a paper. Simply tell yourself you’ve made a choice and decide to live with it.”

“Please,” she whispered softly, unsure of what else she could say. “My family can pay you?—”

“I’m not interested in your family’s money. I’m only interested in the one thing Peter wants but cannot have.”

“Why?”

“That’s not your concern.”

Her vision blurred as she felt the walls closing in. She’d give anything to be back in her bedroom, safely tucked beneath the covers of her small bed.

“Tears will not save your virtue any more than begging will. You must choose. Do you consent?”

She couldn’t bring herself to say the words, so she silently nodded.

“Very good.” He went to the door and removed a key from his pocket. “You’ll have a light supper and a bath.”

She’d expected him to start tearing away her clothes the moment she agreed, not feed and bathe her. “You won’t hurt me?”

He cocked his head, studying her for a long moment. “Not all pain is unpleasant, little darling.”

“I’ll give you what you want. Just please don’t hurt me.”

He tsked. “Such a pretty little beggar you are.” He crossed the room and crouched before her. “Careful what you promise. I’m not an easy man to please.”

She believed him. “I won’t fight you. I promise.”

His full lips slowly twisted into a smile as his gaze dropped to her chest, where the wine had stained. He openly appraised her body in a way no man ever had.