'And you want me!'
Perry's eyes widened at his frankness, and she could find no way to deny his statement. Yet anger flared once again. He spoke not of love but of need. 'You said you'd not touch me until I came to you. And need or no need, Hunter Kirkland, I'll not come to you.' Her hands balled into fists at her side as she backed away, keeping the table between them.
He moved closer. 'Perry, you couldn't have been so warm in my arms a few hours ago and now be made of stone. I-'
Shaking her head, she cried, 'I'll not listen to you!'
'If I can touch you,' Hunter answered, 'you'll hear me.
Perry matched his every advance with retreating steps. They moved as fixtures on a merry-go-round with the table always between them.
'You'll understand my promise was folly when…' He couldn't believe she was shattering his dream.
'Need I carry my pistol to keep you away? For I assure you, I'll not hesitate.' Anger flashed in her eyes. 'Are you so like your cousin that I must fight or bend to your will?'
Straightening, he backed away. Perry's comparison of him to Wade stung like a slap. He pushed his eyebrows together and studied her. 'I'm not like Wade.' His voice was cold and firm. 'You wound me, madam, even to make the comparison. You shall have your wish. Last night never happened, and I'll make no advance toward you.' He stared at her with icy, pain-filled eyes. 'You've no need to carry a weapon. Your demands injure me far more than a bullet.'
Hunter opened the door. 'If you will excuse me, I must get a few hours sleep. I find my dreams much less painful than present company. Good day.'
With a slam of the door he was gone, and Perry was alone. She'd won, yet where was the victory? She'd talked him into making no more advances toward her. She'd erased his smiling, confident manner to watch a cold, controlled mask return. Perry slammed her fist on the table in anger. 'Why do I have to love such a man?' she whispered. 'Why couldn't he just once speak of love and not of need?' She had to be more than just a woman he bedded. She'd settle for nothing less than being the one he loved.
Perry wiped tears from her flushed cheeks. Let him sleep, she would busy herself in the small kitchen. She might know little about sailing, but she did know how to cook. Attacking her job with an energy born of frustration, she stayed in the galley all morning. She was relieved when the cook finally awoke to serve a late lunch that she'd prepared for the crew. As the men gathered around the table she wandered above deck for some fresh air. The morning's work had dulled her anger.
A cool breeze greeted her as she opened the hatch. She welcomed the fresh air to clear her thoughts. Casting her gaze around, she met a sky that mirrored her mood. The clouds hung low as rumors of rain whispered in the wind. She climbed up to the open deck where the captain stood idly smoking his pipe. He smiled a greeting before continuing his study of the sky.
'Are we in for more storms?' Perry asked in an effort to make conversation.
'Appears we might be. But I'm figuring by the way those clouds are moving over yonder'-he pointed with his pipe-'that we are just skirtin' the storm. If we're lucky, a little rain is all we'll have to worry about.'
The captain reminded Perry of a piece of driftwood. He was weathered and wrinkled beyond his age, yet there was a solidness about him. He stood watching her with wise old eyes, as though he were reading her as he did the weather.
Perry blushed slightly under his stare but welcomed his company. 'Do you and Hunter sail often?' she asked.
'He has another ship-a fine, big lady. We've sailed on her many times but not lately.' The old seaman wasn't accustomed to idle conversation. He'd spent a lifetime at sea and felt ill at ease around womenfolk.
She liked the old man and felt a need to be honest. 'I'm not Hunter's cousin,' she stated, wondering what he would think of her.
'I know,' he commented without hesitation.
'Did Hunter tell you?' Perry asked, wondering.
'Didn't have to.' The captain smiled. 'No man looks at his relative like he looks at you.' Perry's cheeks burned as he continued. 'This is a small ship, and when voices are raised, everyone on board hears.'
Perry lowered her head to stare at the sea. 'Thank you for the warning, Captain,' she whispered.
'What warning?' Hunter's voice sounded from behind her.
Perry turned in surprise as he stepped onto the small deck to join them. Though he was smiling, there was a tiredness in his eyes. She wondered if he'd slept at all this morning. He had changed into a clean white shirt and dark brown slacks, but he hadn't bothered to shave. His whiskers formed a light brown covering over his strong jaw.
Since Perry seemed deaf to Hunter's question, the captain stated, 'We been talkin' of ships and weather.' He dumped his cold pipe ashes out, tossing them to the wind. 'I think I'll go have a bite while you're up top.' He nodded to Hunter and moved away.
Perry and Hunter stood for several minutes, as if they were frozen statues. He watched the wind whip at her hair. He'd spent the morning thinking, finally deciding that the pain of being with her was no greater than the pain of not seeing her. Now, as he watched her standing proudly before him with her chin high, he wasn't sure his decision was correct.
Moving a step toward her, he rested his back casually on the railing. From this angle he could watch her closely as she seemed to be studying the waves. 'I can answer any of your questions about sailing, Perry.'
She didn't miss the change in his voice as he said her name. There was only the barest hint of passion in his tone. Perry knew he was holding himself closely in check.
'I have no more questions, thank you,' she answered curtly. 'Except, when will we arrive?'
'Can't wait to be rid of me?' Hunter asked, an odd smile forming on his face. He realized that his presence bothered her as much as hers tormented him. He stepped closer and studied her as he added, 'In a few days you'll be rid of me and never have to see me again.'
Perry glanced up and saw his smile. He must be counting the hours, she thought. Aloud she stammered, 'G- good. I'll not have to be manhandled by you or your cousin again, once I'm under the protection of my brother.'
Hunter moved back a step. 'You need no protection from me. Your barbed tongue lashes like a whip.'
'And you, sir, are as true to your word as a Yankee snake.'
'And you, madam, are a poison in my blood. Would that I could cut myself and bleed until I am rid of you.' Hunter's gray eyes turned stormy.
'You wouldn't bleed long, for you have no heart! You carry your needs like a banner, completely void of feelings!' Perry shouted. She knew others on the ship could hear her, but her anger wouldn't allow her to stop.
'And you, Perry, you feel? Tell me, what do you feel?' Hunter was within inches of her now.
Perry stared wide-eyed at him. His gray eyes looked into the very core of her. 'I feel, I feel…' She could not continue. She whirled around to face the sea, gripping the railing tightly as if choking back words. How could she tell him she felt anger and love for him at the same time? How could she say to him how much she wanted and needed him, when his words would not be of love?
Hunter placed his hands on either side of her, yet he didn't touch her. She could feel his body only an inch behind her. His voice was low as he whispered, 'What do you feel, Perry? Do you feel within you the same longing I feel? Does the temperature in your blood rise just a little when I'm around? Do you long for my arms to hold you as dearly as I long for you?'' Hunter knew his words were tormenting her. He knew she was as aware of his nearness as he was of hers.
'I'll hear no more.' Perry whirled and pushed him back a step. She would have run, but his movements were swift.
'Wait, Perry.' Hunter stepped to the ladder, blocking her path. He took a long breath to clear his thinking. He knew he'd chosen the wrong path and now must retreat before all was lost. 'I didn't plan to fight with you.' His voice was low and serious. He'd planned on being polite and distant to her, yet after only a few minutes they were shouting again. Hunter set his jaw in determination. 'Hear me out.'
Perry nodded, unable to trust her words.
'We must be together for a few more days. For the sake of my sanity, could we declare a truce?'
