Open Waters by Valerie Mores Read Free Book Online

herself missing it, knowing that as she fell asleep tonight, the impression and warmth usually left on the other side of the bed would not be present.
    Jane heard Cecily mumble something, bringing her back to the conversation. "What did you say?"
    "Nothin'," Cecily sighed, but Jane could hear the smile in her voice. "Just talkin' ta myself."
    "Be careful with that, or I may just have to lock you up on charges of insanity," Jane cautioned with false warning. "Or witchcraft. I heard that's a popular one nowadays."
    Cecily chuckled, glancing at Jane and wiggling her fingers at her in what she took to be a magical gesture. Jane just snorted.
    Her amusement soon turned into a yawn, though.
    "I guess tha's my cue then," Cecily said before trailing off into a yawn herself as she got up from the chair. Jane closed her eyes, listening to the comforting sound of Cecily's soft footsteps as she padded across the chambers.
    She had never thought that after all that had happened to her, all that she had gone through and all that she had lost, that she would be able to let another in. And yet, she found herself helpless to resist Cecily. Cecily had wormed her way into her heart and made a home there. It was frightening, and yes, Jane knew it made her vulnerable, but she couldn't help it. She had tried so hard to deny what she felt for her, to remain detached and unemotional, but it had been a losing battle from the second Jane had laid eyes on her. Not that it would matter. The day after tomorrow, they would reach Port Galtry and Cecily would disappear from her life as though she had never been there. Just like her family, like Thomas.
    Jane was broken out of her musing as the footsteps switched direction and approached the bed. The sweet smell that was solely Cecily became slightly more pungent as the footsteps paused by the edge of the bed. Jane cracked open her eyes, barely catching a glimpse of Cecily's cocky smile before warm, soft lips met her own. Jane tensed, eyes going wide, completely caught off-guard. She didn't move, didn't even breathe, the shock holding her in place. But then, it was over before her brain worked out what had happened.
    "Goodnight, Cap'ain ," Cecily purred in her ear, the tone of the title sounding strange and foreign coming from the woman's lips, even though it was laced with her usual sarcasm. Then Cecily turned toward her corner of the room, hips swaying confidently.
    Jane wasn't sure what made her do it, was probably not even in her right mind. Her hand shot out before Cecily could get far, grasping her wrist lightly, but with intent.
    "Stay," was all she said.
    And Cecily did.
    *~*~*
    Suffice to say they did not, in fact, stop at Port Galtry. Cecily had downright refused to be dropped off like last week's garbage upon the deck and would argue with Jane every time she brought it up.
    "The sea is no place for you," Jane stated as Cecily glared daggers at her, the cool, salty wind ruffling her hair as they faced off on the quarter deck. "Just being aboard, you are putting your life at risk."
    Cecily raised her eyebrows at that, crossing her arms in anger. "Oh, and whose fault is tha'? I wouldn't even be on board if it weren't for ya!"
    A chuckle sounded from behind her, the owner trying to stifle the sound, but ultimately being unsuccessful. She didn't even have to turn around to know who it was. She had seen Worth's amusement at their antics toward one another as the days passed.
    "No, you'd be at the bottom of the sea," Jane said, ignoring Worth.
    "Where ya could very well be not a day from now," Cecily quickly countered. "I'm. Not. Leavin'."
    A handful of heated words later, Jane had reluctantly relented. And if she was to be honest with herself, she was relieved. Jane had grown quite fond of Cecily. More than fond, as Cecily liked to say, but that was a matter of opinion.
    "I am not," Jane denied a day later, when Cecily brought up her fondness of her again. They were sprawled on Jane's bed, Cecily's head