Author's note: This weeks chapter is just a short one for now. I'm still working on the rest, but since I know a lot of people are stuck at home self-quarantining I figured I would post.
Without any further ado...Enjoy.
Chapter 16: Stupid, stupid, stupid!
Underneath her black hood, Cassie felt heat radiating from her whole face as she ran from the coast. Even the cool morning air wasn't enough to douse the flames in her cheeks.
Stupid, stupid, stupid!
How is it that every time she ran into him he managed to weaken her resistance?
As the little cat made her way through back alleys all she could think about was the promise she had made and the shameful way she had acted. He had turned her into putty in his hands! How had she let him get so close?
One second he was across the alley and the next he was right in front of her, making her heart race and her mind go into a heady trance.
Harry Hook had a way of thrilling her and soothing her. Despite all the words written on her skin, she knew deep down that he was no villain. She could hear it in his words. She could see in his gemstone eyes that he cared for her. Those pale blue eyes shook her to her core. Harry made no attempt to veil from her his desire. Beyond that desire though she knew there were unsaid whispers of loyalty.
Cassie's feet carried her silently through the streets while her mind was engrossed. The little cat didn't take notice of any of the buildings or alleys she passed because she was too preoccupied in recalling Harry's precise words and the feelings they had left her with.
'Ah'd gladly give yeh anythin' ye ask for, Cassie...Ah'm concerned 'bout ye kitty'
The more she heard from him, the harder it got to justify pushing him away.
'I don' care 'bout whatever ya did 'fore we met, I can help with whatever ye got yerself into.'
It was becoming increasingly difficult to dismiss and snub someone who seemed to genuinely want to help.
'Yer daft if ye think for a second that I'd hurt yeh.'
Even angry. Hades, Cassie could die of embarrassment and shame. For whatever reason Harry Hook was genuine about wanting to be with her.
'Yer asking if I like ye aside from being SoulMarked?...Ah dinnae ken.' She could remember that sly and charming smile of his, 'Ah'd like ta find out in time though.'
If Cassie didn't need her eyes for walking she would cover her face in mortification. As it was she shifted her gaze downward and felt heat rushing throughout her chest and into the roots of her hair.
'I want to see you again.'
'I'll be waiting at the Wharf...Just me...Even if you say no I'll still wait for you.'
She got shivers just thinking about it.
Harry might not be what she thought he was...he might just be something better.
Sure, he was a pirate and a flirt—but ever since the SoulMarks Sadistic, Scary, and Murderer appeared she had feared ever meeting him. Yet here she was making promises to do that exact thing because she had not wanted to disappoint him.
She knew what her father would feel about all this, yet Cassie found herself wishing she had been more tenacious in her youth. Maybe if she had asked him more questions, found out why he felt the way he did about soulmates, then she could figure out what she should do next.
Would she really go to meet him in three days?
She shuddered to think what the green-haired witch would do if she didn't show up. Maddy would be expecting her in four days.
Cassie yearned for the days when her life was simpler and the days on a calendar were only used to mark when the new shipments would arrive. Now she was suddenly juggling meetings with two different people.
~...~...~
Days passed slowly after. Cassie found herself passing time with an anxiousness she hadn't expected. She had gone to the Goblins Wharf countless times before. Yet knowing he would be waiting there somehow made it feel so different. It set her heart aflutter and gave her dread in turns thinking about meeting him again.
So much had been said last time yet she was no closer to knowing who Harry really was. She got the sense her SoulMarks might be a little misleading. If she really was going to go then she wanted to have more of a sense of who she was dealing with. Did she even have the courage to go though? She had gone to the pirate's turf without thinking because she was angry and impulsive. But this wasn't either of those things. This was—she didn't know what this was but it wasn't like before when she hated him. She felt it now, no matter how much distance between them her attraction to him remained constant. He could go to the ends of the earth and still she would feel pulled towards him. There was something about them that matched.
Hades, how the days seemed to drag.
Author's note: I know everyone is saying to keep safe and stuff, but in all seriousness we aren't just quarantining for ourselves are we? Think about those Florida spring break party-ers: that is spreading the virus and putting yes them, but also anywhere the go while they travel, at risk. Think about it: they all need to fill up on gas, get a bite to eat, use the restroom-and if they do that before they realize that they are carriers and contagious then they are putting others in danger.
Just, be conscientious and respectful of others fears. I personally would probably be fine if I got it, but I have an aunt and father-in-law both with heart conditions, an already at-risk pregnant sister-in-law, and many others I love who would NOT be okay if they got the virus.
Okay, all that aside, I hope you are enjoying being an introvert.
Review Recognition:
Heaven's Mistake: Either I am the most obvious writer or you have a mind for writing yourself because I feel like your reviews/predictions are almost always either on the point or in the right direction. I hope you stay safe in your travels!
Lady of Trolls: "Lack of pirate abs" LOL! Oh my goodness! I like your thinking but this story is a bit of a slow-burn.
shadowcat106: Aww thank you so much! It really does feel nice to hear that from my readers! I hope you enjoy the newest chapter and continue to look forward to the future ones.
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