The Tides of Loss and Longing (Love from the Deep #1)

Chapter 4

Drake

W ith the mermaid gone, Drake saw the perfect opportunity to explore what he was almost certain was Mermaid’s Grotto. He had been lucky a time or two before, but this was almost too good to be true.

He faced only two obstacles in his current situation: his crew and the mermaid. He had little control over whether his crew found him, so he would need to devise ways to aid in their search. Aurelia, however, may prove to be a more formidable challenge. It wasn’t that he feared she could overpower him or prevent him from taking her treasure—what could a little mermaid possibly do to stop him?

No, what unsettled him was the growing attraction he felt toward her. But he had no intention of joining his fellow sailors at the bottom of the sea, seduced by a mermaid. Drake was certain this attraction was just some enchantment unique to her kind.

However, the problem with this line of thinking was that this mermaid seemed genuinely innocent. Though she’d been cross with him initially, there had been real excitement and pride in her voice when she told him of her daring rescue. He couldn’t forget that she had saved his life when she could have easily let him down in his unconscious state. Instead, she had brought him to her home—her place of safety.

Drake mentally shook himself. No, the mermaid would not be a problem. He was Captain Drake Hawthorne, leader of a crew of ruthless men searching for grand fortune across the seas. He was not the kind of man to be swept away by a little mermaid, no matter how tempting she might be.

With renewed determination, Drake strode through the treasure-filled cavern toward the farthest wall, opposite the pool of water. The faint trickle of water grew louder as he neared the shadowy entrance of a narrow tunnel. Placing one hand against the jagged rock wall, he moved cautiously forward, the rough texture grounding him in the encroaching darkness. The sound of rushing water intensified with every step, filling the air with a low, thunderous rumble.

Finally, he rounded a sharp bend and was met with a wall of cascading water. Sunlight filtered through a narrow crevice in the rock face, just wide enough for a single person to squeeze through.

Drake couldn’t hold back his bark of laughter. Mermaids Grotto was hidden behind an inland waterfall—of course. He wasn’t sure he or his crew would have found the entrance to the cave if the mermaid had not brought him here.

What an impossible stroke of luck.

He freshened up in the cool spray, mindful of the tender bump on his temple, and drank his fill of the crisp, cold water, easing the dryness in his throat. Venturing outside, he took in his surroundings. The waterfall was nestled within a dense jungle, hidden by lush foliage and towering trees. The water tumbled from moss-covered cliffs, perfectly hiding the mermaid’s treasure-laden cavern. It was the ideal hidden entrance.

Drake’s thoughts drifted back to his crew. Would they be able to find him? And if they didn’t… what then? Was he doomed to spend the rest of his days trapped on this island with a tempting mermaid and treasure that was useless here?

His rumbling stomach pulled him from his brooding. Where was that mermaid with his food? Turning back, he re-entered the crevice and followed the stream back to the cavern. She still hadn’t returned.

Glancing around her treasure trove, his gaze fell on the chest that had gotten her so worked up earlier. He approached it and gently opened the lid, surprised by what he found. It was filled with satin, silk, velvet, and lace—women’s dresses and expensive ones at that. Drake carefully lifted the top dress, a pale green silk adorned with lace-embroidered flowers and small pearl embellishments.

So, the little mermaid wanted to dress up like a human. Or maybe she simply enjoyed looking at the garments, as they were quite beautiful. He turned to the bed of fabrics where he had woken up. Or perhaps she just appreciated their luxurious feel. Whatever her reasons, Drake found it charming that these dresses were the treasure she chose to risk her hiding place for. At that moment, he decided to leave the chest untouched—a rare move for him. His crew was known for taking everything not bolted down, but he couldn’t bring himself to steal something the mermaid clearly cherished.

A soft splash behind him alerted him to Aurelia’s return. He quickly placed the dress back in the chest and closed the lid. Turning, he watched as she broke the water’s surface, her breasts fully exposed, carrying a net full of fish and seaweed.

Drake knew he should look away to hold on to the discipline he was known for. He usually wasn’t a man easily swayed by temptation, not after years of ruling a crew with an iron fist and keeping his desires at bay. But here, alone with this captivating creature, his body betrayed him, drawn to her as if some spell had been cast over him. His gaze lingered on Aurelia’s small, round breasts, her pink nipples catching his attention, and he felt a stirring in his groin. He’d always scoffed at the old tales of mermaids seducing sailors, but he sure wasn’t laughing now.

The water cascaded off her pale skin in shimmering rivulets, her hair clinging to her shoulders, framing her face like a crown of soft pink silk. She didn’t seem aware of the effect she had on him; if she was, she gave no sign. Instead, she moved gracefully, each motion fluid, her gaze focused elsewhere, oblivious to his lingering stare. He shifted uncomfortably, swallowing hard as he tried to focus on anything else. He needed to move, to look away, but he remained frozen, unable to tear his eyes from the enticing sight before him.