I stand quickly.

“I need to, I mean, I need to have a rest.”

Jess stands as I do, and she follows me as I avoid all the amused gazes and rush into the small cave. As soon as we get in, I turn to her, panicking.

“You slept with him, didn’t you?” she says in a hushed whisper.

I cover my face with my hands. “Oh God, Jess. I thought…I just thought…”

“I know what you thought,” she says softly, walking over and taking hold of my shoulders. “I know.”

“I’m a fool.”

“No, you’re just doing whatever you can to protect your life. That doesn’t make you a fool.”

I lift my eyes, and meet her gaze. She gives me a small smile.

“What do I do? Everyone now knows. He did that on purpose, he wanted to flaunt it.”

“Honey, it’s a small group, they would have figured it out. I’m almost sure they all think it’s already happened.”

“I need a minute, or just…I need a break.”

“Go onto the ship. If you want to rest you’ll have more chance of it on there.”

“Really?” I whisper.

“Yeah, come on, I’ll take you.”

She takes my hand and leads me out. When we pass the small group, I avoid eye contact.

“Where you going, inocencia?” Hendrix purrs.

Asshole.

“She’s going to rest, she’s tired and the ship is quieter,” Jess snaps.

She doesn’t let him answer, she just continues pulling me past him and out through the trees.

The ship is still sitting up on the sand, but it’s not damaged, so it’s safe. We both head to the ladders, and climb them. When we get on deck, I stare around. There are ropes, and chains, and all sorts of bits from the deck scattered everywhere. I guess that’s why it takes them a day to tidy it back up. Plus, they would have to go over it for damages, which isn’t a small process.

“I have to get some more clothes, but are you okay to rest, or do you want me to stay?” Jess says when we get into the hall.

I shake my head, giving her a weak smile. “I’m okay, I just need some sleep.”

“Okay, well come and talk to me when you wake, all right? We’ll have a chat.”

I nod, and pull her in for a hug, “Thanks, Jess.”

“It’ll be okay,” she says gently.

I feel my eyes burn with tears. “I’m not so sure it will. I’m terrified, Jess. I just…” My voice crackles. “I just want to go home.”

Her eyes go glassy, and she hugs me closer. “It’s going to be okay, we’ll figure this out.”

Then she steps back and smiles at me once more before disappearing down the halls. I head down until I reach Hendrix’s room. I walk in, and stare at my spot on the sofa with need. I’m exhausted, and I need a break. I walk over and drop down onto the sofa, tucking my legs up and sighing loudly. I can’t remove the images of Hendrix having sex with me from my mind; they’re haunting me in the most beautiful way. I’m not even sure I want to stop thinking about them.

I lay down, slowly letting my body sink into the soft sofa. I stare up at the roof, and my mind just spins. I have so many thoughts and feelings flying around that I can’t pinpoint one long enough to process it. I hear the door creak, and I lift my head and see Hendrix stepping in. He shuts the door behind him, and locks it. Oh crap. I sit up, and our eyes connect the entire time as he walks over and stops in front of me. Why is he in here? I made it clear I wanted a break, I needed to think, so why is he here staring down at me, like he wants to eat me alive?

“Stand up, inocencia,” he husks.

“What? I…no…”

“Now,” he orders firmly, yet his voice still holds that level of raw, sexual desire.

Like I have no control over my body, I stand slowly, my entire body trembling with…is that lust? Or something more? When I’m on my feet, Hendrix grips my arms and walks me out into the middle of the room. He stops me, and then turns and walks over to the sofa. What the hell? He sits down, leans back and puts his arms up behind his head, causing those muscles to flex and pull. I watch him in confusion.

“I wasn’t done, earlier. I said one day, but I didn’t mean that I would put my cock in you once; I meant that I would have one entire day with you. I’m not finished with that day. Now, get your clothes off.”

My mouth drops open, and I feel my fingers fumbling nervously together. “I…I…”

“Inocencia,” he rasps, “now, baby.”

My entire body is on fire, and I don’t want to deny him. The thought of having him buried deep inside me again is removing every other logical thought in my mind, and replacing it with a deep, intense need that is so strong I can’t fight it. I grip my shirt, and go to lift it but he puts a hand up, stopping me. He gets to his feet, walks over to his desk and presses a few buttons on a small set of speakers. A moment later, a familiar song comes on. I watch as he turns, and then walks back over and sits down, resuming his position.

“Take them off, slowly,” he growls.

He wants me to…strip? I hear the song flare to life, and my cheeks flush. Well, it is a stripper song. The words “She’s my cherry pie,” fill the room, and it takes everything inside me not to flick my hair around and dance like a wild girl. This song just does that to me. Instead, I grip my shirt again, and slowly begin swaying my hips from side to side. I’ve not ever undressed like this in front of a man before, and the idea of it is completely erotic. My entire body is tingling with shame, yet I can’t stop.