The Mermaid's Pearl (Tears of the Deep Book 1) Read Online Free PDF

shoulder, sending shivers down my spine, even though the room suddenly felt warmer.
    “Because I found you entangled in my net, of course,” he explained, his voice deep.
    I forgot I even asked a question. I reminded myself I had to stay on my game and stop getting enthralled by the proximity of him. It didn’t make any sense, and I didn’t like the effect he was having on me.
    “Of course.” I leaned back on my elbows again. For some reason, I was suddenly insecure. My charms weren’t working on him so far. I had to try harder. “I have something for you.”
    “You do?” He moved to sit beside me.
    “Yes, I think you will like it.” I moved my hand down my body and his eyes followed. He chuckled as his eyes wandered over my body, giving me time to trial my hand back up and underneath the pillow. Fear and excitement twisted in my body as his hand settled on my side, but my own found the broken glass in its hiding place.
    As I pulled it out, I cried out in anger and thrust it toward him. Aiden’s free hand jerked forward in an attempt to grab ahold of my wrist and stop the movement. I pushed forward, trying to break his hold, and added my second hand. He laughed loudly as if it were a game grabbed my wrist with his other hand.
    “Give me the glass, Raewyn. Don’t be rash.”
    I brought my knee up with every intention of slamming it between his knees, but he moved out of the way just in time. He snorted threw one of his legs over me, so he was straddling my waist.
    “We’ll have no more of that, dear. Can’t be having you ruining the family jewels, now can I?”
    “You’re lucky I haven’t killed you in your sleep, pirate.” I threw my body forward and spit in his face.
    He closed his eyes and bent forward, trapping my wrists above my head. One of his hands let go of me and wiped his face. “Bloody hell woman. Are you trying to piss me off?”
    I continued to struggle against him, bucking and twisting to try and free myself. He didn’t stop holding me down until my hands were numb and the glass slipped out of them. He picked it up and tucked it in his pocket before letting me up.
    “Don’t make me tie you up, lass, because I will. I’m trying to give you some freedom, but your actions are pushing it.”
    My breath came in quick spurts from the struggle. It made no sense. Why weren’t my charms working? They never failed me before. Aiden must be some sort of true evil.
    “This isn’t freedom!” I beat on his chest with my fists.
    “Stop it,” he said, calmly at first. As I continued to fight, his voice got louder until he was screaming at me and grabbing my fists. Aiden yanked me to him, showing me the anger in his eyes.
    “You are frustrating, woman. Any other pirate would have had his way with you already. You could at least have some gratitude.”
    “I owe you nothing.”
    “Have it your way then,” he growled and pushed me back on the bed. He forced me between his legs again and held me down as his left hand dug into the drawer beside him. When he returned his attention back to me, he had a rope in his hand, which he used to tie my wrists to the bedpost. “You will learn some respect.” His words dripped with venom as he pushed himself off me and stood up. Aiden paced back and forth several times before leaving me there alone, without the ability to move.
    My wiles had failed me. What kind of mermaid was I if I couldn’t even charm a pirate captain?

Chapter Five
    “If I untie these knots, are you going to act crazy again?”
    “Maybe.” I scowled as I turned my gaze away from Aiden. I’d been tied up for two days so far, only letting me up to use the washroom. I refused to eat anything he or his other crewmen brought me, and I was starving. But I didn’t trust Aiden, and I certainly didn’t trust the rest of them.
    I refused to let him see me cry; I didn’t want to lose my strength. I didn’t want to give him a reason to see me weak. Plus, I couldn’t remember the last time I