No, no, no. That hurt and not in the way Knigh teased her with pleasure-pain. She squirmed, body fighting to back away even as she tried to leash herself.

When Fitz tugged open the neck of her shirt and squeezed her breast, it was covetous, greedy, not coaxing or even considering her pleasure.

She felt nothing but sickness threatening at the back of her throat.

The nails raking her breast said mine. The hardness poking her behind pulsed, sending a wave of nausea through her. Another yank at her hair didn’t play with power—it didn’t give and take, allowing her the chance to have the upper hand, before seizing it back again.

It only took.

When she opened her eyes, her view of the ceiling was blurred, her temples wet.

She didn’t want this. Didn’t want him. This had been a terrible idea.

“No,” she gasped.

But he only kissed his way down her throat and pulled her shirt off her shoulder, mouth seeking the way to her breast.

“No,” she said, stronger this time. “Fitz, no.”

He twitched, the grip on her hair loosening. “Hmm?”

Chest and stomach heaving, she leapt to her feet. “I—no, sorry, I changed my mind.” She shook her head, backing away until she banged into the table. Something clattered to the floor at her feet, making her jump. The box from the wreck—open. Empty.

Frowning, he cocked his head and adjusted his trousers over the obvious bulge at his crotch, but made no move to stop her. “You came to me. You started this.”

“I know.” She nodded slowly. “I know. And I’m finishing it.” She edged around the table, not turning her back to him.

His eyes narrowed, then his mouth broke into a laugh. “Oh, dear, Vice. Something’s got into you, hasn’t it?” He waved his hand. “Run along and work it out, little Avice, and stop bothering me.”

Stomach calming, she strode out, slamming the door shut and pulling her shirt back over her shoulder.

Fresh, clean air. Thank the gods for that. Just the smell of sea, no tobacco or musk. She gulped it down as greedily the day she’d saved Knigh from that current off the reef.

The crew went about their business, no one looking twice at her. Good.

Damn FitzRoy, though, he was right about one thing. Something had got into her.

Knighton bloody Villiers.

He’d ruined her for other men. That was all.

Shit. Shit!

Leaning against the door to Fitz’s cabin, she dashed the tears from the corners of her eyes and gave a brittle laugh.