The Barbarians' Lover

Chapter 28

A week had gone by since Willow had visited Sawyer in his room. He had been given the okay to finally leave his room. But he was still not allowed to do much due to the chest wound taking longer to heal than the others. Every time she sees him she just thinks that all those scars he has now are because of her. He has told her enough times that it wasn't her fault, but she still couldn't stop feeling guilty. She sat on the deck with Treasure and the others talking, while Sawyer sat in his chair. His eyes were closed.

"So, Dino, how are you liking boat life?" Willow asked.

"Oh, it's much better than living in a forest or sleeping in some random ally," Dino said," and at least there is a couple of meals a day, I normally would go weeks without food."

"I know the feeling of going weeks without food," Willow said," it's not fun."

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw one of Sawyer's ears twitch with what she said.

"So captain, who's the new firstmate?" Doe asked.

Willow froze and looked at the twins then over to Sawyer. Would he tell them that he said he wanted her to be his second in command? It's not that she wasn't grateful for the opportunity, but she didn't feel worthy of it. After all, she had been kidnapped once and left them because she believed what Dustin had said to her. She watched as he opened his eyes and looked at her then over at Doe.

"I haven't decided yet," Sawyer said," but once I know who it will be I'll let all of you know."

Willow let out a breath she didn't know she had been holding. Everyone went back to their conversations. Willow stared at Sawyer. He looked bored.

"You know you could go talk to him," Treasure said poking Willow's arm.

"What?" Willow asked.

"You've been staring at him for ten minutes," Treasure said.

Willow felt her face heat up. She didn't realize that she had been staring at him that long.

"He was upset when you left," Violet added joining in on their conversation.

"He was?" Willow asked.

"Yeah now go talk to him," Eleanor said," unless you two did your talking last week before or after the kissing."

Willow's face must have been bright red at this point. Treasure and Violet looked at Eleanore then at Willow.

"You was kissing the captain?" Treasure asked.

"Girl you should have told us you had a thing for him," Violet added.

"I-I," Willow tried to say something, but no words came to her.

"So do you think he'll make you his firstmate?" Treasure asked.

"If he does, I'd be happy to take orders from you," Violet said," as long as you don't have me doing anything stupid."

"I don't know," Willow said," I would be grateful, but I don't think I deserve that position."

"It sounds to me that he has already asked you about it," Eleanor said.

"He did," Willow said," and do you guys really trust me that much?"

"Girl, how many times have I tried killing someone for you just because they did something that either hurt or upset you? " Treasure asked.

"More times than I should say," Willow said.

"Let's not forget I've patched you up a good few times," Eleanor said," even when I thought you weren't going to make it after we got you back the first time."

"You thought I was going to die?" Willow asked. She had never heard that. She just heard that she had slept a good while and that Sawyer hadn't rested.

"Yes, but the captain was determined to keep you alive," Eleanor said.

"We all were," Violet added," well except Dustin."

"What about the guys," Willow asked," do they think that I deserve the position?"

"I think they would be overjoyed if you took the position," Treasure said.

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure the captain wouldn't be thrilled making another male as his firstmate," Violet added," after all he offered me the job before Dustin."

"Why didn't you take the job?" Willow asked shocked.

She didn't know that and by the looks of the other girls, they didn't either.

"Yeah it was after the Rex was killed," Violet said," he came to me asked if I wanted the job and I said no, so Dustin became firstmate instead."

"Well, that makes sense after all you and Dustin had been on this boat longer than most of us," Treasure said.

As they continue to talk Willow couldn't help but glance over at Sawyer. He was staring out at the ocean. Boredom itched on his face. Getting to her feet she makes her way over to him. She saw his ear twitch and then his eyes lock on her. Concern replaced the bored look that was on his face as she approached him. She halted in front of him.

"Is everything alright?" He asked looking her in the eyes.

"Yes, everything is fine," Willow said," I just thought that you would like someone to talk to."

"I'd like that, but you don't have to stand there," Sawyer said.

"Well can I sit with you?" Willow asked.

"Sure," Sawyer said with a small smile.

Knowing that all eyes were on her, she did her best to ignore them as she sat down on his lap. She didn't want the others to see her face or on how uncomfortable they were making her.

"Are you sure everything is alright?" Sawyer asked again.

"Yes," Willow said.

As they talked Willow began to feel less uncomfortable, and the staring eyes of the other soon left her back. Sawyer and her had gone back to asking each other questions, and she liked it when his questions went more towards what she liked and disliked. She could tell that Sawyer too liked the questions she was asking since they were not about his family but about his likes.

"It's getting late," Sawyer finally said.

Willow looked up at the sky and saw that he was right. The sun was setting and the sky was in beautiful shades of pinks and soft oranges.

"You're right," Willow agreed then looking at him she added," I guess we should be going to our rooms."

"We could continue our conversation in my room if you want," Sawyer said.

"We'll just be talking?" Willow asked.

"Yes, kitten, we'll just be talking," Sawyer said," nothing more if you don't want to do anything other than talk."

She nodded her head and stood up. She waited for Sawyer to get to his feet then they made their way to his room. Once in the room, they sat on the couch and continued where they left. But as soon as they could see stars out of his window Willow couldn't keep her eyes open. As sleep took her to the dream world she felt arms gently pick her up. The next thing she felt was being placed in a bed and an arm wrapped around her protectively. Finally, she welcomed sleep.