Eyecandy Monday: Daniel O'Rourke from Call of the Sea by Rebecca Hart

Because it takes a lot of work to make Mondays fun, we at Inkspell decided to start a new blog feature we like to call Eyecandy Monday. Each Monday we will feature the characters from one Inkspell novel and share with you an excerpt to show you a tease of the character. We hope you enjoy taking a second look at these hotties!

Daniel O'Rourke

Magical is one word to describe Daniel O'Rourke.  As a selkie, he has the ability to become a seal or human.  The water is second-nature to him.  However, his compassionate nature is sure to please any woman. Headstrong and loyal, Daniel is a perfect gentleman when warranted, but knows his way around a ship, and isn't afraid to tell you what he thinks. He has a gift for patience, and a secret talent and affinity for the ocean.

Excerpt:

“I tried to save him, Ellie. I swear to God I did.” Daniel had been unable to stop himself from reaching for her when she gave in to her grief. But he’d been unprepared for his own body's reaction to her nearness. His heart rate accelerated and his fingers ached to explore the lithe muscles of her back.

Get hold of yourself.

Her sweet scent, a mix of honeysuckle and lilacs, tickled his nose. Daniel exhaled quickly, as if he could force the intoxicating smell, along with its heady effect, away at his whim. He concentrated on his breathing and slowing his heartbeat. “Don't worry. We’ll find the pirate that killed your father. I'll not be forgetting him anytime soon." He reached down and lifted her chin. His eyes searched hers. "I promise I’ll avenge him.”

Ellie sniffed and swiped at her damp cheeks, fire lighting her blue eyes—eyes so like her father’s. “We’ll need a plan.”

Daniel nodded. “By the way, why did you tell Harris I was Captain Winters’ son?”

Ellie offered a shy smile and stepped from his arms.

His fingers itched to reach for her, pull her back against his chest. Does she have to look so good in men’s breeches?

“Captain Harris knew and respected my father. If he thinks you’re his son, there’s much less chance he’ll keep The Siren’s Call and risk repercussions from Papa’s allies. You know as well as I how well-connected my father was. On both sides of the law.”

“Harris agreed to lend me another half dozen hands to get us back to Newquay. I think you should select the others. You know them all, have lived and worked beside them. Who better to know who will aid us the most?”

A smile lit her face, sending a jolt of warmth through his body.

“I can take care of that, but I only plan to bring one of them with us when we head out again to chase down the corsair dog that killed my father. We’ll use our own men for that.”

Daniel quirked a brow. “Our men?”

Ellie's eyes flashed sapphire. “For now, Captain O'Roarke, I need you. Papa’s men won’t take orders from me, even if they knew who I really was.” She settled herself on the cushioned chair behind the giant desk. “So, yes, our men.”

The ornate throne dwarfed her, reminding Daniel of the little girl he'd seen storm the beach to greet her father over eight years ago. Even then, he'd been drawn to her, wanted to protect her.

She flipped through the layers of paperwork stacked on the desk, lifting a pile and looking beneath it before setting it back down. She picked up another.

“What are you looking for?”

Ellie continued with her search, brow furrowed. She yanked open a drawer, rummaged through it. “His journal. Papa always kept a log.”

“Bottom drawer on the right.” A grin spread across his lips when her head shot up, brows raised. He shrugged. “I’ve worked for your father a long time.”

She leaned down and opened the bottom drawer. Ellie removed a thin leather-bound book and dropped it on the desk. She smoothed a hand over the surface, eyes taking on a faraway look.

Daniel studied her bowed head as she opened the book with delicate fingers. Even with her flaming red locks cropped short, she was breathtaking. How could anyone mistake her for a boy? “What do you think you’ll find in there?”

“Nothing specific…something…everything.” She didn’t bother to look up from the journal. “I just have to read it.”

He could find no fault in her logic, only in her timing. “Can you read it after we select the men from Harris’s crew? I’m anxious to cast off and get underway.”

Ellie glanced up. Her cheeks reddened. “Oh. Yes, of course.” She closed the logbook and rose from the chair. Coming around the desk, she bowed with a flourish. “After you, Captain.”

Daniel stiffened at the words, but relaxed when he caught her teasing smile.

The journey back to Newquay would be interesting, indeed.


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If you liked the excerpt from Call of the Sea, you have a special opportunity to purchase a signed copy of the paperback on Friday! Make sure you order from our Inkspell store on Friday to get your signed copy!