“Knowing anyone can even look at you dressed this way.”
I let out a little laugh.
I leaned into him and he pressed his chin into my sternum between my breasts as his arms wrapped around my thighs.
He sniffed. “Mmmm… You evensmellamazing.”
He stood to his full height, towering above me, looking down through those long lashes. “One last day in this place, intheseclothes.” He trailed a finger down my spine. My nipples hardened under the gown, aching for more of his touch. “Then we leave this strange place behind.”
His hands found greedy palmfuls of my ass as he gathered me in his arms and flipped me onto the bed with shocking speed. His lips were onme in an instant. Our bodies collided into one, sending the journal toppling to the ground. Arlo plastered his hard body against mine, spreading my legs, grinding into me, the skirt of my dress lifting past my thighs, exposing me fully as our tongues swirled.
I craved his weight. It held me in place, and without it I’d float away.
“On second thought,” he said, chasing kisses down my neck, “maybe keep this dress.”
I laughed. “Glad you’re feeling open-minded, just in time for me to show you what Nixie picked out for you.”
Arlo adjusted himself in his short outfit, pulling as much of the black fabric down over his muscle-toned thighs as he could. Damn, I could get used to him in siren clothing. That glorious, strong chest and muscle-toned abdomen to match, all on display, was fantastic.
“Come on, it can’t be that bad,” I snickered, bumping into his large frame as his dark eyebrows furrowed.
“You have twice the amount of clothing on. Speak for yourself.”
“Well, at least I’m enjoying theview.”
“Don’t get used to it …” he murmured.
“Tiny Toes!” Morvyn laughed from behind us.
Arlo’s eyes rolled at the mere sound of Morvyn’s voice.
“You have truly assimilated, my friend.” Morvyn wore bright pinks that popped on his white flesh, his hair half-knotted, a large pearl necklace draped around his collarbones, and of course, his favorite accessories of all, two drinks in hand.
“One for the lady,” he said as he slipped the cup into my grip. “And there’s plenty more over there.” He pointed to a fountain in the shapeof a fish, from whose mouth poured a continuous stream of red wine. I sipped the wine and it tasted like sweet cherries.
There were multiple fountains that lined the halls in this section of the castle, all running freely with drink. Morvyn looked over Arlo again and gave a shake of his head with a laugh. “A true joy to see you dressed as one of us, Tiny Toes. Quiteresplendent,wouldn’t you say, Elowyn?”
I nearly choked on the wine at the ridiculous word I’d embarrassingly called the captain at the mercy of the truth poison. Maybe one day, safe on land, I’d tell him what truly helped conceal our plans of escape from the sirens.
“Well, cheers to you both and a happy Hydroxia!”
“Hy,Hy-what?” Arlo’s tongue stumbled over the foreign phrase.
“Hydroxia! A true shame terras don’t celebrate Nymphaea’s day of honor,” Morvyn said cheerily.
“Hmmm, maybe we’re busy doing more important things than thinking of another reason to drink and gorge ourselves on stolen plunder, as your people seem to do so often,” Arlo said in a gruff voice as he eyed the crowd.
“Oh, I love when you banter, Tiny Toes,” Morvyn beamed. “Another, do another!”
Arlo simply crossed his arms in front of his bare chest.
“Here, let me do it for you.” We continued down the halls, following the walking crowd. Morvyn flattened his expression and furrowed his brow. “I need some pants to steer this ship!” he said in a deep, pensive voice.
My hand flew to my mouth, trying to hold back the laugh bubbling up.
“Oh, I know, I know.” Morvyn crossed his arms, mimicking Arlo. “How will I ever brood without boots on?” A laugh flew from my lips.
“Fine, I’ll stop, but youdolook exquisite, and you can thank Nixie later when Elowyn here jumps your bones tonight.” Morvyn kissed me on the cheek. “Oh, and if any pale women ask you where I am, please tell them I am at the bottom of the sea, dead. Thanks!” Then he disappeared into the crowd.
