Seraphina raises an eyebrow, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Is that your idea of an apology?"
"An apology? Nah, I don't do apologies. Too mainstream. I'm more of a 'grand gestures and witty one-liners' kind of guy. But for you, I might make an exception." I give her my best puppy-dog eyes, which probably look more like a deranged raccoon, but hey, it's the thought that counts.
She can't help but laugh, andChrist,it's the most beautiful sound I've ever heard, like a symphony of tinkling bells and pure joy. I feel my pants tighten and make a mental note to thank the universe for baggy pirate trousers.
"Has anyone ever told you that you have the most beautiful laugh in the history of the universe? Because damn, it's like someone took a bunch of wind chimes, mixed them with puppies giggling, and sprinkled some fairy dust on top. It's officially my new favorite sound in the universe, right up there with the sweet melody of my enemies crying." The words are projectile vomiting out of my mouth faster than I can catch them, but fuck it, I'm on a roll. I'd recite the entire phone book backward while doing the Macarena if it meant hearing that heavenly sound again.
Seraphina blushes, ducking her head shyly. "You're just saying that because I'm—" she stops herself from saying 'mate.' "It's like some supernatural flattery reflex."
"Trust me, beautiful, I may be many things—devastatingly handsome, incredibly witty, a god in the sack —but a liar isn't one of them. When I say your laugh is the most beautiful thing I've ever heard—I mean it. Scout's honor." I hold up my hand in a mock salute.
"What is a scout? And why do I feel you never were one of these...scouts?"
I can't help but chuckle at her naivety and the way she's already calling me out on my bullshit. It's like she's got a built-in Lucian lie detector. "A scout is someone who is supposed to be all about honor, integrity, and helping little old ladies cross the street. You know, all that goody-two-shoes crap."
Seraphina leans against the railing, her body angled towards me, and sweet baby Jesus, she looks like a fucking wet dream come to life. Her burgundy corset is hoisting her perfect tits up like they're an offering to the gods, and the way her waist nips in and her hips flare out is making my pants feel tighter than a nun's asshole. A tantalizing glimpse of leg peeking out from her skirt. My dick is harder than a fucking diamond right now.
"Hmm..." she hums, my balls tighten at the sound. "So, you're saying you're a man of integrity?"
I step closer, caging her in with my arms on either side of the railing. She sucks in a breath, but to my surprise and delight, she doesn't try to escape. I lean in, my lips brushing the shell of her ear. "Baby girl, when it comes to you, I'm a fucking Boy Scout. Loyal, trustworthy, and always prepared." I punctuate the last word with a subtle roll of my hips, letting her feel just how 'prepared' I am.
Seraphina's cheeks flush a delicious shade of pink, and I can practically feel the heat radiating off her. She's so innocent, it's like corrupting a fucking angel. Which, I guess, is exactly what I'm doing. "I-I talked to Dani about...you know, figuring this thing out between us. But you must understand, Lucian, this is all new to me." Her voice trembles slightly, and I can tell she's nervous as hell.
"I know, beautiful. And I'm not trying to push you into anything you're not ready for. But Jesus, take the wheel; you drive me crazy. I've never wanted anyone the way I want you." I pull back just enough to look into her eyes, letting her see the sincerity behind my words. "We can take this as slow as you need. I'll be a perfect gentleman. Well, as much of a gentleman as I can be with a permanent hard-on for you."
She giggles at that, and my dick twitches. She's gonna have to stop laughing, or I'm going to embarrass myself. "A gentleman, huh? I'll believe that when I see it."
"Oh, you'll see it, sweetheart. And feel it. And taste it." I waggle my eyebrows suggestively. "But only when you're ready. Until then, I'll just be over here, taking a lot of cold showers and thinking about baseball."
Seraphina laughs again, shaking her head. "You're ridiculous, you know that?"
"Ridiculously charming? Ridiculously handsome? Ridiculously skilled in the art of seduction?" I grin, pressing a hand to my chest. "Stop me when I'm getting warm."
She rolls her eyes, but I can see the smile she's trying to fight. "How about ridiculously full of yourself?"
"Ooh, you wound me, Cupcake." I clutch my heart dramatically. "But you know what they say. It ain't bragging if it's true."
She shakes her head again, but this time, she leans into me a little, her body soft and warm against mine. "You're lucky you're cute, Lucian. Otherwise, I might have to smite you for your impertinence."
"Smite me?Fuck, that's hot. You can punish me anytime, baby girl. I've been a very,verynaughty boy." I let my voice drop to a low, seductive growl—her heartbeat speeds up.
"I-I'll keep that in mind," she stammers, her blush deepening. "But for now, how about we focus on getting to know each other? Without all the innuendo and flirting?"
I sigh dramatically, but I'm grinning like a fucking idiot. "If you insist, sweetheart. But just so you know, flirting is like breathing for me. It's not something I can just turn off."
"Well, you better learn to hold your breath, then. Because I want to know the real Lucian, not just the smooth-talking charmer." She looks up at me, her swirling-gold eyes serious but warm.
"The real Lucian, huh? Well, I hope you're ready for a wild ride, beautiful. Because behind all the wit and charm, I'm a fucking mess. But for you, I'll try to be the man you deserve." I brush a strand of hair behind her ear, letting my fingers linger on her soft skin.
"That's all I'm asking for, Lucian. Just be yourself, and let's see where this takes us." She smiles, and it's like the sun coming out from behind the clouds.
"You got it. One genuine, unfiltered Lucian is coming right up. Brace yourself because it's gonna be a bumpy fucking ride." I grin, and she laughs, the sound wrapping around me like a warm hug.
With the nausea finally subsiding and my stomach no longer trying to secede from the rest of my body, I feel like a fucking million bucks. "Wow, Cupcake, you must have some kind of mystical healing voodoo in that voice of yours. I think it's your laugh—gotta be the laugh—cause I'm cured!" I reach out and run my fingers through her silky golden locks, marveling at how they feel like strands of pure sunshine.
Seraphina flashes me a smile brighter than a supernova, and I nearly bust a nut. "It seems all you needed was a little distraction from the waves and the motion of the ocean."
Her voice is like a fucking eargasm, wrapping around me tighter than spandex on a superhero's ass.
