I shoot him a wink, my grin turning positively wicked. "Oh, trust me, big boy, I'm always interested in getting you out of your clothes. But even I know there's a time and a place for everything—but right now? It's time to go shopping."
Seraphina still looks a little lost, but there's a spark of excitement in her eyes now, a hint of curiosity and anticipation. "Shopping? For pirate clothes? I... I've never done anything like that before. It sounds... fun."
I laugh, "Oh, honey, you have no idea. Stick with me, and I'll show you the ropes. By the time we're done, you'll be the most stylish swashbuckler on the seven seas."
Danica
37
After a whirlwind shopping spree at the local merchants, where we scored some seriously badass outfits that would make even the most grizzled pirate do a double-take, Seraphina and I look like the ultimate swashbuckling bombshells.
Of course, that's after Rhyland decided to play a little game of "surprise sex" in the changing room. Mr. Insatiable snuck in while I was trying on a particularly sexy little number and bent me over, claiming he wasn't done with his 'morning routine.' I had to bite my tongue to keep from screaming as he pounded into me against the wall, praying that no one would hear the telltale slap of skin on skin or the muffled moans I couldn't quite contain.
What's a bit of public indecency between soul mates, right? It's just another day in the life of being bonded to a possessive, alpha-as-fuck vampire Viking. I swear, the man's libido is as endless as his stamina. Not that I'm complaining, mind you. There are certainly worse ways to start the day than with a mind-blowing orgasm courtesy of my own personal sex god.
I'm rocking a fitted black leather vest that cinches at the waist, showing off my curves in all the right places. It's paired with a flowy white blouse that's just sheer enough to be tantalizing without venturing into full-on scandalous territory. The sleeves are billowy, giving me that perfect 'I'm ready for adventure' vibe, and the neckline is low enough to keep things interesting without risking a wardrobe malfunction at the first gust of wind.
My legs are encased in tight, high-waisted black pants that hug my hips and thighs. They're tucked into knee-high leather boots with just enough heels to give me a little extra swagger in my step. A wide, buckled belt slung low on my hips completes the look.
Seraphinahas gone for a slightly more refined take on the pirate aesthetic. She's wearing a deep burgundy corset top that laces up the front, accentuating her slender waist and giving her an air of regal elegance. The rich color complements her golden hair and sunkissed skin perfectly, making her look like a goddamn Renaissance painting come to life.
Her skirt is a flowing, tiered affair in a soft ivory hue, with delicate gold embroidery along the hem that catches the light with every step. It falls just above her ankles, revealing a pair of dainty, heeled boots in warm brown leather. A thin, gold chain belt rests on her hips, and a matching gold choker adorns her slender neck, adding sparkle and shine to her ensemble.
We spent the entire day roaming around the local shops, ogling all the shiny wares and trinkets like a bunch of magpies on a treasure hunt. Seraphina was like a kid hopped up on sugar at Disneyland—she'd never experienced anything like this before, and it showed in how her eyes sparkled with wonder and delight at every turn.
I asked Lucian and Erik to sit this little shopping trip out, much to Lucian's vocal displeasure. He whined and grumbled like a toddler. But, eventually relented. I mean, don't get me wrong, I love the guy, but I need some quality one-on-one time with my guardian angel to ease her into this whole crazy adventure without Lucian and his perpetually horny ass scaring the poor girl off.
We navigated through the crowded stalls like a bunch of seasoned bargain hunters on Black Friday, dodging elbows and haggling with merchants. By the end of the day, Seraphina had turned into a regular wheeling and dealing pro, batting her eyelashes and flashing her angelic smile like some secret weapon. Even the surliest vendors were putty in her hands, practically tripping over themselves to give her the best deals and the prettiest baubles.
But as the sun starts to dip below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink, we know it's time to call it a day. We have a meeting with Gideon at the bar, and as much as I would love to keep playing dress-up with Seraphina, duty calls.
We make our way through the winding streets, the sound of laughter and music spilling out from the various taverns and inns we pass. The air is thick with the scent of roasting meats and spiced rum.
As we step into the bustling tavern, we're the main attraction at the world's thirstiest circus. Heads snap in our direction so fast that I'm pretty sure a few of these pirates will need neck braces. Jaws are dropping left and right, and I'm half expectinga cartoon wolf to pop out from behind a barrel and start panting, tongue lolling out and eyes bugging from his head.
Rhyland—the possessive ass, looks like he's about to go full caveman and toss me over his shoulder for another round of "hide the Viking sword" in some dark corner. Seriously, the man loses his shit faster than a seagull spotting a french fry whenever someone so much glances my way or comments on my outfit."Do you always have to look sexy in everything you put on?"
Well, excuse the fuck out of me for not dressing like a nun. What am I supposed to say to that? "Sorry, babe, I'll try to look more like a potato sack next time"? Not that I'm complaining, mind you. It's nice to have a man who thinks you're sex on legs even when you look like you've been dragged through a hedge backwards. Bed head? He's all over it. Morning breath? Bring it on. It's like living with a horny complement machine, and honestly? I'm not mad about it.
Lucian is practically drooling at the sight of Seraphina, his eyes glazing over with a mix of awe and desire. I can practically read his mind right now—it's a one-way ticket to X-ratedville.
The tavern is a cacophony of sounds and smells, the air thick with the pungent aroma of stale beer, sweat, and the faint tang of salt from the sea. The clamor of clinking mugs, raucous laughter, and the occasional burst of off-key singing create a lively backdrop as we make our way through the crowd.
We spot Gideon at a table in the back, his feet propped up on a chair and a lazy grin on his face as he surveys the room. As we approach, he raises a hand in greeting, his eyes twinkling with mischief and maybe just a hint of something else as they land on Seraphina.
"Well, well, well," he drawls, his voice low and smooth as honey. "Look what the tide dragged in. I was startin' to think ye lot had gotten lost in the market, distracted by all the shiny things and pretty faces."
I roll my eyes, plopping down in the seat across from him and reaching for the pitcher of ale in the center of the table. "Please, like we'd ever be that easily swayed. We're professionals, Gideon. We know how to keep our eyes on the prize."
Seraphina slides into the seat next to me, her ethereal beauty starkly contrasting the dingy surroundings. Rhyland takes his place on my other side. Ever the opportunist, Lucian tries to wedge himself between Seraphina and me, his eyes gleaming with mischief. But I'm having none of it. I shove him away, fixing him with a sternglare. "Sit your ass down on the other side, Casanova," I growl, pointing to the empty seat across from us.
Trying to ease Seraphina into this wild ride, especially with Lucian's antics, is like teaching a cat to fetch—hilarious but not exactly easy.
Lucian pouts, but I'm having none of it. With a firm shove and a pointed glare, I send him stumbling to the opposite side of the table, his protests falling on deaf ears. With a dramatic sigh, he flops down into the seat opposite us, his eyes never leaving Seraphina's face.
I introduce Seraphina to Erik and Gideon, and I swear, Gideon looks like he just got smacked upside the head with a hefty dose of love dust. "Aye... lass... nice to meet ye," he stutters, his usually smooth pirate swagger nowhere to be found. "So, you're a friend of our dear Dani here?"
I hear Lucian growl low in his throat, and I've got to do a double-take. Wow. I don't think I've ever heard Lucian get all territorial before, but it's pretty damn evident that Gideon is attracted to Seraphina, and Lucian is picking up on it like a bloodhound on a fresh scent.
