I rolled my eyes. “Then what about outside in the hall?”
“I wouldn’t want to trip anyone.” He lay down on the bed and sighed. “It’s nice to know Karz still keeps soft beds for his regular customers.”
“Which is what you are?”
“When I’m on the island.”
I couldn’t help but recall the conversation with Baba. “That’s been a long time, hasn’t it?”
“About ten years.”
I tried not to stare at his handsome and deceptively young features. “You really don’t look as old as Barreto.”
“It’s a gift.”
I sighed and brushed my hands against my pants. My palms became dirtier than before as sand and grime sank into their wrinkles. A sigh escaped me. “Alright, turn around.”
He sat up on his arms, and his eyebrows shot up. “You’re undressing?”
“Not with you staring at me, so turn around!”
He flopped over so fast he nearly toppled onto the floor. I stood and quickly undressed down to my underclothing. His back was still turned to me as I yanked the covers open and hopped under them before covering myself.
“Alright, you can look now.”
He rolled over and lay on one arm, a smile dancing across his devilishly handsome lips as he cupped his cheek in the hand of his bent arm. “When do I get to see the rest of you?”
I glared at him, but my damned cheeks were doing their Christmas tree impersonation again. I tightened the sheets around me. “Never.”
He leaned closer, his eye ablaze with sensual teasing. “Have you forgotten that kiss on the path?”
I sank into myself. “T-that was just a fluke.”
Torvus lowered his voice to a sultry whisper. “Are you sure?”
My eyes were as wide as saucers. I couldn’t find my voice, so I just bobbed my head. He stared at me for a long, tense moment before he burst into laughter.
Torvus tucked his folded arms under his head and stared up at the ceiling. “You’re a strange woman, Rose.”
I frowned at him. “And you’re a strange man, Captain Torvus.”
“Marc.”
I blinked at him. “Come again?”
“That’s my name. I wouldn’t mind you calling me that.”
“Marc Torvus?”
A grin stretched across his lips as he shrugged. “It’s Marcus, but who wants to use that many letters?”
“Did Baba name you that?”
Some of his good humor faltered before he shook his head. “No. My mother did.”
Something in his voice tugged at my heartstrings. “You were really young when she died.”
“Five.”
