I cocked my head to one side and studied him. “Are they on other islands?”
He softened his voice, and a far-off look slipped into his eye. “And far away, to the far reaches of the sea, beyond where most people would dare travel.”
“But you’ve been there.”
He chuckled. “I’ve been everywhere, or haven’t you heard of the dread pirate Torvus?”
I snorted and nudged my arm against his. “I’ve heard of this pirate, but I haven’t seen him yet.”
Marc looped his arm around my waist and drew me against his side. His eye took on a more heated gaze. “I should fix that.”
I didn’t have time to react before he swooped down and captured my lips in a deep, passionate kiss. A warm glow filled my body and pooled between my legs. I couldn’t help but moan into the kiss. He turned us so we faced each other, and our fronts pressed tightly together. His hands moved up and down my butt, massaging my muscles and forcing me against his groan. I could feel a distinct bulge growing there.
I finally broke us apart for air. My cheeks were as warm as hot coals, and there was a distinct feral tinge in his gaze. A crooked grin slipped onto his lips. “That was interesting.” I turned my face away and bit my lower lip. His good humor faded. “Is something wrong?”
“I. . .I’m just not sure.”
Silence fell between us for a moment before his soft voice broke it. “I see.” He stepped back, and a wave of guilt struck me.
“I didn’t mean it that way,” I hurriedly assured him as I wrapped my arms around myself. “I’m just, well, a little overwhelmed right now.”
He folded his arms over his chest, and that sly smile returned. “I could take you and ravish you. I’m quite good at both.”
I choked on a laugh. “I bet you’ve had a lot of experience, but I’m not the ravishing type.”
Marc wrapped his arms around me and pressed himself closer against my body. “I wouldn’t mind testing that statement.”
I set my palms against his chest and fiddled with the front of his coat. “I-I know, but I, well, I’m not sure about tonight. The coffin episode and seeing a new city.”
My would-be lover sighed and drew away. “Alright. You win for this evening. All I ask is that you take off your shirt.”
My mouth dropped open. “Take off my what?”
“You’re shirt. You said you had some dirt on it,” he reminded me with that devilishly handsome smile of his. “This is a very secluded spot. No one will see you undressed.”
“No one but you,” I pointed out.
He shrugged. “I’m fine with that.”
My face drooped, and I spun my finger in a circle. “Turn around.”
“You might need some help.”
“I think I’m old enough to know how to manage a shirt.”
His gaze dropped to my bosom. “I can see that.”
I sighed and stepped away from the railing, where I spun around so my back faced him. “Alright, if you won’t turn, then I will.”
I quickly removed my shirt and flapped it hard in front of me. A hailstorm of dirt pebbles flew out and scattered across the ground. I quickly slipped my shirt back on and turned to find Marc at the railing facing outward. His hands were clasped behind him, and his head was tilted back so he could stare at the stars.
I slipped up to his side. “See anything interesting?”
He grinned, and his gaze dropped to me. “Nothing quite as interesting as what I’m seeing here.”
I snorted and grasped the railing to admire the stars. “Could you teach me a few of the constellations you use to travel by? None of these look like the ones back home.”
“You only need to know a few to sail the islands,” he assured me as he pointed at a teardrop-shaped constellation. A single, brilliant star shone in the center. “That’s Aeloria’s Beacon. The star in the middle is what all sailors use to navigate these southern waters.”
