The distant rumble of thunder.
Almost.
Lightning crashing into water.
Just—
Zev’s eyes, knifing me with hatred.
His fingers speed up, and I moan, loud and desperate. Close, close, so close. Not close enough.
I need—
What if—
Does he still—
“Stop thinking, baby,” he murmurs, nipping at my earlobe. “And come for me like a good girl.”
I shatter.
My body convulses against him, and he holds me tighter until the tide of pleasure recedes, setting hot kisses to my fluttering pulse.
I’m left limp in his arms. A soft, contented sigh escapes me.
His body tenses, and then slowly, ever so slowly, he removes his hand. I roll over and face him, breath shaky, fingers fumbling with his belt—
His hand snaps around my wrist like a vise.
“The storm’s died down. Go to sleep.” My brows knit, and when I find his eyes in the darkness, they’re cold and distant. Angry.
No.
No, he can’t do this.
He can’t touch me, give me pleasure, give mehope, and then push me away again. Like I’m nothing to him. Indignation burns hot in my veins, stoking the flames of a fast-burning rage. I shove him until he’s flat on his back. He lets me. Before he can move, I straddle his waist and bracket his jaw between my palms.
“Listen to me,” I grit out, glaring down at him. “I know I’ve hurt you. I—I never planned for any of this to happen. I wanted revenge on your father, on Arbinj, for killing my mother. But my purpose was driven by a lie.” My voice cracks. “Zev, everything between us—it wastrue. I swear by the Tides, it was real. The wormbark oil was for you. At the camp, I healed you every night because I couldn’t bear to see you hurt. Not because I needed you for some agenda. Please, Zev. I care aboutyou.”
A muscle works in his jaw as he scans my face. “And your captain? Did you care about him, too?”
“I—yes. I loved him. Butneverin the same way I feel about you. I know you’re hurt about what you saw … I don’t blame you. I don’t know how to make this right, Zev. I shouldn’t have let him touch me … I was trying to—” I break off. Tides, none of this is coming out right. “Zev, please. Give me another chance.”
His hands flex around my hips. He slowly sits up. My chest brushes against his with every inhale. Zev leans forward,achingly slow, until his breath fans my lips, barely a sliver left between us.
My eyes flutter closed, mouth parting.
“I don’t believe you,” he whispers against my lips.
My eyes snap open.
A single breath lingers between us. And then he pushes me off, shifting to face away.
I stare at his back, a sharp, gutting pain lancing my chest.
“Why did you touch me, then?” Quiet hurt creeps into my voice.
A beat.
