Page 68 of Realm of Thieves

His mouth twists in sympathy and I notice that the dragon-tooth necklace is on the outside of his shirt, which means he’s been fidgeting with it.

“We’re just about to drop anchor,” he says. “Toombs thought you might know of a good spot.”

I nod and step out of the cabin. “It’s all sand on this coast, he shouldn’t have a—”

Before I can finish my sentence, Andor lets out a little grunt and reaches out with both hands and cups my face in his palms before pulling me toward him. He swiftly leans down and envelops my lips with his. At first I press my hands against his chest in shock, prepared to push him away, but then I feel the hard muscles of his chest and the heat that’s flaring inside me, the sudden rush of desire takingflight, and I decide I don’t want to pretend anymore. There’s no pretending for me after last night, anyway.

His kiss is possessive. It’s controlling and deep, a slow, hard melding of our lips, mouths parting in hunger, giving way to our tongues, stoking more and more heat, and I feel like I’m melting in his hands, as though if he didn’t have such a strong grip I’d be a puddle on the floor. I feel him all the way to my toes, making them curl inside my boots, the rest of my body burning beautifully alive.

I want to do this forever.

I want this and so much more.

I dig my nails into his shirt and he presses me up against the wall until I feel every hard inch of him and suddenly the desire feels like it’s choking me, panicked and wild, and all I can think about is the feel of his tongue inside my mouth, as if he’s thoroughly fucking me, and that panting need that—

“All right,” he breathes as he breaks away, resting his damp forehead against mine, his eyes lazily focused on my lips. “Maybethat’sthe best kiss I’ve ever had. It counts for more when you’re sober.”

I can’t even speak. It’s like he stole the air from my lungs and my words from my mind. I’m rendered brainless, boneless, unable to do anything but stare at his gorgeous face, feel the ghost of his lips on mine, and wish that he would do it again.

I want it more than anything.

“Andor!” Kirney shouts from above.

Andor lets out a low, impatient growl that matches the carnal intensity in his eyes, and my stomach twists giddily. He turns his head. “On my way!” he yells, and then he looks back to me. “I realize this may have not been the perfect time to do this,” he says. “But I don’t know what lies ahead for us. And, above all…I really fucking wanted to.”

He turns, grabbing my hand, and leads me along to the stairs and up to the top deck and now all my unmet desires have been buried bytotal fear. There was finality in that kiss, the idea that it was now or never because we don’t know what will happen next. The kiss of someone who doesn’t know if they’ll come back alive.

“Maybe I should go on my own to the Dark City,” I tell him. “You stay on the ship. I’ll get my aunt and bring her back.”

He looks down at me as we step out on the top deck, the sun baking us in an instant now that we’re no longer out at sea. “I’m not letting you out of my sight for a minute,” he says gravely, giving my hand a firm squeeze.

“Because you don’t trust me,” I say. “You think I won’t return.”

“Because it doesn’t matter how well you know your city,” he says, his gaze hard. “This time you’re returning as someone who has worked for the Kolbecks. I don’t trust anyone around you.”

“You can trust my aunt.”

“I’m going to have to.”

“Brynla,” Toombs says, calling me over to the helm. I lock eyes with Andor for a moment and join the captain at his side. “I’m afraid I’ve never taken any ship this far south,” Toombs admits, rubbing at his chin. “Do you know of any reefs in the area? The charts aren’t very helpful…or trustworthy.”

I give him a reassuring smile. “Watch out for shoals when you get closer to shore, the tide can be drastic and unpredictable, but if you anchor here you should be fine. Are you staying on the ship?”

“Aye,” he says. “Tromson and I will stay behind and guard her. We can’t get very far without a ship and, no offense, but I don’t trust a Freelander as far as I can throw them.”

“None taken,” I tell him with a raise of my chin. “Trust here is earned and rarely given. If you were closer to the borderland canyons I would be more wary of raiders, but rarely does anyone come down this far unless they’re heading to the Midlands or Sorland.”

He leans in close and fixes me with a sharp eye. “And let me ask you, when it comes to Andor, has he earned your trust?”

His question throws me off guard. “I trust him,” I admit.

“And have you earned his?”

Ah. This is what he really wanted to ask me. Not about anchoring a ship.

“I know you care about him,” I say, “but I care about him too.”

“I can see you do, my lady, but that doesn’t mean he can trust you. Doesn’t mean I can trust you either. I need that boy to return in one piece, preferably with you along with him. But if for some reason you have a change of heart and wish to stay in the Dark City with your aunt, please just let Andor go. Don’t get him involved. Make it easy for him to leave. Sometimes he acts without thinking, and the last thing I want is for him to lose his life doing something silly to protect you or bring you back.”

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