Page 21 of High Sea Seduction

“Since you’ve gone to some effort to find out about me, I thought I’d make an effort to extend the courtesy.”

The implication that he’d rather not be asking makes my teeth grind. “I know how basic etiquette bores you. You needn’t feign interest on my behalf.”

“My interest in you isn’t feigned. I think I made that clear on our first meeting.”

“And I think we also drew a firm line under our meeting that night?”

His head cocks to one side. “Did we? That’s funny. I remember walking away feeling distinctly… unresolved.”

I shake my head, exasperation seeping through my tight hold on composure. “Heads up, I’m going to use a dirty word in a minute, so you might want to hang on to your fluffy cravat. Your blue balls are your problem. I have no interest in fucking you. Before I fuck someone I have to like them. And I don’t like you, Mason Sinclair.”

He studies me for almost a minute before a blinding smile spreads over his face. The transformation in his features makes me eternally grateful to be holding on to the rail when I feel the power of that smile move through me like a potent burst of electricity.

I remain in place as he drops his arms and closes the distance between us. “Why don’t you like me?” he asks. The smile is gone, but his voice remains darkly amused.

“Do I have to have a reason?” I ask, denying myself the urge to breathe deeply and take in more of that earthy scent pulsing off his body. I want to bury my nose in that scent. Roll around in it like a goddamn bitch in heat.

He reaches up and toys with a strand of my hair, moving it through his fingers like it’s his divine right. Like I’m his possession.

“No, you don’t. Same way I don’t have to have a reason for the need to strip you of every stitch of clothing you’re wearing—bar those fuck-me boots—bend you over this rail right now and ram my cock so far up inside you, you’ll taste me in your mouth for years. I just do. And unlike you, I don’t intend to fight it.”

I stare at him, feeling hot. And dirty. And more turned on than I’ve been in my entire life.

I also feel afraid. Because that look is back, lurking in his eyes. The one that says he’s riding an edge that could take a wrong turn at any moment. Like a tornado you think you’re safe from, only to watch it twist your way and annihilate you in the blink of an eye.

He continues to caress my hair, the back of his fingers faintly grazing my cheek. Then he steps closer and brings his mouth to my ear. “I know how tight your abstinence has made you. Or it could be that you’re naturally tight.” His chest rises and falls, and he seems to be lost in his own head. “No matter. Either way, the first time will be fast and a little rough. I haven’t fucked anyone in a very long time. But after that, I’ll take my time… make you ready to accommodate me. But not too much time. I want to stretch you, make you feel every inch of me. To do that, I’ll have to get a little rough. But you can take it, my little nerd girl. Can’t you?” he breathes in my ear.

A full body shiver engulfs me. I turn my head slightly so my mouth is close to his ear. I wait a beat, make sure I have his full attention. “Maybe I can. Maybe I can’t.Youwill never find out,” I say.

I step back and summon a smile I’m far from feeling.

His eyes gleam with a simmering fire before his features smooth into a blank canvas I find impossible to read. “You’re fucking someone else?” he bites out in a low but ferocious tone.

I laugh at the sheer audacity of him. “You think the only reason I’d refuse you is because I have someone else in my bed? It can’t be that I don’t want you?”

“Are you denying that you do? Or are you denying that you’re involved with someone else?” he challenges, his eyes narrowing.

“What does it matter which one it is?”

He grabs my upper arms in a tight hold, and his nostrils flare in such an animalistic exhibition of rage that I swallow. “I’ve never quite mastered the art of sharing my things, so yes, it matters which one of those you mean.”

I fight the heat dragging through my pelvis with everything I’ve got. Through the material of my sweater I feel the naked stamp of his touch on my skin. “There’s this wonderful little thing called free will that lets me say yes or no to whatever and whomever I want.”

“Answer the question, Keely. Are you fucking someone else?”

I wish with all my heart I can answer in the affirmative. But even the “mind your fucking business”that rises to my lips dies a quivering death when confronted with the dangerous vibes spiking from him.

I open my mouth to answer when a throat clears behind us. “Excuse me, sir?—”

“Leave!” Mason snarls, his gaze not once moving from my face.

I gasp at the depth of his rudeness, and my head swivels to see the crew member hightailing it down the stairs. “You can’t speak to the staff like that!”

He catches my chin in his hand and forces my gaze to his. “Keely.” He breathes my name with a rumble that shoots straight to my belly.

“Jesus! No, I’m not screwing anyone right this minute. But I can’t promise that won’t change anytime soon.” I pull myself forcefully from his arms and he lets me go.

“Do you have anyone specific in mind?” he enquires silkily.

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