Page 48 of Tik-Tok

With a smile, she grabbed his wrist and rolled to her side, then draped his arm around her.

“What are we doing now?” he purred in her ear, his chest and body aligning perfectly with her backside. “I’m happy to give you seconds, but I’ll need a moment.”

“Cuddling.” She glanced over at him and arched a brow. “Do you not do this?”

“No.”

So he would only tumble females, then leave. Something about being an exception to this made her heart swell.

“Well, you do now,” North said with a smile.

“Whatever you want.” He pressed his lips to her jaw.

“Even the portal? What if opening it is what I want?” She had to ask—she was going to convince him to go. After everything he had faced, he deserved to avenge his family.

“We’re not going yet.” His tone was an end-all to the question, but it wasn’t to her.

“Tik-Tok,” she started. “Will you at least get the crew to take us there and help me practice my magic in the morning? That’s all I’m asking, for now—to go to the location and check it out. If you don’t agree, I won’t stop asking you.” But once they were there, she was going to open that portal, regardless if he said no. If others in another world were at risk, then why procrastinate?

Even though she wanted to open the portal, that didn’t mean she wasn’t nervous. It wasn’t only the possibility of death that had her on edge, but the unknown waiting on the other side of the portal and potentially getting lost there, never finding her way back. It wasn’t even a living enemy she was facing, like her family had in their past adventures. It was a hole in the sea—just a tear in the fabric of reality. Would it be easier, or far worse? Yet, she’d chosen, and there was no turning back. It was the right decision, even if he didn’t realize it yet.

Tik-Tok sighed. “I suppose I can do that.” He eyed her suspiciously. “Just practice. We should arrive by midday tomorrow if I tell Respen to hoist the sails soon.”

She smiled and turned to face the wall. Tik-Tok had at least given in on something. “Shouldn’t you go tell him, then?”

“Later.” His teeth grazed her neck, then nipped at her ear. “I like where I’m at right now.”

Behind her, North felt him harden. “Already?” she asked with a laugh.

“If you want my cock inside you again, then you need to say it,” he cooed, his voice demanding.

She did want it … very much. “I want your cock inside me.”

“I like how you saycock.” Tik-Tok kissed her right below the jaw again. “It rolls off your tongue quite nicely.”

She turned to face him, capturing his mouth with hers. His lips moved in a sensual manner, his tongue slowly flicking. He cupped her breast as he buried himself inside her in one stroke, filling her once more.

“Try again,” Tik-Tok instructed. “Focus.”

North tightened her grip on his metal hand as she looked out at the sea. She’d been outdoors with him for only a little while, but her magic didn’t seem to want to come out and play again.

Closing her eyes, she thought about her night before with Tik-Tok, the rush of elated emotions she’d felt. North relaxed for a moment before opening her lids. The violet magic within her swirled, and she reached inside herself to grasp it. Her hand passed through it. Taking a deep, steadying breath, she tried again and latched onto the magic tightly, holding firm.

She studied a small wave, and stretched out to it with a stream of purple. Her body quivered with exertion as she tried to stabilize it. At last, the wave stopped mid-motion, frozen. Her heart kicked up at the sight and she grinned.

“Good,” Tik-Tok said. “Now split it in half.”

“Easy for you to say,” North muttered.

Brushing against the magic holding the wave, she concentrated and watched as her power divided into two tendrils with fingers peaking from their ends. Before she could pull the wave apart, it flattened back into the sea with a crash.

North growled in frustration.

“Keep your shoulders loosened. Try to relax your body,” Tik-Tok said, releasing her hand. “Perhaps I can help with that.” He walked behind her and swiped her hair over her other shoulder. His lips came to her neck, and he kissed up her jaw, his hands trailing down her waist to her thighs.

Her stomach tightened for a reason other than the magic. “Thatisn’thelping.”

He chuckled in her ear. “Try now. Then after, spin the water.”

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