Page 69 of Tik-Tok

“Uh-huh.” He pressed his lips to hers again, breathing in her sweet scent, as he opened his pants to give her full access. When her fingers wrapped around his length, he inhaled sharply, leaning into her further. “Fuck,” he said, tearing himself away from her lips. Locking one of her legs around his waist, he lined himself up with her entrance. “Hold on to me.”

The moment her hands wrapped around the back of his neck, Tik-Tok pressed inside her warmth. His body quivered with the strength it took to hold back. He wanted more. Harder. Faster. Wanted toclaimher as his.

“Do you know why I came back here?” she breathed into his ear.

“To be pleasured by me?” he said in a strained voice, thrusting languidly.

North huffed. “No...”

“No,” he agreed. “You came back because you love me.”

Her eyes locked onto his. “Yes, and I would row back to you again if I had to.”

His hips moved faster at her admittance, breaking free of his careful control. “I love you too, my star. More than anything that this world or any other has to offer,” he told her. He never thought he would love anyone. Not after his siblings died. But then he foundher.

One hand gripped North’s ass, pulling her forward to meet his every thrust. He reached between her legs, stroking her where she needed it.

“Gods, keep doing that.” She leaned into his touch, taking all she needed. As he removed his hand, her heel pressed into his lower back, urging him to let go.

Tik-Tok leaned in to nip at her ear. “Whatever you need.” His resistance snapped. He buried his cock as deep as it would go. Again and again and again until North threw her head back, panting his name in a way that showed she cherished him. He gave a low growl as his release followed quickly, but they remained there, chests heaving, for what felt like ages.

“Do you have your axe?” Tik-Tok asked when he finally remembered how to speak.

North raised a brow. “It’s in my luggage, which I left in the rowboat. Why?”

Tik-Tok smirked. “I wanted to make sure before I asked if you were okay.”

North shimmied a bit until he released her leg and she stood on both feet again. Stretching onto her toes, she gave him a lingering kiss. “You’re lucky I’m too exhausted to retrieve it.” A huge grin spread across her perfect face.

Tik-Tok leaned his forehead against hers and closed his eyes. “I missed you.”

“I’m sorry it took so long to come back.” She cupped one side of his face and ran her thumb over his cheekbone. “It turns out that traveling on land without Respen takes forever.”

He chuckled. “Why do you think I have a ship?”

She spun and took a few steps away. “You know, after all that rowing, I’m second-guessing my fondness for traveling on ships too.”

“Tryleaving again,” he warned playfully, tugging her back to him.

North laughed as she faced him. “I want you.” She snuggled in closer, laying her head on his bare chest. “And I want the sea.”

Tik-Tok wrapped his arms around her, holding her resolutely.Northwas his family now—not the ship, nor the sea, but her. Contentment washed over him for the first time in his life as he hugged her close. “Then you shall have it.”

Epilogue

North

Two Months Later

“Ow!” North squeaked.

“Fuck!” Tik-Tok scooped her off the floor and placed her on the edge of his bed. “This isn’t going to work.”

“It will if youpractice.” North rolled her eyes as he removed her boot and inspected her foot. “It’s fine. It’s the tenth time you’ve done it, so I’m used to it by now.”

“The only dancing I want to do involves far less clothing.” His lids were hooded as he peered up at her from beneath his thick lashes. “Are you sure I have to behave myself until we return?”

North laughed and leaned forward, cupping his face with her hands. He tilted his head back and closed his eyes as she ran her fingers through his hair before she pressed her forehead to his. Since she’d returned, he continued to challenge her, woo her, love her. And she loved him, more than she could have imagined. He’d wanted to learn more about her life before she came aboardThe Temptress,so they’d shared their lives and stories while he’d taught her how to steer the ship, raise the sails.

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