Page 80 of Crossbones
He looks out over the ship but I know he’s not seeing it. The silence stretches but it’s a comfortable one.
“Think you can keep my secret, Captain?” He says.
There’s humor in his tone but I can sense the underlying concern. I drag smoke into my lungs and flick the butt into the sea, watching the ember fade out before it even hits the surface.
“I think it’s safe to say this changes things,” I look at him with a glimmer of humor in my eyes and he lets out a quiet laugh.
“I was wondering when that would happen,” he muses. “Was it Foxhollow or the sex?”
I can’t help the quiet breath of a laugh that escapes. “Probablyboth.”
The snap of canvas and creak of rigging is a comfortable sound. I can tell he’s studying my profile. I glance over briefly and see him turn away with a private smile on his lips.
“What?”
He shakes his head, his smile widening. “I was breaking things off with Carter when you attacked me that night.”
I scoff. “Sure didn’t look like it,” I grumble.
Caspian shrugs. “We always knew it wasn’t quite right.”
When he sees my questioning look, he faces me, leaning his arm against the rail. He bites his lip like he’s debating how he wants to voice his thoughts. I see the moment he decidesfuck itbecause his eyes darken into that sinful rebellion.
“He was everything I should want—he never pushed or challenged me—he was predictable. There weren’t any sharp edges to give me the taste of danger on my tongue and send my blood rushing, you know?”
I nod, understanding what he’s saying, because I’ve been feeling like that recently with people, like Celeste.
“But you,” Caspian is looking at me now with an intensity that heats my veins. “You kiss me like you’re daring someone to stop you. You taste like the sea, and danger, and my complete and utter ruin. You look at me like you’re trying to burrow your way into my soul.” He moves closer. “If I slip on your sharp edges—” He shrugs and his hand slides around my waist. “Some things I don’t mind bleeding for.”
“You and that poetic tongue of yours.” I shake my head.
“It does a lot more than spill pretty words,” he says. “But you know that now.”
We come together effortlessly, his words ringing in my ears and vibrating in my bones. My hand slips behind his neck, holding him close while our lips meet, moving over each other like a dance we already know the steps to. I’m lost, completely gone in the heady provocation of his presence. Consumed by his wild, untamed nature, so like my own that it calls to me.
He created a safe harbor for all those people—maybe he’s creating one for me too.
CASPIAN
Stolen moments. That’s all we’ve been able to have since leaving Foxhollow. And by stolen moments, I mean one of us would drag the other into a dark corner and we’d make out, maybe get a little handsy and then get interrupted. Not nearly enough to satisfy the craving for Blackwell that has settled under my skin like an addiction.
I run into him coming down the hallway towards his cabin and grab him, dragging him into a nearby store room. I shove the door closed and we collide, our kiss frantic as though we’ve been starved of air and are finally getting to breathe.
“I don’t have long,” Blackwell says against my lips. “I have to go over charts with Lan.”
“Lan can fucking wait his turn,” I growl.
I shove him back against the wall and kiss along his jaw. He inhales sharply, stifling a groan. His fingers twist in my hair as my teeth sink into his skin. I yank the bottom of his shirt out of his pants and slide my hands across bare skin, feeling his abs bunch beneath my fingers. With a grumble of need, Blackwell turns us, forcing my back against the wall. A thrill runs through me—I love when he takes control. His hand goes to my cock as his tongue wars with mine.
He nips my lip and comes away flushed and panting. His eyes are dark, smoldering with need that matches my own. My breathing is erratic, my touch still running over his skin reveling in the scars and smooth muscle, mapping it out like my own personal chart.He looks down at the bulge he’s caressing and unties the laces.
“I thought you said you don’t have time,” I say breathlessly.
“I’m the Captain aren’t I?” He drops to his knees. “I can do whatever the fuck I want.”
I inhale sharply. “Whatareyou doing?”
We haven’t done this yet—as far as I know, he’sneverdone this.
