Page 46 of Cursed By a Siren's Kiss

I groaned against her mouth, my damp brow pressing into hers. My cock thickened, her core tightening around me as I slowed my thrusts. Her head tilted back as her hips arched, and I felt her convulse around my length as I spilled into her. My muscles spasmed as I fell to her chest, my body melding to hers as we rode the intense waves of pleasure together.

Moving the dagger aside, I kissed her, slow and sweet. I’d broken a long-standing rule for her, and I didn’t even feel the least bit sorry for it. Her lids drifted shut as I rolled over and off of her, lying in the sand at her side as our chests heaved with our spent breath. As my head lolled to the sideways and I took her in, I realized for the first time that this dark soul lying next to me mirrored my own, and when this was all over, I feared I wouldn’t be able to let her go.

I was a selfish bastard, and she had done something I had never had in all the centuries that I’d searched. She’d made this black heart of mine feel something.

I knew I was in far more trouble than I’d realized.

Chapter 28

The Sun Rose

The Siren

The morning sun hung high in the sky when I blinked open my eyes, the golden light filtering in through the window along the wall, a sheer curtain billowing on a soft salty breeze. A soft silken blanket cushioned my body as I watched bits of dust glitter on the rays, a content sigh lifting from me as a smile stretched along my lips. The room came into focus around me, the same one Proteus had gifted us for the evening, a room I didn’t remember returning to as a foreign tenderness ached between my thighs.

Arching my body, I stretched my limbs as I rolled over, finding Kipp’s dark gaze watching me. Last night’s tumble along the beach flashed within his inky irises and want, need, heated my blood as my body relaxed into the cushioned mattress. His touch, the feel of his lips, the size of him as he filled me completely. The blade twinkled in a stream of light where it sat on the bedside table.

He smirked, the dimple winking seductively at me as his fingers trailed along my cheek, brushing my hair aside gently. Itwas as if he could read my thoughts, the way his gaze glittered. He pulled his hand from my face, leaving the icy sting of absence behind as he rolled from the bed. He tugged open a dresser drawer and pulled out simple clothing, dressing quickly as my gaze lingered on the sharpened blade that I’d used to slice his clothing from him.

“We need to figure out what Proteus knows,” he said, his back turned to me as he rummaged through the torn clothing. He pulled a brass compass from the pocket, tucking it into the pocket of the stolen trousers now clinging to his form.

I wanted to be angry at his dismissiveness, the attraction between us undeniable, but it was a reminder that we couldn’t lose ourselves in the embrace of the other. We had curses to break, and I had Atlantis to rule, my people to save. I didn’t speak, leaving my irritation and rejection weighing heavy on my shoulders.

Kipp stood in the doorway, barely a glance over his shoulder at me as he said, “Come, we must find the others.” Then he walked through the door, leaving me alone with my warring thoughts.

I didn’t need this man, and I shouldn’t want him. I threw the blanket off me, kicking my aching legs over the edge of the bed. My clothing lay in a clump on a nearby chair where I’d left them last night when I assumed we’d returned from the beach. Within minutes, I stood wearing Kipp’s gifted clothing, his scent of salt and spice intoxicating as it clung to me. He’d quieted the lust my power had sent screaming through my body, but he’d only awakened another. One I feared would be far harder to resist.

I found Kipp waiting for me in the hall, and we followed the sounds of chatter, plates and forks clinking together as Proteus shared a meal with his guests. My bare feet padded along the cold stone flooring as I made my way across the hall and into the dining room where a long table piled with breakfast food satin the center of the grand room. People sat all around the table, plates of food before them as they ate and talked.

The few members of Kipp’s crew that he’d allowed to remain on the island also sat at the table. Patton, Camilla, and another of which I’d yet to learn the name. They glanced up as we entered the room, their faces worn heavy with exhaustion. The festivities of the gods must have taken a toll on them.

Dionysus sat next to the head of the table, Proteus at his side, with the two chairs on either side of them left empty and waiting. Proteus’ nose scrunched with every clink and every scrape against the porcelain of his dishes. His fingers pressed to his temples as he groaned. “Must we be so loud?”

“I see you enjoyed my new wine,” Dionysus said with a laugh. “I’m thinking of calling it the Olympian Knockout Nectar, because the next day, it knocks even the gods on their asses.”

“You are a menace,” Proteus grumbled.

“A menace you need for the glorious wine and good fun I bring.” Dionysus held up a glass of bubbling liquid, taking a sip before shoveling another forkful of fluffy eggs into his mouth.

Kipp and I took our seats at the table, and I turned to Proteus, needing the distraction. “He didn’t make you drink that much.” I shrugged, not understanding why Proteus was so upset.

“Minnow, I adore you, but you are quickly going to find yourself on the ‘not adore’ list if you keep it up,” he quipped back at me, wincing as a nearby fork scraped a plate.

Dionysus chuckled, his bright gaze meeting mine with a mischievous glint to them.

“We need the location of the sea witch,” Kipp demanded, the plate of food that had been placed in front of him untouched as he watched Proteus carefully.

Proteus didn’t withhold the annoyance from his features as he replied, “Eat breakfast, I insist, and then I’ll send you on your way with the information I have.” He dropped his attention tohis own plate, groaning as he pushed it away. “Why is it so bright in here?”

“Because everywhere in this place is open to the damn elements,” Dionysus muttered, taking another sip with a slow shake of his head. “I offered you the cure of the poison,” he said, lifting his glass.

“Usually, I like it that way,” Proteus answered, his voice gravelly as he spoke. “And that isn’t the cure, it’s just more drink, you buffoon.”

The dryads, who had up until this time been giggling to themselves, began singing a bawdy song that made Kipp’s crew groan. Kipp flashed them a stormy look of warning as his fist clamped around his fork, a dark and broody look settling over his face as he watched those around him closely.

“I’d think you’d be in a better mood today, Captain,” Dionysus teased with a sly wink.

I felt my cheeks flush, even though I knew I shouldn’t. Sirens didn’t feel shame or embarrassment. Yet, being around Kipp and his crew, staying in this form for so long, it had left me feeling self-conscious and vulnerable. I internally cursed, vowing to finish this quest quickly so that I could escape his presence.

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