Page 92 of Of the Stars and Sea

Shaking my head with a grin, I gaze up at the cloudless sky and think of how I have done the same thing with my own crew—using whatever tactics necessary to bolster their confidence when we set sail in pursuit of dangerous bounties.

Glancing around at the men, I see the change in their faces. A buzz of excitement surrounds us all and I hear their whispers of what it will be like to reign victorious over the enemy. What it will be like to discover the most prized treasure known to our kind.

I feel it too.

It’s an intoxicating invitation, enticing me to join the fight. Resting my hands on the pommels of my twin daggers, I squeeze the metal, letting it bite into my skin. But my feet stay firmly planted to the ground as I watch the violent dance before me. That all-familiar desire blossoms in my core. It is the only thing stronger than the need of vengeance.

Zaos goes in hard with his daggers, striking blow after blow at Grayson whose eyes finally land on me. A feral grin splits his face as he maneuvers his sword to block another nearly-fatal blow from Zaos. They parry again, but this time Grayson is looking straight at me. His gaze never wavers, not as Zaos sheaths one of his daggers and exchanges it for another throwing knife, which he aims straight at Grayson’s stomach.

Grayson drops the blade of his sword just in time. The throwing knife clinks against his sword, falling to the ground at his feet.

People start to notice, following the line of Grayson’s gaze as he continues to fight.

I bite my lower lip until the taste of iron lands on my tongue.

The need to be near him, to feel his skin against mine, crashes over me like a monstrous rogue wave. That throbbing ache between my legs grows stronger and stronger, nearing the edge of painful.

Grayson looks at me as he always does—seeing straight past the wall I put around myself to the truth of what lies within.

He knows how I long for him. I can see it in his smirk.

I hate him for it. I hate how little strength I have when it comes to him. And he knows that as well.

Another clashing of their swords rings through the air making me jump.

I have to get out of here.It’s all just . . . too much.

Turning away, I push through the rows of men, ignoring the confused looks on their faces. Each passing step sends a jolt ofpleasure through me as the fabric of my trousers rubs deliciously against my sex. Stifling a moan, I cover my mouth with the back of my hand as I finally make it to the door and shut myself behind it.

I haven’t slept in my own bed for two nights now, but I can’t stand the thought of being surrounded by his scent without having him with me. So, I make for the smaller door to the far left of his room that leads to my bedroom. The lanterns are lit, as if he thought to keep the room ready should I ever want to use it again.

I’m thankful for the gesture as I unlace my boots and kick them off. My body burns, but I close my eyes and take my time as I pull the ties of my corset loose—imagininghisfingers are releasing me from the cinched fabric.

The corset falls to the floor. Chills spread across my skin as I scrape my knuckles along my ribcage, lifting my laced tunic overhead.

A longing I have never known settles in my heart as I strip the rest of my clothes from my body and settle between the cool sheets of the bed. My hands immediately delve down my body, to that sacred space between my thighs, and just as I close my eyes to imagine my roaming fingertips belong tohim, there’s a knock on my door.

Jolting upright, I bring the duvet up to cover my naked breasts as the door creaks open and Grayson strides through.

Bright blue eyes beneath dark brows stare me down. He is silent as the scar over his cheek crinkles and his lips widen into a feral smirk. “I saw you out there, Little Pearl. Eyeing me as if I were the most delectable treat your mouth has ever tasted.”

Grayson moves toward the end of my bed in slow deliberate steps. The sheen of his sweat glistens in the low lantern light. Darting my tongue out, I wet my bottom lip. It’s still swollen from when I bit down too hard on it.

“You called to me, Little Pearl. Without saying a word, I knew you wanted me to find you. To allow you the taste you’ve been craving.”

Yes.

Yes, Ihavebeen craving him.

For longer than I care to admit I have dreamt of what it might be like to be his. To be claimed by him in every sense of the word.

“Then come here and let me have you.” My voice is low as I drop the duvet and it falls to my waist. Grayson’s eyes slide down to the swell of my breasts and a guttural moan vibrates through the air. I feel his gaze like a hungry caress along my skin as he brings his hands down to his weapon’s belt, unfastening the buckle in one hastened motion.

His sword clammers to the ground as I snake my hand up my waist and over my left nipple, rolling the sensitive bud between my fingers.

“You want a taste, Little Pearl?” Grayson dips his hand into his pants and strokes himself.

Biting my bottom lip again, I nod. The tension in his gaze is a searing hot thing, skating over my skin before he even lays a hand on me.

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