Page 34 of Surfaces
“Only theories? Then why do you look like you got punched?” I reached up to gently touch his cheek, not close enough to his eye to aggravate the bruise.
Valdez leaned into my hand for a second before he straightened and gave a careless shrug. “Some people didn’t like some of the theories I suggested. Anyway, that’s where I heard whispers about the Shark Tooth fools. A second-rate gang if there ever was one.”
I moved my hand back down and squeezed his bicep unconsciously, picturing him getting into tavern brawls, my feet brushing against his pant legs. “But, why did you even go in the first place?”
“I told you, I take what I want. And that’s true. But I also protect what’s mine.”
His eyes glittered with the words he didn’t say.
Valdez already considered me his.
10
I was still swooningwhen I entered my carriage. Valdez’s words had sent me into an emotional tailspin, that final squeeze he gave me sizzled like a brand upon my ass. I felt marked. And I liked it.
Gah!I was so physically drawn to him. Our chemistry was so intense I felt like I could touch it, bite it. And his protective nature nearly undid me. But at my core, I wasn’t quite certain he was trustworthy. His heroics seemed too convenient.
Either time would tell, or I’d have to test him.
But still, that look in his eyes…
If he’d have asked me to hand over that case of jewels to him just then, I’d have done so. It wasn’t payment enough for a look like that.
As I sat down on the padded bench and waited for Mateo to arrive, I tried to clear my mind of thoughts of the pirate but it was impossible. Instead of my fantasies clearing out entirely, I just kept picturing Valdez and Mateo both kissing down my neck at the same time, two sets of warm lips and tongues dragging over my pulse. My eyelashes flickered closed and my head tilted back against the seat until I realized that would muss Gita’s intricate work. Dammit.
Mateo and I would have to be careful not to let it go to shambles or it would be obvious what had happened when I emerged from the carriage later. Careful was the opposite of what I wanted. I wanted wild and fierce reunion sex with the man who’d traveled to the far reaches to find me.
My finger trailed lazily up my inner thigh, as I decided that I should probably prepare for our little encounter. I drew little circles on my soft skin, teasing myself as I dragged my skirt up higher and higher, all while picturing Mateo’s smile, his dimples, and that curly brown hair that had turned silver when he’d disguised himself as a merman. Finally, my finger reached the crease of my thigh, then the junction that ached. I started to drag my finger across—
The door to my carriage flew open. I swallowed a shriek as I skittered upright in my seat, frantically shoving down my skirt, embarrassment turning me as red as a dragonfish.
Mateo fumbled his way inside, carrying a small bundle of clothes with him as he gave me a bright, “Good morning!” that made me sigh in relief.
For all that I wanted him to do naughty things to me, I didn’t want him to catch me doing them. That just … well, I justcouldn’ttouch myself in front of an audience, even one I adored.
“Good morning, you handsome—” I cut off my own welcoming statement when I saw that Mateo wasn’t alone. One of the other competitors was behind him. A man even shyer than Stavros, who’d just scraped through the joust. I struggled to recall his name as he proceeded to enter the carriage right behind Mateo.
“—man. Oh, good morning,” I added to the newcomer, trying very hard not to let my irritation show, though it flashed in my eyes when I glanced over at Mateo.
What is going on? Why the hell is someone else here?
Mateo was oblivious to my unspoken questions, first trying not to stumble as he bowed, then fumbling as he tried to get his mer tail and his brown parcel wedged onto the seat beside me. He had absolutely zero idea how I’d been about to drag him onto me and refuse to let him go until we’d reached Navagio. He was clueless about the ache pulsing between my thighs and my desperate longing to feel his fingers and then his cock there.
I glanced back over at the newcomer, who rose from his bow gracefully and took the bench on the opposite side of the carriage, and I tried very hard not to instantly hate him for interrupting my perfect risqué plan. It was difficult.
The other man smiled apologetically at me as if he somehow knew his presence was an intrusion. He had the broad, bulky build of a merman but no tail, only thick muscled thighs that were visible behind the leather breechcloth he wore to cover his essential bits. His skin had a slightly blue tinge to it while his pitch-black hair cascaded in waves nearly to his waist. The newcomer’s eyes rose to meet mine and I was startled to see the irises change color from hunter green to pure white, only his pupil breaking up the ghastly expanse. I was certain that he hadn’t done something like that at the opening ball because then I would have remembered that. While he was handsome and his physique was surely an inspiration for statues, he didn’t have the sensual quality of a siren, and in the parade of handsome eligible men competing, it was clear he’d gotten lost in the shuffle, which was a shame. If I’d met him on his own, I’d certainly have drooled.
“I’m so sorry, I thought my guard had arranged for only one competitor to ride with me. Yesterday was quite exhausting,” I added that last bit as I stared at Mateo, who’d sat down on my left, tantalizingly near, close enough to touch. But with someone else in the carriage…my fingers flexed in frustration.
Hadn’t Felipe said Mateo is riding with me? Dammit. Did I make the assumption that it would be alone? Did he actually say alone?I racked my brain, trying to remember, but it didn’t really matter. The damage was already done.
Mateo tilted his head and glanced over at me, eyes dipping to my chest, and then back up. “Oh! If you’re tired, we can let you rest and swim for a bit. Taft and I don’t mind. Could I leave my new cloak here though? It’s whale skin. Just got it.”
Ah, Taft.That was the other man’s name. One of the non-siren competitors. Dammit. I needed Sahar here with a list again. We had cut nearly ten men and I still didn’t recall all of the twenty left.
“No, no,” I held out a hand to stop them from leaving, though I absolutely wanted Taft to swim out that door. “I apologize. I must have misunderstood my schedule this morning. Please, sit. I’d be glad to have you ride with me.”Tomorrow or any other day. Just not now,I added inside my mind.
“Are you sure?” Taft asked softly. “We understand if you want quiet.” His voice was so soft that I truly believed he did understand the need for solitude. He seemed like the type that hardly talked.
