Page 68 of The Sky Pirate's Stowaway
Climbing it easily, I swung my prosthetic leg over first, then perched there. I patted beside me. “Come on. It’s perfectly safe.”
Kaspar’s gaze flicked from the railing to the vast expanse beyond, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed hard.
“Perfectly safe,” I repeated, keeping my voice steady. “I really think you’ll love it, Kas.”
After another moment of hesitation, Kaspar drew in a deep breath and hoisted himself up, his movements stiff and mechanical. He settled beside me, gripping the railing so tightly I feared he might leave permanent indentations in the wood.
“That’s it,” I encouraged, giving his shoulder a gentle squeeze. “Now, look down.”
The clouds drifted below us, painted in shadowy blues and purples, like a second ocean suspended in air. The first golden rays of sunlight were just beginning to pierce through, setting the edges of the clouds ablaze with amber light.
Kaspar gasped, his entire body going rigid. A violent tremor ran through him, and he reached blindly for my hand, grabbing it and squeezing with surprising strength. His breathing came in short, shallow bursts.
“Are you—”
“I want to do it,” he interrupted, voice tight but determined. “Just… give me a second.”
I studied his profile—the determined set of his jaw despite the fear in his eyes—and an idea struck me.
“Come here,” I said, patting my lap. “Come sit, facing me.”
Confusion momentarily overrode his fear. “What?”
“Just trust me,” I insisted gently.
With careful guidance, I helped Kaspar slowly swing his leg over so he straddled my thighs. He instantly shuffled into me, ensuring he wasn’t sitting directly on my stump. My hands moved to his lower back, stroking down the curve of his spine before settling at his hips. I pulled him closer until our chests nearly touched.
For a moment, we both held our breath. The weight of him on my lap sent a pleasant warmth spreading through my body. Kaspar’s hands rested tentatively on my shoulders, and he gave me a shy smile that made my heart stutter in my chest. Dawn light caught in his copper hair, turning it to flame.
“Now, shut your eyes and rest your head against my chest,” I instructed, wrapping my arms tightly around him. A growing part of me couldn’t help but be pleased by his nervousness, as it offered this glorious excuse to hold him.
Kaspar did as I asked, nestling into me with a soft exhale. His body relaxed incrementally against mine, the tension in his shoulders melting away as he pressed his face into my chest. A tuft of his hair tickled my chin, soft as silk. I found myself inhaling deeply, savoring the scent of him—lavender soap and something uniquely Kaspar that reminded me of sunlight.
“Your heart is beating very fast for someone who isn’t scared,” Kaspar mumbled against me, his breath warm through my shirt. One hand moved to clutch a fistful of the navy linen shirt I wore under my leather vest.
I couldn’t help but smile as I stroked his hair, letting the strands slip between my fingers. “I have a rather beautiful man sitting on my lap, so you’ll have to forgive my excitement.”
His shoulders shook with silent laughter, and I felt rather than saw his smile against my chest. My hands moved to his thighs, rubbing up and down the firm muscle.
“Squeeze your legs super tight around me,” I said, giving his thighs a gentle pat.
Kaspar complied, his legs tightening around my hips. He lifted his head just enough to meet my eyes, a mischievous glint in them.
“If you wanted me to wrap my legs around you, Maximus,” he whispered, “there are more comfortable places than a ship’s railing.”
I gave his ass a firm slap, the sound sharp.Don’t bloody tempt me.
Kaspar squeaked, his body jolting against mine. “What was that for?” he yelped, eyes wide with indignation.
“Three…” I warned, my voice low and playful as I tightened my grip around his waist.
His fingers dug into my shoulders. “Wait, what are you—”
“Two…”
He squealed, immediately smushing his face against my chest again, his entire body tensing like a coiled spring. “Max—”
“One!”
