Page 94 of The Sea of Zemira (The Zemiran Chronicles 1)

“Aye.”

She paused. “And from past lovers, too?”

He responded with nothing beyond a faint smile.

A bitterness coiled in her belly. “Oh.”

“Is my beautiful siren jealous?” Lincoln drew himself up, resting his elbow against the mattress. His smile widening into a grin as he propped her slender body onto him. “None of those mattered to me. You do.” His voice took on a serious tint, one it so seldom did. “Not until you, Nola. I have never felt for anyone what I feel for you.”

In a beat, Nola’s insides softened. She leaned in and kissed him.

“And I have never felt for anyone, what I feel for you, Lincoln,” she whispered as their lips parted.

The two lovers continued to exchange a few kisses as they rested on one pillow, their bodies molding into one. Around them, the ship rocked and creaked, but none of those noises muffled their heavy breaths. An old, dusty lantern swung on its hook, casting rolls of shadows and light across the captain’s cabin. Overhead, they heard the clomping of a few boots and the distant sound of laughter.

“Do you think they heard us?” Nola asked, a grin pulling at her mouth.

“Of course they did.” He ruffled her hair. “...with you cryin’ my name out louder than a wildcat.”

Nola scrunched up her nose teasingly. They rolled around, laughing ecstatically until they fell still once more under the sheets.

Lincoln rested his head beside Nola’s, his breath fanning her cheek. “You are everythin’ to me.”

Nola sighed dreamily. “And you to me.”

His eyes closed. “I am but a ruthless pirate, Nola,” he reminded her.

She interlaced her fingers within his until they were a tight knot. “But you are my ruthless pirate.”

“And you are my siren.”

She giggled. “What a pair we make.”

Eventually, silence blanketed the cabin when they grew too tired.

The couple fell asleep in one another’s arms, while outside, the sea lapped against the ship, and the sun continued to shine.

---