Page 58 of A Reckless Indulgence

It’s tempting to follow that reaction, to see how else her body responds to him, but he tries to keep his head on straight. “Thought you wanted to watch me work.”

Her pupils are wide in the dark, so focused on the way his mouth moves that it takes a moment for her to realize he’s waiting for her response.

“Last night,” he murmurs. “You disappeared.”

The proximity must be clouding her mind, too. It’s like she can’t remember what she’s supposed to be doing, leaving her in a daze “You were watching me?”

“I’m always watching you.” For a moment, he regrets the words. A sentiment like that will make her recoil; it’s too much, too jarring, but her eyes lock onto his. It heats him from his very core, so powerful he forgets all subtlety. “What are you hiding?”

Lyx’s expression sharpens like a switchblade. It’s the same question he’s been asking since she came aboard, but her reaction is different this time. Cav has the same awareness that he did in the grotto. Lyx could kill him anytime she chooses; she is more dangerous than he lets himself believe.

None of that makes him want her any less. In fact, walking this delicate tightrope flames his desire. He likes knowing Lyx could destroy him, but she hasn’t. That fuels some twisted part of him, the same part that has been pining after her for years. A smarter person would resist, but why should Cav listen to his head? It’s never been able to keep up with him. His impulses may get him into trouble, but they always get him out of it, too.

Lyx shifts closer in the hammock, one strap of her dress slipping off her shoulder. “It’s almost been three days.” Her lashes lower as she drags her skirt higher on her legs. “Maybe we should have another go at your experiment.”

It’s clear her sudden interest is a diversion, but that doesn’t dampen the effect. Cav’s gaze clings to her mouth, hand wandering the cool skin of her leg. “Does this usually work?” he breathes.

She’s so close that he can feel her teeth digging into her lip, her coy fingers toying with the hem of his shirt. “Does what work?”

“Distraction,” he murmurs. The movement brushes his mouth against hers. “Does that usually throw people off?”

When she blushes, her cheeks glow brighter. “Yes.” She draws the word out, her eyes narrowing, but knowing he’s caught onto her doesn’t stop her ministrations. The tips of her fingers dip beneath his waistband. She sounds almost thoughtful. “You’re softer here.”

His stomach tenses as she wanders his abdomen. Beneath his navel, the patch of scales is like leather, growing smoother the lower she goes. Lyx teases with her touch, watching his face before she slips her palm against him.

He makes a sound in the back of his throat. Lyx quirks a brow, taking her time outlining the shape of each scale, lost in exploration. A shaky breath escapes him. It’s both thrilling and soothing to be under her control, like the night she had him on his knees in her cabin.

Then she takes the tip of one scale and rubs it gently between her fingers.

Cav shudders.

Her lips curl into a smile. “More sensitive, too.”

He gives a wheezing laugh, tracing the curve of her hip. He draws his thumb across the burn scar before he moves onto the smattering of her scales, teasing beneath one with the tip of his claw.

Her nails scrape his stomach.

“Like yours?” he asks.

Their eyes lock, breathing heavy, hands roaming each other. He rocks against her hand every time she tugs one of his scales. When he touches hers, she shivers, and his chest glows through his shirt.

But his hand doesn’t drift any lower. He doesn’t push further, doesn’t nestle between her legs, doesn’t move this along at all.

Eventually, she catches on. He hasn’t changed his mind. He still won’t cross that line with her. Minutes of delicious torture leave them both with wet lips and glassy eyes. When she works her hand lower, he stops her, encircling her wrist and bringing it to his face.

Her hand fits perfectly against his cheek. Of course it does; they both remember, her fingers flexing like she’s back in the cabin again. This time, there is no slapping, just the slow turn of his mouth into her palm.

She trembles when she pulls back. If she weren’t a siren, maybe he could name the emotions on her face. Frustration. Fear. Something delicate enough to break.

She pushes past whatever it was, twirling the laces of his shirt. He may be standing his ground, but so is she. Her voice maintains its sultry sheen, but he can hear the spike of irritation beneath it. “You all but fucked me in the crow’s nest already. Why bother holding back now?”

TWENTY-FOUR

Lyx

When Lyx pools her dress at the tops of her thighs, Cav doesn’t look down. Even with her body pressed against him, he keeps watching her expression, like that’s what he wants to disrobe. Conspiratorially, he leans closer and lowers his voice. “I could ask you the same thing. Why are you holding back?”

Something real. Something honest.