9. The Cutest Mole

We arrive back at the Serpent just after dark. The Greybrow's crew hollers with triumph as soon as they spot Lukas, rejoicing that he's not dead.

Hudson pulls him in for a tight embrace and heartily pats his back. Then he realizes it's just the two of us, and his face falls. "Where's your brother?"

The men gather around as Lukas tells them everything that's happened in the last few days. A few of D'vain's men are on board as well, and they crowd in, asking about their companions. No one sheds a tear when we tell them about their captain's passing, a sharp contrast to the welcome Lukas received from his crew.

"Davyn will never leave the beast to die," Hudson says when Lukas finishes his story, shaking his head.

"That's why Soleil and I must find a way to talk to her mate," Lukas answers.

"Sleep first," Hudson urges. "It's too dangerous to go out at night."

I think of all the dark things that lurk in the water below us, but I take comfort in the fact that the other Brechalan conch is safe aboard D'vain's ship. Hopefully, it"s close enough to protect the Serpent as well.

"Have you eaten?" Bryan asks. "Cook and I will prepare a meal for you and Miss Eldemyer."

"Thank you, Bryan," Lukas says. "Bring it to Miss Eldemyer's cabin. She and I have things we need to discuss."

Bryan bows his head. "Of course, Master Lukas."

Lukas doesn't remind the boy to call him captain this time, not fighting his position aboard the Serpent like he usually does.

We excuse ourselves and take the same path as Bryan, but instead of turning toward the galley when we reach the bottom of the stairs, we walk into Lukas's cabin, where I'm currently staying.

I exhale as I enter the familiar space, my relief so sharp it's almost painful.

"Are you all right?" Lukas asks quietly as he shuts the door.

"I wasn't sure I'd see it again. It's hard to believe that we were still trapped in the cave this morning." I turn toward him. "What do we have to discuss?"

Without hesitation, he pulls me into his chest, holding me tightly. "This."

"This isn't talking," I laugh against his shoulder.

"I was worried they left us," he admits. "I thought we were stranded."

I loop my arms around him, flattening my palms to his back and soaking in his warmth. We hold each other as we face our unfounded fears, purging them from our thoughts.

Standing here feels like a gift, valuable and not to be taken for granted. Now that we're back, I don't want to leave until we return to Kalae. But we can't hide here when Davyn and the others are still in the cave. In the morning, we'll have to venture into the wilds again.

Lukas turns his head, coughing suddenly, like it snuck up on him.

"Sorry," he says when he looks back, running his hand down my braid.

"Are you all right?"

"Just a tickle in my throat," he assures me.

"I'll ask Bryan to make a pot of tea." I step out of Lukas's arms. "I'll be right back."

He nods, sinking into a chair at the table.

I pause just in front of the door. "You're sure you're all right?"

"I'm exhausted," he admits, giving me a half grin.

"You didn't rest earlier." I walk over to him, stroking my hand through his hair as he tugs me in close again. "Maybe you should lie down."

"I'd like to eat first."

"Will you sleep in here tonight?" I ask softly.

He exhales, holding me a little tighter. "I shouldn't, not when I have a hammock in Davyn's cabin."

I smile. "You'll sleep better in a bed."

"I'll steal my brother's."

After all we've been through, I want him with me. Always. Forever.

Reading my disappointed silence, he looks up. "We shouldn't make a habit of it, Sunshine. It was different in the wilds, but here…"

"Here what?"

He takes a moment. "I'd be tempted."

Heat blooms in my chest, kindled both by the relief that we're back and the way Lukas looks at me from the chair. Reading my emotions, he tips his head back, exhaling softly.

His aquamarine eyes burn into mine. He tugs my hand, inviting me to join him. I sink onto his lap without hesitation, draping my arms over his shoulders. I sit slightly taller than he does in this position.

He angles his head up as I lean down.

"Soleil," he breathes, his warm lips brushing over mine. I delve my fingers into the hair at the nape of his neck, and he makes a soft noise, fanning the growing flames in my stomach.

Pulling back, I drop my hand to the clasp of his cloak, working the fastening and then slowly pushing the fabric off his shoulders. It drapes around the back of the chair, sufficiently out of the way.

His expression shielded, he removes my cloak next, tossing it over the chair beside us.

"Your jacket, too," I whisper.

Lukas's eyebrows shoot up, and a crooked grin plays over his lips. He cocks his head to the side, giving me a questioning look.

"It's just a jacket," I protest, looking away and pressing my lips together to keep from grinning.

He watches me as he shrugs out of the garment. It gets tossed on top of my cloak, and then he pulls me close again.

I kiss him, so glad we're finally alone. He lets me set the pace, happy to match whatever I give. But I can tell he's holding back.

"More," I plead against his lips, grasping his shoulders. "Lukas, please. Your kisses are so careful."

Another groan, this one more a growl, escapes him. "You're sure?"

I gently bite his bottom lip, showing him how sure I am. He digs his fingers into my back and angles his head, coaxing my lips to part, his mouth hot and welcome.

When I'm nearly delirious, Lukas angles my head up and trails his lips down my throat. "Do you have any idea how many times I've imagined this?" he murmurs against my skin. "How badly I've wanted it?"

My mouth has gone cottony, the sensation exquisite. "What?"

He brushes his fingertips down my throat, following the path his mouth just took. "Touching you, kissing you. Holding you. It feels impossible that you want me—that we're here, in my cabin, like this. I can't get over it."

His words melt my already warm heart. "What if the real me ends up being a disappointment?"

Lukas chuckles, continuing his sweet exploration. "The real you is infinitely better than anything my poor imagination could conjure."

"Oh really? What part is better?"

He nuzzles the skin just under my shirt collar. "You sigh when I kiss you. Your body is warm and soft. Your skin is like satin, and you have the cutest mole."

"A mole?" I laugh. "Where?"

He touches his fingertip to the crease of my neck and shoulder, nudging my shirt's collar aside. "I just found it. I never knew it existed, and now it's my favorite."

"You're ridiculous," I laugh.

"And you're delicious." He presses his lips over the mole, kissing the skin softly and making me shiver.

"Do you have any secret moles?" My fingers toy at the laces of his shirt.

"You've seen me shirtless, Sunshine."

"I haven't, really." I bite back a grin. "I was too flustered to look."

He laughs, sounding pleased. "Ah yes, before we ran ashore on the deserted island—I remember. Tell me, did you want to look?"

"Yes," I admit, nerves making my voice sound breathless.

Lukas lifts his beautiful ocean eyes to mine, his lips quirking in that mischievous, wicked way I didn't realize I missed so badly while we were on the island. He loosens the laces at his throat and pulls the shirt up and over his head, adding it to our growing pile of clothing.

My heart beating faster, I drop my eyes to his toned, tanned chest, sitting back so I can see him better.

"Can I touch you?" I whisper.

"Yes." His voice is husky.

He's lean and firm, and each angle and slope begs to be explored. His shoulders are wide, but not too broad. His skin is golden from hours in the sun.

"You have a mole here." I touch my finger to his shoulder and then move a little lower. "And another little one here."

Lukas's chest rises and falls more quickly now. His grip on me goes soft.

"And there's another here." I touch a spot on his abdomen. "I think that's all of them."

He chuckles a little, but the sound is strained. "I wish I had more."

I smile as I lean in to kiss him, shamelessly sliding my hands over his chest and onto his shoulders. I wonder if he can feel how full my heart is right now? If he can sense what I discovered while we were trapped in the cave?

I admire him, both as a friend and as a man. Faced with death, I examined my heart, and it led me right to his.

I'm in love with Lukas Greybrow.

I tell him silently as our mouths move together, too scared to admit it out loud. I've come close several times, but he hasn't said it yet, not directly. Until he does, I'll let him read my confession with his gift.

A knock at the door pulls us apart.

"I've got your dinner, Master Greybrow," Bryan calls.

Lukas kisses me once more, gently, and then we untangle ourselves and rise from the chair.

I catch Lukas's arm when he begins to cross the room and whisper urgently, "You can't go to the door like that."

He glances down at his bare torso, amused. "I go shirtless aboard the ship often, Sunshine."

"But in this weather? He'll know…"

He turns into me, smirking. "What? That you were counting my moles?"

My knees weaken. Just the thought of touching him makes me want to touch him again.

"I'll act casual." He grins. "It will be all right."

I snatch his shirt and push it into his arms. "Lukas."

Laughing, he tugs it over his head before opening the door.