“I think she’s his creation. He owns her and she does whatever he requires of her.”
He saw Nissa’s brow furrow. He wondered if she could understand what it was like to be under someone’s power. To be trapped with no way out and have that prison steal pieces of yoursoul. His hands curled into fists before he could stop them. He wasn’t desperate anymore, but he understood it.
Justyn wanted to walk faster and get to Lady Curiosity’s store, but he forced himself to keep his stride steady. He saw Nissa eyeing the fancies at a nearby stall and tugged her over.
“These are incredible.” She lifted the tiny metal replica of a gyrocopter. “The craftsmanship is extraordinary.”
“Handmade, milady.” The young, whippet-slim vendor fiddled with the untidy orange hair piled on top of her head. Her heavily patched clothes hung off her slim frame.
He watched Nissa touch various items, asking questions of the young maker. He noticed everything about Nissa, and it was easy to see the way her gaze kept sliding to the airship at the far end of the table.
But unlike the rest, she didn’t touch it.
The captain seemed to deny herself everything she wanted.
Justyn snatched up the airship. “How much?”
The girl began a vigorous bidding war with him. She started out with an outrageous price, he scoffed and haggled. Nissa watched him silently.
Finally, they settled on a price. More than it was worth, but the girl looked like she needed it.
“For my lady.” He gave Nissa a tiny bow and held out the airship.
“I can’t accept it,” she said stiffly.
“Nissa.” He leaned closer, inhaled that exotic wood scent of her. “We both know you want it. Besides—” he lowered his voice, his lips a whisper from hers “—you’re supposed to be acting like a besotted lover. You should be cooing over the trinkets I shower you in.”
With aharrumphsound, she held out her palm.
He set the airship on her hand, making sure his fingertips brushed her skin.
Her gaze softened. “It really is a gorgeous little thing.”
He felt his cock stir.Damn. He shifted. What he wouldn’t give to see her look athimlike that.
A flash of red at the end of their aisle caught his attention.
“Nissa, you need to thank me. Appropriately.”
“What?” Her brow creased. “You’re going to blackmail me now?”
He circled an arm around her waist and reeled her into his chest. “No. But three of Mackon’s guards are headed this way and I don’t like the way they’re looking at us.”
She was too smart to turn and look. She closed her fist on the airship and wrapped both her arms around his shoulders. As her breasts pressed against his chest, Justyn resisted the overpowering urge to close his eyes and sink into her.
Her lips brushed his. “Thank you.”
“That wasn’t a very lover-like kiss.” His voice sounded the tiniest bit hoarse.
Her eyes clashed with his for a second. She looked like she was fighting some internal battle. Then her hands tangled in the hair at the base of his neck and she yanked his head down.
His mouth crashed against hers, stunning him for a second, but then he wrapped his arms around her, yanked her closer and kissed her back.
Jesus. Her tongue slid into his mouth, and all he could think was that her lips were so damned soft. He tried to take over the kiss, so greedy for a taste of her.
But this was Nissa, and she fought him for control. She nipped his bottom lip, then sucked on his tongue, tearing a groan out of him. He pulled her up, needing more…more of everything. Her legs wrapped around his waist, her hips grinding against his growing erection.
The force of his kiss pushed her head back. He knew he was eating her up, devouring her, but he was so damned hungry. Hefelt her move against him, her nails digging into his shoulders. All he could think about was ripping that fucking corset off her and yanking down those slick pants so he could get inside of her.
