Page 122 of A Flash of Golden Fire

I shrugged. “He believes in God, and heaven and hell, and all that malarkey. I can’t fault him for his beliefs, but they do make him quick to jump to conclusions.”

“Do you not believe in God, Rooster?”

I looked at him funny. “I…do not. I didn’t think you did, either, to be honest. I hope my words haven’t offended you.”

“Not at all. I’m still open to the…well, to the idea of God, I suppose. Perhaps not an old man looking down on us from above, but a greater force in the universe. Some entity that might have blessed a beautiful young man with great powers because he loves so much and so ferociously.”

“Do I?” I asked, sitting on the bed beside him and leaning in. “Love ferociously?”

“Most ferociously,” he said. “I’m afraid you wear your heart on your sleeve, Rooster. You try not to, with your rough talk and rude words, but your sweet, soft heart is plain to see by everyone around you.”

I frowned. “That’s a load of bull.”

He laughed. “Ask anyone. I dare you.”

“All right. I will.”

He gazed at me in benign surprise when I stood and went to the door.

I opened it.

“Boone.”

“What?”

I glanced over my shoulder at Captain Martin, who had an amused look on his face, then turned back to Boone.

“Do you think I’m fucking sweet, or a foul-mouthed and belligerent rascal?” I asked, folding my arms over my chest and planting my feet apart.

Boone thought about that for longer than I’d expected him to.

“Well, though I think the captain should wash your mouth out with soap, then put you over the rail for a good hiding, your nasty words ain’t but a cover for the loveliest heart I’ve encountered on these open seas.”

Well, that made me mad. How dare he prove the captain right about me?

“Boone! For fuck’s sake!”

He smiled and made a kissy face at me. I slammed the door and turned to the captain.

“That proves nothing.”

The captain threw back his head, laughing with delight. Then he gazed upon me with so much love I thought I might explode, even after hearing the cruel words he’d said about my heart.

“I can assure you that if Iwereto bend you over the rail, it would be for a very different purpose,” he promised.

“Oh my God. In front of everyone?”

He sighed with regret. “I suppose thatwouldbe a little much.”

“Although, they probably wouldn’t be as intimidated by my powers after seeing me in such a position.”

He nodded. “Truly. We must consider the idea.”

I went up to the bed and lifted the blankets, peering underneath. As I’d suspected, Dinesh was completely naked below the waist, but for a wide bandage wrapped around his injured thigh. The dressing made him look vulnerable and helpless, especially with his poor cock standing at the ready after that conversation.

“Would you like me to help you with that, Captain?” I asked.

“Only if you want to, my dear Rooster.”