Page 96 of Wicked Sea and Sky

My eyelids lowered as a smile curled my lips. “Sneaky thief.”

“Always.”

Chapter 31

Marin

My bare feet paddedalong the damp stone toward the bath house, the rush of water growing louder with each step. Sunlight gleamed off the white boulders lining the path, and fragrant flowers bloomed from the vines clinging to the rock.

The scenery was stunning, a brilliant tropical tapestry among the clouds, and yet, I noticed none of it. All I could focus on was Gavin’s unshakable presence at my side. He walked too close, sending my thoughts spinning back to last night. To the feel of his hands. The way he tasted.

Gavin was unlike any man I’d ever kissed. The way he savored every touch, never rushed as if nothing else mattered to him. He made me feel like I was the only woman who’d ever existed.

Which I knew was pure fantasy. And a whole lot of wishful thinking. I was in for a rude awakening.

It was a kiss.

A bloody good one, but still, just a kiss. We'd had a long climb, mixed with heightened emotions. Danger messes with your head. And you can't trust your heart when you think you might die.

Considering I might die at any point on this trip, I was in a spot of trouble.

And yes, he’d played me, manipulating the game in a way I found infuriating and irresistible. But I couldn’t get ahead of myself. I couldn’t assign feelings that might be all in my head.

I may have made it safely to another board on my imaginary rope bridge of Imminent Romantic Disaster, but the ones still in front of me were the most treacherous of them all, and likely to send me plummeting into a pit of heartbreak.

With snakes, because there are always snakes for some reason.

The path diverged in two directions in front of a grand pool brimming with crystal-clear water. Elaborate stone fountains bubbled into the basin, and giant leaves as big as elephant ears arched over the surface. A terrace lined with canopy-covered lounges overlooked a sea of clouds. I wished we could just stay here. This place was paradise, and we were heading into a nightmare.

“I think the men’s pool is that way.” I pointed to the stone steps carved into the mountain.

“I know where it is. I’m just—”

“Hovering?”

“No,” he rumbled. “Escorting. There’s a difference. One is chivalrous, the other is… less so.”

“Still, after that hero worship, I see.”

Gavin had his shirt tossed over his shoulder, trousers slung low on his hips. I folded my arms tightly in front of me, willing my traitorous hands to behave. My eyes had already stormed the castle, and my mind was waving a white flag. His chest was all muscle and sun-kissed skin. How dare he look like a mountain I actually wanted to climb?

But the wretched man showed no mercy. Not a single shred of remorse.

He edged closer, dissolving the distance I so desperatelyneeded. His rough hand cupped the side of my cheek.

“Hero worship is just the start, Mare.”

Where was a cutting remark when I needed one? Oh, right… They were all sizzling in a puddle at my feet.

I cleared my throat.

Twice.

But my voice still came out wrong. “Can you please go? You’re drawing unwanted attention.” I slanted my head toward the pool, where some of the female guests watched with complete rapture.

Not that I blamed them. The view from my angle was spectacular.

Gavin hesitated. His thumb coasted over my jaw, sending a shiver down my spine.