Live to Venture (#0)

31 | The Flaws of Adventure

In the captain's quarters, the wind was light and breezy through the window, the sheets so soft against her skin and him so quiet and solid under her head. Minnow was curled to his right, breathing slowly.

Opening her eyes fully and blinking to avoid the sunlight, she realized he was already up, his head resting against the wall, his fingers trailing down her side, his other hand holding up a book.

Novari placed her hand flat on his chest, pushing herself up to look at him.

"You wake up late," he told her, keeping his eyes on his book. "That's a recurring theme with you."

Novari searched his eyes. It was impossible to have an awkward moment with him when he always had something to say. She brought her fingers to his jaw, brushing them down his neck. He looked so beautiful there, with the sunlight streaming in.

He let out his breath for a long time, giving Novari a hint of satisfaction. He still didn't look at her. She loved his feigned disinterest.

"You've been productive today?" she asked him, running her finger down his arm. She could feel the muscles tighten.

"I haven't been. I woke up three hours ago. I spent a good chunk of that time trying to get your cat to bring me my book from the nightstand so I didn't have to move you. When that proved to be useless, I shifted you slightly, you mumbled something rude and went back to sleep." He turned a page in his book. "But I have nowhere to be."

"I have somewhere to be," Novari said, unable to peel her gaze away from him. "A man to seduce and pull information out of."

He frowned, then turned the page back as though he'd missed something. He re-read the spot, then turned the page again.

"Tell me I don't have to do it," Novari said softly. "Please."

He licked his finger and turned the next page.

"Darian—that's your real name, isn't it? Tell me I don't have to do it. Otherwise I spent the night here again for nothing."

He grinned, glancing at her for the first time. "If I were a slightly more sensitive man, that would've been a dangerous thing to say."

"I know how sensitive you are."

He sat up more, closed his book and put his thumb to her jaw. "Which is why I need your help with Slint." He leaned forward, pressed his lips to her forehead, then pushed her away so he could get to his feet.

Novari touched her forehead as he pulled away.

He turned around again, tossing her a new shirt. "Plus, you won't have to sleep with him. You got what you needed from me on Canale with your clothes on."

"You were easy. Slint might be a more resilient man."

He grinned again as he tucked his knives into his clothes. "Slint is nothing more than a man who will soon fade into nobody. You and I, darling"—he glanced up at her as he tucked the knife into his waistband—"we make the history books."

"The King of the Sea and the girl who runs to him from his murderous first mate?"

He brushed his hair back with his fingers. Novari resisted the urge to touch her forehead again.

"The King of the Sea and his unbeatable little prodigy," he corrected.

Novari watched him pull the coat over his shoulders. The pretty one—floor length and black, fitted to his body.

"I'm more royalty than you," Novari pointed out. "I deserve the queen title."

He lifted his brows and opened the door. "The ring's in the drawer if you'd like the title a bit quicker." He disappeared through the door.