Page 77 of The Never List
What is she doing to us?
Rylee makes her way down the stairs, her swimsuit made up of tight red shorts and a sleek ruby tank top thataccentuates her delicious breasts. Kal groans next to me, and I’m right there with him.
Fuck me, how can she look that good bounding down the stairs, a smile on her face like there’s no place she’d rather be than with us?
“Ready,” she says, bouncing on her bare feet.
I swallow down the hope rising in my throat, the excitement sparking beneath my skin. I can’t look at her like she’s the one. Not this soon. No one has ever stuck around long enough to chooseusat the end of this thing—partly because of who we are and partly because of what the kings constantly do, like the horrific stunt Baydel pulled last night. I have no reason to believe things will change now.
“I’ll sit this one out,” Kal says before giving her a quick kiss.
She smiles up at him before turning to face me.
“Let’s go win me a wager.” I turn on the beach and head toward a wooden dock lined with tiny rowboats. I spot mine and climb in, turning toward the dock to help Rylee—
“I’ll be the one winning,” she says, easily stepping into the boat, not thrown off for even a second by the dips from the weight change, and taking a seat on the opposite end, one leg crossed over the other as she stares longingly out to the ocean. “I’ve always wanted to go on a boat,” she says.
The wall of self-control I’m trying to build crumbles.
Fuck it.
If she tears me to shreds, at least we’ll have some fun first.
“Wait till I take you on my ship,” I say.
I propel the water to move the boat, easily guiding us toward the open ocean. The more water surrounds us,the more my power soars, dancing beneath my skin like raindrops on leaves. Rylee grins, chill bumps rising on her exposed arms and legs when she feels it.
I wait for her to cower, to flinch, to look at me in terror, but she doesn’t. In fact, she looks downrighthungrywhen she casts her eyes over me, watching as I grab my tunic and haul it over my head. Her lack of fear makes me wonder if she’s been around power before or if she’s simply grown accustomed to it from her month with Kal.
“I like your ink,” she says, reaching across the space between us and gliding her fingers along one of the tattoos sprawled over my chest.
Her touch is like a brand, hot and aching. There isn’t enough space to properly claim her in this tiny boat, but I’m thinking about it. Especially when she continues her exploration, following the dips in my muscles, tracing every line of black she can reach.
“Do you have any?” I finally ask.
She blinks a few times, withdrawing her hand like I’ve burned her. “No.”
I tilt my head at her almost startled response, then smile as I lean closer. “If you want one, I know someone who would love to tattoo you.”
“I wouldn’t know what to get,” she admits.
“Think on it, kitten,” I say. “But in the meantime, you can keep admiring mine all you want.” Rylee laughs again before I nod toward the ocean. “There is a slight drop-off here,” I explain. “I’ve carved it out so larger ships can make it there.” I point toward the much larger dock where my fleet gathers. “Those ships ensure all of Lumathyst is fed and stocked with trade supplies.”
Rylee studies the fleet lining the shore. “Not all of Lumathyst,” she says. “Not the Ashlands.”
I wet my lips, my muscles tensing. The Ashlands have been a point of argument between me and my father for years. “Right,” I say, clearing my throat. “Except them.”
Something sharp colors Rylee’s features. “You said there’s a drop-off?”
“Yeah,” I answer, suddenly wondering what I’ve done to piss her off. “The net is likely snagged on a craggy collection of rocks on the bottom.”
“How deep?”
“Twenty or so feet,” I say, then soften as she studies the water. “Hey,” I say. “We don’t have to do the wager—”
“Oh, we’re doing it,” she says, her grin returning to wash away the previous sharpness.
I carefully stand as I discard my pants, leaving me in nothing but my underwear. “If you run out of air or get tired, just come back to the boat. I’ll happily collect my winnings when I’ve handled the net.”
