The Admiral

Arden Lexington

Every time we do one of these Charlotte only ever gives me water. So, while everyone believes I’m getting more and more intoxicated with each swig of my bottle, and the stakes are raised, I’m still as sober as when I started.

Only Giddeon and Debang have figured it out, it’s why they stopped placing bets months ago.

When I saw James watching us, for a moment I was frozen, caught between the two voices that battle within my head. That and my body chimes in with its own assessment of him by bursting into flames. Traitor.

I seem to have chosen with my body and heart instead of my sensical, logical mind. I was relieved he found us out, I was so tired of the games and hiding from him. I know I should be pushing him away, but there’s that little voice deep within that keeps calling out for him, yearning for him to be near.

James’s smile disarms me completely. He’s always sent my walls crashing down with one look from those mesmerizing eyes, it’s hard work keeping them up, especially when he’s looking at me like that. Then again, he seems to have that effect on most women, and that irks me more than it should.

James twirls the sparring sword in his hand to get a feel for it; ours are heavier than standard sparring swords, made specially to train areas in the arm that tend to fatigue quicker.

I watch him, waiting, curious as to which one of us will make the first move. The only sounds to be heard are the flickering flames of the torches and the calm sea lapping against the ship.

It’s James who strikes first and it only takes me seconds to see he’s taking this very seriously. He’s a lot bigger than I am and much stronger. I feel his power in every move he sends my way.

James manages to get me into a hold from behind. I wrap my leg around his and send us both to the ground. I manage to get away, but I need to end this quickly. I know he doesn’t want to hurt me, but he sure as hell isn’t going easy on me. He must really want that kiss.

The idea of losing crosses my mind, but there’s no chance I could lose in front of my crew like that. I’m either going to mop the deck with his gorgeous face or lose giving it everything I have. Then at least he’ll have earned the kiss.

Two moves later we’re both fighting a little dirty, just like in the old days, yet James still doesn’t hit me. He only ever tries to restrain me, he’s never, once, ever hit me. I can’t say the same for myself.

I land a decent hit on his kidneys. James growls in pain as he drops to one knee, the ferocity in his eyes when he looks at me sends a shiver of excitement through me, sending goosebumps all over. I twirl my sparring sword and raise my brows, taunting him to get up.

“Come on Morgan!”

“Get up James!”

I shoot my crew a silencing glance, “Fucking turncoats.” There’s a round of sensible chuckles but they soon pipe down.

James leans on his sparring sword and gets to his feet. I should probably reel it back a bit, even though Doc cleared him I doubt he’s fully recovered from his fever.

I crack my neck out of habit and get ready for the next round. James seems to take a breath in preparation. This time, I’m the first to engage. Blow after blow I send his way, giving him everything I have.

James grabs my arm and tries to twist it to get me into another hold. I let him pull my arm and use the momentum to my advantage, wrapping myself around him and sending him falling onto his back.

The plan was to straddle him, binding his arms with my legs, but it turns out James had a plan of his own, and I’m on my back, with James on top, with his nose hovering centimeters away from mine.

My breath catches as I feel James’s weight on me, essentially pinning me to the ground. I feel a wetness between my legs, the same sensation he elicits any time he’s near, no matter how hard I try to fight it. We stare at each other, both breathing hard, the humidity making it harder to catch a decent breath. The longer I look at him the more of the world melts away and there's only James.

The cocky smirk on James’s face says it all, and his lips drift closer to mine to claim his prize. I let go of my sparring sword and my fingers seem to move on their own, weaving into James’s golden hair, guiding his mouth to mine. His soft warm lips touch mine ever so gently, testing the waters. My lips part, giving him full access to my mouth. The first touch of his tongue is all it takes to completely silence my mind; I forget where I am and all the eyes no doubt watching us. There is nothing, no one, only James and his incredible, earth-shattering kiss. I moan softly, melting away into nothingness under his weight.

James breaks our kiss, my lips instantly crying out for his to return.

He climbs off me and offers his hand for me to take. The triumphant look in his eyes makes me want to slap him.

When I get to my feet Azizi is the first to protest, “Why did you kiss her? You lost.”

James’s brows knit, “What are you talking about?”

“You were disarmed, she had her sword to the back of your skull, you fool,” Ox explains.

James looks at me, brows raised.

I shrug, “I guess there was something I wanted after all,” I feel a smile take over my face.

The blush that engulfs James’s face is more than my already weak constitution can take. He shakes his head at me.

Once there’s a distance between us my brain seems to function normally, and regret seems to hit hard. The last thing I want to do is give James hope that there could ever be something between us.

I need to get him off my ship.

Fast.