Page 64 of 1001 Dark Nights: Bundle Forty-Two

“His fall was kind of my rise,” I say.

“Damn! That’s right. Now Iremember. The punch.”

“Takira’s his sister.”

August releases a low whistle, eyes wide and bright withinterest.

“That punch gave me my shot,” I continue,“and he resents me for every good thing that happened for me after. It’sobviously misplaced, but it makes Takira hesitant about giving me a chance.He’s been pretty vocal about his disapproval.”

“She can’t live for her brother.”

“Nah, but he’s coming off a really bad spiral.” I lower myvoice even though we’re the only ones in the dimly-litpassageway. “After that SportsCo doc, he overdosedand almost died.”

“Shit.”

“Yeah, so she doesn’t want to set him off by gettinginvolved with the guy he apparently hates more than anyone, even if it’sbaseless.”

“Hey, there were times I thought being with the girl Iwanted was impossible.” August tips his heard towardthe door again. “But guess where she is now?”

He grins and fist-bumps me.

“You got her here. That’s half the battle. See what twoweeks trapped on a ship together gets you.”

I laugh and try to shake off any apprehension about thecoming meeting. August enters the cabin he shares with Iris, and I continuedown the hall toward my room. Takira should be here soon, if not already. Mystomach knots at the thought of seeing her again, kissing her again. Talking toher. Finally getting to know her beyond one night on a roof and what I couldglean from social media posts.

“It’s not that serious,” I mutter to myself. “I’m not likein love. I just…”

The words dry up on my tongue because, no. I’m not in lovewith Takira after so little time and contact, but watching her enter the roombeside mine—braids twisted into a crown, a dress the color of tangerines drawnonto her voluptuous body—my heart climbs up my chest and lodges in my throat.

I may not be in love with this girl, but I’m in something.

And I’m in deep.

Chapter Eight

Takira

I glance up to see who is coming down the hall as Iopen the door to my cabin.

“Naz!” I practically screech, pressing both hands to mychest like I’m guarding my heart. Maybe I am because that traitorous organstarted a riot behind my rib cage as soon as Naz strode into view. I clutch thedoorknob, searching for something to anchor me. So much for my plan to play itcool and indifferent, but I thought I wouldn’t see him until dinner. He’s herebefore I’ve even made it inside my cabin, leaving me no time to prepare. Tomarshal my defenses against this man.

But there is no defense for fine as fuck,not when it comes swaggering up the hall looking like a whole-ass snack.

“Takira,” Naz says, his deep voice pouring over me like hotoil, raising my goose bumps and then singeing them. “Ididn’t know you were here already. I’m glad you came.”

He looks down at me from his great height, nearly a footabove. The breadth of his shoulders blocks out everything behind him, and he’sliterally the only thing I can see. His scent—clean and woodsy and masculineand uniquely him—floods my senses, my nostrilsflaring as I breathe him in. Everything about this man screams dominance andconfidence, but when his dark eyes latch on to mine, I read a line ofuncertainty. We haven’t spoken since the after-party, though his wishes, hisvery clear intentions, are what brought me here.

“This is a pretty elaborate scheme to see me again.” Igesture to a porthole in the narrow passageway that flaunts a view of thejewel-like sea. “You could have just asked me out.”

“Pretty sure I did and you turned me down.”

“And you always get what you want?”

“Usually, yes.” A rakish grin crooks one side of hissinfully full lips. “And based on that kiss at Lotus’s party, seems like youwant me back.”

Touché, my brother.

“Well, now that you have me here,” I say, allowing a hint ofchallenge to enter my voice, “do you even know what you want to do with me?”