Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
TALLY
Tonight has been insane working in the tavern. Myself and two of my workers haven't been able to stop for two seconds, as countless pirates come in requesting drinks and food.
And they are all extremely loud.
I don’t mind, but I wouldn’t mind if I could have a second to breathe some clean air instead of fermented barley and wheat.
It seems even those that were somewhat injured from the battle have decided they feel better, as they’re all currently drinking like alcohol is a finite resource. At this point it's a very real possibility we will run out.
But it’s money. A lot of it.
Better in my pocket and those working with me than in a chest of a pirate just sitting there looking pretty.
After what happened this morning, I could do with it being a little quieter. To think about the arrangement I made with Cyrus. It’s stupid but also everything I want. Well almost everything. At least there’s going to be mind blowing sex for the next however long they’re here for.
As well as plenty more money.
I just need to remind myself not to fall in love, no matter how much I want to.
No matter how easy it would be to fall in love with her.
I know she’ll never love me back. I know her heart belongs to another, and something about Cyrus tells me she doesn’t change her mind easily.
Unrequited love is a bitch. It’s a trap I’ve got to remember to not fall into.
Each spare second between making drinks, I repeat what will undoubtedly become my mantra for the next however long.
No love, just sex.
And most important of all; its a fucking secret. I can’t tell anyone.
No love, just sex. No telling a soul.
I finish up serving the latest pirate, giving them a tired smile as they walk off with the tray of drinks for their table. A loud cheer rumbles through the room as they all swipe up their tankards.
Seeing no one else standing at the bar top makes a sigh release from my lips. Closing my eyes, I enjoy the moment of peace before another patron decides they want a refill.
Just as I close them, the big, heavy double doors to the tavern slam open and I just about manage to keep my groan internal.
Plastering on a smile I know looks more like a grimace, I open my eyes, ready to greet the next patron. Only for my jaw to drop.
Cyrus walks in, her expression set in her usual stone impersonation.
But those eyes– the ones as deep as the sea– sparkle with light as she not so subtly checks me out.
Sometimes, people don’t need to show emotion with their whole face, just show it through their eyes, and it can take a while to learn to read them.
Yet, I can understand her eyes completely.
I haven’t seen her since this morning. Right after we made the deal we both got up, got clean, then had to get back to our responsibilities. As it was, we'd already overslept. Then only made ourselves even later by fucking.
It was worth it.
She walks straight towards the bar, only offering a slight nod of her head to her crew calling for her in the corner. Her eyes twinkle with need.
My pussy pulses with the need to have her right now. Right on top of the bar.
She stops in front of me, resting her palms on the table top, boring her gaze into me.
It’s only then that I notice the sweat still rolling down her skin. The little droplets painting maps along her skin I’d like to follow with my tongue. Her shirt is clasping to her skin and following her body's contours perfectly, letting me see every delicious dip and curve.
My thighs are sticky already with the need to pull her on top of this counter and have my way with her. To sit on her face and ride it for the whole tavern to see.
But it’s a secret.
And I still have to work. Great. I’m going to have ridiculously uncomfortable thighs for the rest of the evening. Lovely. Fuck her.
The corners of Cyrus mouth tug up slightly before resetting to their neutral position. “You seem awfully quiet, Tally.” The teasing comes through in her tone and the way her eyes lights up.
I roll my eyes. “Oh shush, you know what you look like right now. It’s completely unfair.”
“Being sweaty and covered in filth and the dead is what does it for you?”
I shrug my shoulders. “Apparently so.”
She lets out a tiny chuff of laughter, and my stomach immediately flutters. I want to hear it again and again. I know the day I hear her fully laugh will ruin me, but I need to hear it like I need to breathe.
She recovers her features before speaking again, “I’ll take whatever drink is easiest please and whatever food you’ve got going.”
“The dog's dinner is coming right up.”
“Har har.” She rolls her eyes, but still accepts when I place a tankard of beer in front of her.
I quickly let Tina– the person working behind the bar with me tonight– know to head to the kitchen and get some stew and bread before turning back to Cyrus.
A slight blush works its way onto her cheeks, before she mutters, “See you later tonight.”
Then she strolls off, tankard in hand, to the rest of her crew sitting in the corner of the tavern. Sitting in the empty chair that leaves her facing me.
It’s going to be a long fucking night.