his chest as he looks down his nose at me. “You think I’m doing this?” I ask, lifting my hand and waving it around.
“I know that you are, Liv,” he barks.
Narrowing my eyes at him, I cross my arms over my chest and just stare. I refuse to defend myself.
“I thought Runa taught you how to control yourself?” he asks, sounding awfully accusatory.
Stomping my foot, I lean in toward him. “I am trying my best here, Aaric. I can’t control everything and I don’t control every aspect of the weather,” I snap.
He grunts, looking down at me, releasing his arms from his chest and plants his fists on his hips as he continues to watch me. He shakes his head once, then lets out a heavy sigh. He sounds exasperated, and all it does is irritate me more.
“What is wrong?” he exhales.
I snort before I turn my back to him and reach out, gripping the railing of the boat. The wood was damp and cool beneath my fingertips. Aaric takes the opportunity to close the distance between us, his torso pressing against my back. He lifts his hands, placing them on top of mine, holding me right where I am.
“Liv,” he purrs, his beard brushing against my neck.
His lips gently brush my skin and I can’t stop the shiver that breaks out over my skin or the way my thighs tremble. He rolls his hips behind me and I can’t hold back the whimper at the feel of his length as it presses against my backside.
“Aaric,” I breathe.
He hums, his teeth nipping my flesh. “You’re upset with me. I can see it on your face, in your eyes. Won’t you tell me what’s wrong, víf?” he asks, his voice so soft, so smooth, so incredibly sexy that I almost forget why I’m frustrated with him, why he makes me sad.
Turning my head toward his face, he grins as his lips brush my own. “Liv,” he rasps.
“You don’t seem like you want to get to know me very much,” I say.
He doesn’t jerk away from me, or even look surprised by my observation. “I don’t understand why you’re upset. We spend our evenings and mornings together. I see you in the middle of the day even.”
I let out a heavy breath. “Not sex, Aaric. What about everything else? We don’t really know one another, we aren’t friends. I want more,” I admit.
It’s odd, admitting for the first time what I want from a relationship. Usually, I go with the flow, never causing waves. Maybe it’s because I have always been too busy to worry about it. If the relationship didn’t work out, no skin off my nose, I would just bury myself in my work.
I don’t have that option here. My life is Aaric. I’m completely isolated from the rest of this world, aside from Runa and the seeress. I can’t communicate with anyone, no matter how hard I try to learn this language, I’m freaking terrible at it. I’m completely alone, dependent on this man.
“What else is there?” he asks. I blink, staring at the mist in front of me. “Deeper feelings must grow over time. How can I fall in love with you, I do not know you, yet.”
“That is my point,” I sigh.
He grunts. “I do not know how love develops in your country. Here, it is something that comes over time, it will not happen overnight. I know men who have never expressed these words of love to their wives. Is this what you wish? You want me to tell you that I am in love with you?”
“I don’t need you to say the words, Aaric. Though, it would be nice if my husband did love me. I would prefer it more if you showed me.”
He hums, shaking his head. “Do I not show you respect? Kindness?” he asks.
“Does respect and kindness equal love?” I ask, arching a brow.
Aaric pushes off of the railing, taking a step back from me. Turning around, I tilt my head back to look up into his eyes. He is watching me, but I can’t read his expression. I don’t know what he’s thinking, not ever, and that frustrates me, too.
He shakes his head, and without saying a word, I watch as he turns his back to me and walks away. I stomp my foot again in frustration and let out a low growl. Spinning around, I stare out at the ocean again.
As my anger begins to rise, so do the waves.