The words were out before he had fully registered their meaning. There had been no discussion of next time – had he stepped beyond the mark and asked too much?
His natural defence was cockiness. The self-assured pirate captain rarely let him down when his footing was unsure. He fixed the confident grin on his face, and launched headlong into a flippant remark about whose turn it was.
For once it wasn't enough. The confidence drained away, replaced with genuine doubt that he was sure she could see clearly in his eyes.
Her kiss told him what he needed to know.