“It’s true. However, last year an eco super yacht was launched in the Netherlands called the Black Pearl. The Black Pearl – you know, like from Pirates of the Caribbean. It’s got these big black DynaRig sails so it uses wind power. A true zero-emissions boat—”

“Is there a reason you’re rambling, Tink?” Rhys asked, laughter in his voice as we walked onto the upper deck.

It was annoying to consider he might be perceptive enough to know the difference between one of my rambles and when I was merely being informative. “Of course you’d consider anything related to environmental awareness as ‘rambling’”

He spun on me suddenly, forcing me back against the upper deck railing. Bracketing his hands on either side of the rails, he bent his head toward mine. Rhys frowned, as he seemed to search my face for something. “Let’s get rid of whatever stuck-up idea you got in your head about me. I might not be marching through the streets with my fucking Greenpeace sign, but I watch wildlife documentaries and I care that our selfish shit is devastating the planet’s ecosystems. Princess, I like animals more than I like people, so I definitely don’t like what we’re doing to their planet. Did you see the documentary with the walruses?” Rhys shook his head, genuine anger lighting his eyes. “I’m a grown fucking man, and I nearly bawled like a baby watching that shit.”

Rhys’s sincerity caused a tightening of attraction deep in my gut. He watched wildlife documentaries? I did bawl like a baby at the walruses and was strangely turned on that he was compassionate enough to admit to feelings on the matter.

I might have emitted a moan.

His eyebrows rose toward his hairline, and then a wicked grin flashed across his face.

Yup, I definitely emitted a moan.

If I were Hermione Granger, I could make the railing behind me disappear, thus plunging me into the waters below. A far more efficient equivalent to praying for the floor to open beneath my feet.

His eyes danced with delight. “Did I just push one of your hot buttons?”

I flushed bright red, and Rhys threw his head back in laughter. The big jerk. Narrowing my eyes, I tried to shove his arm away from the railing to free myself, but he wrapped his arms around me instead.

“What are you doing?” I huffed, staring up into his smiling, cocky, too-handsome face. My hands were braced on his powerful chest, his were pressing deep into my spine, and the tingles I’d felt earlier were now progressing to pivotal erogenous zones.

It was disconcerting to say the least.

“Caring about wildlife gets you hot. Good to know.”

I squirmed in his arms. “Does this conversation really require cuddling?”

His grip loosened, his hands coasting down my waist to my hips. “We’re supposed to be a couple, remember. Couples touch. In fact—”