“Let’s begin again, with some proper introductions. Did I hear your name was Crescent?” “Just Cress, please.” He extended a hand toward her. When she gave him hers, he tugged her closer, bent his head, and pressed a kiss against her knuckles. Cress stiffened and swooned, her knees threatening to buckle beneath her. “Captain Carswell Thorne, at your service.”
