Devourer of Men (Devourer, #1)

by Nikki St. Crowe

“He looked like he was in need of one,” Mills said. “A friend that is.”

As I sailed here, I plotted all of the ways I’d make Captain Hook scream. But now that I’m standing in front of him, a scream doesn’t seem quite as satisfying as a moan.

“You missed me, Captain,” I say and toss a peanut shell. “I missed you too.”

“I’m going to kill you.” I laugh a little. “You keep saying that.” “Stop fucking smiling!”

The Captain clearly has daddy baggage to unpack.

“Let me guess,” the Captain says. “She told you that you were the best lay she’d ever had?” “Well that goes without saying.” He scoffs. “I really do fuck like a god. Ask anyone.” “I would rather not.”

“Christ.” He rolls his eyes and drops my arm. “I’m sorry I left you unconscious! I’m sorry I sailed away without you. Was that loud enough for you?” “Well you don’t have to shout, Captain.”

Haha cute

“I change my mind. I’m back to murdering you.”

He winks at me, swats me on the ass, and steps inside. I really am going to murder him. I mean it this time. More than any of the other times before.

“I’m behaving,” I say to him and smile. “Rule number one.” He rolls his eyes at me. Bloody hell he has the fucking best eye roll. So sexy and rolly.

“Captain,” he says. “Crocodile,” I say. “Beast. Beastly man.”

I’m not used to people ordering me around but coming from the Crocodile…I should hate it but I don’t.

“A year ago, several Pleasureland fae bought The Tipping Well. Now the place is infused with fae magic. Most people just feel calmer when they walk in the door. Keeps them drinking, spending coin. But other people, people who may or may not be pent up with unspent energy and emotion, fall much deeper.”

And yet some days I am aware that I am driven mostly by fear. Fear of who I am. Fear of who I’m not. Fear of what happens when I face myself in the mirror. To be bold is to be truthful and I am built of lies.

“Blow jobs are a power dichotomy,” he says and sits up straighter, dusting the shell from his hands. “Most people think that being on your knees and getting railed in the face is a position of submission. But a man is never more vulnerable than he is when his cock is in someone’s mouth. Especially a mouth with sharp teeth.”

“I didn’t think the Cuttys let women into their ranks.” “You don’t tell Mamaw no.” “I like this granny of yours. Go on.”

“They tried to execute Wendy by hanging. But she just dangled there for over an hour, refused to die. The way Mamaw told it, the Viscount at the time stepped in and took Wendy home with him. Real asshole that one was, and he coveted rare treasures. The rumors started then that Wendy was a vermis and the Viscount tried to sell her. Didn’t get very far though.”

“Disappeared after that.” He collapses against the booth. “You must be joking.”

“Please accept my apologies.” I reach across the table and pat her hand. “I plan on fucking him tonight so I must decline.”

“I don’t know if the fairy magic has gotten to your head,” the Captain says, leaning into me, “but you are not—” he lowers his voice “—fucking me tonight.”

“Good luck to us.” “Captain, pessimism does not become you.” “Oh fuck off.”

“Because I don’t feel afraid right now.”

“I should be afraid of you. I should

have my wits about me when yo...

“I forgot,”

“You can’t stand the sight of your own blood.”

“Better now?” the Crocodile asks. “You kissed me,” I blurt like a drunk idiot. He smiles. “It was a calculated distraction.”

“We should go before the Guardwatch⁠—” I close the distance between us, crash into him and kiss him.

“If I had known killing men for you would get you so horny, I would have slaughtered a village a long time ago.” “Shut up,” he tells me.

“Tell me, Captain, are you sober? Do you know what you’re asking for? Because once you have it, there is no turning back.” “Are you insinuating you’re a drug?” I smile showing all my sharp teeth. “I’m insinuating that once you have me, you will not be the same after.”

Oh damn. Someone thinks they are hot shit

“You’re steering this ship, Captain,” he says with a teasing lilt to his voice. “Tell me where you want me.”

She is a woman. A survivor. A fucking queen.

“Beast,” the Captain hisses and I finally turn to him. “What did you say to her? Why did she run away?”

“There is no you and I.” I clutch at my heart. “You wound me, Captain.” “Oh don’t be ridiculous.”

“You get six words. More. Harder. Stop. Slower. God. Fuck. Now stop being so difficult and let me take care of you. All right?”

“You know,” Roc says as he comes forward with slow, lazy steps, “I made myself a promise when you barged into our room at the inn, when you hit my Captain.”

When you hit my captain <3

“I promised myself that at the first opportunity, I’d fucking kill you.”

“Apologies, Cherry. It isn’t like we were fighting for our lives or anything.”

“You are not just a pirate,” she says. “You are one of the most caring men I’ve ever met.”