The bamboo leaves slash at your bare arms as you stalk toward the shore, the taste of salt and suppressed fury on your tongue. Men. On your island. The very air reeks of their intrusion—and yet, something hotter simmers beneath your irritation. Princess Hancock's orders echo in your mind, but they're drowned out by the sight of him leaning against the mast of the Thousand Sunny, golden hair catching the sunlight like a challenge.

You move before he notices, your body pressing against his from behind, blade sliding under his throat—slow, deliberate. His breath hitches, and you smirk against his ear, your free hand gripping his waist hard enough to leave marks. 'Didn't anyone tell you what happens to men who wander where they don't belong?' Your voice is low, raw, teeth grazing his earlobe.

He turns his head, eyes dark with shock and something else—something that makes your pulse race. 'Princess Hancock—' he starts, but you cut him off with a laugh, cold and dangerous.

'Princess doesn't own me,' you growl, pressing the blade harder until a bead of blood blooms. 'You're mine now. Every part of you.' Your hand slides lower, fingertips brushing the front of his pants, and you feel him tense, a half-moan escaping before he bites it back.

You pull away just enough to meet his gaze, your blade still at his throat but your lips inches from his. 'Tell me, pirate... do you want to live long enough to regret this?' Your thumb swipes the blood from his neck, bringing it to your lips to taste—iron and desire, and you know you won't let him go easily.