Chapter 73
Borsalino's grin grows as he looks down at Marco, his eyes dancing with mischief as the two of them wandered into each other in an empty part of the shipyard. "Well, if it isn't the prettiest pirate on the seven seas. How about we grab a drink together?" He suggests, his voice as smooth as silk.
Marco grunts, tapping her foot in annoyance. She crosses her arms under her ample chest, pushing her already prominent breasts together, her hip cocked to one side. The sun glints off her golden hoop earrings as she tilts her head to the side, giving him a skeptical look behind her red-framed glasses . "What makes you think I'd want to spend time with the likes of you?”
Borsalino, unfazed by her rejection, chuckles and takes a step closer. He adjusts his sunglasses, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. “Oh, come on, miss Marco. You know I only have eyes for you. Besides, I’ve heard about your reputation. You can handle yourself, so I know you’re not scared of a little one-on-one time with me. Plus, I promise not to tell your pops if you decide to have a little fun."
Marco just hums, pulling out a compact makeup mirror and her red lipstick seemingly out of nowhere and opening the compact makeup mirror with a flick of her wrist and the lipstick with the other. She touches up her lipstick, using her finger to clean up the edges. The sound of her lips smacking together echoes through the empty space.
Borsalino's smile broadens as he watches Marco fuss with her makeup, his gaze lingering on the plump redness of her lips. He knows he's pushing her buttons, but the thrill of the chase is half the fun. He's been after her for years, and while the rejection stings, it only fuels his desire more. He takes another step closer, his long shadow stretching out over the wooden planks beneath them.
Marco’s eyes flick to Borsalino, her hand pausing for a second before just as quickly as the compact makeup mirror and red lipstick appeared, they vanished to wherever she keeps them on her person. Marco doesn’t say or do much after that, just kinda looks at Borsalino as Borsalino looks at her, his grin unwavering.
Marco tilts her head to the side, her Gold hoop earrings swaying with the movement as she sizes him up, the silent tension thick in the air. She studies him for a moment longer before looking around, making sure they were absolutely and completely alone before she took a step forward, kicking him in the shin causing him to yelp and stumble, and fall to his knees. But before he could even process what was happening, or think of something to do Marco was kissing him. One of her hands on the side of his neck.
Borsalino’s eyes widen in surprise, but he quickly recovers, wrapping his arms around Marco’s waist and deepening the kiss, his hands exploring the soft curves of her body. He hadn’t expected this sudden turn of events, but he wasn’t one to complain when the girl he’s been after for years was finally in his arms, kissing him like she meant it.
Marco’s heart races as she feels his strong arms around her. She hadn’t planned on kissing him, but something about the moment, the tension between them, had just snapped. She kisses him back with a passion that surprises even herself, her tongue dancing with his.
Borsalino’s mind races as he tries to make sense of the situation. This was not what he had expected. He had braced himself for another rejection, not this fiery embrace. He slides one hand up her back, feeling the softness of her skin, and the other rests gently on her hip, his thumb brushing the fabric of her button-up shirt.
Marco’s arms wrap around his neck, her fingers threading through his hair. The kiss grew more intense as she felt his response, his body pressed against hers, his heart beating fast against her chest. The smell of saltwater and the faint scent of gunpowder on his clothes only added to the excitement of the moment.
Borsalino’s hand slid up to cup her cheek, his thumb tracing the line of her jaw as their kiss grew more demanding. He had dreamed of this moment for so long, the taste of her, the feel of her skin under his touch, and it was better than he had ever imagined.
Marco’s chest heaved, her breathing heavy against his as she pulled back, leaving a trail of kisses along his jaw. “You’re not so bad for a marine,” she murmured teasingly, a smirk playing on her lips.
Borsalino, still kneeling, gazed up at her with a dazzling smile. “I knew you’d see it my way eventually.” He stood up with surprising grace for his size, brushing off his knees, his eyes never leaving hers.
Marco stepped back, her smirk still in place, and adjusted her shirt. “Don’t get too ahead of yourself, Yellow Monkey.” She called him by his pirate epithet, enjoying the way his smile faltered just a little at the teasing. “That was just a taste. I’m still a Whitebeard, remember?”
Borsalino nodded, his eyes gleaming. “Of course, but I’ll take what I can get, even if it’s just a taste of a phoenix’s fire.” He winked at her, and she couldn’t help but laugh.
Marco’s laughter echoed through the shipyard, light and carefree, the sound of it making Borsalino’s chest tighten. He hadn’t heard her laugh like that in a long time, not since they had first met on the battlefield, when she had been nothing more than a rookie pirate and he had been just a rookie marine.
Borsalino took a step forward, closing the distance between them again. He reached out and took her hand, his thumb tracing lazy circles on her palm. “How about we make it a regular thing?” He suggested, his voice low and filled with hope.
Marco’s smirk grew as she looked down at their intertwined hands. She knew that she should pull away, but there was something about his touch that made her hesitate. She had never admitted it to anyone, but she had always found him intriguing, despite his reputation. “And what makes you think I’d agree to that?” She asked, her tone playful but guarded.
Borsalino shrugged, his grin never wavering. “Well, you did kiss me, after all. I take that as a sign of interest.” He leaned closer, his breath warm on her neck, sending shivers down her spine. “Besides, we both know that you enjoy a good challenge, don’t you?”
Marco rolled her eyes, trying to play it cool despite the butterflies in her stomach. She couldn’t deny the thrill she felt when he was near, but she wasn’t about to let him know that. “Flatter yourself all you want, but I’m not that easy to win over.” She took a step back, breaking the contact between them, and folded her arms over her chest.