[ Alucard's warm laugh is disarming. Enough so that Astarion doesn't pull away from his touch, and instead lets it happen, enjoying the feeling of the warm press of his skin.

At least for the short amount of time it takes for Alucard to take the book back. Maybe it's better, because it is fleeting. ]

It made for a rather good way to pass the time along at sea. I picked up a couple more by the same author. It's all cliched smut, of course, but there's one with a centaur sea-horse that is absolutely delightful.

[ Don't let him talk about this. ]