So Passes the Night
by Cassidy McKay
Paranormal Sea Adventure Romance
Date Published: July 17, 2026
One wild night, two sexy seamen and a voluptuous woman -- three broken
souls seeking completion.
First Mate Cade Talbot disobeyed a direct order, sacrificing himself to save
his best friend. Since then, Captain Grant Rowen rules his ship with an iron
fist, demanding strict compliance from all aboard.
Coffers are low, and when a lone woman requests passage to St. Thomas, Captain
Rowen accepts her payment. But the stormy sea crossing holds more than just
nature's surprises.
Aurora Journade reveals that she not only speaks to spirits, she makes love to
them --and she doesn't follow orders. With Aurora's help, Cade has one last
chance to reach out to his captain. Not even death can keep them from seeking
passion's redemption.
EXCERPT
"Yes... no... Oh God, how you touch me, my love. But what if someone should
see us? We shouldn't do this here." The female voice coming from the dark
alley quivered, ripe with passion.
Grant couldn't hear her companion's murmured reply, but from her enthusiastic
cries it must have been to her liking.
He continued toward the tavern, almost late for a meeting. The repairs to his
ship had taken longer than he'd anticipated. Noise and smoke rolled out into
the street as Grant pushed open the scarred wooden door, spreading over him in
a wave of stinking humanity. Squinting through the smoke and dim light, he
made his way to the busy barkeep.
"I'm looking for a merchant named Crofton. Know him?"
The slight man behind the bar pointed toward the corner where most of the
noise was coming from. "Aye, Linch is over there."
Grant squared his shoulders and strode toward the merchant. "Crofton? Captain
Rowen of the Venture. Amory Talbot said to find you the next time I was in
port."
The older, ruddy-faced man fixed his gaze on Grant. "Yes, my cousin has good
things to say about you, Rowen. It's a pity about his son, though. The boy was
your first mate, wasn't he? Sit down and we'll have a drink before we talk
business." He motioned to the barmaid for another round.
"Thank you, sir. Yes, Cade was my first mate." Grant took a long pull on the
foaming brew the barmaid set before him. "I'm told you're looking for a ship
to do some regular cargo runs. The Venture is a fine vessel and I have an
experienced crew. She's in port now if you'd like to look her over." He took
another drink and choked back bittersweet memories. He hadn't visited Cade's
home port since just after his death, but it had been the closest for needed
repairs.
* * *
Breathing in the fresh night air, Grant closed the tavern door behind him. The
promise of a full cargo hold and a regular run starting at the end of the week
lifted his lagging spirits. He walked down the street, dust kicking up under
his boots as he hummed a familiar tune, one that his best friend Cade had
often whistled.
A flash of red silk coming out of the alley was the only warning he received
before he was knocked on his ass by a voluptuous female body. He wrapped his
arms around her instinctively, her bountiful breasts flattening on his chest.
The heady scent of aroused woman rose from her and his cock stiffened
instantly.
"Oh, I beg your pardon, sir! I wasn't looking where I was going." She
scrambled up and rushed off, leaving him with an aching cock and the
impression of long, dark passion-rustled hair, haunting gypsy eyes, and a body
made for love.
"My pleasure, miss." He readjusted his erection and stared after the little
minx. He hadn't had a woman in a while, but the insistent desire pulsing in
his cock from the unexpected tousle rekindled his interest. As he boarded his
ship and took over the watch, he decided it might be time to see if the
brothel in the next port was still in business.
* * *
"Please, I must speak with the captain." Grant spied the woman rushing up the
wooden gangplank past one of his crewmen, almost tripping in her haste. Though
dressed well, she had no bags and no servants.
"I'm Captain Rowen, miss." He extended a hand to help her onto the deck and a
thrill of awareness ran through him at the touch of her hand. It was the woman
who had run him over last night. Her beautiful black hair was confined in an
intricate knot, now, and the lush figure that had intrigued him was caged
behind a corseted gown. He much preferred the unrestrained seductress of the
night before.
She glanced up and her eyes widened with recognition and interest. Grant
smiled, sensing sexual adventure in the wind. As any good sailor, he listened
to the wind when it spoke to him.
"I am Miss Journade. I need immediate passage to St. Thomas, captain." She
fidgeted nervously but didn't let go of his hand or drop her gaze.
"I'm afraid most of my crew is ashore on leave, miss. You'll have to wait
until they return before we can set sail."
"It is important that I depart this afternoon, Captain Rowen. I can pay you
well. I am meeting a... a friend and his time is very limited. Please, sir, I
will give you whatever you want." She stepped forward and laid her hand on his
chest, her fingers curling against the cloth. Could she feel his heart
pounding with desire?
Grant weighed his options, measuring his empty coffers and skeleton crew
against the delicious temptation of the woman and her money. Normally he would
have refused, as would most captains. Women on ships were considered bad luck,
and a woman without an escort could be nothing but trouble.
Still, the passage to St. Thomas was generally an easy one and they needed
gold after the recent repairs. He'd risk the journey and try to find an
acceptable chaperone in town while he rounded up as much of his crew as he
could find.
"Welcome aboard the Venture, Miss Journade." He motioned toward a young boy
standing in the shadows. "Remy, please show Miss Journade to the passenger's
quarters. I'll be in town rounding up the crew. We set sail on my return."
About the Author
Cassidy lives in the beautiful state of Washington and is surrounded by
mysterious rain forests, tempestuous oceans and enough gorgeous scenery to
inspire stories for at least another two hundred years.
She's been reading romances since she was thirteen, and writing them since she
was fifteen. However, the serious writing bug didn't bite until much later in
life, inspired by her talented husband (who is also a writer!).
Publisher on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok: @changelingpress
