3. High Tide
Demi
I still wasn’t over the fact that when I was with Marina, I could breathe underwater.
I stared out of my lighthouse window, watching as waves crashed against the slate-gray rocks below. She was out there. I knew she was out there, waiting. Biding her time.
She knew I would return to her, like the tide always returns to the sea.
I took a sip of my tea and shook my head, angry with myself. Angry with that Layla girl too. I didn’t sign up for this. I didn’t sign up to be fucking mated to a mermaid. And not just any mermaid, a princess.
Last night, I dreamed about her. Dreamed about swimming in the depths and feeling her smooth palms over my hips. Dragging my tongue over her scales to her slit and getting a taste of her, salty and sweet. Maybe Marina was sending these dreams to me to taunt me.
The bite mark on my shoulder had healed quickly, but it pulsed every time I touched myself. It was already a silver scar, and every time I undressed, I found myself staring at it.
Lightning flashed over the choppy waves, sea foam spraying against the sides of the cliffs.
Since Friday morning, storms hadn’t stopped plaguing the area.
It’d been raining non-stop. I’d texted a couple friends who knew more about Creature Cafe than I did, contemplated texting my werewolf ex since she knew that family, but then talked myself out of it.
Texting an ex about a new date was never a good idea, even with Rhea.
“Fuck,” I sighed.
I felt like I was running a fever. I was horny in a way I’d never felt before, and an hour with my vibrator this morning did nothing for me. Had the siren cursed me? Was this part of the damn mating bite?
I rubbed my neck, goosebumps prickling over my skin.
I wanted her. That’s what possibly pissed me off the most. I wanted her to take me back to that cavern and fuck me against the beachrock floor. I wanted to braid her hair and kiss her and take care of her, even though she was clearly a menace.
Curiosity was going to be my downfall.
I kept stewing as I finished my cup of tea and made breakfast. Every few moments, my gaze would find the window, always searching for her moonlight hair bobbing amongst the inky waves.
I looked back down at my right hand, and the silver ring that gleamed there.
I missed my mom all the time, and now was especially one of those moments.
I loved my dad, of course. He was one of the best men I’d ever known, and I was thankful to have been raised by him.
But he was no help when it came to matters of the heart and romance.
My mom was absolutely the one to capture that man, and he’d been one lucky son of a gun that she’d picked him—and he knew it too.
It wasn’t like there was a guide to having a monster girlfriend. I wished that there was. It didn’t matter that I’d already had two, Marina was different from Abigail or Rhea.
Once again, I contemplated texting Rhea. Our relationship had been messy, but that was mostly because we hadn’t been right for each other, and now she was a friend. Plus . . . well, she had found her two fated mates, last I’d heard.
That was something else that had always irked me about fated mates. It was hard when you were dating someone, but they were always searching the room for someone else. The one, or ones, who fate had supposedly gifted them. And when it wasn’t you, it hurt.
And now that it was me? I was scared and restless and felt like I was losing control of my life.
Reluctantly, I picked up my phone and scrolled my contacts until I found her name. I’d never taken off the giant red X emoji next to it, but I still pressed the call button.
Three rings, and she picked up. “Demi? Are you calling me on purpose?”
“Yes,” I sighed. “I have a problem, and it’s your fault. Well, maybe not your fault, but definitely someone you know’s fault.”
“You mean Layla,” she sighed. “Yeah, I already heard. Gods, the last few days have been a nightmare. Were you at the cafe Friday morning?”
“Yeah,” I said.
“So you were there when it happened.”
“Well . . . I don’t know what you mean by it,” I said, frowning. My gaze drifted back to the window. “I, uh, well. I had a date. With a mermaid. Her name is Marina. We were in the cooler and she pulled me into the water through a portal.”
Rhea started howling with laughter. My expression flattened with annoyance.
“I need you to know everyone was very confused because you left your panties and combat boots.”
Oh, fuck me. I’d forgotten about my clothes being there. I massaged the bridge of my nose. “Right. Um. Okay. I guess I should get those, huh?”
Rhea snickered. “Maybe you should, Demi. So tell me about this mermaid. I don’t know many merpeople. Why are you calling me if it’s not about the cafe?”
“She bit me,” I said. I rubbed my neck, ignoring the way a trace of pleasure shot up my spine.
Damn it. This bite felt way too good, even just from touching it.
Rhea gasped. “Really?”
“Yeah and now I can’t stop thinking about her. She’s evil.” Evil and frustrating and—
“And now you’re in love.”
“Shut up,” I mumbled, running my fingers through my loose hair.
I perched my phone on my kitchen table and put it on speaker, plopping down in a chair.
I started braiding my hair out of habit and the need to do something with my hands.
“I’m not in love, I’m pissed off. I just met her and she bit me. ”
“And . . . tell me again how your clothes and boots came off on the first date?”
My eyes closed and my cheeks turned iron hot. “She wanted to . . . you know what, it doesn’t matter.”
Rhea kept giggling. “I know we never worked out, Dem, but I do know you. And you love a toxic lady. She could lock you in a cage at the bottom of the ocean, and if it pleased her, you’d be right where you want to be.”
“You’re a monster,” I sighed as she kept laughing. “You’re no help at all.”
“Sure I am. If the Barista matched you, then that’s your mate. She’s meant for you, for better or worse. I guess if you really wanted to reject the bond, you could. Or, you can give the pretty siren a chance.”
My expression soured as I finished my braid. “Layla matched me.”
“With his approval. Oh, also. Do you have to work this week? Like, going out on a boat? Because I don’t know if it’s safe to do so with this weather.”
I sighed. “I go back to work in a couple days, then work seven straight. I’m sure the storms will have passed by then.”
Rhea hummed. “I hope. If not, I don’t think you should venture out. Something is happening. Everyone is unsettled.”
I hesitated, but she wouldn’t be warning me unless it was serious. “I’ll think about it. Thanks.”
“Of course. Well, good luck. I’m glad I found my mates.”
I smiled, and it was genuine. “Your girlfriend and boyfriend. What’s it like having your own little pack?”
She sighed happily. “Amazing. I’m one of the lucky ones, truthfully. You know, some monsters wait centuries for the right one or ones.”
My chest ached at that thought. I did know that, and Marina had mentioned she’d been waiting a long time for me.
“I don’t know Marina, but merpeople live a very long time. She’s probably been waiting for you and I’m sure that’s why she’s so demanding.”
“I just met her, though,” I whispered. “And I’m human.”
“Do you feel drawn to her?”
Of course I did. How could I not? Space away from her the last few days had only made things worse because I thought about her every waking moment. Every sleeping moment, too.
“I can understand her being impatient. Maybe it’s because I grew up with three parents and their love is so painfully wonderful. I’m the only one who’s found love so far, and my older brothers get cranky about it. They all want to settle down. Well, everyone but Steel.”
I’d met her oldest brother, and it didn’t surprise me to know he didn’t want to settle down. He was always on the go. Always helping people, always working, sometimes a grumpy dick. He was the epitome of what it meant to be an alpha.
“I’m glad you got your happy ending, Rhea,” I said softly. “I really am.”
“Thank you. Will you keep me updated on you and Marina?”
I nodded even though she couldn’t see me. “Yes. I will. Even though I’m not sure what’s going to happen.”
Rhea snorted. “Sure. I’d be shocked if you made it until tonight before going to the shore.”
“Shut up,” I mumbled. But my gaze wandered back to the window. To the sea. To her. “I’ve got to go.”
“Okay. Talk to you later.”
I mumbled my goodbye and hung up. That’d been helpful in some ways and entirely unhelpful in others.
A walk on the beach sounded nice, though. Stretching my legs would help, given I’d been cooped up. It wasn’t like I was going to walk into the sea, though.
The rain was finally slowing, too.
Bad idea. And it was, but . . .
Half an hour later, my toes sank into the sand as I walked along the shore. More storms were brewing, but I had some time before I needed to be back in my lighthouse. I breathed in deep, savoring the sea air, the scent of rain mixed with salt.
What am I doing?
I didn’t know. I couldn’t stay away from her forever, though. I wanted to see her again, and my resistance was crumbling like a sandcastle.
“Fuck,” I whispered.
A high-pitched ringing sang in my ears as a wave surged up the beach, water coming all the way up to my ankles. Singing. I could hear singing.
“Marina,” I growled, casting my attention to the water.
She was watching me. I knew she was watching me. My mating mark throbbed and I blinked, realizing the water was now up to my thighs.
I’d stepped out into the water.
That song became louder, and I felt it in my veins, between my thighs. My skin flushed as I realized it was arousing me. I cursed under my breath as my nipples strained against my shirt.
The ocean was pulling me out further. I could feel the tide wrapping around me, a magnet drawing me closer and closer. Her song crooned in my ears as the cold water met my torso, my breaths calming.
“Marina,” I rasped. “You can’t force me into your arms.”
I’m not forcing you to do anything. You come to me willingly.
A wave pushed me back a couple feet, but I dug my heels into the earth, fighting to go forward. Her song wrapped itself around me, the mating mark on my neck hot. That fever I’d been feeling the last couple days came rushing back, and damn it. She was right. I was going to her willingly.
A hand wrapped around my ankle. I sucked in one more surface breath before she dragged me under, but this time, I was ready for her kiss.
I moaned against her soft mouth as her lips pressed against mine, my arms winding around her neck.
She stiffened in surprise, but then she took me deeper into the water, her magnificent tail propelling us further and further down.
Her tongue was magic against mine. I gripped her hair, tugging as my legs wrapped around her waist.
Under the surface, the sea was calmer. Quieter. It felt like it was just the two of us in the entire world.
Marina’s eyes shone like stars, her hair floating around her. She tilted her head, her expression guarded.
I knew I’d hurt her feelings. I didn’t regret taking the time I needed, and I still didn’t have everything sorted out. But, I wanted her.
And I wanted her to know that.
I unclasped my overalls and pulled them off quickly. Marina raised a brow as I pulled my shirt free next.
“You know, this will be the second set of clothes I’ve lost because of you,” I said.
Marina laughed, some of her walls finally coming down. “You should know not to come to my sea with clothes on.”
“Am I breaking a law by letting them go here?”
“Probably. I’ll find them later and toss them on your beach. Except for these.”
Before I could take my panties off, she reached for me, two sharp claws ripping the fabric free. Shredding it with an ease that made my skin prickle with awareness.
Marina’s grin glinted with something devious. “So you want me now?”
“I do,” I said, swallowing hard. “I do want you. I don’t know about anything else. I am human, and while I feel drawn to you, I cannot completely trust a bond that’s so new. Can we . . . can we take that slower? And are we already mated since you bit me?”
Marina shook her head. “No. You have to mark me back, and you have to accept the bond. You’ll feel some things more intensely since I did bite you, but it doesn’t influence your free will.” She took in a slow breath, her eyes narrowing. “I can be patient.”
I offered her a smile. “Thank you.”
“But not about sex.”
“Thank gods. I can’t either.”
She laughed and pulled me close to her. “I suppose I should show you my true form then, huh?”
True form? What did that mean? “Um . . . yes? Yes. I’d love to see all of you. Please.”