Page 15 of Little Shake of Salt

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. Iknewshe 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, anddamn 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?”