Page 7 of Little Shake of Salt

“Okay, you two,” she said cheerfully. “I’m gonna close the door so you have privacy. If you need anything, let me know.”

“Leave us,” the mermaid demanded, shooting her a glare.

Layla winced as she slowly shut the heavy cooler door behind me.

Silence settled between me and the mermaid, only interrupted by the hum of the refrigerator fans and the pounding of my heart. My thumb mindlessly traced over my ring as I stared.

She wasgorgeous. Possibly the most gorgeous person I’d ever seen in my life.

“You’re wet.” Her voice was musical, and every fiber of my being seemed to reach for her. Yearn for her. One look, and I would do almost anything for her.

“So are you,” I said.

Was it true what they said about sirens? That they could lure you to your death with just a song? Because I felt like she was already luring my heart with just two words.

She let out a melodic laugh, her head tossing back. “My name is Marina.”

All my nerves slammed back into me. “I’m Demi,” I said quickly, rushing over to shake her hand. My boots hit the water on the floor and I gasped as I slid, losing my footing and falling flat on my ass.

Are you fucking kidding me right now?First the rain, and now wiping out in front of my beautiful date?

Marina was giggling as I sat up in a daze. My cheeks flamed as I looked at her.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

“My ego is bruised,” I mumbled.

“Want me to kiss it better?”

Smooth.Really smooth. I shook my head at her as I crossed my legs, sitting across from her. It was cold, I was still drenched from head to toe, but looking at her made me feel happy.

Marina smirked and moved to the edge of the portal hole, propping her elbows on the floor. She cradled her head in her hands, studying me. “Tell me about yourself, Demi.”

I cleared my throat, not sure where to start. “Well, I’m human.”

Needle-like teeth glistened with her smile. “That’s painfully obvious.”

I reached for my cup of coffee, the warmth of the ceramic seeping into my palms and calming me. “I work as a deckhand on a fishing boat four days out of the week. I play rugby in my spare time. I love hiking and swimming. I don’t actually live in the city—I’m about an hour away, in an old lighthouse that used to belong to my grandparents.”

Her eyes lit up. “I know of that lighthouse. It’s yours?”

I nodded. “Yep.”

“And you’re a seawoman.”

I smiled at her. “I do love the sea.”

“So you’re perfect for me then.”

“Maybe.” Perfect wasn’t exactly a word I’d use to describe myself. “Hopefully. I don’t know how to feel about this fated mates stuff.”

“I think you’ll find you enjoy it once you’re riding my face.”

Oh gods.My mouth dropped, earning another giggle from her.

Her lips parted and my eyes widened as the tip of her tongue pressed against a sharp tooth. Her entire mouth was full of sharp teeth, I realized. She could shred me apart like a piranha, and I was possibly already gone enough that I’d let her.

“Tell me, Demi. What do you like?”