Page 8 of Little Shake of Salt

My mind started tobuzzwith static as I stared into her eyes. Up close, they reminded me of the inside of an abalone shell.

“What do I like?” I rasped.

She smirked. “I mean sexually. I think you call itkink?BDSM? I just call it good sex.”

Oh gods.A shiver traced down my spine.

Of course I had kinks. Who didn’t? But it’d been a long time since I’d been asked about them. I was used to leading this conversation on dates by default, but Marina wasn’t reserved by any means. My eyes kept drifting down to her breasts and hard nipples. I kept catching glimpses of them when her long hair moved out of the way.

“We’re just diving in, aren’t we?” I let out a nervous chuckle.

“And why not? The water is lovely.” Another sharp smile. “I can tell you what I like. Will that make you less shy?”

“I’m not shy,” I protested weakly.

Just not entirely sure what the hell I was doing. I was completely out of my element.Here goes nothing . . .

“I like a lot of things,” I said, my voice steadying. “I like being a service top. I like serving whoever is with me and bringing them pleasure, sometimes at their command. Icanbe dominant if I’m asked to be, but ultimately, I just love giving pleasure. Sometimes, I love submitting too. It just has to be with someone I completely trust.”

She let out a low, purring sound in her throat. “I love that dynamic. You’ll trust me soon, I’m sure. And I can be a little . . .bossyat times.”

I smiled. “I think I can handle that.”

“We’ll see. What else do you like?”

“Forced orgasms. Face riding. Worshipping my partner. Anal sex, sex toys, bondage. I’m very practiced with shibari, so I can tie you up, if that’s something you enjoy.” I cleared my throat, ignoring the way my blood rushed. I was turned on just from looking into her sparkly abalone shell-like eyes while saying these things. “What about you?”

“All of that and more,” she sighed. “I love aphrodisiacs. I love using vibrating pearls and pushing them inside someone until they’re completely full and on the edge, desperate to come.”

Once again, my mind went blank. I’d never done anything like that, but I sure as hell would be up for trying.

Marina smirked at me. “You should take off your wet clothes before you catch a cold, Demi.”

“But we’re in a cooler,” I said, rubbing my arms. “At a cafe full of creatures. We’ve just met . . .”

“And?” Her hand slid over my knee, her scales glinting beneath the flickering lights. I was completely enchanted by her. “The door is closed. They won’t interrupt us. I’m clearly a mermaid. A princess. And a princess gets whatever she wants, right? I wantyou.”

I hesitated. She was maybe, very possibly, evil. There was this gleam in her eyes that made me nervous, but I’d be damned if it didn’t also turn me on. Her energy was sexy and chaotic and malicious, and unfortunately that was my type. Exactly my type.

My date was beautiful enough to haunt sailors. She was the kind of mermaid who inspired songs that’d lasted for centuries. What the hell was she going to want withme?

This was a terrible idea. I didn’t know her. This was supposed to be a date, not a hook-up.

And yet . . .

I untied my laces and kicked off my boots. I peeled my socks off and stuffed them inside, pushing them out of the way.I can’t believe I’m doing this.I popped open the buttons on my overalls, letting the straps free and pushing the denim down my body, over my narrow hips, and kicking them free. A chill traced over my skin, goosebumps popping up as I tugged my wet shirt overhead, now down to my underwear.

Marina sank back in the water, her eyes almost completely black as she watched me. Heat curled in my lower belly, my heart hammering in my chest.

Thunder shook the entire cafe, the flickering cooler lights suddenly snuffed out. We were plunged into complete darkness. I gasped, my mouth dropping as I realized I could still see her.

Her skin glowed the prettiest shade of blue. She was luminescent in the dark, neon greens and pinks and dark purples speckling her skin like freckles.

And when she smiled at me, I could see every sharp tooth—brighter and more dangerous than ever.

A muffled shout echoed from outside.

“Should I go help them?” I asked.