Page 19 of The Scent of Salt & Sand

She’d dreamed about being kissed like this—in the moonlight, standing in the sand with the ocean caressing her feet—but her dreams had only been the fantasies of a girl. They were nothing compared to the reality of this man. His touch, his taste sent shock waves crashing deep within her.

She wanted more. She yearned for more.

Tentatively, Melody returned his kiss, letting her tongue flick against his. The low moan of pleasure that rumbled from Dean encouraged her, and she slid her arms up over his chest to rest on his wide shoulders. His embrace tightened around her, making her insides hum and her skin shudder. She pressed herself to him, dizzy with the cacophony of new feelings the heat of his body thrust against her. Soft, familiar waves cascaded over her skin, pulling her into Dean with almost as much force as she was pulled to the ocean.

His lips left hers and began working their way down the curve of her neck. Melody shivered and opened her eyes. Moonlight glinted off the slick emerald green rippling to life across the arm she’d wrapped around Dean’s shoulder.

Panic made her stomach lurch sickeningly.

“Wait, Dean! Please stop.” She pushed against his chest, and he took a few steps back to keep from falling. Her body vibrated with the change from skin to scales, and she quickly wrapped her arms tight against her chest. “I’m sorry. I can’t. I’m not free. I’m not who you think I am. I have to go.”

She splashed to shore, and, without grabbing her shoes, tore through Aquatic Park and sprinted to the safety of her San Francisco home.

As she darted through Ghirardelli Square and up the stairs to the back entrance of the Fairmont, she silently reprimanded herself for leaving behind her shoes and Dean without a real explanation.

“He’s never going to want to see me again.” Tears burned her eyes and she wiped them away quickly, surprised and embarrassed that the thought triggered such a response.

She removed the keycard from her wallet. The lock flashed green and she let out a deep sigh as she walked into the dark apartment.

“That didn’t seem to go as planned.” The light flicked on and Melody squinted against the sudden change.

She blinked. Harmony stood in the living room, hands on her hips disapprovingly. “You were watching me?”

“I promised your mother I would protect you.” They had only been in the Mortal Realm a couple of days, but age was already deepening the lines around Harmony’s eyes and mouth. “And it’s part of my duty as Caretaker. I have to make sure none of you get caught.”

“But you can’t spy on all of us all the time. There’s only one of you.”

“Unless something happens and Rhapsody makes an appearance.”

Melody felt around for the couch and collapsed onto it. Waves of heat swirled up from her stomach and rippled through her slowly trembling limbs. “Why, why would she come here?”

“She makes the trip when she thinks one of the girls might cause a problem.” Harmony’s gaze narrowed.

“Me? I just got here. I’m not causing any problems!”

“I just watched one unfold across the street.” Harmony thrust her finger toward the floor-to-ceiling window behind her. “He clearly wanted you. Why did you run?”

“Because,” she whispered. “I’m not like you.”

“Melody,” Harmony sat down next to her on the couch and squeezed Melody’s hand, “I know losing your mother was hard for you; it was for me too. But it’s been years. It’s time to let go of the past and start a new future. One with a daughter of your own.”

A daughter of her own? Her heart fluttered, and her vision hazed as bile surged up her throat.

A dark-haired woman flashed on the couch next to her, filling Harmony’s seat, holding her hand just the same.

“No.” Melody clutched her stomach as the specter brightened and dimmed just as it had that morning in the store.

Mel, honey, this is so fabulous!

The woman’s voice unleashed a pang of longing within Melody’s chest.

I knew he would propose soon! I almost burst from keeping the secret. She clapped her translucent hands against her cheeks. Melody stared at her face, blazing in strong flashes against Harmony’s. This woman was so familiar.

Now you have to hurry up and have a wedding so you can have a daughter of your own. I can’t wait to spoil a grandbaby.

Nausea released its grip, and the otherworldly glimpses faded.

“Next time you see him, you will do what you came here for.” Harmony’s voice echoed through choppy bursts of reality. “Melody, are you okay?”