AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I tugged on Fin’s arm. “Please.” He needed this more than I did.
“Once Nemo’s had his turn.”
“Always looking after your men.”
“That’s what a good leader does.”
His words hit me hard. Unlike him, I wasn’t a natural leader. Didn’t want to be. But something about the way he’d said those words ate away at me. Reminded me of what my mother always used to say. “A princess must be a good example for her people.” Did that mean I should stay with him?
I didn’t get the chance to offer because something seized me around the waist and forced me off balance. I crashed into the water and kicked. My sea vision activated. The grip released me, and I spun. Strong, thick legs propelled Nemo away from me.
Why, that cheeky guppy.
I stood and twirled in circles, relishing the sand mushing between my toes, the waves crashing into my knees. Froth hissed as the bubbles popped. Salty liquid diffused through my skin. I fell to my knees and sat in the water, letting its cool touch caress and recharge me. The water called to my scales, and they flashed along my elbow and hands. I let my transformation overcome me. Magic sparkles radiated outward. Silver scales sprouted across my skin, reshaping my legs into a fin and tail. My gills inhaled the wondrous, salty air, flushing out the smoke I’d breathed earlier when we’d stayed in the little town.
I ventured deeper in the water after Nemo, wanting to bathe in the wild call of the sea. He grabbed me by the waist, and we twirled in circles, him clasping my hand. Bubbles tickled my skin as we sailed along the ocean floor. The warm water brushed my hair behind my back and slid along my skin like silk. I loved the weightless, airborne sensation the ocean gave me.
“You hungry, Princess?” Nemo said in my mind.
Now that I thought about it, yes, I was. I hadn’t eaten since breakfast the previous morning. “Starving,” I told him.
“Let me get you something,” he offered, squeezing my waist.
Electricity charged through me. I adored the way he looked after me. His doting attention left me feeling a little giddy. In that brief moment, my attraction to him owned me, and his touch left me wanting more, so much more. I placed one hand on his arm, the other on his chest. We stared into each other’s eyes. Recognition hit. An attraction flashed behind his gaze. Desire pulsed in my veins, too.
Before I knew what was happening, he kissed me and spun me in circles. It felt like butterfly fish fluttered in my stomach. His lips melted on mine, soft and passionate. I devoured the taste of him, that saltiness mixed with oyster and the rum he’d sipped earlier. His heat roared through me, and I could hardly breathe from excitement. Firm hands explored the curves of my hips, leaving my flesh buzzing and wanting him to explore more of me. I pressed myself against his hard chest, needing him, drowning in his sweet kisses. Everything in my head screamed at me to slow down. But all I wanted was to make him mine.
I shivered in his grip, both from anticipation and nerves.
“Are you cold?” Nemo asked me, holding me tighter.
I shook my head. My uneasiness got the better of me, and I pulled away. This was all so new to me. I didn’t really know what I was doing. No one had ever instructed me on the ways of the flesh, and my sea pearl remained untouched. Sure, Nimian and Gellian had given me some tips, but at the moment, I couldn’t recall a single word either of them had said.
“Don’t you like my salty lips, Princess?” he joked.
I loved his lips on mine. That wasn’t the issue. Having him close, being vulnerable, and doing something stupid played on my mind.
Nemo held me, and I leaned my head on his chest, basking in the delicious feeling of being in his arms. He trailed his finger down the side of my arm and along the edge of my wrist.
That was one of my ticklish spots, and I moved away. “Stop that. I’m ticklish.”
“Really?” he said in a cheeky way, doing it again.
This time, I jerked upward, slamming my head into his chin.
“Oh, sea god.” I rubbed the impact spot.
Pain carved his expression. “Bit my tongue,” he told me.
Trust me to ruin a perfect moment. Most of the time, my embraces with mermen ended like this, thanks to my habit of ruining a perfect situation. Poseidon, why did I do this every time? Me with guys spelled trouble.
Poseidon, help me get a hold of myself around these mermen.
Humiliation and frustration swept through me like a vicious storm. My heart was ready to explode from the disturbing emotions. I had to get out of there.
“I’m so sorry,” I told him as I rocketed away.
Before I breached the surface, I heard his apology, “I’m sorry if I crossed the line, Princess. I’ll be back soon with some food.”
Guilt added into the mix of feelings flooding me. I felt so awful for running away. Now, poor Nemo thought I’d done so because of him. Maybe, when my heart stopped thrashing in my chest, scolding me, burning me, I’d talk to him about what had almost happened between us.
