MERMAID COVE
A little sigh escaped me, and he raised an eyebrow, his glasses moving with it. “Good thing we have those fake relation rules in place.”
“Oh, yeah?” I barely choked out.
“Yeah, I’ve been thinking about your lips for so long, I don’t think I could ever ‘pretend’ to kiss them. Tasting you could never be fake.”
I swallowed, a heat swallowing my body. His boldness took me by surprise. The cave must really be affecting him, too. What was down here? Mermaid endorphins? Maybe this was exactly what we needed. No distractions. To get out of our heads and into a world of our own. Just the two of us.
I tried to steady my voice. “Well, maybe we should practice in case it’s needed. For real. Just so it doesn’t take you by surprise. I wouldn’t want you to be totally unprepared. Louis would give you such a lecture.” The sultry tone that I reserved just for him was finding its sea legs, coming back to me so easily. Just like my love for him.
“Yeah, I think I could use some practice. I don’t usually get to kiss gorgeous musicians who once stole my heart.”
Stole. That’s exactly what I did. And ran off without a word, leaving him bare. I swallowed against sandpaper and a fleck of worry crept into the corners of his eyes, tinging our bubble. I shook the thoughts away, trying to return to this oasis.
I brought my hand to his jaw, running my thumb along the stubble. Trying to get used to all his changes that were driving every atom of me mad. I needed him to know how badly I wanted this. Wanted him. That he wasn’t alone in this need and desire. I wasn’t going to leave him alone again. Not if he wanted me. Not if he chose me.
My lips began drifting toward his, already feeling their warmth. Endorphins had my imagination running wild when Louis’ voice came crashing through like a rogue cymbal in the middle of a prelude.
His voice broke the spell. “Luna, honey, the tide is coming in! You don’t want to be down there for that. Plus, we should get you back to the resort so you can get ready for tonight's event.”
His words hung between us like thick smog as I looked at Reef. Our eyes were still hungrily fixed upon each other.
“Coming!” I called back. A shared sadness filled the small space between Reef and me. I didn’t want to leave this world. Because this world didn’t feel like ‘pretend’ at all to me.
