Chapter 19

Natasha

Fear curls around my neck, and unexpected tears prickle behind my eyelids when Hayden crawls closer. A large, muscled arm turns into my ceiling, and I have the urge to run and beg for my life when his gigantic, ocean-blue eyes peer down into my face.

I always looked into those eyes with awe, wanting the handsome, rugged man to want me as much as I wanted him as I gazed upon him. I still want him, I realize, even if my entire body is shaking.

Hayden's lips are a stretch on his face. He doesn't say a single word, and tension grows in my limbs when he uses a finger to move my arm above my head.

What is he doing?

My breaths become more rapid, more shallow. I count to ten in an attempt to calm down, my heart racing faster—it's not working.

Hayden narrows his gaze, dips his head, and licks my wound. Wet saliva covers my entire arm, and the pain ebbs away.

Is the merman healing me?

At that moment, everything melts away