Natasha
Hayden is staring down at me like a creep. He is like a pimple in the butt I can't quite reach. And while I might find him stupidly handsome, I'm irritated enough to run him over with a train.
After many minutes of silence, the man speaks. "Are you seriously going to row back to New Tortuga?"
I don't meet his eyes. I'm too pissed and angry with him. The man won't promise me he won't eat anyone close to me, so I keep building my raft while secretly hoping Hayden will slip and fall.
"Did you hear my question?"
"Yes," I swallow the urge to yell at him to leave me alone. "I heard you perfectly fine, and yes—I am building a fucking raft."
"Even though I could take you there in no time?"
"I rather not ride with the guy who can't promise he won't hurt those closest to me."
Frustration makes Hayden laugh. He rakes his fingers through his hair and kicks away a seashell. "Because it would be stupid to promise something I
Natasha The sun is about to set, and it's soon time for bed. I'm heading back to the village, pissed and tired of confusing, gorgeous men, such as Hayden and his twin, Aiden. They both keep calling me their mate, and honestly, I wouldn't mind if they treated me like it. But I'm not that lucky—Hayden can't promise me he won't eat anyone, and Aiden is purely annoying. Sighing, I clutch my Victoria's secret bag tighter and keep walking ahead with a clouded mind. Too many thoughts are circling my head, and my heart is heavy. I wish I had never fought with Hayden because I'm probably about to end up finding him drunk— "You smell like my brother." I stop dead in my tracks, staring up at Hayden, who is basking in the sun with his colossal tail splashing in the waves. He is lying on his stomach, arms crossed and his head resting over his arm to eye me. Everything beneath his torso is in the water. My eyes trail his muscular, tanned bic
Hayden I stare up at the blinking stars, unsure of who I am now that I've fully merged with Tide and no longer hear his voice. I'm not the old Hayden anymore, and that's a relief. Stress no longer courses in my veins, and although the hotel and the business are still close to my heart, it's no longer the reason I'm still breathing. A tiny flicker underneath my hand brings my eyes down to the human sleeping on my chest. Natasha passed out after our session. She is terrified of my merman form, so I had to hypnotize her to indulge in sexual affairs with me. I should probably feel guilty, but I don't—I had to have her at least once, hold her, and treat her as if she is mine. And one day, she might be. "Cold..." Natasha mumbles in her sleep, hugging her arms to her frail, delicate body. "Hayhay..." My lips curve slightly at her mentioning my name, and I pull my hand over her like a blanket. Her weight is barely noticeable; she is as
Natasha I hate my life. Even more, I hate the giant merman in my life. No matter how hard I struggle, I can't break free from the tree trunk-sized fingers resting over my stomach. They are holding me in one place like those seats inside the carousels I rode as a child. And where the hell is Zafira?! She should be helping me! "Fucking Hayden..." I mutter and growl in pure frustration when the merman whistles through his nose. He is sound asleep, and I'm flipped on my back like a cockroach, fighting to escape him. Of course, my struggles go unnoticed. The merman doesn't move, doesn't stir no matter what I do—I'm the angry wind, trying to move mountains to no avail. Frustration is letting loose, and I desperately try to wriggle out of Hayden's hold. Sadly, I don't move an inch. "ARGGGHHH!" I'm panting like a dog, pissed-off, until the merman chuckles in what seems to be a half-asleep state. I've com
Natasha My head is spinning. Part of me feels sad for Hayden, but the more logical part of my brain is terrified of his merman form. "I will not stick around for when you turn into a giant sea monster, Hayden. No offense, but I don't trust you—not after you forced me to indulge in sexual activities with you!" "Forced you?" Hayden tilts his head, grinning faintly. "I removed your fear, but whatever was left was all you." "It was disgusting." "Yet you came multiple times." I blush. "And? If people knew—" "Do you usually share information about what you do in bed with your friends and family, Natasha?" My insides are boiling. I hate that Hayden is right, and his amused lips and stupid pretty-boy face make it hard to leave him on the beach. His arms are parked underneath his mighty chest, and I sigh in defeat. "You can turn into your leviathan form, but you won't be moving an inch, and neither will you talk. I need peace to
Hayden "You know what you need?" Natasha beams up at me. Her smile is more dazzling than the freaking sun. "A saddle!" She can't be serious. I like her, a lot actually, yet I won't downgrade myself and allow her to ride me like a horse! "I'm not going to wear a fucking saddle!" Although I raise my voice, Natasha doesn't back down. She wears that inspired expression, which tells me nothing will come between her dreams. I admire her persistence, but I still have my pride! "Then how are you going to transport me? I'm all ears." Natasha crosses her arms over her chest and glares at me, parting her sexy swollen lips, and I lose the ability to resist thinking about her in ways I can't have her. Fuck. Don't think about kissing her, Hayden. Stay calm. Her determined eyes focus on mine, and I fight like hell not to think about how soft her skin is beneath my fingertips, and god, her scent—remembering it makes me
Natasha We are swimming at a slow pace. Half of Hayden's face is above the water's surface, and I'm dangling my feet down into his forehead. Blonde, thick strands act like safety ropes in my palms, a precaution so that I won't tumble down into his focused face. "Do you want to see the harm done to New Tortuga before we find someplace to steal a ship from?" Hayden doesn't reply. If he would, his face would no longer be half-submerged in the water, and I would probably fall from the throne I've made on his head. Zafira is exploring underwater, and I'm alone with Hayden. I silently peer down at his face, stop on his lips, and hot heat circles around my senses like a snake. Stop, I try telling myself. Hayden is a beast, and I shouldn't think back on our nefarious activity—but I can't deny how insanely good it felt! I lose track of time as I think about a million reasons I shouldn't be in a relationship with a merman and shriek when
Natasha We make it to an island by nightfall. The dark sky is filled with twinkling stars, and I climb out of the boat. It feels great having sand between my toes again, and I stretch my legs. "We are finally here!" I smile with my eyes closed. "I can't wait to grab a proper meal!" While still smiling like a fool, I scan the area. It seems we have found a lovely little pirate town. Lanterns are swaying in the calm winds, lighting up something resembling New Tortuga, and parrots are croaking out into the night. Palm trees are dancing, and the houses are tiny—some have roofs made of leaves, meaning the islanders are practical. I wonder if their food is good? I inhale deeply, smiling when I can smell the ale. It's a pirate town, alright—I can already imagine the burly men partying and celebrating on the street, talking about how they survived their latest raid. My mouth waters, and I'm forced to lick my lips repeatedly as
Natasha I chug down an entire beer and brush my mouth with the backside of my hand. The man who thought I couldn't get it down like a man is clapping his hands. His smile is growing, and he places a coin on the bar desk in front of me. "Nice job, lass," the bearded man says. He must be in his fifties, way too old for me, yet it doesn't stop him from flirting. He winks at me. "Tell me, where are you sleeping tonight?" I resist the urge to punch him. "Not with you." The bartender stifles a laugh, and I pick up the coin, ordering another beer while the bearded man gapes at me. He appears offended by me turning him down, but he backs off when I lift a questioning eyebrow. "I wouldn't dare fight with captain Roger's daughter," the bearded man mutters, glaring down at me. "Your step-father is the most bloodthirsty pirate that I've ever met. He would kill me if I attempted anything." I meet his eyes. "Have you seen captain Roger around this i