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 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

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 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

Natasha I have this jarring feeling in my gut that something terrible is about to happen when I walk down to get breakfast. But I probably imagine things since I'm safe with Hayden and Aiden around. Scylla will have to beat two sea monsters to get to me. While wearing a smile, I grab some juice and bread. The hotel is empty, and I don't see any other guests, but I'm not worried. I prefer the peaceful silence in the morning. I only wish Hayden was here. He is still sleeping in the hotel room, and I swear the view of him sprawled out over his pillow will stick with me to the grave. He had this smile on his lips while his blonde fell into his face, and I didn't have the heart to wake him. I'm also conflicted and still turned on from seeing the massive bulge in his boxers as he lightly snored. Hayden was rock hard this morning, and I had to fight like hell not to jump over him like a wolf over a sheep. Sexy merman. A smile graces m