Page 65 of Surface Pressure

Tears prickled at her eyes as she lay prone.

“Kiss me,” Soulara said.

Autumn bent down, changing the angle of her hand and thrusting even deeper. Groaning, Soulara sucked on Autumn’s lower lip, giving her breath when necessary as they were covered with the water that was their life force.

Something so benign had brought them together.

Water.

Soulara nipped Autumn’s lip. “Harder.”

Autumn moved deeper, adding another finger into the mix.

Trying to catch her words, Soulara tilted her head back. The sun’s rays warmed her cheeks and her skin before she was covered again with the water that held almost her entire world. But Soulara couldn’t deny the fact that some of her world remained up here. Some of her world was Autumn.

Soulara cried out. Autumn had found every spot imaginable that she needed. Her thumb swiped circles and her fingers curled deliciously with each thrust.

“More,” Soulara demanded.

Autumn added her last finger into the mix. Soulara gripped onto Autumn’s wrist, tensing as she was so close to sliding over the edge of pleasure. She never wanted to give this up. She didn’t. And that very thought hurt her soul more than it should have. She would have to leave Autumn at some point, wouldn’t she? If she was going to be queen, if she was going to rule Reine, she couldn’t also live up here.

Pushing away that sadness, Soulara focused on the here and now.

Autumn was alive.

The first battle was fought and won—largely thanks to Autumn and the information she’d shared.

Autumn was here, four knuckles deep, teasing Soulara’s body into wave after wave of pleasure. Soulara bucked her tail against the beach. She couldn’t let every emotion pull from her and spill out into Autumn. It would be the worst thing for both of them. Autumn couldn’t know how wrapped up Soulara had become in their friendship—their relationship.

Soulara cried out, ripping Autumn’s hand from her body. She couldn’t take any more. It was too much. Not the touches. Not the kisses. But this mix of emotions that were impossible to parse through. It was impossible not to look at Autumn and know and understand exactly what was going to happen between them.

They weren’t made to be together.

They were breaking all the rules by being here. Not just the rules of their people, but the laws of nature.

“Autumn,” Soulara whispered her name just as a second-wave orgasm captured her body and held her in its grasp. Autumn hadn’t even been touching her. What the hell was that all about? Soulara bit her lip, watching with hooded eyes as Autumn slipped her fingers into her mouth and licked Soulara off her.

She hummed in pleasure. “You’re much saltier in this form.”

“My flavor changes?” Soulara’s heart raced, skipping a couple beats.

“Apparently.” Autumn flicked her tongue between her fingers, making sure to get every last bit possible.

Soulara’s body tightened at that sight. It had been amazing to have Autumn’s mouth against her, something she’d never experienced before. That was simply not a practice amongst mermaids in Reine, but the softness of Autumn’s lips, the firm swipes of her tongue—it had been everything Soulara had needed and more.

Autumn bent down, pressing their mouths together. This time she lingered and didn’t rush. They were so much freer here. That was uncontestable. Autumn seemed more confident and neither of them were looking over their shoulders for who was going to show up.

“Is this the last time we’ll see each other?” Autumn’s voice startled Soulara from her reverie.

“Why would you say that?” Soulara sat up, using her hands to pull her farther up the edge of the beach. Her entire body was sore. From the battle. From swimming to see Autumn more than once. From worrying.

“I don’t know. This all seems so…” Autumn trailed off, her gaze dropping over Soulara’s body. “…bittersweet, I guess.”

“Does it?” Soulara frowned. It hadn’t felt that way for her. Then again, something had felt so different this time. Not as if it was their last, but as if this time was so much more important than their first. Soulara reached for Autumn’s hand and pulled her to follow. Flipping them over, Soulara rested in between Autumn’s legs. “I’ll be with you for as long as I can.”

“That doesn’t make the feeling any better.” Autumn frowned even though her tone was light.

“I promise.” Soulara bent down and sealed her vow with a kiss. “I won’t let you drown, and I won’t abandon you.”

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