Page 12 of Bind Me

Creeping closer, I realize something even weirder—some kind of invisible barrier that arches in front of the cave is keeping the fjord’s icy waters at bay. It’s like a magical force field, a clear, shimmering wall that seals the cave off from the rest of the underwater world. Just outside the cave is a ledge that stretches left and right, along with a path directly in front of the opening. It leads right into the wall of water.

Remaining farther at the side of the barrier, I peer in and can just make out two figures inside the cave, talking, the murmur of their voices barely reaching me. They’re still too far away to really hear exact words or discern their features, but they’re definitely not swimming. They’re just… standing there as if on dry land.

As I float closer, my tail working overtime to keep me still against the currents, I can’t help but wonder if I’ve just stumbled upon the merman’s lair. Is this where he’s bringing his victims? Despite the seriousness of the situation, I’m slightly impressed. This spot is genius—hidden in plain sight, accessible only to those who know exactly where to dive, and invisible without light.

I hover, shrouded in the murky darkness, concealed by the shadows, as a man emerges from the cave, giving me a perfect vantage point. He’s strolling onto the ledge, hands deep in the pockets of his pants, before he pauses to stare into the rippling wall of water before him. I’m hidden, but my eyes are locked on him, taking in every captivating detail.

My gaze follows him from head to toe, and a delicious jolt shoots through my entire body.

Tall—very tall—with broad shoulders and lines of muscles tensing under his black button-up shirt. Oddly, his clothes look bone dry, his pants clinging to his solid thighs and outlining a large package right where I can’t stop staring, where my mouth might have dropped open.

Who the hell is this guy?

Dark chestnut hair, shoulder-length and loose, frames a face that leaves me breathless. He’s the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen. My heart’s thudding a wild beat as I take in his brilliant blue eyes that resemble crashing waves and savage storms, the strong jaw shadowed by light stubble. Curls of tattoos spill out from under his shirt collar, trailing along his tanned collarbone and neck.

Is that my merman, Belu? The killer?

As much as my head screams danger, my libido and eyes can’t stop drinking him in. He looks less like a man and more like a god—every inch of him dominating the surroundings, even seeming to command the waters at the edges of the magical barrier, as if they’re trying to reach out to him. To be fair, I can’t see him clearly from my angle, but it’s enough to know he is devastatingly handsome. I could easily surrender to a man like that.

Then a snap of semi-sanity shoves me back to reality, reminding me my last ex was the king of jerks, and this sex god is most likely the killer I’m here to track, the one I need to bring in to prove to my bosses that I’m not easily distracted, that I won’t fail my mission.

As he turns slightly, catching a reflection in the water, the light grazes his features, highlighting the angular perfection of his profile. My breath hitches all the way down to the pit of my stomach.

My ex left me sour on dating bad guys. He had been one of my targets, but I started dating him. Though I’m not even sure if I can call him my ex, considering we went on two dates before I discovered he lied about who he was, and our breakup ended up in a chaotic mess I prefer not to remember.

Yet, here I am, drooling over the next criminal, my entire body reacting to him, sizing him up as a prospective lover. Something’s very wrong with me.

Sure, he’s insanely gorgeous, but I’m not interested.

I repeat the mantra a few times in my head, especially as I watch his chest puff out with each breath, signaling his irritation. What’s got him all worked up?

Just as I’m trying to convince myself of my total disinterest, she appears.

A woman steps onto the ledge from within the cave, joining the mer-manliness, and suddenly, I feel as if I’m watching a show live from the best seat in the house.

Of course, she’s stunning. Turquoise hair cascades over her shoulders like a waterfall, shimmering, while her silvery skin seems to emit a soft glow. Iridescent scales glitter along her arms and down the outside of her impossibly long legs, visible thanks to the audacious slits in her body-hugging dress, which reveals a lot of skin with every step she takes. I think about the scales I have, hidden away where no one can see them. They feel like pebbles compared to hers.

She’s staring at him, and from my angle, I can only catch the side of her face, but enough to see her beauty is absolutely stunning.

“You will return with me,” she states with authority and a power that seems to command the very air around her. It’s not a question but a decree, her tone implying that no isn’t an acceptable option. “That’s fair payment for your unauthorized intrusion. With me, you will have access to every ocean to your heart’s desire.”

My pulse kicks up a notch, and while I’m clueless about what’s going on, I’m all ears. And what’s this about intrusion? Is this her cave?

The man says nothing at first, just stands there, holding her gaze. He doesn’t seem fazed in the slightest, which is either a sign of confidence or complete foolishness, as I feel like this woman could eat any man alive.

He rubs his jawline, saying, “That’s not going to work for me.”

My body weakens at the sound of that deep, guttural, rough sound that screams his manly dominance. Fuck me, but I have a weakness for guys with deep, dark voices. And this merman’s voice has me shivering with need.

Her shoulders tense, just slightly, but it’s enough to tell me she’s not used to resistance. I can tell she’s a woman who controls, not one who is controlled. Yet there’s calmness in her pose, confirming she’s more than capable of handling whatever this guy throws at her.

“Oh,” she murmurs almost softly, the gentleness in her tone surprising me—and I’ve only just met her. “You will have the space you need, not confined here. It’s the least you can do as part of your payment for your intrusion.”

He doesn’t answer right away. Instead, he turns and walks toward the other end of the wide ledge outside the cave, his movements deliberate. The woman follows, her stride confident and poised as they move to the opposite side from where I’m hidden in the shadows. Her voice carries again, forceful, yet I can’t grasp the words, and he’s shaking his head in response. Not angrily, but firmly.

“Until you pay your debt,” she says, her voice louder, more commanding now. “You will remain in my service. I’m being hospitable by personally visiting you. I don’t want bad waters between us, but there must be respect shown.”

He moves back toward the open mouth of the cave. “And if I agree to join your House, then you will let me out of your service?” His tone is cautious, probing the terms of his negotiation. “I will need to remain here in Norway for as long as I need to deal with family affairs.”

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