Page 96 of Sea's Secret

“Do you feel better?”

“That is an interesting question because I feel more pain, which is normal. I do not feel better, but I feel more like myself if that is what you mean.”

He winked at me. It seemed that some of the poison’s effects were still working.

“I am so sorry, Dominick.”

“No—no sorry, my mermaid. My mermaid–”

Tears dripped down my face, and I wanted again, to break his curse.

“Can I put my pants on now?” he asked with another smirk.

“Yes, of course.” I stood up and turned my back to him, hearing him shuffle.

“Thank you for helping me.”

“You’re welcome.”

“I am going to check on the others,” he said, and I turned around.

“No–I will go find Sands and make sure they are well.”

“I can go. I feel fine,” he said.

“Just rest, will you?” I snapped.

“Did you just–”

“You will stay here, Dominick, and you will sit in this chair until I return. Do you hear me?” I poked him in the chest until he sat back down in the chair. That was when I saw the smile upon his face. He took my finger that was poking his chest into his hand and tugged me forward–I fell into him, sitting on his lap.

“Dominick!” I squealed. He wrapped his arms around me, and I was engulfed by his embrace. That was the warmest, safest, most cherished I had ever felt in my entire life.

“Thank you for demanding something. We will teach you to use that voice yet.”

I laughed, shoving his chest. “I do not like being mean.”

“Saying what you want–asking others to follow you–that is not mean, Meria,” he said, caressing my cheek. He had his gloves on, and I wished he hadn’t so I could feel his full warmth.

My heart beat erratically as he pressed his forehead against mine, breathed in deeply, and closed his eyes.

“How do you make the pain go away?” he asked, his breath caressing my lips.

“Dominick–” I began.

But he pressed his lips to my forehead, and I lost all sense of reason. His hot lips pressed against my skin made me forget where I was, even what my name was. All I could think about was Dominick.

In the next moment, his hand slacked at his side. His head bent back and rested on the chair.

“I think I’m passing out. What a shame when I desired so much to kiss you and ruin your reputation–”

“My reputation?” I laughed.

“It would be ruined. I would ravish you.”

“Stop it! You would not!”

His head lulled even more to the side, and he blinked up at me, a small smile upon his lips. “I would enjoy every single moment–”

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