I hold him back at arm’s length, my channel still sensitive from both times we had sex. “I still came.”

“Aye, but I’ve experienced the joyful pleasure of feeling you clench around me. That isn’t it.”

“Does it really matter to you?”

“Aye, my pride is at stake here. I can’t have you thinking I’m bad as a lover when?—”

“When what?”

“Nothing.”

“You really want to make me come hard in my sea form?” The idea that he wants to do this again thrills me. Something carnal deep inside likes that he’s eager to fuck me with my tail again.

“Fuck yeah. I want more.”

“I don’t think I can give you more,” I say quietly.

“Then you’re coming with me.”

“What? No. I can’t. Not today of all days.”

Even though I’ve gone ashore to defy my mother’s wishes, having a human claim me is a step too far.

Though she can’t berate me for wanting to be fucked again with my tail.

That’s what she’s been drilling into me for all these years.

Sirens fuck, they don’t fall in love.

“No, I need to fuck this tail again to prove to you… and myself… that I can give you a fucking good time.”

I shake my head. “Do you know what today is?Velade ia cietra. Merpeople’s day of love. There’s magic surrounding this day that makes merpeople fall in love. I can’t be here in the water or remain in Caedor. I need to get away.”

“Then you should definitely come with me,” he growls out the words. “You said you want to escape the remnants of this merpeople’s day of love. What better way than sailing above the sea?”

I am highly tempted. We shouldn’t feel any effects of the day’s magic on board his ship. I also liked the enthusiastic way he fucked me in my sea form. No one has ever made me come fucking me while I’ve had a tail, and he wants to do better.

Why am I contemplating this? This isn’t normal behavior. I’m acting like amermaid.

Yet, I can’t bring myself to say no.

MaybeVelade ia cietrais affecting me more than I think.

I place my hands on his shoulders. “Yes, let’s do this.”

We swim back to the shore, and I make my tail disappear to legs. Kynan holds out his hand to escort me onto theshore. While I’ve become adept at walking on land, I appreciate the gesture.

But I shouldn’t like that he’s a gentleman.Where is the vulgar pirate who I can shield my heart from?

I dry us off as we wade onto the beach. Sirens don’t have a lot of magic, but a neat trick we possess when traveling from sea to land is the ability to dry ourselves off quickly and procure clothes out of thin air.

“Oh, thank the goddesses, they’re still here.” Kynan lovingly lifts his sword and pistol, pressing them to his chest.

I shouldn’t feel a pang of jealousy at the tender way he strokes the two weapons.

No, I shouldn’t.

I’m not staying with him for love.