Page 60 of The Rusalka and Mr. Right

Even if he wanted to. Worry gnaws at the relief, and Kev pulls my hand into a sandwich between his. “Text Marina the time. Gotta go.”

Jakob nods, and we trot to Kev’s car, silent and urgent, waiting until we sit down and the doors are shut behind us to burst.

“We did it!” I cry.

“You’re Mrs. Dr. Kevin Bailey now—even if we have to wait to make it official. And for the doctor part until I get that diploma.” Kev kisses me, leaning across the center console. “Unless you want to keep your last—”

“I love it! Mrs. Bailey. Mrs.Dr.Bailey!” I preen. Accepted. Loved. “Come with me to the river tonight. We have something to do.”

“At the river?” Kev puts the car in drive. “I’m not suddenly going to be able to breathe underwater, am I?”

I shake my head. “But I will never let you drown. Not many men can say they have a rusalka as their guardian. Maybe only one in history—and if I’m the last—you will be the only one, ever.”

Kev looks at me with a solemn face, one slow nod to show he understands the seriousness of what I’m saying. “I’m honored. And I’m all yours. It’s not as fancy, but you’re the only Mrs. Dr. Kevin Bailey in history, too. You’re my one and only, you get it?”

For a little while, seriousness melts, replaced by a soul-deep feeling of safety and belonging—and a tsunami of desire. I’ve never felt like this, not even with Gregor. Even though I don’t know what Koshchei can or will do, for the moment—I feel free. Like I am totally my own being. My soul is not under Kevin’s power, only united with his out of love, not force.

“Drive faster, darling,” I say in a deliberately husky voice, just to watch Kev twitch.

“Yes, ma’am!”

THERE’S ONLY A CRESCENTmoon tonight, but the river that winds south past the fae-run Country Pines Motel glows extra bright. They say you find what you need here.

I need to be able to see Kev’s cock sinking into me, to see his face while he mates his demon bride, claiming me as his own.

I’m out of my dress before he’s even out of the car, streaking toward the water with a shriek of laughter.

“Marina! Are we gonna get arrested?” Kev hisses, following me. “Girl, I’m in my good suit.”

“You’ll look so much better out of it.” I pause by the water’s edge, letting moonlight bathe my body. In this kind of light, you can see the tiny amount of iridescence my skin has, that sheen that makes it glow when wet, turning any rusalka into an ethereal, glistening jewel that tempts men to take risks. “Come here, brave knight. Your Queen must anoint you. Complete the ceremony that elevates you from consort to king.” I hold out my arms and sigh gleefully inside when Kev strips off faster than a professional quick-change artist.

“I’d better not get cholera or some shit in this river. The pollution in—”

“This hotel is fae-run. The property is pristine—including the water. If you were to get a room here for the night, it would have everything you ever dream of inside, everything you need. I need clear, clean water so I can make love with you and watch as you sink into me,” I purr, wrapping my arms around Kev’s neck as he reaches me.

A long, aching kiss that makes my already wet insides flood.

Kev chuckles as I sway against him, seeking his hand and stroking him with one of mine as we break the kiss. “So, in that room, there would be a sex swing and a leopard print bikini?”

I chuckle. “If that’s your fantasy.”

“Nah. Already got that.” He squeezes my hips with his hands, finally giving in and letting me capture his fingers between my thighs. “Soaking little mermaid.”

“Just wait until you see what I can do when I’m really wet,” I whisper, jumping into the water and carrying him along with me.

UNDER THE WATER, IT’Sas bright and clear as day. The world lights up from Marina’s glow below and the bright sliver of moon above. I need to breathe, so I pop up for air, but then sink right back under to watch her swirl and sway, her hair billowing out around her like a cloud of chestnut tendrils.

Her skin glimmers, shines, like there’s a layer of practically invisible scales you can only see when she’s submerged. Maybe they’re under her skin, like a second epidermis.

My medical brain shuts off abruptly when she reclines on the river’s bottom, looking at home on a bed of sandy mud and water plants.

Air.

Back down.

Her legs part, and the glistening, glimmering trick of the water and light extends to her perfect little pussy, pink and entrancing as she strokes herself.

My hand wraps around my cock, watching.

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