Page 56 of The Sea Witch's Son

“Especially when you only have eyes for me.”

“Who said anything about you? Maybe it’s Finley I want.”

I bend down until those ferocious blue eyes are parallel to my own. Trailing my hand around the back of her thigh, I listen to her sharp intake of breath.

“Does Finley leave love notes in your bedroom as well?”

“They’re not love notes.” Her eyes narrow, “They’re creepy fucking messages.”

“I left you a bouquet this morning.”

“You left me a bouquet ofdead roses. And you tied it with a pair of my panties.”

I smile, “Romantic and sensual. Quite a difficult combination to achieve.”

Melody crosses her arms, “Why did you do it?”

“I was feeling romantic.”

She glares at me, “I meant the last race. Anything you wanted to prove was already known.”

My hand slips beneath the material of her skirt. Cupping the soft flesh of her ass, I play with the lace separating her cheeks.

“I’ll need you to be a little bit more specific.”

“Everyone knew you were faster.”

She sucks in a breath when my fingers tug the string.

“Everyone? My little saint, I wasn’t swimming that dreadful event for everyone.” I lean in and press my lips against her ear, “Tell me, what didyoualready know before I hit the water?”

Her chest collapses on a stuttering breath.

“I knew you were faster.”

“Is that all?”

She swallows thickly, “I knew you were better.”

“And here I thought it was Finley you enjoyed watching.”

Melody flushes, her cheeks pink when she shoves my hand out from under her skirt.

“I hate you.”

“I don’t believe you.”

That pretty face scrunches up in a fearsome scowl. Her hands press against my chest, a weak attempt to shove me away.

“You’re a liar and a manipulator-

“Don’t make me blush.”

“And I... I...” She’s spluttering, gasping for air as if my very presence is the cause of her suffocation, “And I hate everything about you.”

I wait until she catches her breath before prying her angry nails off my shirt.

“Do you want to know what I think?”