Page 25 of Cruel Tides

I didn’t need to pry inside her mind with magic to know she was telling the truth. Kai hadn’t really hurt her, but that knowledge did little to keep mythrallcrazed mind from wanting to rip his jaw off.

“I’m going to get you clothes,” I said, turning on my phone. “Don’t open the door. Not for anyone.”

“Hey, wait a second—” Claira’s voice followed me to the door, but I didn’t stop. I needed to get somewhere my head could clear. Throwing the wedge back, I closed the door, not even caring I didn’t have a key to get back in.

One look at Claira’s body, and I couldn’t think. I wasn’t built for carefree flirting and smiles. My body had been trained to react, and I needed to get out, to get away, before the impulses had me doing something I would regret.

My hand shook as I scrolled through the contacts in my phone. When I landed on the right number, I held the phone to my ear and waited. The line picked up before it even rang.

“Sir?”

I blew out a slow breath, composing myself. “Putting in a request for a delivery. Female clothes, warm, for travel. Have them sent up to my room.”

Soft keyboard clicks tapped in my ear until the voice on the line continued, “And what size pants, shirt, and undergarments will we be sending up, sir?”

Instantly, Claira stood naked in my mind. I cleared my throat, shifting on my feet. “Small… a-and curved.”

The soft tapping abruptly stopped. “Small… andcurved,” the receptionist drawled, and I ground my teeth, feeling foolish.

“If that is all, sir, someone will be there to drop off your request within the hour. Glory to the Queen.”

I nodded absently, my throat scratching as I repeated, “Glory to the Queen.”

The line went silent, and I dropped my phone, noticing then that I was still dressed in what I’d worn to the fitness center. “Alhey.” The gray sweatpants were revealing exactly how foolish my thoughts had been, and I wondered if Claira had noticed.

After adjusting myself in vain, I set my back against the wall next to my door and tried not to think about how I’d abandoned Claira on the other side of it.

Then my phone buzzed, reminding me who the hall I was standing in belonged to. My eyes glazed as I read the text message I knew would be coming.

Lynn: It’s about time. You’ve kept me waiting.

A second message came, and as I scanned it, my jaw set.

Lynn: I trust you won’t leave any messes behind for me to clean up when you take her.

I turned my phone off and leaned my head against the wall.

It was all hers. Every room, every staff member, every personal spy hidden in the corridors. Even the kitchen where I’d distracted myself by cooking meals for everyone so that I might forget that I belonged to her as well.

8

Claira

Icouldn’t believe Barren carried me back to his room just to leave me here all alone. My heart had raced as I’d watched him leave. Even more than it had when Laverne was snapping at my heels, though I didn’t blame her. If I’d found someone I hated spooning with my best friend, I wouldn’t be happy either.

But then Barren had appeared, carried me away from the madness, and practically ran from me. And for at least ten minutes, I stood exactly where he’d placed me, staring at the door, waiting to see if he would change his mind and run back.

Honestly, it was thoughtful of him to get me clothes. I needed them. So why was I so disappointed he hadn’t burst back into the room?Sigh.

“Because you’re a pervert now,” I mumbled to myself as I rounded the bed, heading for Barren’s bathroom. Maybe there would be a towel in there I could cover up with until he returned with some real clothes.

I might have been a pervert, but was it really my fault when these mermen kept touching me, hoisting me up and carrying me around like it wasn’t a big deal at all? And after being tucked close to Kai for the last few hours, my body was welcoming the contact. Heck, it was practicallyexpectingit. Which wasn’t fair to Barren at all.

Leaving a hotel room naked after being chased out by a sea lion? Yeah, that wasn’t how I’d imagined my morning going. But again, Barren had saved me, dropping me off in his room and staring down at me with those dark, lustful eyes as he brushed his hand along my neck. And then he’d left me. Nowthatwasn’t fair.

Pushing the memory away, I stormed into the bathroom. Two rolled towels sat up on a little shelf next to the vanity. I grabbed the top one, snapping it open and folding myself inside it. Then I tucked the end of the towel into my cleavage, completing the look.Beautiful, I thought with a roll of my eyes.

I still didn’t know why Barren hadn’t offered me one of his shirts. He was so large, they’d probably reach past my knees. But everything in his room was so orderly, so maybe he was just as particular with his shirts? That made sense. I wasn’t exactly keeping up with my clothes these days.

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