Page 87 of Ensnaring the Siren

“You don’t think I’m a monster?” she fingerspelled slowly, hoping he’d learned that much. Otherwise, they were going to have to surface for this conversation.

There was a glimmer of excitement in his scent, not because of what she’d said, but because he seemed to understand it. A lot of pausing and halting signing followed, but letter by letter he eventually replied, “I don’t. Stay and read?”

She cocked her head to the right, curious. “Go on.”

Dropping his hands, he withdrew something from the pouch strapped to his waist. The notebook. She watched as he flipped open to a page, fingers trembling. Carefully, she took it from him, smoothing a clawed hand over its waxy, water-resistant surface. Several pages were filled with his words.

Starfish,

You are the bravest, most selfless person I know. And by far, the most honorable. I asked for honesty, and you gave it, even though your history must have been painful and terrifying to share. It was hard to hear, I’ll admit, but I never should have run from you, which I see now was probably the worst thing I could’ve done.

But I didn’t run for the reasons you may think.

I needed some space to process, but not whether I felt unsafe around you. I don’t fear your strength, I cherish it. The truth is, Nireed, I admire you, and want you, a terrifying amount. You fight to make a better, safer world each day. You’re a protector. And I love that about you.

I’m so sorry for hurting you by letting you think otherwise.

I know we haven’t known each other long, but there’s not a night that goes by that I don’t fall asleep to the thought of you. Not a morning either that I don’t wake up wondering when I’ll see you next. The days you stayed with me are my greatest treasure. I’ve replayed those memories over and over, cherishing every single one.

Staring up at the stars together. Watching you climb a mountain and ask to be flicked with bottled water because, of course you did. You’re as fucking adorable as you are a terrifying wonder. It’s the most mind-boggling combination, but it works for you, sweetheart.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t also say that I think about tucking you inside my boat, in my bed…or spreading you across the seat of my bike…

A taste, that’s all we’ve had, but I want the whole feast.

You’ve already gone great lengths to be with me. Now, this is me showing that I can come to you too. That I want to make this work. That I’m willing to fight for—and protect—us.

I want there to be an “us” if you’ll have me.

Yours always,

Reid

By the time Nireed finished reading, her hands were trembling. This was how Reid saw her. Not as a monster, but as a hero, and he wanted her so bad it scared him. She’d been so afraid that what they’d shared in their few blissful days together meant more to her than it did to him, but this didn’t sound like that at all.

Flipping back to the first pages, she began rereading, wanting to soak in every one of his words, when there was a light tap on her shoulder. She paused, looking up into the deep, dark abyss of Reid’s eyes, her chest constricting at the grief she saw there.

“I don’t want to lose you,” he spelled out with his hands, a yawning ache stretching between them. He wanted to touch her—she could sense that—but he didn’t dare.

Closing the notebook and tucking it safely inside the pouch he’d carried it in, she drew near, her luminescence soft as she cupped the nape of his neck, bringing her forehead to his. This was the version of Reid she wanted, the version that was worth fighting for, even when they argued. He didn’t need to be perfect—she’d never expect that of him—but she needed him to try, and as long as he was trying, she’d have him, flaws and all.

“You won’t,” Nireed mouthed, as she signed one-handed. “But if you run again, I’ll chase you.”

Tension whooshed out of him, relief blooming in the water as his hands encircled her waist. He bumped his forehead to hers, nodding, a wordless promise. She kissed one cheek, then the other, all while lifting a hand to his mouthpiece. He gave another little nod, and she eased it from his mouth, claiming his lips for herself in a slow, drugging kiss.

There was a hunger in her heart. An ancient call pulsing through her veins.

Kraken Goddess, she wanted this man.

Lore warned sailors about kisses from sirens, a lovely but deadly temptation, and it was true. So many had been lured to their doom by her kind, only enjoying a few moments of bliss before the end. And right now, she held Reid’s life in her hands, the very air he breathed.

Every press and pull from his mouth stoked a craving she needed to sate, the scales covering her needy flesh parting. His fingers bunched at her sides as he softly exhaled his last breath. A precious gift, given seventy feet beneath the surface.

For all that she would’ve loved to get lost in the heat of his mouth, she gave back his breathing apparatus. This wasn’t an ending to their story, but a new beginning, and her greedy, hungry siren heart had room for forgiveness and affection too. She held him in place as he sucked in air, bubbles erupting between them on his exhale.

In and out. In and out.

When the water cleared, he threaded his fingers through her hair, his pupils blown wide, want hanging heavy between them.

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