Page 18 of The Scent of Salt & Sand

“Everything okay?” Concern wrinkled Dean’s brow.

“Yeah, it’s just late,” she lied. “I have to wake up early for work.”

“Right. I forget most people’s nights aren’t their days.” His shoulders slumped with the realization. “Should I call you a cab?”

“I can walk.” She pushed herself away from the table and stood, collecting her jacket from the back of the chair. “I’m only a couple blocks away, at the Fairmont in Ghirardelli Square.”

“Whoa, you must be very successful at Siren Tours to have a residence over there.” Dean rounded the table and assisted her while she slipped her arms into the coat’s sleeves.

Melody couldn’t tell if she was warm because of the added layer, or because of how close Dean’s body was to hers. “Harmony worked out a deal with the manager. It’s practically free.”

Dean pushed in her chair and offered her his arm. “Those are some negotiating skills I wish I had.”

“I guess you could say it runs in the family.” Melody forced a chuckle, and looped her arm through his.

The sun had been gone for hours, leaving the breeze to cool in its absence. It whipped around them as they strolled down Jefferson Street headed toward the glorious point where water touched land.

Dean stiffened as she pulled him closer to shore.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, slipping off her shoes.

He shrugged. “It’s cold.”

“I’d rather be cold in the water than out.” Already having spent too much of the day on dry earth, she charged into the frothy waves, welcoming them as they lapped against her shins. The temptation to give in and allow her ivory skin to morph into its True Form was almost overwhelming. She dug her toes into the sand and clenched her jaw tight as she stared out at the vast black.

“What song is the ocean playing tonight?”

She hadn’t heard him splash up next to her, but she welcomed the gentle tide of relaxation he provided. Sinking into the sand, she closed her eyes and let her body feel the music of the abyss. “It’s darker, deeper now, the tone of the waves. It’s because of the predators. They’re hunting and they carry a bass that will shake your bones if you get too close.” She opened her eyes, a quiet smile lifting her lips.

Dean stared at her with gentle curiosity. “I like you. A lot. You’re so…free.” He paused. “I think this is the best date I’ve ever been on.”

Melody shook her head. “It can’t be. We basically fled Alcatraz and dinner, and the bottoms of your pants are soaked.”

“Yours are too.” He stepped closer to her.

She lifted her foot out of the water and studied her jeans in the glow of the streetlamp. Deep blue reached up from the cuffs, licking just below the knee. Under her foot, the sand shifted as he inched closer.

“But I’ve been on a lot of first dates.” His nose wrinkled. “That sounds wrong. I’m not a serial dater. I’ve been on a normal number of first dates, and this one tops all of those. The rest of them don’t even come close, really.”

She looked up at him. “You’re not joking? Or lying. There are so many lies in this world.”

“I won’t lie to you.” His fingers floated across her forehead, brushing loose strands of copper from in front of her eyes. “That’s something my Nana taught me never to do. You’ll have to meet her someday.”

“Meet Nana?” Excitement raised her onto the balls of her feet. “You would want to take me to meet your Nana?”

“I didn’t say that too soon, did I?”

“I just never thought any man would say anything like that to me.” The words left her lips as soft whispers.

“Any man should be honored to have you meet his family. I know I will be—or at least I hope I’ll get the chance to be. Say you’ll see me again, Melody.” His voice deepened and he stepped even closer.

And there were those steel-blue eyes again. On her. Consuming her. Melting away each ugly truth she’d been taught about men. Dean was smart and sweet. He was also brave and strong. He had to be. He was a police officer. From what she remembered from her lessons, police officers were viewed as heroes in the Mortal Realm. Maybe being a human hero made him different from other men.

Dean lifted his hands, gently cupping her face, and Melody stopped breathing as he bent and covered her mouth with his.

The taste of him surprised her. There was wine on his breath as it mingled with hers, but there was something else, something mysterious and alluring. He captivated her, filling her world with his kiss. At first he was gentle. His lips brushed hers and she felt him smile as he murmured, “Your lips are so soft I could kiss you all night.”

She opened her mouth to say something, anything, and he claimed her, deepening their kiss so that his tongue began to tease hers.