Page 170 of In Rising Tides

“Let me get Jordania,” Maelys said. “She’ll be able to shift you back.”

Lyra nodded, but didn’t take her attention off Wilder.

He could finally breathe. Each breath filled his lungs and filled him with the relief he had been absent of without her next to him.

Maelys tromped through the water with Ridge at her side, giving Wilder and Lyra a moment alone.

Wilder pulled her closer to his chest, and she shimmied her tail to get closer.He grazed a hand down her tail and marveled. He had never seen a mermaid tail before.

The color was enchanting as it shifted with her movement. Each scale felt thin but strong.

“You’re ethereal,” he whispered.

Lyra trembled, and a smile curled her lips. “It’s sensitive.”

She reached out, lightly grazing the space between his brows. “This is new.”

He chuckled. “Sorrow will do that to a person.”

Wilder leaned forward and pressed his forehead to hers.

She sighed, and he swallowed the air from her lips.

“Can I kiss you?” he whispered.

Lyra’s green eyes flared with delight. “I thought you’d never ask.”

Wilder palmed the back of her head. Her hair was heavy and covered with sand as he wedged his fingers between the thick curls and angled her lips to his.

He didn’t hesitate as he closed his eyes and pressed his lips to hers.

His heart had been lost to the sea before, but now—it was beating strong in his chest.

Lyra sighed as their lips met.

His fervor grew. An insatiable need took over his mind.

Wilder was going to devour her.

His tongue slipped into her mouth and flicked.

Lyra moaned, turning his insides molten.

Desire was a ravaging beast as it clawed out of his chest, breaking his ribs to escape. Need pooled in his lower stomach, and he hardened to the point of pain as his dick strained against the fabric of his pants.

Lyra’s tongue grazed his, and they quickened their pace. Her talons pierced the flesh of his back, but the pain didn’t register.

Her.

All he knew was her.

Her taste, her breath, her smell.

She was all of him. And he was hers.

He pulled back briefly, and her lashes fluttered against her cheek as she opened her eyes.

“I love you,” he said.