Once in a Blue Moon (Beaux Rêve Coven 1)

“You won’t find a mate better suited to you. We’re both ruled by the tides. Both love the sea.”

She waved a hand. “Mikkel and Elias are mermen. They can live in the freaking sea. And why would I want a mate who loves being on the water? The moment I commit, everything I’ve worked for will be taken from me.”

“What are you talking about?”

Miren scowled. “Would you let me take a trawler out on the open water?”

“Not now. Not with the threat—”

“There have been threats all around us, both natural and supernatural, since we fled to here. I’ve run my own boats for five years. Without incident. Water is my element. Think I can’t conjure a wave or a waterspout if need be? I can take care of myself. But if I commit to a demon, everything, including my will, becomes yours.”

Renner’s answering scowl was every bit as fierce. “I don’t want to rule you.”

“By your nature, you would try.”

“Ethan—”

Her eyebrows shot upward. “Don’t you dare hold him up as an example. Bryn’s getting fat because Ethan won’t let her walk up and down her own stairs.”

“She’s pregnant.”

“Pregnant, not crippled. All I have is a splinter in my foot,” she said, raising her eyebrows to emphasize her point.

Renner glared for a long moment and then glanced toward the sky. The moment his gaze left her, she could breathe again. She pushed against his chest until he bent and set her on her feet.

Renner slowly raised his hands. She shook her head but didn’t step back as he gripped both sides of her hips. With a firm but gentle grip, he brought her close enough she felt the brush of his thickened cock against her belly.

For a moment, she was back on the field, moonlight streaming down while she grew hungrier and hungrier as her hands roamed his hot skin.

Something she hadn’t allowed herself to feel since that night beneath the oak. She’d fought too hard for her independence from rule by any mate. She’d already escaped a betrothal to a mate that would have left her in servitude to

a demon for the rest of her life.

As the moment stretched, as they both swayed closer to each other, she thought perhaps the problem was she hadn’t had any sex since Ethan and Renner’s men had descended on their little bayou hamlet of Bonne Nuit, first to build a bridge and now a new office building. Before, when she’d grown restless and lustful, which wasn’t often, she’d entice a human male to her bed. But while the demons and the witches all shared a roof, inviting a human among men ruled by their primitive animal natures could have deadly consequences.

Miren wished she could be as free with her sexuality as Darcy. Her sister witch had taken several lovers from among the otherkin, enjoying all aspects of joining shy of intercourse. “Mouths and fingers can work just as well,” she’d said with a sly waggle of her eyebrows.

But Miren couldn’t risk it. Not when she craved just one man’s touch. She feared losing control and ending up binding herself to a demon. While it appeared to work well for Bryn, Miren didn’t think she could abide a man powerful enough and stubborn enough to rule her body and her life. Better to remain celibate and frustrated rather than risk the autonomy she’d given up everything—community and wealth—to achieve.

Renner’s mouth hovered over hers, and Goddess, she was tempted. His kiss would be divine. She just knew it. A little whimper escaped her throat and one corner of his mouth began to curl.

Before their mouths touched, he pulled back. “Make a choice, Miren. The men won’t be held off much longer.”

“There are so many of you,” she murmured, narrowing her eyes.

“Many will be disappointed.”

She bit her bottom lip and lifted a shoulder. “Who says we have to choose just one? Maybe there won’t be many disappointed.”

His eyes closed to slits, but he kept silent.

He didn’t believe she’d dare. Miren gave him a slow smile. “Tell you what. Since you won’t let me sail with my own crew, I’ll take you…and the mermen. Think among the three of you—” she dropped her voice to a sultry hum, “—that you can keep me out of trouble?”

His jaw worked side-to-side, and then a smile stretched. “Sweetheart, do you really think you have the stamina to take on three demons?”

Miren blinked and then realized what she’d said. Her jaw dropped. “I was talking about shrimping.”

“Maybe your mouth was, but your eyes were issuing a different kind of challenge.”