Everlost by Brenda Pandos

her body against the wall, trapping her hands above her head. “Don’t insult my restraint.”
    Tatiana’s pulse leapt in her throat. She could see in his eyes he wanted her, that he just needed an excuse to call off his duties for the day. Her hips swirled again in the mating dance.
    “But I want you,” she whispered.
    His chest heaved, his face conflicted, before he succumbed to her. Hungrily, he pressed his lips to hers, pressing his taut body against her. She wriggled her hands free and wrapped them around his neck and up into his hair. He gave in to his wants, deepening the kiss further.
    “I do… want you, Tatiana,” he said in her ear, the water whooshing from his lips, forced and warm. “I just need my men to trust me, that’s all. Cooperate with Jacob until this is all over and then I’ll make it up to you. Can you do that for me?”
    She closed her eyes, her head spinning, and pushed down her selfish desires. “Barbados?”
    He laughed, playfully. “We’ll see.”
    “Fine, I guess so. But you’re mine tonight. Promise me that.”
    “Yes, of course.” He finished with a quick kiss on her forehead and turned to leave.
    But given a tiny morsel when she’d been starved of his affection, she couldn’t let him go just yet. She caught his hand and pulled him back to her like a rubber band. Her mouth pressed eagerly to his as her hands moved to run down his chest and to find the top of his manskirt. Fumbling to unbutton the top, she wove her tail around his. His eyes opened wide in shock.
    He yanked his head back and pushed her off with his hands. “Ta—Tatiana, what are you doing?”
    She pressed an impish smile on her lips. “Just an appetizer of what’s to come later.”
    Azor’s head whipped around to the door. A silver fin with a missing fluke flashed past the cracked doorway. He turned to Tatiana and scowled, like they’d done something naughty.
    “Don’t do that in public. It’s not proper,” Azor scolded as he left the room.
    Confused and still turned on, Tatiana blinked, trying to process what had happened.
    Public? What—?
    “We’re in our own house,” she called back. And serves Xirene right to get an eyeful, the little snoop.
    But Azor didn’t return.
    “Azor?” Tatiana called, “I’m not done talking to you.”
    As she entered the hall, Jacob slid over, blocking her path to the porthole.
    Her cheeks flared, knowing he’d been in the hall this entire time. “Where’d he go?”
    “Princess.” Jacob bowed in a heavy nod.
    “I don’t want your sympathy, Jacob,” she said with a scowl. “And why are you here anyway? Pretending to care about Azor’s cause? So much so you’re protecting his mate?”
    “I’m here just as you are. Pretending.” He cocked his head, challenging her.
    “Pretending? I’m promised to—”
    “And that means you let your feelings, however wrong they may be, overrule what is right? That’s not the girl Jack bragged about,” Jacob interrupted.
    Tatiana flexed her fin. “What is that supposed to mean?”
    “If your father were here right now, would he be proud of your choices? Would he say well done for begging the attention of the one who stole your kiss and mistreats your people?”
    Her hand flew to her mouth. “You have some nerve, traitor.”
    “Traitor.” He chuckled and shook his head. “I guess the promise does brainwash a mermaid. I’d hoped, for Jack’s sake, you’d feel differently.”
    Unwilling to take any more of his insults, Tatiana swam up into Jacob’s face, grabbing ahold of his chest plate. “You have no right to judge me, Jacob. You have no idea what I’m going through right now. This wasn’t my choice and if my father didn’t—”
    Jacob thrust his jaw upward. “You’re father came to your rescue. Don’t blame him for standing up for your rights.”
    Her lip quivered, her insides exploding in heat and anger. She withheld swiping her nail across his cheek and instead pointed at his face. “You may