Free Wet and Wilde by Tawny Taylor

was near, she could fully appreciate the smooth stone walls, pillars and mermaid carved into the door.
    As she stepped inside, she felt as if she’d traveled to the bottom of the sea. Just like his restaurant, blues and greens decorated his house. The tile floor shimmered, one-inch square glass tiles in deep blue and aqua. The walls were adorned in two-story tall murals of sea life, and the lighting was muted, soft and reflective, sending sparkles off the tiles and crystal chandelier overhead. “Wow,” was all she could manage. Her throat closed tight as an oyster shell.
    “I enjoy the sea.” He led her up the sweeping stairs to the balcony above.
    “I’d never guess.”
    “It reminds me of home.”
    “If this place reminds you of home, then I want to get my ass to Sydney tomorrow.” Or run like hell. Where is Sydney? At the bottom of the sea?
    “I can arrange that. My treat.”
    Taken by surprise, she looked at him. He couldn’t mean that, could he? His treat? He was as serious as death. “I was kidding.”
    “I’m not.”
    Well, what does one say to an invitation like that? It made her insides a little squirmy. Warm and happy, but uneasy too. “We can talk about it later, I guess.”
    She followed him down a hallway, feeling like her feet were sinking into the sandy-colored plush carpet. She half-expected to hear seagulls and waves crashing.
    He stopped at the end of the corridor, before a paneled door. “Before we go in here, there’s something I should tell you.”
    Here it comes! I knew he was too good to be true. She braced herself for an unpleasant surprise.

Chapter 8
    Fear and arousal are nearly physiologically identical. Both produce dilated pupils, rapid heart rate and wobbly knees.
     
    Josh hesitated at the door, knowing he was about to shove gentle, bright and funny Jane into a foreign world. He wanted to savor every moment. There was nothing as erotic as introducing a new partner to his world. He had the unmistakable feeling this would be the last time he’d be doing that.
    He sighed at the thought, gripped the doorknob and gave it a twist. “I have some unusual furnishings in this room, and I didn’t want you to be shocked.”
    “Unusual? Like how?” She sounded a little nervous, not that he could blame her. He had read every one of her thoughts. Her fears of the sea ran deep and wouldn’t be easily conquered. Those weren’t the only fears he sensed. Still, he also saw the longing she tried to hide even from herself. The wish for things new and exciting. The hope for love. The need for a challenge. She would appreciate what he was about to do in no time.
    His pants grew a little snugger at the picture of her showing her gratitude, in a most sincere way… “Um, like I was saying, I have some unusual furniture. Think of it as my playground.”
    “Sounds…interesting.”
    He opened the door, not surprised by the gasp he heard to his left. He caught her wrist before she made it more than a couple steps back down the hallway.
    “Are you a nut? My God! I should have known. I’ve been telling myself you were too good to be true all along, but this…!” She stabbed her finger in the general vicinity of the room. “This is too much. I’m outta here.”
    “Please. Stop. Listen.” He forced himself not to use his power over her mind. He hadn’t needed it all evening, and for some reason, that made a difference to him. She was there of her own free will. “It’s not as bad as it looks.”
    “Sure, buddy. And what might I find in there?” She pointed at the floor to ceiling aquarium. “Are those sharks? In your bedroom.”
    “Maybe, but they can’t hurt you. The tank is completely water tight—”
    “Sharks aren’t sexy. They’re ugly, and scary, and mean. Shit!” She yanked harder. “I should have listened to my own reservations. What is with you and the ocean? The murals on the wall and ceiling look so…real!” She wrung her hands. “Heck, if not for the bed, I’d