When her boyfriend calls it off at the last minute, Miranda takes their intended lovers cruise alone. The pain of other couples hurt deeply, but the ocean holds the answer to a broken heart. Only the railing stands between Miranda and what could be.

Atlantis elders long ago protected the city from the force of human emotion, but Reef can’t resist exploring forbidden territory. Captivated by the shapely beauty at the railing, his longing becomes a powerful force that leads to risk.

Dragged backwards, flipped onto her back and released, Miranda gaped at the colorful being. The man’s effortless floating assured her his water agility equaled a graceful athlete on land. Her gaze drifted down to bare muscled chest and powerful arms. If they met on the ship and his color normal, it might be a different story. Here in the water with bluish skin, he unsettled her every nerve. She narrowed her eyes and realized her vision from the railing now floated mere feet from her.

Her gaze settled on his face and she swallowed hard at his handsomeness. His raised eyebrow earned her shiver. “I’m not dreaming, am I?” At his headshake, she dug her arms deep beneath the liquid surface and pushed against the water. She drifted back another foot and squinted to peer below the surface for a moment. The slow smirk on his face filled her belly with butterflies. “You’re a… merman. Oh my...”

Amused, Reef folded his arms over his chest. “Atlantian.”

“Um, no, not possible. Atlantians were highly intelligent bipedal people.” Miranda lifted her chin when a wave from her treading splashed her face. Kept afloat by her waving arms and kicking legs, she continued her struggle and backed away. “Your white hair and sea green eyes are normal, but you have a green tail, your skin is blue, Atlantis sank and its inhabitants are rumored legendary myth.”

“Interesting.” His chuckle warm as his gaze tracked her several more yards, he tilted his head and noted her dress hinder her movement. “Atlantis sank in appearance. The manipulation of time and space is a benefit my people have enjoyed for several millenniums and we can shift into any water creature desired.”

Her chin dipped in the water. She kicked harder. Her hope of escape in her ability to distract, she sought to keep him talking. “What do you mean?”

His every muscle tense in preparation to snatch her from the ocean’s death grip, Reef spread his arms over the surface. “We’ll talk all you want if you let me work for both of us.” He extended his arm. “Give me your hand.”