How was I supposed to know the lake had a guardian?

And that he had gills, grudges, and plans for me?

I came to Driftwood Bay to teach glitter-fueled swim lessons, not awaken something ancient under the water.

Definitely not crash into Ryder Quinn—grump in a wetsuit, silver-eyed menace, and very much not human.

He watches me like I’m a problem he’s already decided how to solve.

Follows me into the woods. Pulls me from the lake like I belong to it.

Like I belong to him.

I don’t believe in soul bonds.

He doesn’t believe in accidents.

But something’s waking beneath this shoreline — and I think it...

How was I supposed to know the lake had a guardian?

And that he had gills, grudges, and plans for me?

I came to Driftwood Bay to teach glitter-fueled swim lessons, not awaken something ancient under the water.

Definitely not crash into Ryder Quinn—grump in a wetsuit, silver-eyed menace, and very much not human.

He watches me like I’m a problem he’s already decided how to solve.

Follows me into the woods. Pulls me from the lake like I belong to it.

Like I belong to him.

I don’t believe in soul bonds.

He doesn’t believe in accidents.

But something’s waking beneath this shoreline — and I think it knows our names.

Because this lake answers to him — and soon, so will I.

Read on for: merman obsession, grumpy-sunshine tension, lakeside magic, cursed rifts, soft swim chaos, and a heroine who might be fated to destroy—or save—it all. HEA guaranteed.