by Starla Night
The warm water rushed over her in a soothing, relaxing massage. But his thick guns flexed as he held her in a way that made her crave danger.
“I wouldn’t call it ‘safe,’” she teased.
He stopped mid-way across the pool, worry darkening his dominant brow. “You feel danger?”
“Only for my vow of chastity.”
“You have sworn a vow of chastity?”
Their chests touched. Her breasts brushed against his pectorals. Her nipples tightened.
An answering tightness clenched her channel.
She sucked in a breath. “No.”
“I do not understand.”
“A most decided no. I was teasing you, Xalu. But if I’m honest…” She spread her fingers across his broad pectorals and squeezed. Iron. He rumbled low in his chest. She explored the tight abdomen, his taut belly button, and skirted the flat edge of his Speedos. “…I’d like to tease you in a different way.”
His chest rose and fell. His dark brows dominated his face. “You wish for pleasure.”
“A little.” She grazed his ear and nibbled on the rough jaw.
He captured her lips, dominating her mouth with his tongue. Her pussy throbbed and her channel turned wet and slippery anticipating his possession. She cupped the Speedo containing his erect cock.
He pulled back. A new expression charged his determination. “You do want me.”
She licked a drop of moisture from his pectoral. “Could I make it any more clear?”
“Then, my bride, you will receive me.”
He disappeared beneath the water. His hands caressed her thighs, her calves, her feet, and then cupped her buttocks.
Her cheeks tingled.
He kneaded her buttocks. The tingles coalesced into heat waves assaulting her with hunger for more. His fingers hooked the bowties of her tankini bottoms.
The Loser hadn’t been able to see it but Sydney was desirable. Not only for marriage but for having children, for building a life. And for delicious, hot sex.
Xalu worshiped her.
She rested her elbows on the smooth tile and opened to him.
He pulled the strings, releasing her bottoms. Warm liquid caressed her nethers. It felt exhilarating, freeing.
She sucked in a deep breath.
He rested the backs of her thighs on his ripcord-strong shoulders.
Pool waves obscured her view but what she saw drove her desire hotter.
Xalu’s wavery, dark head bobbed near her slick femininity. His lips touched hers. A hot, sweet kiss.
Pleasure shot to her core. Her pussy throbbed with heat.
He was what she’d wanted. What she’d craved. She surrendered herself to Xalu.
His mouth latched onto her bud and sucked. Waves of sweet, hot aches filled her belly. She bit her lip to muffle her satisfied moans.
He kneaded her buttocks, caressing her on two fronts. Dividing and conquering. Her heart thudded faster. Pleasure waves crested higher.
Xalu pleasured her with single-minded focus. Her orgasm was his prey and he hunted it ferociously.
He slid a finger into her channel and stroked her needy center.
Her pussy clenched on his finger. Her orgasm rippled across her body like a bomb thrown into a pond. She bucked and released.
It felt amazing.
A sudden, uncontrollable wave of tears burned the back of her eyes. She sniffed and wiped her eyes. Tender feelings gushed out.
She’d thought she’d never feel this closeness with another male. She’d thought she’d always be alone. She’d thought she’d wasted all of her time and youth and energy, and she’d end up a bitter, hollow shell preserved in alcohol.
Xalu had changed her.
He lifted his head, still under water, and looked up to meet her gaze. Two people from two different worlds, their gazes united and fractured and united once more.
The outlines of his feet were longer and wider, shifted into the scuba diver style of mer fins. Someday soon she would be able to shift like that as well.
He surfaced. Water cascaded off his gorgeous, dark hair and sharp features. His gaze nailed her. “You are mine.”
Wordlessly, she nodded and swallowed.
“We go tomorrow to the beach. You will drink the elixir.”
Everything would change.
A pang of fear wormed coldness into her heart.
She glanced down in the water. “Where are my bottoms?”
“Do not fear.” He focused on her unvoiced doubt. “I will protect you until you are fully transformed.”
“I know. Hey, where did my bottoms end up at?”
He collected the submerged swim bottoms and handed her the fabric. “You resist.”
“No, I’m thrilled about it. I was just thinking I can’t wait to transform.”
“But?”
“It’s complicated.” She focused on tying the knots at her waist. “I still haven’t told Jen.”
His silence seemed to get more intent.
“I will,” she promised, for the umpteenth time. Her fingers fumbled the second knot. She started over, tightening the fabric to modesty. “I need to approach it the right way.”
“Why?”
“Because she’s my friend, and—”
“Why do you delay in conveying this information?”
“I told you, it’s—”
“Do you not wish to become my bride?”
“I do. I do, it’s just…” She swallowed, hurt, but unable to dismiss him. “This vacation wasn’t the only time I was a jerk. No, I was a jerk to Jen over her whole engagement.”
He waited for her explanation.
“I was bitter,” she confessed. “So bitter. Jen met this guy, and they got engaged right away. I was still waiting on a loser who’d hinted at marriage a decade ago. It wasn’t her fault, but I couldn’t stand to see her happy for something I wanted so badly, so intensely, I could barely breathe. I’d waited a decade! And she had it handed to her after a few weeks.”
“She is not married now,” he intoned.
“I know, and if I’d been there like a good friend, she might have not-married him a lot sooner — on her terms. My withdrawal basically drove them together.”
“Now you intend to drive her to Dosan.”
“I’m really, really trying not to.”
“You dislike Dosan?”
“My worst nightmare is causing her more trauma.” She wiped splashes off her cheeks. “I want her to marry Dosan because then we can double date, share childcare, you name it. But I need to focus on what Jen wants. Not what I want.”
“You must live your life, Sydney. You must prioritize us.”
Bitter anger flared.
“That’s so easy for you to say, isn’t it?” She stomped up the ladder and wrapped her towel around her body. “You have no idea what it’s like when dreams die. How easy it is to give up on everything. Become fat, miserable, and hate humanity. You don’t know. But I know.”
“I do know.”
She paused. “You do?”
“All warriors of the city compete for the honor to surface and meet their brides. After many years of waiting, finally, it was my time. I surfaced. My bride was not there. She had not come. I despaired. This meant I would never have a bride.”
“You have me,” she said softly.
“The fact that I am speaking to you now is a miracle.” He stood in the middle of the pool, half in and half out of the water. Solemn. “The rules of the city changed at the end of a war. My Life Tree flower bloomed a second time. Once more, I journeyed to the surface and found ‘my’ bride had already joined with another. Once more, I despaired.
“But you, my Sydney, you are my miracle. My final chance. My true bride. And my grief at not finding you earlier is more tolerable.
“Those early nights were dark, painful. Believing I, alone, would never find a bride.”
She left her towel on the lounge chair and descended into the water. His gaze followed her
. She hugged him, stroking his taut shoulders and caressing his back. “I’m sorry.”
“I am not. Because we are here.” He stroked her downy hair. “You are my bride.”
“I’ll tell Jen tomorrow,” she promised. “I mean it this time. And then we can go and drink the elixir and move to your city for the official wedding and we’ll be together forever. I promise.”
The worry lines etched into his mouth and eyes smoothed. “Thank you, my Sydney.”
“Yeah. Hey, you can say my name right!”
“Sid-nee.”
“Never mind.”
He looked confused but let it go.
And then she slept separately because Jen was the early riser. Penance! If she’d only told Jen about her new relationship already, then she and Xalu could laze in bed until the afternoon. And wouldn’t that be nice?
So it was a shock when Sydney got up early, determined to tell Jen the truth, and headed into the kitchen and found it … empty.
She sat at the kitchen table and rested her Sea Opal in the center. Brilliant. Beautiful.
The emptiness allowed her to reflect.
On Xalu.
On Jen.
On herself.
All of Jen’s phone calls she’d refused, girls’ nights she’d blown off, and other ways she’d disconnected with Jen during her long engagement to Gary. Xalu had once been devastated by losing what he thought was his chance at love. Now, Jen was heartbroken and it was Sydney’s fault. She—
Jen wandered into kitchen yawning. “You’re up early. Did you start coffee?”
Sydney yanked the gemstone off the table and hid it in her pocket. “Huh? Oh. Sure.” She filled the kettle and then the French press. Her heart raced as if she’d already drunk ten pots. “So, uh, did you make your checklist yet?”
“Argh. No.” She rested her head in her hands. “I’m so over men.”
“Good thing Dosan’s not a ‘man,’” she joked, jittery.
“Males.” Her lips twisted and she sighed. “How can I focus on judging his words or his character if he’s walking around like a sex advertisement? It should be illegal to be that hot.”
“Then, uh, let’s go shopping.”
Jen lifted her head. “Shopping?”
Yes! There was nothing Jen loved more than taking care of her loved ones. “You’re right. He can’t prance around in a Speedo all day. Let’s go. Right now.”
“Now? But the coffee—”
“It’ll be here when we get back.” She took a deep breath and let it out. “I’ve got something to tell you.”
That clearly intrigued Jen enough that they borrowed Ian’s rental car and parked on the main drag for clothes shopping therapy.
And then she lost her nerve.
There was never the right time. She opened her mouth and Jen saw some adorable shirt in a shop so they stopped in. Then she was going to say something and the sales clerk interrupted them. And then a British tourist asked for directions. Jen didn’t like to be interrupted when she was driving. And when they got back to the rental, the warriors were pacing outside the house, their tattoos and tridents visible from the street.
Jen drove through the electronic gate, which closed behind her, and parked the Fiesta. They both exited.
“Where did you go?” Xalu demanded of Sydney.
She stroked his forearm, forcing herself not to hug him or draw him into a sensuous welcome kiss. Distract! Distract. “Wait until you see what I bought you! You’re going to flip.”
“Flip? Why would I perform a flip?”
“Oh, you’ll see. Here.” She opened the shopping bags and lofted shirts against his chest
“Human clothing?”
Beside them, Dosan drew a resisting Jen into his arms. “I must protect you. Never leave my side.”
“I got you clothes,” she said, breathless. “So you can go out in public.”
“I do not need these things if it puts you in danger.”
It was a romantic sentiment, but it came at the wrong time.
Jen hardened.
And then they fought. Quietly but distinctly.
“I’m sorry trying to do something nice for you turned into an issue,” Jen snapped. “I’ll let you go nude next time.”
Dosan tried to appease her with them being soul mates, but she wouldn’t have that, either.
“I refuse to rush into a rebound relationship,” she insisted, catching her breath on a sob. “And we will never be happy if you don’t appreciate who I am and respect my needs.”
“Jen.”
“Now, I got you some clothes. Here.” She thumped the bag at him and raced away.
He stormed after her, the bags forgotten.
Sydney picked them up with a sigh.
“You did not tell her,” Xalu realized softly.
“I will.” But the words were beginning to sound hollow even in her own mouth. She reassured the both of them. “We’ll have a girls’ day. I’ll tell her before we get back.”
Xalu’s mouth formed a thin line.
Ian came out of the rental holding the phone for Sydney. “It’s Milly.”
Sydney dropped Jen’s shopping bags and took the phone. She was making a statement. For Xalu.
For her.
“Hi, Milly? This is Sydney. Xalu proposed, and I accepted. We’re getting married.”
Xalu sharpened on her.
Ian’s eyes widened.
“C-congratulations,” the young mermaid guide stuttered. “Wow. Just like that! I’m so glad.”
“And Dosan’s declared his intentions to Jen, but she’s in a bad place right now and not ready for a relationship.”
“I think I remember something about a broken engagement.”
“Right, so, please keep my engagement to yourselves,” she emphasized, for both Milly and Ian, “until I can tell her myself.”
“Sure,” Milly said.
Ian made the zipped-lips gesture. Which he immediately broke when he patted Xalu. “Sydney’s like my second sister. Take good care of her.”
“She is my future queen,” he replied.
Over the phone, Milly grew pensive. “Is there anything I can share that would help?”
“Not for me right now. Let me see if Jen has any questions.” Sydney whirled through the rental until she found Jen in her bedroom. Whispering, she reminded Milly, “Not a word.”
“Nope.”
She pushed open the door. Jen lay in the center of the honeymoon suite king bed. Empty chocolate wrappers spread around her and little smears marked the sheets.
Jen covered her face. “What do you want?”
“About the mermen.” Sydney sucked in a breath, knew she couldn’t tell Jen right now, and forged ahead. “Milly’s on the phone. She wanted to ask if you have any questions about the ‘cultural differences’ we might have.”
“These are more than cultural differences.”
“I know. So why don’t you talk to her?”
Jen frowned. She didn’t have a huge circle of friends. Expanding to take in the young guide was also out of character for her. And it made Sydney feel even more guilty for pushing Jen away at the critical time.
“And after you chat with Milly, you’ll relax. We’ll do the spa day we promised. Right? Take care of you, treasure you.”
“I could use a little treasuring.” Jen sniffed.
Of course. “You deserve it.”
Jen took the phone. She turned away and her voice muffled as she tentatively revealed things she’d never normally talk about with strangers.
After their conversation, Jen seemed more resolute. They prepared for a spa day. The males were going to the beach for Xalu to acquire Sydney’s elixir; he’d apparently stashed it in a submerged cave and had to retrieve it. He clearly intended to be ready for her the instant she and Jen returned from their spa trip.
No pressure.
Dosan smoldered silently in the front seat. Sydney sat in the middle, pressed between Jen and Xalu.
This whole time, she’d chosen Jen. She was still choosing Jen.
But depending on what happened at the spa, on the way home she was most likely going to be prioritizing Xalu.
Ian let them off at the hotel day spa.
Xalu held her gaze from the depths of the car. “I will be waiting.”
She wanted to kiss him and she did not. There would be a chance to clear up all the misunderstandings later. In private.
Sydney swallowed. “See you tonight.”
His gaze focused on her like a laser of heat.
Tonight would be more than just the confession. She knew, in her heart, that drinking the elixir would be the moment they consummated their love.
Everything would change.
Sydney fingered her empty pocket. She’d left the extremely expensive Sea Opal in her room rather than trust it to a hotel locker. But it made her feel bereft. After she married Xalu, would she still be able to carry it around? Or would she be an old married woman who wouldn’t care?
Funny how she’d focused the last decade on becoming a fiancée and spent none of the time imagining what married life would be like…
Sydney stepped back from the window, honoring his promise, and watched the rental Ford Fiesta sedan disappear.
The day spa was a professional European establishment that knew their Swedish massage from their Thai and their plucking from their shaping. Jen wanted a facial so they ended up on different tracks and her pedicurist was double-booked so Sydney actually finished late. Jen was ahead of her waiting at the restaurant for dinner.
And she’d already gotten into the wine.
Sydney allowed her tightly wound friend to decompress in a way she’d not done this whole vacation. Ian was right. Jen couldn’t relax.
Now, Jen let her crinkly black hair all down.
“Have another glass,” Jen insisted, pushing the bottle on her friend during a break in the conversation.
“I really shouldn’t.” But Sydney poured. “Did you know I was numbing myself with alcohol for like a year?”
“Five years.” Jen’s smile wavered with uncried tears. “I missed you.”
Tears bubbled up in Sydney’s eyes. How could she be so selfish to interrupt Jen’s healing process now? She was going to do it before she got back to the rental — she’d promised herself and Xalu — and knowing that made her guilt triple. “Well, I’m back now. And I’m here to support you. Or at least support your choice of ordering dessert.”
