by C. W. Gray
Ben frowned and leaned down to pick up the puppy. “Poor little girl.”
“I know, right? Hester said Jojo wasn’t meant for you or me, but we need to keep her until she finds her forever person.” Dover blinked sleepily. “We’ll help her find her people.”
Ben smiled. “You have a good heart, Dover.”
His omega snorted. “I’m a selfish twat. At least that’s what Nami would say.”
“Why? You’re the furthest thing from selfish.”
Dover’s expression grew serious. “I miss you when you’re gone to work. I want you to quit work and stay with me all day.”
Ben nuzzled his neck. “I miss you too. Gotta pay the bills, though.”
“Eloise wants me to have a job, so I’ll stay,” Dover said. “She’s worried I’ll get bored.”
Ben’s heart sped up at the thought of Dover leaving. Not happening. “Bored? Are you bored with me?”
Dover rolled his eyes. “That’s impossible. I won’t get bored, Ben. Eloise just worries. It makes her feel better to solve a problem even though there isn’t a problem here.”
Ben breathed a sigh of relief. He didn’t think Dover would appreciate being chased around the world, but Ben would do it if he had to. He was far too attached to the merman.
“Hester told me something at dinner.” Dover sounded so defeated. “She told me that I couldn’t stay here forever.”
“Hester doesn’t know shit. You can stay with me as long as you want.”
Dover’s eyes narrowed. “As long as I want? Promise?”
Ben kissed his forehead even as his stomach clenched in nervousness. He didn’t know what he’d do if Dover left. He loved him. He loved the merman. “I promise.”
“This is why I’m a selfish twat,” Dover said and buried his face against Ben’s neck, practically purring. “I miss Shauna and Nami, but I belong with you. It won’t be easy.”
“Fuck easy,” Ben said and set Jojo back on the floor so he could hug Dover close. It was too early in their relationship for love, but he felt what he felt. “I want you, Dover... any way I can have you.”
He ran a hand through Dover’s hair and tilted his face up for a kiss. Dover moaned and shifted so that he straddled Ben and their cocks pressed together.
Ben’s hands slid down Dover’s back and cupped the omega’s firm, plump ass.
“Your kisses are better than papaya,” Dover said, licking Ben’s bottom lip. He rocked his hips against Ben’s.
Ben slid a finger down the crease in Dover’s ass and tapped his hole. “Dover, can I...”
“Yes, yes, yes, yes,” Dover said, and kissed Ben again. “Now. Right here.”
Ben laughed and stood, Dover’s legs wrapped around his waist. “How about the bed?”
Dover bit his neck, hard. “Hurry.”
Jojo woofed and followed them to the bedroom before leaving them to go lie down with Otis and Chubber in the large dog bed.
Ben fell back on the bed, taking Dover with him. Damn, he loved this man so much. How had it happened so quickly? He had gone his whole life without feeling this, then suddenly, there it was. Like it some kind of fated shit.
Dover kissed his way down Ben’s chest, pausing to nibble on each nipple. Ben stroked his fingers through Dover’s hair, enjoying the wet heat of his omega’s mouth.
A few moments later, Ben groaned and arched his hips when Dover swallowed his cock. “Damn it, I won’t last, Dover.”
He pulled Dover up his body and kissed him again. “Need lube. Hold on.”
Dover growled and reached into the drawer on the nightstand. “I want you in me, Ben.”
Ben twisted and rolled Dover over, grabbing the lube. “Anything for you.”
He took his time exploring Dover’s lean and muscular body, then pushed a lubed finger into Dover’s hole. The omega spread his legs wide and angled his hips up, body writhing on the bed when Ben added two more fingers.
“Ben,” Dover said, hands pulling Ben’s face to his. “I’m gonna bite you, okay?”
Ben moved his body and lined his dick up with Dover’s hole. He was about to find heaven, so Dover could do whatever he wanted to him. “Sure.”
Ben pushed inside Dover at the same moment that tiny sharp teeth bit into his neck. It should have hurt, but fuck, the pleasure was almost too much. Heat flowed from his neck to his dick and he couldn’t stop himself from pounding into Dover’s ass.
Dover’s teeth stayed latched onto Ben’s neck and the merman growled as he moved with Ben. Dover’s fingers dug into his mate’s back, but Ben didn’t care. Ben had never felt anything like this.
Seconds later, Ben came, eyes rolling up as he filled Dover’s ass. He panted for a moment, then moaned when his dick started hardening again. “What the hell?”
Dover growled again and his teeth sent shards of intense pleasure shooting through Ben. “Mine,” he mumbled through his bite.
Ben started moving again, pushing in and pulling out of Dover’s ass as fast as he could. He was desperate for his omega. Moments later, he felt Dover come, splattering his stomach, and found his own release.
It didn’t last long, and Ben started moving again. “Dover.”
Dover’s mouth clamped down again on Ben’s neck. “Mine, mine, mine.”
Ben came three more times before Dover’s teeth released his neck. His body shook and he braced his head against Dover’s shoulder. “Holy shit.”
Dover’s eyes were black and a dreamy smile covered his face as he stroked a hand down Ben’s back. “My Ben. My mate. You’re all mine.”
Ben nuzzled Dover’s neck, confused. He was so tired. It felt like he’d run a thousand marathons and he felt sleep overtaking him. Mate?
Chapter 8
Dover sang along to the radio in the kitchen as he cooked Ben’s omelet. His mate was still sleeping, and Dover wanted to bring him breakfast in bed. Otis and Chubber were on the porch playing in the fountain, and Jojo sat on a pillow next to the refrigerator and howled along to the song. Dover didn’t understand how anyone could not like the adorable puppy.
He finishing cutting the avocado and set the slices next to the tomatoes on the plate. After moving the dishes around on the tray, Dover carried the tray back to the bedroom, bouncing as he walked.
Ben was still sleeping stretched out on his stomach. Dover’s mating heat had pulled a lot out of Ben. Dover giggled at his mental pun and Ben opened his eyes.
“I brought you breakfast,” Dover said, climbing onto the bed. “It’s your favorite kind.”
Ben sat up and rubbed his eyes. “Thanks, love.”
They sat across from each other and started eating. Dover shoveled his food into his mouth as fast as he could. He had never been so hungry.
Ben slid some of his omelet onto Dover’s empty plate and cleared his throat. “So, last night.”
Dover swallowed his bite. “Yeah?”
“That wasn’t normal.” Ben rubbed the side of his neck where Dover’s bite still showed.
Dover smiled smugly. His bite would leave a mating scar and everyone would know Ben was his. “You said I could stay with you forever.”
Ben smiled softly. “Yeah, but that doesn’t explain how I got hard that many times in a row. Is it always like that with merfolk?”
Dover stabbed a tomato, feeling a surge of jealousy. “You’re mine! No thinking about sex with other people.”
Ben snorted. “Dover. Tell me what the hell is going on.”
Dover grabbed the last piece of toast from Ben’s plate. “You’re my mate. All mine.”
Ben’s mouth dropped open. “Why the fuck didn’t I think of that? It explains so much.”
“Eloise says humans are dense about mating,” Dover said, shrugging. “I just didn’t want you to run.” He leaned forward and kissed Ben. “Now you’re stuck with me. Forever.”
Ben started to speak, then shut his mouth and thought a moment. “That should scare me, but the thought of being without you is more frightening
.”
“It’s how it should be,” Dover said, nodding. He hoped he looked like he knew what the hell he was talking about.
“So what do we do now?” Ben asked. “We just keep doing what we’re doing? Do you want a ceremony?”
Dover started to shake his head, then stopped. “Do you want a ceremony?”
Ben flushed and ran a hand over his loose, springy curls. “Yeah. I kinda do want a ceremony. It doesn’t have to be big, but I’d like to celebrate. Fuck, I already have you a wedding present.”
Dover sat up straight. “A present? I love presents.”
Ben laughed. “Stay here a minute and I’ll go get it.” He groaned as he got out of bed and rolled his shoulders. “Damn, I ache. Will sex be like that every time?”
Dover set the breakfast tray on the floor and bounced in place on the bed. “Nope. Just when I’m in heat.”
“You were in heat?” Ben’s eyes widened. All omegas were fertile year-round, but once a year, they went into heat and were extra fertile.
Dover wrinkled his nose. “Don’t look at me like that. It came early this year. Usually I stay home and play with my toys during my heat.”
He hadn’t wanted to get pregnant by accident like his brother Kit had. Pearl was adorable, but Dover didn’t want to be a single parent.
Ben grinned. “Toys? Where are they at?”
Dover laughed. “I didn’t have room in my bag for them and my heat wasn’t supposed to happen for another three months.” He pointed at the door. “Go get my present.”
Ben chuckled, but obeyed.
Dover heard tiny paws and looked over the bed. “Hey, Jojo.”
The puppy grinned at him, tongue hanging from her mouth. Dover picked her up and hugged her.
Ben came back into the room a few minutes later with a large driftwood-framed glass picture. He turned it around and Dover gasped, tears filling his eyes. “That’s my waterfall!”
Small shards of glass in shades varying from white to dark blue were pieced together and smoothed to form his waterfall. Dark blue and green glass and stones formed the plunge pool and more of the creek. Ben had included green and brown foliage at the sides of the creek with colorful flowers dotted here and there. There was even the start of the stone staircase leading to the top of the cliff.
“Is that Chubber’s stone?” Dover laughed. “Oh, there’s Chubber!” Ben had placed Chubber’s stone at the edge of the creek and a small brown glass otter sat on it.
Ben tapped the bottom of the picture. “What do you think of this?”
Dover wiped his eyes. At the bottom of the picture was a flower shaped like Dover’s caudal fin. Within the center was his favorite pearl. “It’s beautiful Ben. That’s my waterfall.”
Ben set the picture down and sat beside Dover, pulling him into his arms. “Maybe one day we can go to the Silver Isles and see it together.”
Dover buried his face against Ben’s shoulder and let the tears fall. He missed home so much. It was more than just a pretty waterfall. It was his sanctuary. He could see Ben and him living there, raising a family, and loving on each other. That would never happen, though.
He swiped his eyes, then looked up. “Ben, I need to tell you something.”
“What’s wrong?” Ben stroked his back.
“My family really doesn’t like humans. Well, my father really doesn’t like humans.”
“He’s one person,” Ben said, voice soothing. “We’ll deal with it.”
Dover groaned. “My father is the king of the Southern Silver Isles. I’m his youngest child.”
Ben’s hand froze and he choked on a cough. “Fuck! You’re a prince?”
Dover sniffled and looked up. His mate looked horrified. “Yeah. My father decided it was time I married, but I had already started hearing the mating call. It led me here to you.”
“He let you leave alone? Don’t princes have to have bodyguards or something like that?” Ben’s eyes darted around the room. “What if someone tries to kidnap and ransom you?”
Dover winced. “I didn’t exactly tell anyone I was leaving. Except for Shauna and Nami of course.”
Ben croaked out another cough. “We should call him, right? To let him know you’re okay. Fuck, he has to be worried.”
“Ben, you’re not hearing me,” Dover said, sighing. “My father doesn’t like humans. He wants me to marry some mer aristocrat. I told my mother about the mating call and she said to ignore it.”
Ben’s eyes narrowed and he growled. His arms tightened around Dover. “You’re mine. They can’t take you away.”
Dover leaned back, sadness filling him. “I know you didn’t ask for this, Ben. Life with you is easy, but if my family gets involved, it will definitely complicate things. I’m sure by now, my father knows I’m missing. We can never go back to the Silver Isles. He may even send people here if he finds me.”
“Fuck.”
Dover took a breath and closed his eyes. “If... if you don’t want to be with me, I’ll let you go.”
Ben tipped his face up and kissed him. “No. We may have just met, but I know you, Dover. You’re smart and beautiful. You make me feel like I’m really alive. Like I have a place in the world.”
Dover’s chest puffed out. His mate liked him.
“You’re also a bit lazy, you snore, and you sing off-key while you cook. Your favorite speed is mosey, and you get excited over everything. You’re territorial and sneaky, but your heart is the kindest I’ve ever seen.”
Dover glared at Ben. “You should have stopped at me being smart and beautiful.”
Ben laughed. “I love it all, Dover. I love you.”
Dover smiled wide, happiness filling him. “Even though I didn’t tell you about my family before mating with you because I’m a selfish twat?”
“Even though you’re a selfish twat who didn’t tell me he’s a prince,” Ben said, chuckling. “I’m selfish too, Dover. I want you with me and I don’t care what anyone else thinks.”
Ben kissed him and Dover melted against him. Damn, his mate tasted good.
Dover leaned back, breaking the kiss. “Don’t distract me. You have today off, so we need to go swimming.”
Ben grunted and fell back on the bed. “Can’t we just sleep in? You broke me last night.”
Dover pulled Ben’s toe. “Nope. You don’t want to be lazy, do you?”
Ben laughed and rolled out of bed. “Okay, okay. I’ll get Otis ready.”
Dover leaned over and picked up the puppy. “Jojo needs swimming lessons too, don’t you baby girl?”
A little while later, he settled a towel and cooler on the sand in front Ben’s house. Dover liked that the ocean was right there. He missed his creek, but this spot wasn’t so bad. Saltwater just had an odd taste to him.
Chubber scampered toward the water. He preferred freshwater too, but he had adapted as well as could be expected. The large freshwater fountain helped.
Ben is worth swimming in salty-tasting water, Dover thought. He cherished their swims. Ben was very capable in the water. For a human.
“Does Jojo really need this?” Ben asked, holding the puppy up. Jojo wore a bright pink puppy lifejacket.
Dover nodded and pulled his sarong off. “Until she gets bigger. Race me!”
Ben laughed and ran after him, Jojo in his arms and Otis following.
Dover called his tail as soon as the water was deep enough and took off with a large splash. He was familiar with the layout of Ben’s beach now, so he knew right where the best kelp beds were and he wanted some more clams.
Splashing at the surface of the water made him look up and he grinned at Otis. The dog was his swimming buddy. Chubber swam circles around the big dog as he paddled after Dover. Ben brought up the rear, somehow managing to swim smoothly while pulling Jojo behind him.
Dover maybe missed his creek, but he had found something so much better.
Chapter 9
One month later
Ben walked down the beach tow
ard the marina with Dover’s hand in his. Chubber babbled at them from Ben’s shoulder. The otter had a fancy seashell and pearl crown around his plump waist. Dover hadn’t seemed all that concerned, so Ben had let Chubber keep it on.
Otis and Jojo ran in front of them, barking at birds and sniffing every bit of driftwood they came across. Ben bent and took a nice-looking piece from Otis and stuck it in the bag on his back. “Good boy.”
“Otis is the best boy,” Dover said, cooing. “I can’t wait to see what’s down there. Do you think I’ll find pirate’s treasure? Maybe it’ll be all shiny and you can put it in your next piece.”
Ben shook his head and smiled. It was too cold for a swim now, at least for Ben, but Dover had found a ship wreck off the coast and was determined to explore it while Ben fished.
“If you find treasure, we should sell it and buy you a truck. It’s getting cooler and you’ll get pneumonia or something riding the Vespa everywhere.”
Dover stuck his tongue out. “No! Velma is my one true love.”
Ben arched a brow. “What am I then?”
Dover shrugged. “My other one true love. I’m a fickle man.”
Ben laughed, then bent to take a stick from Jojo. “Thanks, sweet girl. You’re just like Otis, aren’t you?” The puppy was getting bigger, but she was still very much a puppy.
“Jojo is the bestest girl,” Dover said, then smiled smugly. “Eloise couldn’t believe I passed the driving test. She didn’t want to give up Velma, but she promised.”
“Now, she’ll try to get you to work at the factory,” Ben said with a laugh. He had been surprised Dover had passed too.
Dover shook his head. “Nope. I’m gonna be a treasure hunter. I’ll make us rich.”
Hester stood on her porch as they walked past her house. Her shoulders were wrapped in an old knitted shawl and her face looked grave. A small bag sat at her feet. “Ben, carry my bag. I’m going with you two today.”
Ben shared a look with Dover. He didn’t like the sound of that.
“Do we need to stay home?” Dover asked.
“No,” she said firmly. “This needs to happen, but I want to be there if you need me. I won’t have my scrying bowl, but I know a few tricks.”
