Page 2

CHAPTER ONE

FIFTEEN YEARS LATER

KANNON WALKED through the old, run-down house one last time then shut off the lights. He’d buried his dad that morning, and now this chapter of his life was over. After locking the front door, he strolled down the sidewalk that stretched in front of his childhood home. He and his dad had grown apart ever since he developed a fear of the water.

His dad never did understand Kannon’s sudden phobia of the ocean. When he asked about it, Kannon refused to talk about why he felt that way. He had to give the old man credit, though. He’d tried. The fear got worse after he left for college.

Stay away from the ocean.

A hot breeze lifted his hair, not that it did any good. Sweat trickled down his back, distracting him. Jeez, he’d forgotten how hot the South was in the dead of summer. As he hurried to his car, he wished he’d tied his hair back that morning.

Not that he had anyone to impress. He was thirty-three, didn’t do relationships, and had no life to speak of outside of work even though he was well-liked by coworkers. Most of his relationships didn’t last more than six months, and the sex was… well, the earth didn’t move for him or for the other guy.

Stay away from the ocean.

He’d come back to deal with things—there was only him, after all. He never knew his mom, and he had no siblings. Since he was a Realtor, he used his contacts here to show the house, which had finally sold.

He’d taken two weeks off to deal with the closing and cleaning the place out. Now he was done, and he had a week of vacation left. So of course his best friend, Brett, called. They’d roomed all through college together.

Kannon wasn’t shocked to hear Brett was going to marry Brooke. He was surprised to hear they planned to do it that upcoming Saturday. She and Brett had been together for the past ten years. Brett met her not long after he moved to the islands. Brett wanted Kannon to be his best man.

Kannon cussed silently as he drove out the driveway for the last time. Leave it to Brett and his last minute announcements. Once he returned to his hotel, he got on his iPad and checked flights. It was late Sunday afternoon, and the next direct flight left late Monday morning.

That would put him on the island Tuesday. Brett owned Blue Waters Resort, one of the largest resorts in the Seychelles. It was right down the beach from the one he and his dad stayed in when he was eighteen.

So much for staying away from the ocean.

“STILL AS beautiful as I remember.” Kannon stood in the doorway, staring at the dazzling blue water through the windows.

He closed the front door to the sweet little guest bungalow that was his for the next few days and dropped the keys in a chrome bowl sitting on a table by the entrance. Lord, he was tired. He just spent roughly seventeen hours on a plane trying to get here. Crossing to a bank of sliding glass doors, he opened them.

Sun, sea, and sand surrounded him—even if it did freak him out that the ocean was right there . Turning his back on the view, he focused on the living and kitchen areas. They weren’t large, but it didn’t matter since it was just him. Kannon made a quick tour of the place and found the bath and bedroom. Both were cozy with a comfortable feel.

He dropped his suitcases in the bedroom. “Well, now, that’s nice.”

The room featured a four-poster king-sized bed with sheer white mosquito netting and white bedding. Very romantic. It was a shame he had no one to enjoy it with. He returned to the living area. The bungalow’s deck was furnished with a wicker table and chairs.

Nature surrounded the bungalow on one side and a small, private infinity pool overlooked the ocean on the other. There were a few lounge chairs for sunbathing near the pool. A beachside outdoor shower right on the beach made it complete.

A knock on the door caught his attention, and moments later he heard his name shouted. Damn, he hadn’t even changed clothes. Throwing his suit jacket over a chair, he walked out front, loosening his tie. His best friend sat in a golf cart on the walkway, grinning.

“About time you got here.” Brett turned off the golf cart.

“You say that like you’ve been waiting long. I haven’t had a chance to change even.” Kannon stepped over to the golf cart.

“Well, technically, I have been. I’ve been trying to get you out here forever.”

The sun had kissed Brett’s already dark skin, and his short black hair was an artful mess from the sea breezes. His sleepy, sinfully dark bedroom eyes lingered on Kannon, a smile tilting his full lips.

Brett was just a little under six feet and muscular. Jesus, the man was sexy, but also straight as an arrow, and apparently about to marry his lovely girlfriend. He and Brett were the same age even though Brett looked younger. Or maybe he just felt older.

A breeze with just a hint of salt teased Kannon, and he ran his hand through his hair. “You know why I haven’t come before now.”

“Yeah, I’m still in shock to see you standing here.”

“Me too.” Brett knew what a big deal this was for him. He’d told Brett he’d had a bad scare in the water years ago, but he never told Brett a thing was responsible. Or that it dragged him under the water. Or kissed him. Or bit him. “So what were you doing? Watching for me?”

“I’m the one who sent someone to pick you up from the airport and bring you out here. So of course I was watching for you,” Brett said.

“Thanks for that, by the way. I’ve about met my quota on making decisions for a while. I just… I just… yeah. Shit.” Kannon pinched the bridge of his nose, his eyes stinging.

Brett hopped off the golf cart and hurried to where Kannon stood. “Hey man, it was the least I could do. I know things have been rough lately.”

“Rough. Yeah, that’s a good word for it.” Kannon let Brett hug him. He was so glad to see his friend. “It’s over now. The house sold, his estate’s settled, and I’m done with it all. Want to come in? I’m going to change. I’d offer you a beer, but, um…”

Brett released Kannon and followed him inside. “I stocked the kitchen for you. You won’t be fixing any fancy dinners, but you won’t starve either.”

“In that case, help yourself,” Kannon threw over his shoulder as he walked to the bedroom.

“Why, thank you.” Brett’s laugh sounded behind Kannon. “Think I will.”

Kannon dug in one of his suitcases until he found khaki shorts and a light blue knit shirt. Returning to the living area, he found a beer waiting for him on the kitchen counter. Brett was outside sitting in a lounge chair with a glass of water.

“Comfy?” Kannon asked as he joined Brett in one of the loungers.

“Better believe it, but I can’t stay. Otherwise I’d be having a beer too.” Brett sipped his water. “By the way, I’m having some friends over tonight, sort of a pre-wedding party—nothing official. If you’re up to it, drop by.”

Kannon crossed his feet and stared out over the ocean. “Maybe. How far is the resort from this bungalow?”

“About a mile. This one’s on the outer edges of the property. Sorry, but that was all that was open.”

“No problem. I guess you still own the penthouse?”

“Yup. I haven’t found a reason to move. Yet. Brooke might change my mind.”

“A woman’s prerogative, right?”

“So I’ve been told.” Brett checked his watch then finished his drink. “Okay, duty calls. There’s a golf cart in a shed around behind the bungalow. Most of them don’t come with transportation, but this one’s so far out I thought it’d be a good idea. The key is on the wall in the kitchen by the pantry. You got my cell number?”

“I do. If I need anything I’ll call you.”

“Good deal. If I don’t see you tonight, I’ll drop by tomorrow.”

“You don’t need to babysit me, man.”

“I know, but we haven’t seen each other in a while. You only have a few days, and then you’ll be going back to your life again, so quit your bitching.”

Kannon saluted Brett with his beer. “Bitching quit. Now go on and get back to work, slacker. I may drop by later.”

“Good.” Brett stood. “See you later.”

“Later.” Kannon watched Brett leave from his comfortable position on the lounge.

In the distance the waves lapped at the beach. He sipped his beer as he contemplated the water. The ocean was beautiful, there was no denying that. Beautiful and deadly—and he’d been running from it for fifteen years.

That day so long ago still haunted him. Haunted him, intrigued him, and invaded his dreams. Kannon absently touched his shoulder where the merman bit him. It had healed fine, but left a scar that was hard to miss when he went shirtless.

A tingle spread through his body as he touched the mark—and it was most definitely a mark. Happily that was the only thing he ended up with. He didn’t crave seafood, hadn’t suddenly been able to breathe underwater—okay, that would’ve been cool—or sprouted fins or a tail.

Now he was back where it all began.

This was the one place he’d sworn never to return. He was no longer scared over what happened. Or angry, though he had been for a time. No, anger over what happened wasn’t why he stayed away. He’d felt drawn to this place from the start. And that… well that scared the crap out of him. Something here was waiting for him.

And he was here now.

He stayed outside, arms resting against the wooden railing as he watched the sun slowly dip below the horizon. He debated going to Brett’s for the party, but he wasn’t in the mood to be social.

Instead he stayed outside and watched the water. He really wanted to take a walk on the beach and feel the warm sand between his toes. Why the hell not? Dropping his sandals on the deck, he walked out to the soft, dry sand. He wiggled his toes and sighed. So nice.

Each step he took felt a little like he was slipping backwards as his toes sank into the sand as he made his way across the beach, heading toward the waves, but he didn’t enter the water. Not yet. Instead he strolled down the beach, lost in thought.

He spent the rest of the day walking the beach and thinking. After a while he saw the lights from the resort. Laughter drifted on the evening breeze. I didn’t realize I’d come this far. He’d also lost track of time and night was falling. It sounded like they were having a good time, but he didn’t want to join them.

He turned around and returned the way he came. Tomorrow he’d meet up with Brett and Brooke. But for tonight all he wanted was solitude. He returned to the bungalow, took a shower, and unpacked.

After the fifth yawn in a row, he decided it was time for bed.