Page 11 of Where the Current Takes Him (Mermate #1)

Loriun

B eau was staring out at the sunlit cityscape, but Loriun couldn’t seem to tear his eyes from Beau.

The way his sandy hair shone gold in the sun, the sweet scent that rose from his scalp, and the way his thin shirt caught on his collarbones.

Some part of Loriun still believed that, if he looked away for too long, this perfect human would disappear.

What he had learned at the clinic only made him want to keep Beau even closer—to shield him from further abuse.

Loriun’s gaze trailed along the gentle waves in Beau’s hair, wondering if it felt as soft as it looked.

“Beau?”

The Omega lifted his face. “Yeah?”

“I have also never felt a human’s hair before. May I…?”

Beau’s cheeks shifted into a shade of pink—an interesting reaction Loriun had yet to puzzle out.

“Um… Sure.” Beau tilted his head slightly towards Loriun’s shoulder. Something stirred in him as he ran his claws across Beau’s scalp. His hair was so soft, and so fragile. It felt as though one firm tug might snap half the strands.

A muffled sound came from Beau’s throat. Loriun removed his hand immediately. “Apologies, did I hurt you?”

“No.” Beau’s voice was strained. “Your nails… Human scalps are sensitive.”

Loriun frowned. Sensitive but not painful? “I will keep that in mind.”

The pair lingered at the glass for a while longer, before Loriun suggested they get something to eat.

“There is a restaurant on the floor below,” he told Beau as he tapped the down arrow on the elevator. “It caters to both Mer and human tastes.”

The lunch rush was only just beginning, and their server was able to seat them at a window. Miami sprawled before them, little flashes of passing cars shining in the sunlight. Beau only tore his eyes from it when a menu was placed in front of him.

“Our human menu,” the waiter said. “And our Mer menu.” He set it in front of Loriun. “I’ll give you some time to look them over.”

As the smaller Mer bustled off, Loriun flipped his menu open, scanning their list of fresh-caught fish.

“Wow, it’s a good thing I like seafood,” Beau commented. “I’m pretty sure everything here contains fish.”

Loriun gently took the human menu from Beau’s hands. It was nearly identical to his own, with a few additions. His brow furrowed. “What is ‘breaded?’ Surely they do not stuff a loaf of bread with fish.”

Beau laughed. “No, it’s like a layer of fried breadcrumbs or flour and egg.”

Loriun’s nose wrinkled. “You humans and your grains.”

“What, Mer don’t eat grains?”

“It is inefficient to harvest something so small.”

“If I order the fish and chips, will you try it?” Beau was grinning at him, making it impossible for Loriun to decline the offer.

“Technically, I believe I can digest wheat and chicken eggs,” he said, though the idea was less than appealing.

“It’s good, I promise. What are you going to get?”

Loriun dropped his gaze to the list of fish again. “Hmm. They have a grouper tartare that looks good.”

Beau cocked his head. “Doesn’t that have egg?”

“They replace the egg with shirako for Mer dishes.”

“Shirako? What’s—”

Their server’s reappearance cut Beau’s question short. “Are you ready to order?”

“Yes,” Loriun said. “I will have the grouper tartare, and my…” He paused. What did one call their future mate who was not yet their mate? “…companion will have the fish and chips.”

Pale green scales shimmered as the Omega scribbled the order down. “Would you like anything to drink?”

Loriun shot a questioning look at Beau.

“Ah… just… just water is fine,” he mumbled.

“For me as well,” Loriun said, after a beat.

The waiter collected the menus and scuttled off.

“You may get whatever you like, Beau.” Loriun propped his elbows on the table. “I do not wish for you to feel concerned about money.”

Beau gave him a small smile. “I’ll keep that in mind for next time.”

When their meals arrived, Loriun, true to his word, took a small bite of Beau’s breaded fish. The greasy feeling of oil in his mouth was worth the look of delight on his Omega’s face.

“Well? What do you think?”

With some difficulty, Loriun swallowed. “It is not as bad as I expected.”

Beau scoffed. “Not as bad as you expected? It’s delicious.” He popped a forkful into his mouth and closed his eyes.

Thankfully, the grouper and shirako washed the oily sensation away.

“What’s that white stuff on top?” Beau asked, pointing.

“This is the shirako,” Loriun said. “Egg substitute. Would you like to try it?”

Beau shrugged. “When in Rome.”

Loriun frowned. “We are in Miami.”

“It’s—Never mind. Give me a tiny bit.”

Loriun carefully piled a piece of fish, capers, and shirako onto his fork. He offered it to Beau, who leaned in and wrapped his lips around the tines. For a split second, Loriun imagined what those lips would look like circling his cock.

“Huh,” Beau said. “It’s… weird. I can’t figure out what it tastes like. What’s it made of?”

Loriun shook himself free of the deviant thoughts. “Fish sperm,” he answered.

Beau’s jaw dropped. “You’re joking.”

“Why would I be joking?”

For some reason, Beau then proceeded to drink the rest of his water in a single swig.

∞∞∞

It was early afternoon when Beau finally returned to his new home. Loriun walked him to the front door, but didn’t cross the threshold.

“I will leave you to rest for now,” he said. “I have some things to attend to at my office, but, if you would like, we could have dinner together tonight.”

His deeply rooted Alpha instincts were howling at him to keep Beau close, not to leave him alone and unprotected. Though his rational mind had more power, he still couldn’t stop himself from imagining a larger, more attractive Alpha coming to sweep Beau off his feet.

“I’d like that,” Beau said. While his expression seemed neutral, oblivious to Loriun’s inner battle, the sweet scent of summer fruit grew stronger. His cock jerked in response. Was Beau reacting to Loriun’s own pheromones? Or had his scent simply caught the wind? Another throb.

“Good,” Loriun said, his voice slightly strained. “I will be back in about four hours, then. Rest well.”

He forced himself to turn and retreat to his car, wincing as his tip nudged its way free. Was it normal for unmated human Omegas to be this potent? If so, he wasn’t sure how he’d survive taking things slow with Beau.

Loriun drove with the windows rolled down, hoping the powerful winds might ease the physical reaction he was suffering.

It worked, until he came to a stop in his parking space.

Beau’s delicious scent clung to the passenger seat, tormenting Loriun’s senses.

Unable to stop himself, Loriun leaned across the center console and inhaled. A shudder of want coursed through him.

His fingers twitched. He’d have to give himself some relief if he wanted to face Beau again at dinner.