Page 7 of Where the Current Takes Him (Mermate #1)

Beau

O nce the ma?tre d' disappeared down the stairs, Beau’s body took its place at the table without any conscious decision on his part. His mind was far too preoccupied with staring unabashedly at the Mer that sat across from him.

Loriun’s fiery hair cascaded over a broad chest and shoulders. High, fine cheekbones held the shadows of long lashes, and a graceful brow only added to the beauty of his eyes. Beau’s gaze lingered on the shadows just above the Alpha’s strong jawline, which pulled attention to his sinful mouth.

After Beau had drunk his fill of Loriun’s devastatingly handsome face, he noticed what the Mer was wearing.

A navy shirt, with sleeves rolled to the elbows, and buttons fighting for their lives at the center of his chest. The top button was undone, leaving a tantalizing glimpse of the hollow in the base of his throat. Beau wondered what it tasted like.

Christ, pull yourself together.

“You must be Beaumont.” The Alpha’s voice turned Beau’s bones to jelly. So rich, so deep, so melodic… It would probably feel incredible if he hummed with his lips around Beau’s—

Focus!

“I prefer Beau.” He was mortified to hear the tremble in his voice.

“Beau,” Loriun repeated. Was it just Beau’s imagination, or did the Alpha look nervous? “My name is Loriun Kolhn.”

“Loriun.” The name was velvet on Beau’s tongue.

Those plush lips curved into a faint smile. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Beau couldn’t say the same, so he merely nodded, and tried to take even breaths.

As he did, a new scent swept across his skin.

Fresh-cut cedar, and crushed pine, all carried by an undertone of heady musk.

Beau breathed it in, feeling the scent tingle through his blood.

The sensation sent a thrill throughout his body, culminating in a subtle stiffening beneath the table.

“I… wanted to meet you in a human way.” Loriun shifted. “I have quite a few human contacts, and I have gathered that your species prefer casual dates in the beginning.”

“You…” Beau cleared his throat. “You heard right.”

A flicker of relief ghosted across the Mer’s face. “I also thought it would be prudent to discuss expectations in a neutral place.”

Beau tilted his head. “Expectations?”

Loriun’s eyes darted away for a moment, and vibrant, scarlet fins flared at the sides of his face. “Well. I do not know, for example, if you prefer to live by yourself for a few months.”

Beau’s lips parted. “That’s an option?”

The Alpha’s eyes darkened so slightly that Beau wondered if he’d imagined it.

“Of course. I would never pressure you into a situation you aren’t comfortable with.”

Hesitation crept into Beau’s thoughts. His inner people-pleaser was screaming for him to give the beautiful fish-man whatever he wanted, while his rational mind desperately craved space and solitude.

“Interspecies couples are provided a house,” Loriun went on. “It is a specialized home, meant to cater to both Mer and human. If you prefer, you may live in the home while I remain in my current accommodation. We can… take things slow.”

Guilt was already gnawing at Beau. Anyone could see the Alpha didn’t want him to agree, but on the other hand, when would Beau ever get the chance to have his own space ever again?

“I think…” Beau said tentatively, “that’s a good idea.”

Loriun’s broad shoulders sank, just barely.

He’s disappointed.

“Whatever you need, Beau,” Loriun said, his tone whisky-smooth, “I will provide it.”

∞∞∞

Nothing in Beau’s wildest dreams could have prepared him for the home now looming over him.

Loriun had already unlocked the door and disappeared into the foyer, but Beau could do little more than take it all in.

The house stood two stories tall and was crafted from pale birchwood.

Even in the evening darkness, it shone with a bright airiness that could only be felt in a beachside cottage.

Human touches were already apparent. There was a sprawling front lawn, and a charming stepping stone path leading through a white picket fence and to the front porch. Admittedly, the grass appeared to be a dark purple color, but the idea was there.

In a daze, Beau trailed after Loriun, passing through a front door painted in a sandy cream shade. The inside was even more overwhelming. It was fully furnished in a palette of white, cream and pale blue. Photos of beaches and seashells lined the walls, and the floors were smooth, ceramic tile.

A little splash caught Beau’s attention. Along the back wall, the floor appeared to descend. As he stepped closer, Beau realized that the home was resting directly on the surface of the ocean. A large square had been cut from the living room floor, and the pool lined with a riverstone wall.

“It’s meant for Mer.” Loriun’s voice came from behind him, causing him to jump. “A place for us to relax alongside our human partners.”

“Right. Of course.”

Large windows made up the majority of the back wall, offering a stunning view of the vast Florida Sea.

“What if there’s a storm? Won’t the house flood?”

Loriun chuckled. “Our island is protected. Look closely.” He leaned closer to Beau and stretched out a finger, pointing into the waves.

Beau’s heart rate picked up as the smell of musky cedar engulfed him. The Mer was practically resting his chin on Beau’s shoulder. It took a moment for him to focus on what Loriun was trying to show him.

Under the moonlight, a large wave rolled toward the shore. But before it could come within a few hundred meters, it crashed against… nothing.

“What—” Beau started to ask, baffled.

“It’s a sort of shield. Like a bubble around the island.”

Beau hardly heard him. He was far too distracted by the feeling of the Alpha’s breath caressing his cheek.

“The bubble is somewhat permeable. It lets water, rain, wind, and animals through, but it dampens any destructive force.”

“Yeah, makes sense,” Beau whispered. When Loriun straightened, he almost protested.

“Let me show you the rest of the home before I leave you to unpack.”

The main bedroom was just off the pool in the living room. It held a bed larger than Beau had ever seen and a bathroom with a tub big enough to raise an elephant seal to adulthood. The kitchen merged into the living room, and boasted shining granite countertops and color coordinated appliances.

“What’s upstairs?” Beau asked, craning his neck to peer up the staircase.

“Ah. There are… Well, you can explore the second floor for yourself.” Loriun’s expression held an odd combination of discomfort and longing.

The Alpha smiled, seeming to push any other emotions below the surface.

“Well. I’m very pleased to have finally met you Beau. I hope you will be comfortable here.”

Beau looked up at his red-haired Mer. “I think I will be.” He was surprised to find he was telling the truth. The beauty of the home, and the gentle way Loriun handled him… It gave him hope.

“Goodnight, then,” Loriun murmured. His turquoise eyes drifted toward Beau’s lips.

Conflict pinned Beau in place. On one hand, he was absolutely not ready for things to get physical. On the other, he wanted nothing more than to feel Loriun’s mouth on his.

Before he could decide what it was he wanted, the Mer was gone. Beau blew out the breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. Now that the Alpha’s scent and pheromones were fading from the air, anxiety began to worm its way back into the pit of Beau’s stomach.

What was upstairs that Loriun hadn’t wanted to show him?

Beau placed a foot on the bottom step, peering up into the darkness. His hand searched the wall for a light switch. When light flooded the space, he could only see what looked like an ordinary set of stairs and a landing. The solid wood didn’t unleash a single creak as Beau made his way up.

He half expected to see a BDSM dungeon or a human-sized cage, but instead, he found himself looking at four doors. Each was slightly ajar, and moonlight crept through the cracks.

The first room seemed to be a guest bedroom, with little more than a neatly made bed and dresser. The second was, oddly enough, also a bedroom. Did the Mer often host visitors overnight?

Beau pushed the third door open and paused. It was a playroom. Colorful pictures of animals papered the walls, and a set of pastel shelves held a small library of books. There was a little kitchen set, and a large box filled to the brim with toys.

The sight put him on edge. It looked as though they were expecting him to start pumping out kids the moment he arrived.

The feeling was only exacerbated when the fourth door revealed a pale yellow nursery.

A rocking chair sat in one corner, while another was occupied by a pristine, white crib.

Bees and flowers dangled from the little mobile hanging over it.

Beau shut the door with a snap.

Maybe all of this was just an act—letting him stay the night alone, and claiming to take things slowly.

This house wasn’t set up for a new couple; it was ready for a family.

Perhaps, when he’d been lulled into a false sense of security, he would become the walking womb he’d feared from the beginning.

Beau retreated downstairs and yanked his suitcase open. He fished out his medication bottle and tossed back the new dose of heat suppressant.