by Hazel Gower
He sat out on the veranda watching the waves crash to shore as he sipped his coffee. Fingers trailed along his back, and the scent of lavender surrounded him. His coffee was taken from him, and a groan slipped past her lips as she drank his coffee.
“How on earth can you have coffee this weak? My God, you might as well not have any with the way you drink it.”
April placed the cup on the table and went to sit in the seat opposite him but Roth gathered him to her and set her on his lap. “Morning, darling. If you don’t like my coffee I would suggest you make your own, but … I know if I didn’t make it or you didn’t go and buy it from a café you’d never drink it and be grumpy all day.”
“Argh, you know me so well already.” She snuggled into him as he hugged her tight.
He loved how affectionate she was. After a certain age his mother had stopped hugging him, and his sister did only to say hello and goodbye. Roth never realized how much he was missing out on until April. How lonely and deprived of love he’d been.
“Soooo, paint choosing today. What color are you thinking? Maybe a light blue with cream trim or a dark, rich brown with white trim?”
Those both sounded like they could work, but he wanted to play. “Nah, I was thinking a dark purple with black trim, or green and black.”
April pushed at his chest and looked up at him, horrified.
“Where are you talking about? I was talking about the outside. I don’t think that would suit the inside either. Are Mermen color blind, you know, like dogs are?” He burst out laughing at her comments. April bit her lip. “Maybe we could put it in your study.”
He winked. “Great compromising skills, my gorgeous mate.”
She was trying to compromise and not doing a very good job.
“Ha, ha, you’re so funny. You’re such a tease.”
“Oh I’m the tease.” Cupping her face he tilted her head up and kissed her, tasting the coffee. He wanted to continue, ripping her clothes off and taking her on the table, the sofa, then move upstairs, but he knew if he continued they’d never get anything done as much as he wanted to do what his body craved. “Mmm, as much as I want to finish this we have things to do, and we won’t get them done if we don’t stop now.” He caressed her cheek, and she nestled into his touch.
“I hate to admit it, but you’re right. Let’s go get paint.” April stood, and he groaned at her tousled look. Her hair was sticking every which way, and her tank top and shorts clung to her, showing every curve. She touched her hair. “I’ll go do my hair while you get ready.”
She walked back into the house, and Roth knew he loved her. April was so easy to love.
****
They decided on the light blue with cream trim. Roth was a good painter, and they’d learned she wasn’t. There had even been a joke thrown in that some of the kids from her center could do better. He’d got it after that, as she’d painted him.
It was easy being with Roth and even after such a short time she knew she loved him. The night sky had started creeping over, and Roth had just cleaned all the brushes and put the paints away. He was going for a swim and she was going to join him.
Roth hadn’t changed in front of her since the day he first mated her. She was eager to see it again, this time with an open mind and knowledge. Holding her towel she grinned as a naked Roth came to her. Roth held her hand as they walked to the shore’s edge. “Are you sure you’re ready to see this again?”
“Yes. I’m curious. You weren’t hideous last time either, just different, and everything was a shock.” She placed her towel on the dry sand and followed him, watching his naked arse as it changed to a scaly purple fin when he went into the water. For a moment she cringed and shivered. She wasn’t into scales, but Roth did look amazing. She wondered what the scales felt like.
Roth dived under the water, and she went into the water searching for him. Had he run—swum—away? When the water became too deep to walk and the waves became rougher, she swam out calling for him.
April became cranky when after a good five minutes he didn’t resurface. Angry that he’d swum off like that, she turned back to the shore and groaned as it looked a lot farther off than she remembered. Taking a deep calming breath she called for Roth again. When he didn’t come she sighed and started the swim back to shore.
The nighttime waves seemed harsher than the daytime ones and after painting all day she was already tired, so her body felt reluctant to move. When the waves became bigger and she didn’t look to be getting anywhere April tried to tell herself not to freak. She was a good swimmer, and strong. On the next wave she dove under the water and swam forward blinking as a flash of purple sped by and came back to appear in front her. Roth was enthralling, all shimmering skin and purple hair and tail. His thick muscular body had her almost taking a gulp of air. Needing to surface, she pushed back up to the surf only to be pulled down and have Roth’s mouth cover hers, and much needed air filled her lungs. She clung to him, wrapping her legs around his torso and clinging on for dear life as he swam in the opposite direction of the shore.
They came up in what looked like the middle of the ocean. “This is where the pocket that protects me right now stops.” He brushed her hair from her face. “There is a way to sever our bond.” April didn’t dare speak. “If I go out there and never come back.”
What the hell did he mean never come back? And why was he talking about severing their bond? She didn’t want that. She loved him, even when he was being a class A jerk. “What the hell are you talking about?’
“I can give you freedom so you don’t have to live with this.” He looked down at himself.
“Oh Roth, you’re gorgeous.” She ran her hand down his hard chest as they bobbed in the water. His tail was keeping them afloat. It was pretty cool. She’d felt it against her a couple of times, and it wasn’t what she imagined. It was smooth, almost like silk against her legs. “Perfect. You’re absolutely perfect.” Everything felt right with Roth. She’d never been happier. Stroking his cheek, she kissed him, showing him the hunger she felt for him. “I love you no matter what form you’re in. The fact you’re willing to do something absolutely stupid because you think it will make me happy to be without you just proves another reason why I love you. Roth, you’re stuck with me. I may not have been with you long, but I know deep down we are going to have that love that grows more every day.”
“What about your cringe when I changed?”
“What about it? Come on, give me a break. It was the second time I’ve seen you do this.” She waved as best she could at him. “I didn’t know your tail was smooth as silk or that it helped you hold me close so we can swim. I was scared of the unknown. I thought it would be different.” She whacked his chest, which didn’t do much good with the water. “Is that why you didn’t answer me when I yelled for you?’
He nodded. “Yeah. I needed time to think. I love you so much already that I couldn’t look at your face if it held disgust.”
Cupping his face in her hands she shook her head. “For someone so old you’re not very smart.” He grabbed her hand and nipped it. “You have nothing to worry about. I think your Mer-form is cool. I wish I had purple hair like you. I have no idea how you make it look so manly.” She moved her arms around his neck linking them. “You make it so easy for me to say this. I love you. I mean it when I say I love you in any form.”
Roth arms tightened against her. “I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life showing you how perfect you are for me.”
She grinned up at him. “Perfect. I look forward to it. Now, how about you take me home and show me how much you love me?”
Roth didn’t even respond. He latched his mouth with hers and dove under the water and towards home.
****
Alwen had come around to see the house. She’d brought her baby, and April was keen for some cuddle time and a good chat with her best friend. They sat on the veranda watching the waves crash across the shore.
April looked do
wn at the adorable baby in her arms. Alwen’s little girl Lilly was perfect. “You know I just got over being jealous of you for having an awesome husband that loves you to pieces because I got me a man that worships the ground I walk on. Now you have to outdo me by having this gorgeous little cherub.”
Alwen smiled at her. “I’m just glad you’re not angry at me anymore.”
“Me, too. I missed you. But I understand now why you had to keep things from me.”
“What did she keep from you?” Roth came out with Alwen’s husband, Clay. Roth’s hands came and rested on her shoulders before he leaned down and kissed her cheek. Clay sat in a chair next to Alwen.
“That she is married to a mythical creature and that other supernatural creatures exist.” She narrowed her eyes on Clay. “Oh and she lives in a hidden pocket that can’t be found unless you’re with a paranormal being or mated to one.”
Alwen nibbled on her lip. “I’m sorry, April. I wanted to tell you, I really did, but I physically couldn’t.”
“Yeah, I know. I wouldn’t have believed you anyway. I’m just happy I’ve got you to confide in. I’m sorry I got upset with you. It must have been hard not to have another human being to confide in.”
“Hey, she had me to talk to.” Clay didn’t really sound offended.
“Exactly, just you. What if she needed a woman’s opinion?”
“She could have called my mother or sist—”
“Stop. Don’t say anymore. Let’s just say there are some things you need to discuss with friends.”
Roth pulled out a seat and sat next to her. “I can’t believe I’m going to ask this, but what?”
“Well, sex for starters. There could be some kinky things that Clay likes to do with his—”
“No, don’t. I get the drift. Please, this is not a conversation to have in front of my daughter.”
April rolled her eyes at Clay, and Alwen giggled. “So you’re saying I can talk to April about our sex life when Lilly is not around?”
Clay got up and went to April getting Lilly. “No. I don’t want you discussing our intimate life at all.”
“Oh, don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone and I’ll tell her about all the hot sex I have with yo—”
“God, I’m starting to think that having you as a sister-in-law will be a curse more than a blessing. I’m taking my innocent daughter home.”
Alwen got up laughing and went to her husband, but as she left she bent down and kissed April’s cheek. “I’m so happy you’ve found what I have. You were always a part of my family, but now you are officially. Love you, April.”
April felt her heart swell as she kissed her best friend’s cheek. Life was good. She had everything she could wish for a more, a wonderful man who treated her like she walked on water, and she was part of a family. April had everything she could ever want. “Love you, too, Alwen.”
When her friends walked away she turned to Roth. “Thank you.”
His brow furrowed. “What are you thanking me for? I’m not the one who scared off my brother so we could have some of that kinky sex you were talking about.”
She laughed and stood and sat back on his lap wrapping her arms around him. “No, thank you for loving me and giving me everything I dreamed of.”
“No problem. How about I give you something else?”
She giggled as he picked her up gripping her arse and walked into the house and towards their room.
“Anything. I’ll take anything you’re willing to give. I love you.”
Roth growled and leaned her against the wall. Before his mouth took hers he rested his head against hers. “I love you.”
“I know you do. Now show me how much.”
He captured her mouth to his and proceeded to do just that.
Epilogue
April wondered if she’d turn into a beached whale. Maybe it was one of the shifters you didn’t have to be born to become one. The sun shone down on her and the waves lapped at her feet. She had two months left of her pregnancy and already she didn’t like to be away from the ocean.
Hands rubbed her feet, and she moaned in ecstasy. “Hi, beautiful. How’s my two favorite people today?”
She rose up and glared down at Roth. “Bloated, starving, and not feeling very beautiful. I think I’ve turned into a beached whale.”
Roth laughed and moved her down towards him. “Do I need to show you how absolutely gorgeous you look carrying my child?”
Her body came instantly alive, eager for the love Roth always gave her. April never doubted she was loved and cherished even when Roth started work at the task force in this area. Roth still called her every day, most of the time to tell her he loved her. She had a love like she dreamed of and more. April was now used to Roth’s Mer-form, and she actually quite liked it. She was still learning new things about paranormal people, but she wasn’t worried or scared. Roth answered all her questions, and she knew she was safe.
When the three months had been up Roth had proposed with a purple emerald set in a white gold ring surrounded by diamonds. She hadn’t hesitated in saying yes, and two months later they’d married on the beach with close family and friends.
Roth gathered her to him and lifted her up and walked out of the water. She wrapped her arms around him as he cradled her to him and walked up to their house. April loved being in Roth’s embrace. He was always so careful, and even now when she must weigh a ton he carried her and acted like she weighed no more than a feather. He went straight to their bed and gently laid her on it, undoing her swimsuit strings and freeing her breasts.
“I love your body.” Roth hovered over her trailing kisses down her neck and sending delicious tingles coursing through her.
“Roth, I need you. Watching you in the water is such a turn on.”
He looked up at her from her breasts. “It is, is it?” Roth’s hands glided over her rounded body and rested between her thighs. He dipped his fingers into her panties and sank a digit into her wet pussy. “Ah, April darling, you’re just the way I like you … soaking.” He circled one of her nipples with his tongue and she moaned.
“I’ve been lying on the sand daydreaming about all the things we could do. I was going to throw myself at you when you came out of the water. You truly are magnificent. I’m kinda of jealous I don’t have a tail.”
“You’d look so hot with a tail swimming beside me.” Roth swapped breasts and circled and gently sucked it in. “But I don’t mind swimming you around and helping you breathe.”
Oh, she loved the way he helped her breathe underwater. Roth kissed his way down her body rubbing her stomach and giving it extra kisses. He hooked his fingers in her underwear and yanked them down, then lifted her and eased them down and off. He settled between her legs, spreading them wide. The first swipe of his tongue had her pussy quivering and her whole body shaking in anticipation. He nestled in closer and brushed his lips back and forth over her clit. He licked out and sucked on her nub, sending shots of ecstasy flowing through her. Since she’d become pregnant her whole body was more sensitive and attuned to his.
Her breathing came out in gasps the more he explored. It felt like it had been years since she’d been touched, her body was so eager. April spread her legs further apart and closed her eyes enjoying the feeling he gave her. One thick finger entered her and moved in and out. He sucked her clit in and she knew she wasn’t going to last. He added another digit and pumped them in and out faster and deeper. Opening her eyes she moved with him, searching for the high she knew he could give her. His teeth scraped over her nub, and he scissored his fingers. He nipped at her clit, and that was all she needed to fall apart.
“Roth.” She screamed and gripped his hair as bliss fell over her. Closing her eyes she basked in her euphoria.
Roth sucked and licked his way back up her body. April felt the tip of his cock line up to her pussy, and he rubbed it along her sensitive lips before pushing his way home. She opened her eyes to look into passion-filled green ones. “I
love you, April.” He brushed his lips over hers. Buried to the hilt he rested his forehead on hers. “Thank you for giving me hope and a family.”
Wrapping her arms around his neck she grinned up at him. “Nothing to thank me for. You made all my dreams and more come true. I love you.”
His mouth took hers as he eased out. She could taste herself on him, but it only turned her on more. Roth thrust into her over and over giving her the powerful loving she needed. Needed air she tore her mouth from his and arched into him.
Roth grunted, and she moaned. The fire building was so strong she knew she would shatter soon. Gazing up she watched her husband as he gritted his teeth and pounded into her. She loved watching Roth and the effect she had on him. It turned her on and built her tension high enough that she was close to the edge, about to explode.
Needing an anchor she let her hands fall and gripped the sheets. Roth buried himself deeper and nuzzled her neck, nipping at her, sending tingling shots straight to her pussy. She let herself go, breaking into a thousand tiny pieces as she came hard around Roth’s hard length.
“Holy fuck,” Roth yelled as he drove into her one more time on a grunt and let himself go. Roth groaned and rolled them to the side snuggling together.
April basked in her bliss and the embrace of her husband, a Merman she loved more every day. She had a love that was forever and couldn’t wait for her family to keep growing.
“What are you thinking about so hard?”
She shrugged and snuggled into his warmth. “Just how much I love you.”
He hugged her tighter and kissed her head. “I love you, too. You’ve given me hope, love, and uncovered all of me. Fate has truly blessed me.”
Their baby kicked, as if agreeing with them, and April felt complete. Life was good, and she owed fate an apology. Fate had been right. Roth was perfect for her. They were perfect.
The End