Merlicious 3

by Cara Preston, Cheryl Bonner, Laura Kitchell

  "OOOOOHHHHHSSSSSSSS"

  She swam into Nick's arms.

  "What was that?” She took advantage of the opportunity to rub against him as a mer. She noticed his body began to glow, and then it stopped.

  "Let's go see.” Holding hands, they swam toward the noise.

  In a kelp field beyond the reef were young mers and baby whales. Squeaks and laughter resonated throughout the play area. A mother orca swam overhead watching her young calf. Mer parents swam along the edges, watching for danger. It reminded her of the park she played in as a child.

  "This is amazing. I don't know what to say.” Jess waved her hand in the direction of the children.

  Her face couldn't contain the excitement and joy of the experience. She spun in a circle, and said, “I'm so happy. This is really a special day. I don't know what I've done to deserve this. All I can say is thank you for giving me this day."

  Guilt ate at his mind. “Come on, there's one more place I want to show you. It won't take long."

  Around the bend from the children's play area were bubbles of different sizes streaming upward to the surface. Tiny ones survived long enough to pop once they climbed to the upper reaches.

  "Wow.” Jess glanced at him sideways. The frown from earlier was gone, replaced with a look of joy.

  "You swim fast and deep into the bubbles then you let it push you upward. I've never ridden it without getting turned upside down.” His words rushed out like bubbles. “Are you ready for a ride?” He hoped she understood the hidden meaning.

  She nodded, and they both swam into fun.

  "Can we go again,” she asked. She lost count of how many times they had gone on the bubble coaster.

  "It's late, Jess, and we need to get back.” He moved closer to her.

  "Okay, but I want it known that I leave in protest.” She offered him her hand. He took it, and they drifted to the surface.

  "Nick, you don't know how much this means to me. It was perfect."

  "Why do I hear an ‘except’ about to be used?"

  "You're right.” She turned toward him, placed her hands on his shoulders and kissed him. She released all her pent-up emotions. Her hands slid up his chest and around his neck. His passionate response fueled her hunger. He tasted of the sea and a hint of wild mint. Her upper body rubbed against his, and his tail wrapped around hers. They flipped, dove, spun and each kiss dragged them further down into the ocean. Kelp fields served as their bed.

  "I need to be inside you,” he murmured against her lips. His erection brushed her belly. “I want you to know how it feels to make love as a mer, to be my mate.” The words tumbled from his mouth.

  Jess’ ardor burned him. Nick trembled. He would be her first and only mer. It humbled him. He nuzzled her through her fine hair, encouraging her to open for him.

  Her scales parted to reveal a pretty pink nub surrounded by iridescent skin and the slit beneath.

  He teased her by blowing water across her clit.

  Her gills struggled to pull in enough oxygen, and she shivered, on the edge of a climax.

  "I need to taste you,” Nick murmured against Jess’ abdomen. He moved down her body. Her sea-rose flavor drifted over his gills, into his nose and across his tongue. Nick parted her delicate nether lips and lapped at her bud. As his hands moved through her scales, he felt her shaking. He grabbed her hips and drew her closer.

  "Nick,” Jess whimpered. She rocked against his mouth, demanding he satiate her need.

  He slid one finger into her opening and pulled her clit deeper into his mouth. Her satiny folds clenched around his finger as it moved in and out.

  "More,” she begged. Her tail wrapped around his waist, and her fin brushed across his nipples and then his cock, matching the rhythm of his tongue.

  He forced more water through his gills to gain some control. Holy Neptune. Jess found his mer passion points. He inserted a second finger and rubbed her inner walls. He lapped and sucked, drinking down her cream.

  Sensation shot through her with every stroke of his tongue. She rocked her hips against his mouth. Her hands grabbed his hair. Jess’ stomach tensed, and she stiffened. “Ohhhh.” She arched her back as an orgasm slammed into her.

  Feminine juice filled his mouth, and as he continued to lick her, her tail slipped from his body to float limply. He kissed her skin above the ‘v’ formed by her scales and moved up. He reached for the sea grass encasing her breasts, broke the fastener and palmed her, massaging the bronze globes and teasing the buds until they were taut.

  Jess’ hands went to the back of Nick's head to encourage him to taste. The warmth of his mouth as he sucked first the right then the left nipple made her ache. Lightning flashed behind her eyes with each pull of his mouth. Electric sensations coiled in her belly, ready to explode. She rejoiced in the moment, the feel of his mer form against hers. Warmth poured from him and into her as she ran her hand over his chest. His flat male nipples pebbled under her touch.

  Nick's erection caressed her clit and rested against the silken opening. “Open your eyes, sea-heart,” he whispered in her ear. “Gift me with your passion.” He eased the tip of his shaft into her.

  Jess’ eyes fluttered open. The opaque lids didn't hide her desire. She pulled his head down to kiss his mouth. As their tongues tangled, Nick impaled himself to the hilt. Her warmth wrapped his cock in its embrace and pulled him in further.

  Nick broke to kiss and gritted his teeth as he pulled out and sank into her tight folds over and over again. He slid in and out. Each time her woman's center welcomed him, waves of pleasure threatened to throw them both over the edge.

  "Nick,” Jess gasped. Her hips matched the rhythm of his thrusts. Their hair mingled around them wildly as they twirled and tumbled together.

  Mating perfume diffused into the water from the edge of their scales. She was the one, his true sea-heart. Songs from the sea creatures created a harmonious sound that synchronized with their hearts. Nick knew her need and gave her what she craved. Mine, roared through Nick's head. Mine, only me.

  Jess’ nails raked across his chest, branding him as hers. He fought for control. He didn't want to leave her hot silken embrace. Skin to skin, scales to scales, they rolled as the wave of pleasure pushed them tumbling further into the seaweed.

  The beginning of her climax sent Nick over the edge, yelling Jess’ name as his seed triggered the last of their bonding.

  Jess was Nick, and they were one. The intensity of the shared bond swamped her gills and sent a wave of darkness to her brain.

  Chapter Six

  Jessie awakened in her own bed to the sound of the sea. Fading sunlight danced on the wall. She couldn't remember how she got home. Did she dream about her adventures under the ocean with Nick? There was no way it could happen, she thought. As she pulled back the covers, a necklace shifted on her chest. Her fingers touched the delicate shells, and she knew.

  A few moments later, Jess ran down the beach in search of Nick.

  * * * *

  "So is it done yet?” Devin sat on the beach.

  "Don't you pay any attention to the warnings about the sun?” Nick quipped.

  "Nope. I used the seaweed gel. Guaranteed to protect you even in the worst light conditions, for use in countries near or close to the equator. I'm safe. When will you be ready to go home?"

  "No time soon."

  "You haven't wiped her mind yet."

  Nick knew his glare didn't have any effect on Devin. Nothing bothered him. This job should be easy. I wipe and keep the whole mer-race safe. Why can't I wipe this one human's mind? That's the problem. Jess is not just any human. She's different, and it's not good. She's mine.

  "Neptune's favorite enforcer got no clue how to do the job. I can see why it's tough. She's a nice looking one. Black curls, deep brown eyes, body not bad either. Now, her assets may be worth getting Neptune pissed—” Devin got up and faced Nick.

  "Stay away from her.” Nick didn't rein in his anger.

  "Just s
leep with her and get it over.” Devin demanded. “Shit, you're in trouble this time.” He motioned to a point not far from where they stood.

  Nick turned, and there stood Jess. She stared at him, turned and ran away from him.

  Jess never knew terror until she heard what they planned for her. Nick was sent to wipe her mind. He didn't like her, sleeping with her was a ploy. She had managed to hand herself to him on a platter. Running in the wet sand proved to be a problem. It slowed her down. Jess turned to see Nick gaining on her. She couldn't let it happen. Sucking in air, she tried to put on a burst of speed. She was no match for a non-human.

  She felt his breath on her neck. She dodged to the left. He made a grab to catch her. Jess moved to her right then back left. He tackled her, and they went down hard.

  "No, I won't let you wipe me.” Jess beat him on his shoulders and tried to kick free. “Let me go.” She continued to struggle.

  "Jess, listen to me,” Nick begged.

  "Get off of me, you lied.” She managed to break free and sprinted down the beach again.

  He caught her again, rolled her onto her back and held onto her until she wore herself out.

  She cried, “Nick, I can't go on without my stories. I have to write. If you take this away, I'm nothing."

  She was everything he wanted in a mate. Why did she have to be human? Her sobs tore at his heart. “Jess, I can't do it. I'm not doing the job, please listen to me."

  She wailed.

  He looked at her and knew. “We'll concentrate on the feelings between us, not what I was sent to do.” His hands slid up and captured her face between them. “Trust me to make this right, please."

  She answered by kissing him with pent-up hunger.

  His thumbs rubbed her ears, and his lips brushed across hers. Slow. Seductive. Sensual. Lights moved across her brain, and a fuzzy haze engulfed it. Wild current traveled down her spine to her toes. He made her forget. His taste hinted of mint and something ... Nick.

  Her honey taste flooded Nick's senses and reminded him of sweet kelp. Pulses of energy trekked through his body. Jess’ whimpers encouraged him to pull her closer and deepen the kiss. Her woman's scent of lavender caused his human form to demand completion. The noise of the sea rushed in his ears, and the blood moved to his groin. He pulled her closer and tightened his hold. Rough oceans stilled while he devoured her. Nick broke off the kiss. They got up, and he led her away into the star-filled night. They walked snuggled against each other in silence.

  She stopped and looked up into the sky. “The waxing moon is almost complete,” she paused and then continued. “After we—"

  "Can't say it, can you? I made love to you as a mer, Jess. We made love to each other."

  "You left."

  "What was I supposed to do? I had to pretend I wasn't sent to remove some of your memories. I've found my sea-heart. My blood feels like the ocean in the winter, boiling rough and tumble. You don't understand what this is doing to me. I have to give you up."

  "I didn't know."

  "I will never be able to love like this again. Touch another female human or mer and have it feel this intense. It wouldn't be the same. You excite me. I can't help myself around you."

  "Do you have to wipe my mind? I can just stop writing the mer-books. I can—"

  "If I don't wipe you. Some else will."

  "Another enforcer?"

  "Yeah."

  "How many more days do we have?"

  "The moon will be at the maximum height tomorrow night."

  "Let's go, Nick."

  "Go where?"

  "Take me home. I need to make memories of me for you to keep."

  * * * *

  Nick stared out into the ocean from the window. The beach will never be the same. Not after all they had done. If any merfolks were off the coast, they got an eye and earful. Some of the things they did even made him blush. No doubt the stingrays would have the story of how Mr. Marin's favorite mind sweeper was caught playing with his target. So be it. Why now, of all times? She's what I've asked for, Luna? But why couldn't she be mer?

  He looked back at the sleeping form. Her hair cascaded around her shoulders and framed her sides to showcase her back. He remembered that a few nips along the spine followed by tongue licks and puffs of air drove her to an orgasm. And in the midst of her spiraling out of control, he buried himself deep within her womanly core. Her climax pulled at him, and the intensity took him by surprise.

  He started to move back to the bed, when he heard his name whispered through a Mermish wail. Checking to see that she was still sleep, Nick slipped out the glass door and down to the beach.

  He scanned the ocean, looking for the other enforcer.

  "It took you long enough.” Devin's gruff tone matched his body language.

  "I'm a busy mer.” Nick shrugged his shoulders.

  "Is the human worth it?"

  Nick shot Devin a look that could kill. “That's my concern, not yours."

  "True."

  "I know my job, Devin.” Nick didn't hide his hostility.

  "Make sure it gets done. I don't like cleaning up messes other people created.” Devin nodded toward the house.

  "I've finished everything I've started."

  Devin headed toward the water and turned. “Oh yeah, Mr. Marin sends you his best. He asked me to let you know, if you don't complete this job, you're beached.” Devin dove into the water, his fin cutting the ocean's surface.

  Nick strained to hear voices from the deep. The sounds and water always soothed and eased the pain of water separation. Tonight it mocked, teased and jeered at him. He made his way back up the beach. Moonlight dipped behind the clouds, emphasizing his mood. Dark. At the top of the house stairs, Nick turned and looked back. Footprints marked his lonely progression. He turned and opened the sliding-glass door and stepped into the room.

  "I'm not asleep.” She turned on the lamp next to the bed. “Are you okay?"

  Nick's pulse raced. All thoughts of his problems disappeared. Soft illumination painted a picture that took his breath away. Her lips were swollen from his kisses. The sheet slipped to her lap, and her puckered nipples peaked from under her tresses, begging to be caressed and suckled. His gaze moved to her face, and the concern etched there caused him to pause. She worried about him. Humbling. The smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “I'm thinking that someone is playing seductress."

  "I don't play.” She rolled forward and moved toward him on her hands and knees. “I intend to seduce you.” She stopped and knelt at the edge of the bed.

  He removed his tee shirt and shucked his pants. He took a step closer. “Please."

  "Please what?"

  "Hold me.” He sucked in his breath as she caressed his member. “Lick and suck me.” The noise of the sea rushed in his ears, and the blood moved to his groin. He pulled her closer. “I'll give you everything I am and everything I could be, Jess."

  Thoughts of her warm mouth sent shivers down his legs that rushed up his spine. He slid his hands into her hair to encourage her. She licked along the underneath of his penis. The vein throbbed as her lips rubbed across and licked the pre-cum from the slit. He hissed and rocked his hips forward. Rough oceans in his heart stilled.

  "Oh, yeah, just like that, Jess—” He threw back his head and sucked in air to gain his sanity. His life swam past his eyes. Her belly swollen with his child flashed across his brain. “I want to be inside you.” He pulled her up and kissed her. Their tongues dancing reminded him of the seahorses and how they danced with their mates. He broke the kiss and rested his head against hers. “My life is nothing without you. I give you my heart and my breath.” He kissed her and shifted to be between her legs. The look in hers eyes—he would always remember. The longing would forever be a part of his heart as well as the hurt. He pushed back the thoughts of no tomorrow and eased into the welcoming embrace of her womanhood and gave in to the feelings.

  * * * *

  Nick watched as the morning sun enter
ed the room. Only a few hours left and he could go back to his life. Swim all day, check on the new whales and plot the next round of environmental endeavors his organization would work on. Work in Mr. Marin's campaign. Maybe run for an ‘other’ world office. What a farce. Shit. His life would be boring and empty without Jessica York. He watched her sleep. She was human, but she had the heart of a mermaid.

  "Hi.” Jess stretched her arms. The sheet slid down her body.

  "Hey there.” Nick took a deep breath, and memories flooded his mind. There wasn't anything she didn't let him do last night.

  "How long have you been awake?"

  "Long enough.” He rubbed the back of his hand across her cheek. “Jess, can you do me a favor?"

  "Yeah, I guess. What is it?"

  "Leave. Get as far away from here as you can travel between now and tonight."

  "What are you talking about? I thought—” Puzzlement laced her voice.

  "If you're not here, it will buy you some time. You may even avoid losing your memories, if you do what I ask."

  "Why are you doing this?” Panic etched her face.

  "I need to do this. Please, just do as I ask. Don't take anything with you. Get dressed and leave."

  "What about you?"

  "I have some unfinished business.” He turned and left the room.

  Chapter Seven

  Cruising down the highway away from the oceanfront, the wind pushed her hair around. Music blasting from the speakers didn't ease the ache. Nick was trying to fight a battle that involved her, alone. No chance for discussion. No chance for an argument. No chance at taking him out of this mad scheme. The light on the gas tank flashed and interrupted her pity party. She pulled off the Interstate and rolled to a stop in a small gas station.

  She filled the tank and walked into the store. The air conditioning didn't help calm her nerves nor the heat that followed her into the building. The wall coolers caught her attention, and she selected a bottle of water. There was Nick's favorite drink, southern style ice tea. Tears played at the edges of her eyes and spilled over.

  "So you gonna’ let him do all the dirty work."

  Jessica looked around. She didn't see anyone. She grabbed the bottle of water and waited in line at the register.