by Devyn Quinn
His gaze fixed on her lower half. “Have you been like this all your life?”
She swished her tail. “If you mean was I born a mermaid, the answer is yes. Of course.”
He arched an inquiring brow. His compelling gaze explored every inch of her lower half. “What does it feel like to have a tail?”
Tessa glanced down, eyeing her bottom half. She’d never given it a second thought. It wasn’t half as uncomfortable to wear as it looked. “It’s like having your legs strapped together with duct tape.”
He laughed. “Really?”
“Really.”
Kenneth studied her, intrigued. “Amazing.” He started to reach out toward her, but his hand froze in midair. A nervous laugh escaped him. “Sorry. I just wanted to see what it felt like.”
Tessa nibbled her lower lip. She usually didn’t let anyone close enough to cop a feel. “I guess it would be okay.”
Keeping one hand across her bare breasts, she used her other to take his, guiding his fingers toward where her left thigh would usually be. “I’m not a fish. I’m warm-blooded.”
Eyeing her with pure admiration, he let his hand linger. “Beautiful,” he murmured. “Feels like hot velvet.” His fingers brushed across her scales, sending a tremor down her spine.
Tessa shivered. His touch, strangely welcome, felt wonderful. Her breasts felt particularly sensitive behind the shield of her arm. Unbidden heat bubbled up from her core. Her body was slowly awakening from the long slumber of self-imposed celibacy.
She closed her eyes, secretly enjoying the contact. A vision of their bodies coming together flashed through her mind. Her senses went off-kilter, as if she’d downed ten shots of hundred-proof whiskey after days of drinking nothing but water.
“Have a little care there.” Her voice sounded strangely husky, more than a little bit needy. “Certain parts of my anatomy are anatomically correct.”
Kenneth’s brows shot up. “You mean—” He immediately lifted his hand.
Suppressing a groan, Tessa nodded. Arousal rolled through her, sweeping away the last of her self-protective instincts. “Brush those scales aside and everything’s still there, right where it’s supposed to be.”
He nodded thoughtfully. “I suppose that makes sense.”
Hesitating, Tessa licked papery lips. Many people would consider the idea of mermaids an abomination, a freak of nature. That wasn’t true. Mermaids had the same feelings, the same emotions as any human being. The fact she carried genes that allowed her to adapt to living on land or immersion in water made little difference. Deep inside she was still a woman, and had a woman’s feelings. Love. Hate. Desire. She’d experienced them all at one time or another in her life.
Especially desire . . .
“I’m still a female, in every way.” Oh goddess above, she wished he’d touch her again. Just one more time.
I want him, her ravenous body clamored. So very much.
She could almost taste those full, sensuous lips of his. And his hands. They had the power and the strength of a man used to handling heavy equipment. She wondered what those hands would feel like spread across her waist as he guided her down onto . . .
Oh!
Tessa’s skin suddenly felt way too small to fit over her bones. She drew a quick breath, mentally willing her out-of-control libido to stand down. His simple, curious touch shouldn’t have hit her so hard. Right now she’d probably mistake a simple handshake for foreplay.
Rocking back on his heels, a rich, deep laugh escaped him. “I would definitely agree.” He gave her a glance that swept every inch of her body. “You’re a beautiful woman.” His tone was humble, awed.
Attempting to cool herself off, Tessa dipped the tip of her tail in the bay. She tossed it into the air, splattering them both with salty water. “Flattery will get you everywhere.”
Kenneth swiped his hands across his face, wiping the droplets away. “I mean every word. With or without the tail, I think you’re one hot chick.”
Damn, she liked him. Instead of treating her like a freak and running off to call the media, he was talking to her like a real person. One who had a brain, a soul, and could understand plain English. “You’re not just saying that?”
He shook his head. “Not at all.” Tense with nerves, he dragged his fingers through his hair, spiking it wildly. The sexy, punk style suited him. “Now I know how the guy felt in Splash.”
Tessa snorted with amusement. “Good grief. You’re comparing what happened to you to something you saw in a movie?”
Grin a mile wide, he nodded. “All I know about mermaids comes from movies, actually. It isn’t like you stumble on one every day.”
She shook her head. “I think you were sneaking.” Pointing to her temple, she pretended to think a moment. “Yes, I’m pretty sure you were creeping up with the intention to spy on me.”
Kenneth eyed her. “Honestly, I had no idea you were here. I just heard something in the water.”
She rolled her eyes. “I still say you were sneaking.”
He held up his hands in mock defeat. “I’ll cop a plea and just admit to being curious.” A hand moved to his heart. “And I swear to God I haven’t tried to sneak up on a woman and get a peek since college.”
“Oh?” She looked him up and down. “You don’t look like the kind who’d have any trouble getting a private show from a co-ed.”
Kenneth chuckled, a rich, warm sound. “Eighteen years ago, I was bone thin, had more acne than skin, and couldn’t make time with a freshman to save my life. Making panty raids on the girl’s dorm was as close as I usually got to a living, breathing female.”
“Old habits die hard, eh?”
“Yeah, well, those were the days.”
“And time marched on.”
He rolled his eyes. “In a big way. Never thought middle age would ever come my way.”
Tessa swallowed a laugh. “Oh, please. You aren’t that old.”
He had the audacity to grin. “That’s probably what I should be saying to you. What are you? Twenty- four, twenty-five . . . ?”
She raised a scolding finger. “Oh, no! A woman never tells her age.”
Kenneth’s gaze settled on her face, intense and focused.
Stomach clenching with desire, Tessa sucked in a startled breath. Just the idea of him touching her in other, more intimate places made her senses hum with a sexual awareness she couldn’t possibly ignore.
She self- consciously ran her fingers through her hair, trying to neaten the damp strands, arrange them into something remotely presentable. Her shoulder-length hair was usually a wild tangle, out of control. Taming the mass of loose curls was almost impossible.
“I’m about to turn thirty,” she said to cut through the tension.
A lot of people often mistook her to be much younger than her actual years. A mermaid was capable of surviving for more than a few centuries if she kept her soul-stone intact. Humans lived very short lives, a pittance in terms of time. Given their extraordinary genetic structure, a Mer could also deliver a child at an age most humans couldn’t even begin to imagine.
Clearly surprised, Kenneth rocked back on his heels. “I’d have never guessed.”
Tessa sighed. “There are a lot of things people would never guess about me.” She reached for her robe. Her butt was getting more than a little bit numb from sitting on the hard surface. “You’ve got a lot to learn about Mers.”
He cocked his head. “I hope you’ll fill me in.”
She handed him the robe. “I’ll consider it if you promise not to sneak up on me again. You’ve got a bad habit of putting your nose where it doesn’t belong.” Since it was too late to drown him and hide the evidence, she supposed she’d have to put up with him. He’d already proved himself valuable by fixing the swamp cooler, and good help that worked cheap was hard to find.
Kenneth accepted the dripping thing, shaking it out and holding it open. “No more sneaking and peeking,” he promised.
Tessa
fought to keep her expression stern. He spoke as if he visited with Merfolk every day of the week. “Well, no peeking now. I like to shift in private.”
“I won’t look.” A grin split his face. “Unless you ask me to.”
Tessa pondered a moment. She found the idea appealing, but decided to pass for the moment. Maybe she’d think about it. Later.
“We’ll see about that.”
He grinned. “Promise?”
“Keep it up and you’ll go back into the water,” she muttered. “I can guarantee you won’t come out a second time.”
“Oh. Feisty. I like that.”
Tessa shot him a scowl, even though he couldn’t see it. “Put a lid on it or you’ll be sleeping with the fishes.” She smacked her tail on the water to emphasize her point. “Mermaids are known for their bad tempers.”
“Sounds like you have issues.” His smile widened. “I’ll show you mine if you show me yours.”
“Shove yours, please. And close your eyes.”
He gallantly closed his eyes. “Closed.”
“About time.”
Tessa reached for the crystal hanging around her neck and concentrated. Her tail began to reshape itself. Within seconds two normal legs replaced it.
She climbed to her feet, slipping into the robe and belting the tie around her waist. “All done.”
Kenneth opened his eyes. Looking her up and down, he smiled his approval. “I’m sorry I didn’t get to see more.”
She gave him a level stare. “It’s all anatomy. If you’ve seen one Mer, you’ve seen them all.” She steadied her footing on the slippery rock. The wind was beginning to kick up, the mist thickening. “I think it’s time to go in.”
One corner of his mouth kicked up. “I suppose that’s my cue to buzz off.” He clearly didn’t want to go.
Half distrust, half pleasure filled her. He was doing a damn good job of worming his way into the rest of her night.
Unwilling to make things too easy for him, she snorted. “Buzz away.”
He cocked his head at her. “Oh, great. Send me off while I’m way too wound up to sleep.” He threw her a flashing grin.
Tessa’s heart tripped at the sexy arch of his full, sensual mouth. He really knew how to put that pirate’s smile to good use. Something in his lost-boy appeal sent a rush of adrenaline through her veins.
Whether or not she wanted to admit it, Tessa genuinely liked the man. He had a good sense of humor and seemed to be a hard worker. Having him around might not be as bad as she’d imagined. He appeared able to handle the fact she wasn’t entirely human.
Sick of holding everyone at arm’s length, Tessa gave in. She was tired of hating herself for being different, of yearning uselessly to be human. Most of all she was tired of being alone.
She drew a deep breath. “Then you might as well come inside. I think I could use a drink.” A shaky laugh escaped. “It’s not every day I get to show off my tail.”
Kenneth grinned. “It’s a nice tail.” And he’d like to see more of her.
With or without it on.
As for that drink, he could use one, too. He was wide-awake and too damn wired to even consider sleeping now. Sleep wouldn’t be coming anytime soon. He’d probably regret staying up so late, but dragging himself away from Tessa’s company was impossible. He could snooze anytime.
Heart thudding in his chest, Kenneth followed her lead. Obscured by the thick mist settling across the land, the moonlight no longer cast its light on the earth below. The night had deepened, darkened. The island felt deserted, wrapped in a cottony soft cocoon.
Tessa moved like a gazelle, sure- footed and graceful as they negotiated the craggy shore. He stumbled like a clod with two left feet, silently cursing the effects of too many beers.
A moment later a door opened and the night disappeared, shut outside.
Tessa flashed an apologetic smile. “Hang on a minute. I want to put on something dry.” Disappearing down a short hallway, she left him standing in a warm, cozy living room.
Kenneth looked around, taking in the simple decor. The house offered a reflection of its inhabitants, right down to the heavy wooden furniture one expected to see in an old New England oceanfront, complete with faded wallpaper and a multitude of family photographs stretching back through a couple of generations. Though immaculately clean, it was an old house. The place was obviously lived in, and comfortable to its inhabitants.
Tessa reappeared. “That’s better.” She’d thrown on a sweat suit, obscuring the curves that had been so obvious earlier. Her long hair was twirled up, secured with a clip. A few damp strands refused to be tamed, straggling around her face and neck in a most alluring way. Untouched by makeup, her skin was flawless, and deeply tanned.
After seeing her mostly naked, Kenneth hadn’t thought she could get any better. He was wrong. Even bundled in baggy sweatpants and a baggier sweatshirt, with her hair soaking wet, she looked sexy as hell.
He cleared his throat, turning away before a certain part of his anatomy revealed his thoughts. “You look great.” It had been a long time since he’d considered getting physical with any woman.
Kenneth mentally put the brakes on. They’d known each other barely a single day. True, he’d thought about her, dreamed about her, for months. But at that point in time she was little more than a vague impression in his mind, a faceless phantom siren. Now that he knew her to be real and not a figment of his imagination, the fantasy was no longer acceptable.
He wanted the real woman.
But does she want me? His internal question nagged.
There was only one answer: Wait and find out.
Kenneth darted a glance around. “So you live here all by yourself?” He wanted to know everything about her. At least a hundred questions rolled through his mind, but he revisited the urge to pelt her with one right after the other.
Even though she had accepted his intrusion with good grace, he could tell by the aloofness in her manner that she wasn’t entirely comfortable. It would take time for her to trust him. And until she did, he’d have to be patient. Answers would come. Later.
First he wanted her to be comfortable. He wanted her to trust him. It came without saying that he would have to earn it.
The barest hint of sadness touched Tessa’s lips. A trace of shadows lingered behind her vibrant gaze. Loneliness . . . or something else? Whatever it was, it vanished as soon as it had arrived. “Just me and the lighthouse, and Jasper,” she said honestly. “And now you.”
“Your sister doesn’t live here?”
“Sisters,” she corrected. “Gwen and Addison moved over to Port Rock a few years ago. They prefer the human way of life.”
Though she appeared calm, a vibe of uneasiness hovered around her. Given the circumstances behind his discovery, it was entirely understandable she would feel ill at ease.
“Must get lonely, being left behind.”
A frown crossed her face. “Sometimes.” A visible shiver coursed through her. “I think I need that drink to take the chill off. Join me?”
He nodded. “Sure.” He didn’t really need any more booze, but a gentleman didn’t let a lady drink all by herself.
Tessa indicated the sofa with a nod of her head. “Sit. I’ll pour.”
Kenneth took a seat. A hand-crocheted throw was tossed over the back of a well-worn sofa. Though it sagged a little in the middle, its thick cushions were comfortable. A twenty-gallon tank sat behind it, teeming with a multitude of colorful fish. He settled back, watching the fish swim in their tranquil environment.
He jerked a thumb toward the tank. “So these would be your cousins, right?”
Tessa put her hands on her hips. She had the grace to grin, flashing perfectly white teeth. “Cute.” Her green eyes shimmered with good humor. “You’re a real funny guy.”
Kenneth held her gaze and winked. “Humor’s a good defense. If you don’t laugh, you’ll cry. And you look like a lady who needs a little laughter in her life.”
/> Lips the shade of fresh strawberries settled into a sexy smirk. “You think so?”
He spread his hands. “Definitely.” Right then and there he vowed to taste her lips before morning arrived. At the moment, the notion didn’t seem far-fetched at all.
Tessa raised a mock fist. “Sit down before I knock you on your ass, please.”
Kenneth did a mental comparison. Tall and willowy, Tessa wasn’t a shrinking violet. She stood at least five-ten, fairly tall for a woman. That pretty package probably carried a lot of dynamite.
Still, he couldn’t resist challenging her. He arched an eyebrow and shot back, “You really think you could?”
Tessa’s brows arched higher. She stepped right up to the plate and swung hard. “I’m a lot stronger than I look.” She pointedly eyed him from head to foot. “And don’t forget who dragged your sorry ass out of the bay.”
She’d hit a home run. The proverbial ball sailed right over his head. He flinched. “You’ve got a point.”
She stuck out her tongue and pulled a face. “And they stick out all over my body, I know. Nobody’s ever accused me of being a nice bitch.”
Well, at least she knew herself. Most people didn’t.
Kenneth held his hands up, signaling a time-out. “Maybe we could skip the bitch part and try for pleasant.”
She shook her head. “Pleasant is the polite way of saying I’ll tolerate you for now. If you want me to be civil, I need a drink.”
“If it will help your mood, by all means, proceed.”
Tessa rolled her eyes. “About time.” She walked over to a small wet bar tucked in one corner.
Kenneth watched her walk, enjoying the sight. Tessa cracked open a bottle. Splashing a generous amount into two glasses, she delivered one to him. “Best service on the island.”
He accepted the drink. “And delivered by the prettiest girl.”
Tessa settled down across from him. The distinct aroma of sea water and warm female skin tickled his nostrils. He inhaled, enjoying her unique scent. “You may imbibe liberally and be merry.”