by Brenna Zinn
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The Wild Rose Press
www.thewildrosepress.com
Copyright ©2007 by Beverly Zech
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NOTICE: This work is copyrighted. It is licensed only for use by the original purchaser. Making copies of this work or distributing it to any unauthorized person by any means, including without limit email, floppy disk, file transfer, paper print out, or any other method constitutes a violation of International copyright law and subjects the violator to severe fines or imprisonment.
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The Sea Prince
by
Brenna Zinn
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.
The Sea Prince
COPYRIGHT ©
2007 by Beverly Zech
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.
Contact Information: [email protected]
Cover Art by Tamra Westberry
The Wild Rose Press
PO Box 706
Adams Basin, NY 14410-0706
Visit us at www.thewildrosepress.com
Publishing History
First Scarlet Rose Edition, July 2007
Published in the United States of America
Dedication
To my own prince, Charlie, who swept me away...
The Sea Prince
A light breeze saturated with the sweet smell of exotic flowers brushed Shelly Merdock's warm cheeks. Though the full moon glowed bright, she could still see stars dotting the night sky. She shifted on the chaise lounge, pulling the soft cotton sheet up to her waist. Three-thirty in the morning in the most beautiful resort on the Yucatan coast and she still couldn't sleep. The smaller space on the patio's reclining chair had to be more comfortable than the bed in the honeymoon suite. Who could possibly sleep alone in a huge bed meant for horny newlyweds?
Her thumb automatically reached for the engagement ring on her finger but felt nothing except bare skin. Rick now had the ring.
Rick.
Oh, God.
What was she going to do when she went back home to Boston? How would she face all those people who came to her wedding? Everybody on the East coast now knew the man she spent the last four years with preferred men. She was a pathetic laughing stock. If her parents were alive, this surely would have killed them.
The swell of anger she had managed to keep down since arriving at the resort rippled across her stomach and threatened to explode as a scream. She clenched her fists so tight her fingernails bit into the soft skin of her palms.
She had been such a fool. So eager to find someone to love her, she gave her heart, virginity, and every ounce of trust to the first man who showed interest. And now, instead of being here on the beach for their honeymoon as he had insisted, Rick was probably sleeping next to some hairy-assed construction worker in Boston's lower West Side. To think he was the one who suggested she get electrolysis because he didn't like hair on her legs. The jerk.
Shelly stood and crossed her arms over her waist. She walked to a palm tree on the side of the patio and looked out over the water, sucking in deep lungfuls of the cool ocean breeze. Anything to calm her nerves and keep herself from yelling.
Like a lullaby, the sight and sound of the surf breaking against the shore not more than fifty feet away smoothed jagged emotions. For as far as she could see, light from the full moon reflected off the dark water's rolling surface, illuminating the night with its soft opaque glow.
So much beauty here on the Mexican Rivera and no one to share it with. Not to mention, no one to go home with and start a ‘happily ever after’ kind of life.
Shelly sighed. Destiny dealt her a bum hand. More than likely she was doomed to spend the rest of her life abandoned and alone. Might as well get used to the fact no one wanted her. She would end up the creepy old lady with only cats for company and a dildo for pleasure. She was a librarian after all. Wasn't that the kind of life everyone expected for her anyway?
Her chest and shoulders shuddered as she held back tears. She turned to head back to her room but stopped mid step, her attention caught by a disturbance in the water.
Something not more than a hundred yards dipped and bobbed atop the waves. The floating object appeared to be moving closer with each second, revealing more of itself. Bright moonlight glowing from behind cast its front in black, indiscernible shadows, making it impossible to identify. Like a seal, the thing weaved to and fro, slicing through the swells.
What the heck could be out there?
Shelly pushed her glasses to the bridge of her nose and narrowed her eyes, focusing on whatever was coming ashore. Was it a buoy? A dolphin?
At about fifty yards from the crashing surf, the shape of the object appeared more and more like a man. A muscular man. His head and shoulders tapered into to well-defined arms, a wide chest, and narrow hips. A swimmer's body. Walking toward the shore, something about his gate was off. He swayed from side to side, as if the water played tug of war with his body.
Though he couldn't be more than thirty yards away, Shelly leaned forward, straining to make out the lower part of his frame. Something about his hips and the top of his thighs didn't look right.
For one crazy moment, his lower body shimmered like fish scales and his thighs appeared fused together.
She closed her eyes and shook her head.
It couldn't be.
Very slowly, she opened one eyelid and then the other. Relief washed over her, and she let out the breath she was holding. She hadn't lost her mind. He did have two legs. Wet, but nice legs at that. Long and tight from his calves to his thighs.
As he walked out of the lapping surf onto the beach, the dim lights from the resort revealed even more of his features. A small piece of rose colored coral dangled from a cord around his thick neck. Other than that, the man wasn't wearing anything at all. His unrestricted penis swayed from side to side with his every stride.
Shelly gripped the sides of the palm tree. The unexpected sight of a naked, wet man triggered an internal lava flow. White hot heat scorched a trail from her chest to the knot tightening in her belly.
She couldn't tear her gaze from his cock. The sheer size of the thing was mesmerizing. No man could be that big.
Hung like a thoroughbred, the man's dick made Rick's seem stubby and pathetic. Even just stepping out of the cool ocean water, this man's was long and plump. Its tip nearly reached the middle of his muscular thigh.
By the time she realized which way the stranger was heading, he was no more than ten feet away. He instantly morphed from eye candy to threat.
Panic froze every muscle in her body. Her mind screamed for movement, but her feet were welded to the ground. The best she could do was hope he hadn't seen her, press herself against the palm's trunk and hide.
"Do not be afraid. I mean you no harm.” Though deep and commanding, his voice was surprisingly gentle and reassuring. His slight accent didn't immediately register. It was definitely foreign. Was he Greek?
Despite his pacifying words, her fear was paralyzing. There was no way she could fight him off if he attacked. Unlike Rick's slight frame, this man was huge. Only bodybuilders had biceps and pecs that size.
Shelly quickly surveyed her surroundings. Her room wasn't too far, but he would surely catch her before she ran half way across the patio. The next villa was yards away. She would never make it.
&
nbsp; "I will do you no harm,” he repeated. “You are safe with me."
An arrow of ice shot down her spine. After being burned by Rick, trusting any man, let alone some naked man who crawled out from the sea, just wasn't an option. She was trapped.
"I can see you are frightened. Do not be."
With the choices limited, she didn't have much of a decision to make. She had to take the man at his word.
Shelly peeked around the tree trunk. The palm's rough bark rubbed against the skin of her cheek. A cool gust of wind from the Caribbean blew back her hair.
He stood barefoot in the white sand within arm's reach from her hiding spot. Tiny rivulets of water ran from his curly shoulder-length hair down his washboard stomach.
She dared not allow her gaze to dip down further. Instead, she glanced up at his face.
Intelligent dark eyes met hers. A slight smile spread across his angled jaw, making his cheekbones more pronounced. He ran his fingers over the top of his head and through his jet-black hair, causing even more water to shimmer over his pumped chest.
"I am Kronnos. I am looking for the woman who bares the mark of the shell."
Shelly's eyes widened, and she swallowed hard. “A shell?” Her voice trembled, the words tumbling from her lips like an unsteady drunkard. “You mean, a birthmark?"
Kronnos nodded. “I am destined to meet my lifemate this night.” He stepped closer and plucked a lock of hair from her shoulder.
Shelly's heart stopped beating. What was he doing?
"I am told my lifemate will have hair like fiery copper and a scalloped shell on her breast.” He leaned forward, his gaze raking over her. “Do you know of this woman?"
Shelly retreated from the tree to the patio, putting a chaise lounge between her and the hulking man who somehow knew about her birthmark. Without thinking, she placed a protective hand over her breast. “Listen here, He-Man. I don't know who you are or what you want, but I suggest you leave."
She racked her brain for some kind of weapon, but came up short. Hoping like hell she looked more indignant than scared, Shelly pointed a stiff finger at the bedroom. “My husband is in that room. He'll tear you apart if I so much as yelp."
"You are a brave woman. But your words lie.” Kronnos stepped onto the patio.
Shelly's wayward eyes darted down to the thick thatch of hair between his legs where his cock stood at ready. She couldn't help herself. Her unbelieving brain needed confirmation and got it. Rick's penis was a peanut compared to Kronnos's.
Like an undisciplined traitor, her nipple tightened beneath her hand. She didn't need to palm the other breast to know it had reacted in kind. Both nipples panged with the need to be sucked.
Luckily, her mind hadn't completely softened at the sight of this dripping wet, bare-skinned Arnold Schwarzenegger wannabe. “Stop. I'm telling you, my husband will rip your arms right out of their sockets if you take another step."
For just a second, she nearly laughed. The thought of her thin, very proper Rick confronting this giant of a man was pure ludicrous. Hell, knowing what she now knew, Rick would probably try to bake this guy a cake and eat it off of him.
"I would never let such a beautiful woman from my side.” Kronnos came closer and placed a large hand on the chair. “If you were my woman, my lifemate, you would never be far from me."
This gorgeous hunk thinks I'm beautiful?
Her knees nearly buckled. His remark burst a gaping hole through her defense.
Not even Rick had called her beautiful. If he had, she never would have believed him. All her life, she had hated her painfully white skin and horrible, curly red hair. But the comment coming from this man, this complete stranger, somehow seemed genuine. Maybe the sound of his sincerity was only wishful thinking on her part. Maybe the look of longing in his dark eyes made her want to believe.
With a slowness reminiscent of a lion tamer approaching a caged animal, Kronnos inched closer until he stood beside her. He rested a palm on her arm. “Please, let me see if you are the one."
Her skin sizzled under his incredibly gentle touch. His palm was as soft as buttery leather. Everything about Kronnos turned her inside out. Could she actually trust him?
Shelly drank in a sharp breath for courage, filling her lungs to capacity before unleashing the air. She was insane for doing this, but what did she have to lose? If his intention was to hurt her, he could have done it long before now. Not to mention she was in Mexico on what should have been her honeymoon and the naked man wanting to see her chest rivaled Adonis. “All right. Go ahead."
One finger ascended her arm and hooked the spaghetti strap of her thin cotton nightgown. He raised his gaze from her shoulder to her face, shifting to look into one of her eyes then the other.
Apparently satisfied she wouldn't freak out, he lifted the strap. Slowly, he lowered the thin strip of barely-there material until the swell of her breast appeared.
There, as it had been since the day she was born, was her birthmark. A small scalloped shell. The inspiration for her name.
"You are the one. My destined lifemate.” He dropped the strap and brushed the dark patch of skin with his thumb. “I have waited a lifetime for this moment. You are even more beautiful than I imagined.” With an arm like flesh-covered steel, he pulled her close while cupping her birthmarked breast. “You are the owner of my heart. I am yours forever."
Shelly's heart melted, and the last of her resistance gave way.
Whatever this man wanted, she would willingly give. In the few minutes he had spent with her, he had been more gentle and kind than Rick had ever been. His sensitive words and sexy accent, combined with hard muscles and huge dick, were the stuff of dreams. And, damn it all, didn't she deserve a hot night of passion on what should have been her honeymoon?
His muscular frame pressed against hers, enveloping her with cool wetness.
Shelly closed her eyes, enjoying the feel of Kronnos's tight, toned body. Though she was tall, her head easily tucked into the crook of his neck. He smelled of wind and ocean, with a hint of musk. A very natural, untamed kind of scent. So very different from Rick.
The toes of her bare feet curled. She never liked strong cologne on men, preferring the body's own scent. Was there a button this guy didn't know how to push?
Kronnos gently pinched the end of her nipple, and a current of creamy juices flowed to her labia. When he slid off the rest of her nightgown, the warm breeze off the ocean caressed her skin, and she realized she was out in the open, in full view of anyone who cared to look.
"Kronnos.” His name came out on a moan. Just speaking was an effort. “Shouldn't we go inside? Someone might see."
He lifted her chin and kissed her. As though claiming possession, he tightened his hold and spread her lips with his tongue. Its lithe end darted in and around her mouth, teasing.
His free hand slipped over her puckered breasts and then her stomach, stopping at the top of her silk panties. From there three fingers glided under the elastic band until they reached her wet folds.
"You are very wet, my treasure.” He slipped his fingers between her pussy's lips. “Were you expecting me?"
A buzz of excitement thrummed through her blood. Never in her life had she been so bold in public. Kronnos obviously didn't care if anyone saw them. And, for reasons she couldn't explain, the thought of someone watching only added to her excitement.
The pad of a finger passed over her clit, and she uttered a low groan. He massaged the tiny nub, rubbing it back and forth, until her body shook. When was the last time she'd been touched this way? Why had she allowed so much time to pass?
Emboldened by her newfound sexual freedom, she detached herself from his kisses and arched her back, forcing her tits high on her chest, nearly begging him to touch them.
He bent and latched onto one hardened peak with his mouth. With light nips and gentle sucking, he teased her aching breast, making her yearn for more. When finished loving one nipple, his experienced mouth moved to the
other, leaving the wet, sensitive flesh bare to the breeze from the ocean.
Shelly placed her hands on his head and raked fingers through his long wavy hair. Though damp, his ebony locks felt soft like mink. “Please, Kronnos. Take me now. I want to feel you inside of me."
Kronnos lifted his head and nodded. Without ceremony, he placed his arms behind her back and knees and lifted her. But rather than take her to the room, he stepped off the patio and onto the beach.
"Wait. Where are you going?” Shelly tapped his muscular shoulder and pointed back to the honeymoon suite. “The bedroom is the other way."
Kronnos continued walking. Long, powerful strides, quickly taking them to the edge of the water.
Shelly stiffened, then locked her arms around his neck. Confusion mixed with fright constricted her chest. Her heart raced like a caged rabbit's.
The low, rhythmic sound of the surf breaking on the shore was no longer a soothing lullaby. Rather, it was a reminder of the strength of the ocean. The water churning with each wave had the ability to pull her under and rob her of breath for eternity.
"I will love you here,” he said. “Between your world and mine."
His world?
He bent to release her, but she refused to let go. Instead, she held on tighter. “I can't swim. I'm afraid of the water."
A look for bewilderment crossed Kronnos's face. “Why do you fear the ocean? I promise it will not hurt you."
Shelly turned away, focusing on the rows of swaying palm trees lining the beach. She just couldn't look at the breaking waves. Bad enough they roared like thunder in her ears. She hadn't been this close to the ocean in years and quite frankly, wanted to keep it that way.
The moon's shine cast eerie shadows on the moving fronds, like hundreds of ghosts playing among the leaves. Very similar to the specters racing through her memory.
In her mind's eye, boats docked at the distant marina. The sky quickly darkened from light shades of grey to black. Winds whipped her face with her long curls. Rough waves and three foot high swells rocked the little sailboat. Her tiny fingers grabbed hold of the wood deck before a terrible crack of lightening.