Merlicious 2
Page 25
"You've really thought all this out, haven't you?"
"Naturally. It's the single most important thing I've ever done.” He placed a hand over her stomach. “Well, one of the two most important."
How did you say no to a man like that? “I'll agree to go to Miami with you. I still have some vacation time. Then, if the pregnancy is confirmed, I'll seriously consider marriage.” She, too, stroked her belly. “I don't believe I could actually have an abortion. Especially not your baby. I do love you, Staal. I'm just freaked out by all the extenuating circumstances."
He smiled, relief in his aquamarine eyes. “Fair enough. And very diplomatically put. I have to admit these are some pretty unusual extenuating circumstances. Would you like to meet some of my family today?"
Her hand went to her hair. “Like this?"
Chuckling, Staal squeezed her. “Sweetheart, we live in the water. Everyone has wet hair."
"I see your point. Okay. How do we manage this?"
"I can call them. They've remained in the area in hopes of getting to meet you."
"Okay. Let me get my suit on.” She turned to swim toward the boat.
His hand stopped her. “Why? None of us will be wearing clothes."
"Look, I can only take so much. I'll feel at a great disadvantage as it is. I don't think I could manage nudity, too."
He captured a breast in his palm. “You're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. Why would you feel at a disadvantage?"
"Staal, you and your family are not human. You are half fish. You live in the water. Duh."
A low chuckle rumbled out from his chest. “Go ahead, then, and dress. I'll have the word sent.” Without preamble, he began to emit strange sounds, the noise spreading out across the water. Almost immediately three dolphins surfaced nearby, chattered as they balanced on their tails and swam off at top speed. “It won't be long now."
"You're kidding, right? You didn't just send dolphins to give a message to your family."
"Yes, I did. Dolphins are very intelligent and have had a bond with my kind for millennium."
"Naturally.” Isabo climbed into the boat and wiggled into her suit. Staal gaped at her the entire time. “You could be a gentleman and look away."
"Not a chance. I told you when we first met I wasn't civilized. Besides, no male alive could look away from a show like that.” Cocking a head to the side, Staal listened for a moment then announced, “They'll be here in a minute. Do you want me to come up there in the boat with you, or do you want to join me here?"
"I guess I'll come back in.” She almost jumped on top of one of the expected relatives. “Oh, I'm so sorry,” she sputtered, water dripping from her nose and mouth as she tried to catch her breath.
The tinkling voice of the beautiful redhead assured her, “Don't be silly. We should have surfaced a ways away instead of coming up right under you. We knew you were human and wouldn't sense our approach. And of course my brother, being male, wouldn't have sense enough to tell you."
"Hey, no brother bashing.” Staal chucked his sister under the chin.
"Why not?” She swatted at his hand. “Somebody has to keep your ego in check."
Isabo snorted. “That's the truth.” She held out her hand. “I'm Isabo Maready."
"Very pleased to meet you. I'm Lorali's mother, Leilani. I'm also Staal's sister.” She shook hands awkwardly, like she didn't do it very often.
Isabo made a note to herself not to offer her hand to any of Staal's other relatives. “There are no words to express my gratitude for what you did to aid my child.” Before Isabo could reply, Leilani continued, “And the other lunkhead is my mate, Loges.” She indicated the broad shouldered blond who hovered nearby.
"We are so glad to get to meet you, Isabo,” he said. “Staal has waited a long time to find his mate. He deserves the happiness I'm sure you will find together."
Isabo felt a jolt of conscious. “Nothing's decided yet."
"I'm sure you'll work it out,” Leilani insisted.
"Yes,” Staal agreed. “We will.” He skimmed a hand along Isabo's hip beneath the water.
They visited for a while, bobbing in the Atlantic, miles from shore. Despite the absurdity of the situation, Isabo found they were remarkably like her own family: loving, playful, concerned. She and Leilani watched with tolerant female smiles as the men frolicked with the dolphins after they returned, leaping and chattering around them. When she felt in danger of becoming a human raisin, Isabo called a halt to the visit, and she and Staal headed back toward shore. “I liked them, Staal. Really liked them. They were warm and welcoming. I appreciated their efforts to make me feel welcome."
"Why wouldn't they? You're a wonderful woman.” He nuzzled her neck. “My woman.” His voice had grown husky and deep. His lips nibbled up to her ear where he sucked on the lobe. “Why not stop here for a while?"
Chills raised up on her skin, and moisture flooded. “See what you've done? You've made my bathing suit all wet, and it was just drying out."
"Wet, huh?” his hand slipped beneath the thong to test her readiness. Slick, soft, wet skin enticed him in. He slipped a finger along her labia and into her channel. “My God, woman, you can't imagine how badly I want you. Every moment of every day. You are my mate. My other half. I have waited an eternity to find you."
Throttling down to idle, Isabo turned to meet his passion, fusing her lips to his and skimming his body with both hands. “I want you, too. I have never felt such an attraction. I find myself thinking about you all day long, and dreaming about you at night. When we've just spent an hour making love, I still want more. I need more."
He chuckled. “So what are you saying, that I'm an unsatisfying lover?"
"Guess you'll just have to keep trying,” was her saucy reply.
Staal reached around her, turned off the ignition and loosened the strap holding her top in place. Isabo moaned as he sucked an engorged nipple into his mouth, pulling strongly, sending lightning bolts to her womb. Moaning, she sank to the deck pulling him down on top of her.
The sound of an approaching outboard brought them unhappily back to reality.
"Who the fuck could possibly be out here?” Staal's face was more ferocious than she'd ever seen it.
"Don't worry, honey, I'll make it up to you when we get home.” Isabo struggled into her suit as the noise drew closer. Still feeling a little bare she asked, “Where are my shorts?” Staal handed them over and she pulled them up just as the Fountain pulled alongside.
Staal whistled. “Who do you know that could afford a thirty-six foot Fountain? That thing is beautiful."
Isabo shrugged. “I have no idea. You sure they're not friends of yours?"
He grinned. “All my friends swim."
"Very funny."
"Ahoy, the boat.” Joe Calvo stepped out of the cabin, impeccably dressed in a white suit with pink shirt. Today he was a Don Johnson wannabe.
Staal began to laugh, but Isabo elbowed him in the ribs.
"Yeah, Joe, what do you want now?” She let just the right amount of irritation slip into her voice.
"Just wanted you two to know I won't give up. I know you have information on the mermaid, and I plan to be in on it when you go public. I deserve to have an equal share in the find."
"You slimy—” Staal's fingers pressed against her lips, stopping the flow of profanity he knew was coming.
"First of all, we have no idea what you're talking about. Are you smoking crack? A mermaid?” Staal shook his head. “Man, you're pitiful.” Pulling Isabo up against him, he rested his chin on her shoulder and cuddled her up to his chest. “My fiancé and I were just spending a little time alone, and here you come, tracking us down in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. I might have to have a restraining order taken out against you.” Wiggling his eyebrows he added, “You very nearly caught us in a compromising situation. Then I'd have had to kill you. Nobody looks at my woman but me."
"Funny, Jusko. Real funny. I spoke to my uncle about you.
You don't scare me at all."
Shrugging, “I never had any intention of scaring you. I'm just telling you the truth. Anyway, Isabo and I will be leaving the area tomorrow. My job is in Miami, and she's agreed to spend some time with me there until her vacation is over.” He ran his hands up and down Isabo's arms as though to warm them. “And let me assure you, you don't want to be caught by my guards. They aren't as even tempered as I am. Once we're married we'll be moving to Tahiti so I can work on my book."
Joe's face reflected his shock. “You can't do that, Isabo. What about your doctorate? You still have your dissertation to write."
"Don't worry,” she assured him. “I'll get my doctorate eventually. In fact, I've got my own private tutor in marine biology.” With that, she cranked the engine and took off toward Whalebone.
Red faced, jumping up and down, Joe shook his fist at the departing boat. “I'll follow you, damn it. I'll find out what you know. Count on it."
"He may cause us trouble,” Isabo worried.
"The only thing that's going to cause us trouble,” he promised, “is getting home before I ignite from lust-induced spontaneous combustion."
"Oh, sweetie, I can't have that,” she purred, dropping to her knees as he steered them toward the shoreline.
The End
* * *
Visit www.midnightshowcase.com for information on additional titles by this and other authors.