She wore the same bikini from the other day, the one Miss Maureen – god bless her soul – had designed. It couldn’t get much skimpier, and yet Lola strolled casually to the beach, the triangle of fabric barely covering her very generous bum, and Gage had to turn away for a moment and adjust his shorts before he found himself in a very awkward position. Bending to busy himself with the cooler, he only glanced over when she called to him.
“The water feels amazing. You should get in!”
And when a mermaid invites you to get in the water, you go, Gage thought. He pulled his shirt over his head, completely entranced by Lola – as he’d been since the day she’d glared at him across the airport. He’d noticed her immediately, the confident curvy woman striding through customs with only a leather pack and a tote bag on her shoulder. Tumbled reddish curls, eyes he’d later learned were hazel green, and more than enough curves to keep a man’s hands busy for days – yeah, Gage had been lost. He’d had a few distressing nights since he’d met Lola, waking covered in sweat, her name on his lips.
She had glowed at the altar.
When he’d turned around to ask her if she was done with her wish, she’d been glowing. Perhaps it was a trick of the eyes, from looking with his headlamp to her standing in the ray of light shining from the hole above, but she’d been lit up in a rose-gold hue that had almost brought him to his knees. When a goddess shows herself, one should kneel. He wanted her more than anything he’d wanted in his life. Which made him want to tread carefully, for Lola struck him as someone who was… well, was like him. Comfortable in her own skin, used to moving on from lovers, and confident in being alone. As desperately as he wanted to taste every inch of her body, he worried that was all he’d get.
He’d given his necklace away, the one his mother had given him to protect him on his travels. Gage had worn it always, but now he wondered if he’d protected himself too much, keeping busy with work, never forming attachments too deeply. What he wanted now, he deeply feared had already slipped by.
Lola grinned at him from where she treaded water, her hair tumbling from her braids and floating around her on the surface in thick curls. Gage’s fingers curled. Despite himself, he strode right into the water until he reached her. She kicked to stay at the surface, while he could still stand. Without stopping, he hooked his hands under her arms and pulled her to him, pausing for just a moment to meet her eyes – to give her a chance to say no.
When no objection came, he’d did what he’d been aching to do for days and claimed her lips in a kiss. They were salty from the water and sweet with her own essence. Gage almost moaned against her mouth, using all his willpower not to deepen the kiss. Instead he only played gently with her lips, then pulled away with a smile.
“And to what do I owe that pleasure?” Lola asked, a flush crossing her cheeks, her lips a shade pinker from his kiss. It made him crazy, how they looked like a bruised peach, and he wanted to nibble some more. Instead, he smiled down at her.
“I told you I’d kiss you if I found a mermaid today,” Gage said lightly.
“You found one? Oh, you mean the drawings?” Lola pulled her lip into a pout and looked around at the water.
“No, silly. You’re a mermaid if I’ve ever seen one,” Gage said, brushing a finger across her lips. “I had to claim my kiss.”
Lola delighted him with a brilliant smile before stepping closer to trail a finger down his chest. He felt every inch of him go on alert, and the world focused to a pinpoint where all he could feel was the trail of heat being left behind by her finger.
“I’ve been trying to ignore my attraction to you,” Lola admitted, squinting up at him.
She’s attracted to me! Gage bit back a grin.
“But it seems like this will be a losing battle.”
“Why have you been trying to ignore it?”
“Because I didn’t want this trip to be about that. I… I guess I’m looking for something more, this trip. There are some things I want to figure out.”
“The Lola project,” Gage said.
“Right. That.” Lola looked off into the distance before coming back to him. “But you’re stuck in my thoughts as well. I guess it’s inevitable.”
Her finger trailed lower and Gage caught it before it reached the top of his swim trunks, her intent clear. It bothered him, the way she’d said it was inevitable, as though he was just an itch to scratch. It surprised him to realize he wanted more from her. Remembering his wish, and his thoughts in the cave, he pulled her hand to his mouth, turned it, and pressed a kiss to her palm.
“Come, let’s eat. I’ve got a picnic prepared for you.”
“But…” Lola said, confusion crossing her gorgeous face, and Gage almost laughed.
“When I lie with you, Lola, it’s going to be because that’s the only thing you want in this world. I want you to ache for me. I’ve time yet to make that happen,” Gage said, and brushed a kiss to her now-pouting mouth.
“Who says you’ll have time with me? Maybe this was your one chance,” Lola shot back. “Rejection doesn’t exactly warm a woman’s soul.”
“I’m not rejecting you,” Gage said. “But this matters.”
Without another word, Lola turned and dove beneath the water. Gage let her go, recognizing a woman in a temper, and beat a retreat for the beach. Humming the whole way, he smiled as he unpacked the picnic.
It was going to be an absolute pleasure to woo the lovely Lola.
Chapter 16
Lola couldn’t tell if she was embarrassed or angry, but she stayed in the water awhile, letting her emotions calm as she tried to get her bearings. It wasn’t like she hadn’t been rejected before – everyone had, at some point in their life. But the man had come and kissed her, hadn’t he? And then to turn down what she offered? Well, he’d be damn lucky if she’d ever offer it again. Not when he had tossed it back so casually in her face.
Lola dove again, letting the water cool the heat of her face, and the niggling embarrassment that flitted beneath her mood. If she had to admit it, he was in the right. She’d moved too fast, too soon, and likely spoiled what could have been a very sweet and charming moment. So used to keeping men in the ‘casual lovers for a few nights or a month’ compartment, she’d automatically defaulted to putting Gage there. But after the moment they’d shared in the cave, and all the powerful and glorious energy she felt in this space, Lola realized she owed herself more than that as well. Sighing, she floated at the surface a moment before something glinted under the water, catching her eye. Doing her best to squint in the saltwater, Lola dove again and grasped a chain, pulling it to the surface with her.
Swimming quickly to the shore, Lola stood waist-deep in the water and examined her find. Power had all but zapped her the moment her hand had closed over it, and now all she wanted to do was hold onto this and never let go.
“Did you find some treasure?” Gage had walked back to the shore and looked at where she stood, like a fool, gaping down at the necklace in her hands.
“I… I believe I did. Oh, Gage, look!” The awkward moment forgotten, Lola bounded the rest of the way out of the water.
“Is it a necklace?” Gage asked, and Lola held it up. She was reluctant to hand it over, and Gage seemed to sense that.
“Yes, with a locket.”
“What’s in it?”
Etched on the outside of the large locket, almost the size of her palm, was an intricate shell design inlaid with pearl. While some corrosion tarnished the necklace, it wasn’t bad. Lola gently opened the locket to reveal a mirror, soldered in gold, inside.
“It’s a mirror locket,” Gage said, looking down at the necklace. “Are there any other etchings?”
Lola flipped the locket over to reveal a crescent moon and a star etched on the back.
“A mermaid’s mirror,” Lola whispered, tears filling her eyes at the sense of peace that washed through her holding it.
“May I?” Gage asked, and Lola handed it over, though every ounce
of her being wanted to refuse. Gage turned it over in his hand, his eyes coming to rest once more on the design on the back. “I… I know this design.”
“You do?”
“It was on the pendant my mother gave me. For safe travels over water. So long as I followed the ways of the moon and the stars, I’d be safe.”
“Is that… what you put on the altar?” Lola felt a tremor rush through her.
“It is,” Gage said, sounding as shaken as she was. Reaching out, he held the necklace up and slid it over her neck, the long chain landing the pendant between her breasts where it nestled warmly, radiating peace and joy through her body. “It’s meant for you.”
“How do you know?”
“I can see it on your face. You’re glowing.”
“It feels… I don’t know. I feel.” Lola brought her fist to her heart.
Gage reached out and took her hand, tugging a bit as he led her from the water to where he’d set up the picnic.
“Come, tell me what you feel.”
It was the first time a man had asked her that in a long time. Pleasure swept through her and, happy that the moment after the kiss had passed, Lola resigned herself to the fact that Gage was going to be nothing more than a friend.
And for that, she was grateful. Looking at him now, with the pendant on her neck, Lola came to the startling realization that she might not survive losing this man.
Best to tread water, instead of diving too deep, Lola thought, and plopped on the picnic blanket with a smile.
Chapter 17
The water was choppier on the way back, but nothing that bothered Lola. They rode home in silence, both processing the beauty of the day, but no tension lingered between them. They’d had a lovely chat over their picnic, and Gage had listened without judgment when Lola explained how she felt energy from things. She’d never told anyone this, other than her mother and Sam, and she had no idea why she’d confided in Gage. But since he’d rejected her, and she’d decided to place him firmly in the friend category, Lola figured it didn’t matter if he thought she was more than a little crazy.
“Thanks for a wonderful day, Gage,” Lola said when he rolled to a stop in front of the Laughing Mermaid. “Truly, one for the books. I’ll treasure this memory always.”
“As will I… dare I say it was magical?” Gage asked as he rounded the car and opened her door, offering his hand to help her from the car. Lola took it and ignored the thrill of pleasure that shot through her at his touch.
“That’s the perfect word for it.” She beamed up at him, then remembered she still needed to pay the man. Digging in her satchel, she pulled out her wallet and unfolded a wad of cash, counting off the trip fee and a generous tip. Holding it out, she smiled at him. “For you. Thank you for a great tour. Is there a website I can review your business on?”
“No, thank you,” Gage said, closing her hand over the money and gently pushing it back to her. “I won’t take payment for today.”
“Why?” Lola asked scrunching her face up in confusion.
“Because it was nothing but pleasure. Please, keep your money.”
“But it’s your business. And I always pay my way.”
“I always pay for the first date,” Gage said, and before she could do anything, he’d brushed a light kiss on her lips, leaving them tingling and wanting more, and climbed in the truck.
“Wait. This was not a date,” Lola said, turning to glare at him through the open window.
“It had all the elements of a date.” Gage grinned as he shifted into gear. “Great atmosphere, great company, a lovely meal, a delicious kiss –”
“It can’t be a date because you didn’t even ask me on one. I hired you for a charter. Which is not a date.”
“Ah, but I didn’t take payment, so it’s a date.”
“You have to ask someone on a date for it to be a date,” Lola insisted. She was tempted to throw the money through his open window, but thought it might be a tad trashy to do so.
“Fine. Want to go on a date with me, Lola?”
“No,” Lola said, and turned her back, heading for the door.
“Playing hard to get. I like it,” Gage said, and Lola threw up her middle finger, letting him know what she thought of him. His laugh followed her down the road, and despite herself, she grinned, too happy to care about a bit of banter with Gage.
“Well, that’s what we like to see – smiling guests,” Irma said from where she leaned against the door, her arms crossed over a deep blue linen sheath, her hair tumbling loose over her shoulders. Bracelets clinked at her wrists as she uncrossed her arms and stepped forward. Lola was more than certain she’d just witnessed the entire exchange, and she could only imagine what the woman’s thoughts were.
“It was a beautiful charter. The Wishing Caves are seriously magickal, and it had to have been one of the most beautiful experiences I’ve had.”
“That’s wonderful…” Irma’s voice trailed off as her eyes landed on the pendant still nestled between Lola’s breast. A flash of shock crossed her face, followed by wonder, and then just a hint of deep yearning before Irma shuttered her eyes. But not before Lola saw all the emotions play out across her face. And in that instant, she knew.
Irma was mermaid.
Was it possible that Irma was a descendant of Irmine? A million questions leapt into Lola’s mind, but she bit her tongue and waited to see if Irma could read her.
“That’s… a really unique necklace. Where did you find it?”
Lola noticed she asked where she had found it, not bought it.
“Actually, while swimming outside the mermaid’s cave today. It was in the water. It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”
“It is. It looks quite old. May I?” Irma asked.
“Certainly,” Lola said, and slipped it from her head for Irma to examine. She watched as a brief longing flitted over Irma’s face again, and she traced her hands over the front of the locket before opening it carefully. Pleasure washed over her face when she saw the mirror was still intact. Nodding once, she handed it back to Lola.
“No, I think you’ll treasure this more, from living here…” Lola found herself saying, though every part of her wanted to rip the necklace from Irma’s hand and drop it back on her own neck where it was meant to be. “Please, take it. A gift from me.”
For a moment, Irma held the necklace, staring at it, before shaking her head and holding it out to Lola.
“It’s for you, beautiful soul. But thank you for offering it to me. Very few would. It’s quite old, you know. You can tell by the craftsmanship.”
“It hums with energy too,” Lola said lightly, testing the waters. She was delighted when Irma’s head whipped up.
“Ah, then, you feel it. That’s good to hear actually. Most aren’t in tune with that side of themselves. You know, from the first time Sam described you I knew I’d like you, but now I like you even more. First, for offering me this fine gift, though I know in my heart it’s meant for you. And second, for not burying your gifts. Care to join me in the kitchen for a glass of wine? I’ve a lovely pasta sauce simmering if you’d like a bite for dinner.”
“You know what? That sounds like the perfect way to end a beautiful day. I’ll just run up and change and be down in a jiffy. Can I bring anything?”
“Just yourself, dear. I’ve more than enough to share.”
Lola took a quick rinse in the glorious rainfall shower before throwing on her flowy pants and a loose tank, leaving her hair to tumble over her shoulders, and returning the locket to her neck. She found her way down the cool white hallway to the kitchen door and knocked politely.
“Come on in,” Irma called, and Lola pushed through, delighted to find the kitchen as gorgeous as the rest of the house. Done in a Tuscan style, with open windows, a stone wall, and a large communal table, it was a welcoming and homey area.
Jolie and Mirra sat at the table, each with a glass of red wine. They were both as exotic and gorgeous as the day before, thi
s time dressed in flowy silk dresses. Lola smiled her greeting at them, waiting for them to see her necklace.
“How was your tour, Lola?” Jolie said, and then her eyes sharpened as they darted to her necklace, to Irma, and then back to Mirra, who was much better at concealing her surprise.
“It was truly a perfect day,” Lola said as she accepted the glass of red that Irma handed her and sat at the table. “Except you didn’t tell me that Gage was the tour operator.”
“Was I supposed to?” Jolie asked, raising an eyebrow at her.
“Would’ve helped.”
“I’m not so sure about that,” Jolie murmured, and Irma hissed a warning from the stove where she stirred her sauce.
“Tell us about your day,” Mirra insisted.
“Yeah, we want all the naughty details,” Jolie said, leaning across the table, her eyes on the locket. “That’s a really great necklace.”
“I found it today. In the water outside the cave. I offered it to Irma as a gift, but she politely declined.”
“She did?” Jolie and Mirra said in unison.
“Oh stop, girls. You know I have more than enough jewelry,” Irma said, holding her wrists up and shaking the bracelets that clamored for attention there. “Clearly the ocean wanted Lola to have it. She feels the energy, you know.”
Jeez, Lola thought, and took a big sip of her wine. Here she’d gone her whole life basically keeping her extrasensory ability a secret; now the whole island would know before the week was out, the way things were going.
“You do? That’s marvelous, Lola.” Mirra smiled sweetly at her, looking angelic in a misty green dress, a silver chain woven in her hair like a crown. “It’s such a gift – one that too many people lose because they’re so busy listening to what others tell them to feel or playing on their phones. Tell me, how do you read energy? What does it feel like for you?”
“Did you feel anything at the Wishing Caves? Did you make a wish? Do you like Gage?” Jolie asked.
“Girls, let her answer one question at time,” Irma said, depositing a simple pasta plate with a lovely red sauce in front of Lola. “Go on, eat. You do not have to answer any questions from these nosy girls.”
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