Merlicious 1 Read online

  "Good evening, Halo. What brings you to the surface?"

  "Trinity, you are a mermaid. You belong with your kind. Why must you return to this place every tide change?” He came closer to her. “You only torture yourself."

  "I can't help it, Halo. He is the most fascinating man I have ever seen.” She smiled when Halo frowned. “I want to meet him, just once. See his eyes and know his name."

  "Oh? What will you tell him?” Halo took on as feminine a voice as he was able. “Hi, I'm Trinity, your local mermaid. I have been lusting for you for some time now. Would you mind giving this pretty fish a kiss?"

  When he puckered up his lips and made smooching noises, Trinity laughed and splashed him. She never took him seriously, knew he was teasing her.

  "I know it makes no sense, Halo. But I truly want to do this."

  "Well, you can leave the water for one hour each night at midnight. Will that be enough?"

  "It will have to be."

  "I think I better go now. Lover boy could very well come back. It will be hard enough explaining your presence on this private beach.” He winked. “If you need me, just call to me."

  Trinity smiled and turned her attention back to the house. The lights were all off now, and she knew he would not return until the next night. But when he did, she planned to introduce herself.

  Just this once.

  * * * *

  Feeling better than he had in months, Chris sat on his deck watching as the sun went down. He had slept for most of the day, eaten a little dinner, and avoided the phone. His caller ID held at least a dozen calls from Karla. She knew he was here to relax, and he damn well intended to do it.

  He closed his eyes and listened to the waves as they moved closer to shore. What was it about the sea that called to him so strongly? It was the one thing in his life he could count on to grant him peace. He only wished it could wash away his troubles, not just ease them.

  He felt good about his decision to move his practice. Karla was a great attorney, but she wanted more from him than he was willing to give. She was sneaky at times as well, and he had his doubts about what had truly happened between them the night he had been tanked at a friend's party. He would remember sleeping with her. Right?

  Either way, he felt a change was for the best. He was also considering moving to prosecution instead of defense. It just didn't sit well with him, knowing his clients were guilty.

  So, he had solved two problems and should feel a little less on his shoulders. But he didn't, not really. Chris felt he was missing something in his life. It wasn't hard to figure that one out. He was lonely and wanted something special in his life.

  Cleaning up his dinner mess, he changed into shorts and walked slowly down to the beach. The feel of the sand between his toes was almost as good as the water itself. Usually he just stripped naked, but after last night, he wasn't taking any chances. It would be his luck that a couple of kids were around.

  Feeling he was alone, he let the shorts fall and made a run into the water, diving below the surface and falling into his usual routine. He swam until his lungs burned, then surfaced to float and gaze at the stars. The water rippled around him, and the feeling he was not alone returned.

  "Damn.” He whispered, slowing making his way back to the beach. “What is the deal?"

  He made smooth breast strokes, cutting through the water easily. If by chance there was a shark, he would do well to make as little noise as possible. Something brushed against his legs, and he told himself it was a dolphin. Sharks don't brush up against something. They take a bite and decide if they like it.

  "What the hell?” He paused, treading water, as a stream of water pelted him from behind. Like someone had fired a water gun at the back of his head. Then he heard it. A giggle, a very feminine giggle. “Is someone there? This beach is private you know."

  Feeling he was the receiver of some prank, Chris made his way to shore and hurried into his shorts. Hands on hips he watched the water for any signs of another body. It was dark, but moonlit enough to outline any silhouette.

  "My name is Christopher O'Neil and I own this house and the beach with it. I happen to be an attorney and have no problem sending a trespasser to jail."

  He felt foolish, like he was talking to himself. But as his eyes adjusted, he could swear he saw a shadow just by the rocky side of the shore.

  "There is so much beach and water,” a woman's voice returned. “Where does your boundary end, Christopher O'Neil?"

  "Who's out there? Show yourself."

  Silence, and then the shadow began to move closer. He braced himself, ready for anything. He thought he was anyway. His mouth fell open at the woman who was walking toward him; she was naked.

  He couldn't believe what he was seeing. She had to be the most perfect woman he had ever seen. Her hair was extremely long, at least to her knees, and even wet he could see the golden color. She was smaller than he was, but rounded in all the right places. The closer she came, the more his body responded to her. But it was her eyes that he could look into forever, deep sea green that shone like jewels.

  "I am Trinity, and I have swum in this area many times."

  Chris, finally aware his mouth was hanging wide open, snapped it shut.

  "Are you from this area? It's posted private all over the place."

  "I am of the sea, so therefore, how can I be where I shouldn't?"

  "Of the sea? You're of the sea?” He smiled slightly. “What are you? A mermaid?"

  "How did you know?” She looked stricken.

  "Ah, so you are a mermaid.” He extended his hand. “I happen to be King Triton. Glad to meet you."

  "Now, I know Triton and you look nothing like him.” She took his hand and stepped closer. “I knew your eyes would be blue."

  "Are you on medication?” He didn't like the way his body responded to this woman. She may be a beauty, but so was the black widow. “Can I call someone for you? Help you find your clothes?"

  "Oh, please, I have one hour in which to be on land. Won't you just talk with me?"

  "One hour?"

  "Yes, I must return to the sea in one hour.” Her eyes narrowed. “You don't believe me, do you?"

  "That you're lost and confused? Yes. That you're a mermaid? No."

  "Very well, would you sit with me in the shallow?” She turned and walked to the water's edge. “Come, sit with me. Just for a moment."

  Chris, not sure why, decided to humor her. He walked to her side and sat, feeling the water rush over his hips. She sat as well and looked to him with a smile.

  "What?"

  "Just watch and I will make a believer out of you. I just hope I can trust you."

  As he sat watching her, he couldn't help but admire her beauty once again. He wished the wind would blow and remove her hair from against her breasts. His eyes followed her flat belly to her legs and paused. Long and sleek, she had a set of legs that would make any woman envious.

  Then, as he watched, her legs changed shape, and in their place were a magnificent tail and fin. He could see the color well, and it matched her eyes. From her hips down, the tail formed.

  Chris jumped to his feet and backed away, but into the water.

  "What in the hell? How did you do that?"

  "I told you, Christopher, I am of the sea."

  Unsure why, he knelt and touched her fin. She gave him a playful splash, her eyes shining in amusement.

  "This is unbelievable,” he whispered.

  "You will keep my secret?"

  "Sure. Who would believe me?” He sat again, though harder than before, still in shock. “I never put any truth into the myth."

  "Most don't."

  "You were here last night?” He looked into her eyes. “I felt as if I wasn't alone."

  "Yes, I was here, and I am so sorry if I frightened you.” She blushed. “I have watched you many times."

  "Why?"

  "It is not in me to lie, so I will have to be truthful.” Her blush deepened. “I watc
hed you once, many months ago, and found you fascinating. Then, the more I watched you, I started feeling something inside of me. I knew that a human would never want a mermaid, so I had hoped we could be friends. I would love to be your friend, Christopher."

  Chris stared, once again stunned. He not only found a mermaid, but she had a crush on him? This was so unbelievable.

  "Please, call me Chris.” He hoped to ease her with small talk. “Why do you only have one hour?"

  "It is my kind's way of discouraging us, to keep us from falling in love with humans."

  "Has it happened before? How does it happen?"

  "No,” She sighed. “The mermaid, or merman, must make love to the human they desire within the hour that they change forms. If the human accepts and loves them with all their heart, then he or she may remain for life."

  At her words, his body turned rock hard. Even as his mind denied this could be true, his body was all for the idea. He had a picture in his head of him slowly sinking into her, watching her green eyes come alive as she moaned beneath him. Was it just the thought of being with a woman unlike any other? Literally? Could the desire in him be more than that? All he was sure of was he hadn't felt this for any woman before. Not ever.

  "Sounds like the perfect love story.” He smiled. “Do you have someone special at your home, Trinity?"

  "I have had offers from very good mermen. But I have yet to feel that certain tingle when they are near."

  "I make you tingle?” Again, he smiled when she blushed. “I think I would very much like to be your friend, Trinity."

  "So I may come back?"

  "I am here for the next two weeks. Meet me here again tomorrow night?"

  "I will be here."

  He stood, watching as she made her way to deeper water. She surfaced, and the picture she made was right out of a movie. Hair flying behind her, her body a mere shadow beneath the moon. He returned her wave and silently made his way back to the house.

  Chris still couldn't believe what he had discovered, and even more, the throb of desire he still felt in his loins. Of all the women in the world, his body responded to a mermaid.

  * * * *

  One week had passed since he had met Trinity. Each evening found them on the beach, laughing and talking with one another as if they had done it all their lives. Some nights he would swim with her, and twice now she had returned in the daytime, taking him below the surface and showing him the wonders of the deeper water. With her, he could surface faster and seemed able to hold his breath a little longer.

  He was growing fond of her. He knew it. More than fond, really. His hands itched to touch her, and his dreams were more and more vivid each night. He was in a constant state of arousal, and knew he wanted more from her than mere friendship. A part of him had fallen in love with the carefree woman. Even in her natural form, she was a beauty.

  Now, as he waited for her, he knew he had to have one small taste of her. He had been so close to her, many times, catching the scent of the ocean and sun in her hair and on her skin.

  The familiar splash told him she had arrived, and it was all he could do to stand still and await her approach. She was so comfortable in her naked state that he had decided to leave his shorts behind tonight. He wondered if it was such a good idea, as his body hardened at the site of her. He noticed her eyes on him, and the way they opened wide at the site of him.

  "Happy to see me? Or is that just me wishing it was so?” Her smile was warm, sultry, and he desperately wanted to kiss her. “Is everything all right, Chris?"

  "Perfect, everything is perfect,” His hand touched her hair. “Trinity..."

  He whispered her name just before he pulled her into his arms and placed his lips to hers. He felt her stiffen for a moment, and then she was melting against him. He groaned and deepened the kiss when her arms came around him.

  The way she returned his kiss, hesitant at first, reminded him she had never been touched the way he wanted to touch her. But the selfish side of him loved the fact he could be her first and maybe even her last. He had no idea where they would go after, but he knew he wanted her now. When his hand slowly cupped a breast, she gasped and pulled back enough to look between them. His thumb moved over a hard nipple, and a moan escaped.

  "You want me,"

  It was more a statement of fact than a question, and he saw no reason to lie.

  "Yes, I do."

  "I have never known this kind of touch."

  "Do you want me to stop?"

  "No,” She arched into his hand. “I want to know your touch, even if it's only for tonight."

  "Trinity—"

  "No, don't say anything. Just touch me and teach me. I want you."

  They fell to their knees in the sand. Chris laid her gently on her back and, with his fingertips, started at her throat, making slow lazy circles. When he reached her breasts, he touched them lightly, until she arched her body. Then he lowered his head and took a nipple deep into the warmth of his mouth. Her gasp was at first surprise and then pleasure, her fingers holding his head to her.

  While his mouth played at her breasts, he slowly lowered his hand, feeling her body tremble at his touch. When he placed his hand between her thighs, she tensed for a moment. He soothed her with light strokes, spreading her moisture, until he felt her relax. Only then did he slowly push one finger into her.

  She was hot, wet, and so very tight; he feared he would spill on the sand. His lust roared when he felt her small hand enclose his cock, her fingers exploring.

  Chris leaned in and whispered to her, telling her how good she felt and how he couldn't wait to be inside her. She cried out and her grip tightened, and he could see she was unsure of what was happening to her body.

  "It's okay, Trinity, don't fight it. Let it happen.” His finger moved deeper as his thumb brushed her clit. “That's it, Trinity, just let go."

  "Chris."

  He caught her cry with a kiss and felt her climax. His cock throbbed, wanting to be buried deep within her tight body. As she trembled and shook, he moved above her. With one powerful thrust, Chris was where he longed to be. He held himself still, knowing he had caused her some pain by the way her eyes closed so tightly.

  "Just relax, Trinity, it will pass.” He could feel her throbbing all around him. “When you're ready, I will show you something even better than what you just experienced."

  "I can feel you, Chris,” Her hips moved slightly. “The pain is passing, and I can feel you inside of me."

  Gently, he moved within her, his pace slow, easy and hard on his control. But soon her hips were matching his and he thrust harder, pushing deeper and loving the way her breathing changed and her nails dug into his shoulders.

  Thrust for thrust, she matched him, and it was all he could do to hold back. He lifted her legs higher and she locked them around his waist. As he watched her, he knew the moment she would go over the edge by the way her eyes flared, pupils dilated. She was so damn beautiful.

  He meant to pull out, he really did. But the feel of her tight walls constricting, and the way she cried out in pleasure, made him powerless. Chris slammed his hips against her, driving himself hard and deep. His shout drowned out her own as he pulsed inside her, his body trembled and rocked. Never in his life had he felt a climax that seemed to continue long after it should have ended.

  Soft, warm hands pulled him close and he closed his eyes, relishing the feel of her against him. Fearing he may be too heavy, he rolled from her and lay on his back, staring up into the star-studded sky.

  "Are you all right, Chris?"

  "Fine.” He rolled to his side and propped his head on his hand. “I should be asking you that. I didn't hurt you, did I?"

  "Only for a moment.” Her hand reached out and touched his face. “Thank you."

  "For?"

  "Showing me how it could be, how it should be.” She sat up. “My time is almost over. Would you like a swim?"

  "You can't stay?"

  "You know the rul
es, Chris. You must accept me and love me. I think what happened tonight was beautiful. But I also think it meant more to me than you."

  "What is that supposed to mean?"

  "Tell me you wanted to make love to me, the woman. Tell me it wasn't the thought of the mermaid that intrigued you.” She smiled. “Tell me you want a life with me, and I will stay forever."

  He looked away, not because he was ashamed, but because he didn't know what he wanted. He did know it was neither the woman nor the mermaid. It was just Trinity he had made love to. He had not separated them in his mind even once.

  "I don't know what to say."

  "Would you like me to come back?"

  "Yes."

  She smiled again and made her way to the water, diving in and surfacing a few feet away.

  "It is all right, Chris. I told you I wanted you, even if it was just for tonight.” She splashed water at him playfully. “I will see you tomorrow evening."

  He remained silent as she disappeared beneath the water, wondering why it felt like the best thing that ever happened to him just swam away.

  * * * *

  "You going to sleep all day?"

  Chris groaned and opened his eyes, only to close them again and pray he was seeing things. What the hell was Karla doing here?

  "What time is it?” He sat up slowly.

  "It happens to be almost six and you look like hell."

  "I didn't sleep well.” He narrowed his eyes. “What are you doing here, Karla? You know I come here to relax, to get away from my life in the city."

  "I figured you may be a bit lonely.” She pulled something from her purse. “I brought a suit. Thought I would see what you find so wonderful about the sea."

  Chris felt his gut clench. After a night of tossing and turning, his dreams haunted by green eyes and a hot little body wrapped around him, the last thing he wanted was to deal with this. Not to mention it seemed wrong.

  He frowned at that. Why would it be wrong? Karla meant nothing, and she just wanted a swim. It wasn't like he was committed. What could it hurt? Take her for a swim and she will leave.