Merlicious 1 Read online

  At the end of the day, Mayor Lydia Cone hoisted the volume of a battery-operated radio and issued an executive command. “Dance your tushies off,” she demanded, raising a finger for defined emphasis.

  Quickly taking the mayor up on her forcefully spoken offer, Jaiden extended his hand to Jill. “Care to dance, Madame?” He bowed gracefully before her.

  Soon the two moved in a tight circle at the center of a makeshift dance club, their arms entwined. Jill sighed happily as he pulled her closer, swinging and swaying her gracefully across the floor.

  "Jill,” he whispered thrillingly against her ear. “We met under terrible circumstances, I know—but I'm so glad we found each other."

  Nodding, Jill kissed his cheek. “Most of us are going home this evening,” she chucked his chin playfully. “But I would like to see you again, very much so."

  "Soon.” He kissed her soundly. “As a matter of fact, would you like to meet me at Port Emerald Beach this time next week? I'd like to share a picnic by the sea."

  She giggled girlishly as he dipped her then twirled her gracefully away from him.

  "Sure, I'd go for a picnic.” She once again stood ensconced in his embrace, and the two stared deeply into one another's eyes. “Just beware of my coleslaw."

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  Chapter Four

  When Jill Gregory emerged from her modest apartment one week later, the world looked a lot brighter than the week before, in more ways than one.

  Thanks to the hard work of government officials, local businesspeople and volunteers, Port Emerald was being rebuilt and restored at a breathtaking pace. Even the weather cooperated, casting radiant beams on the smooth, still sands of Port Emerald Beach. The water once again sparkled, the sands of the beach glittered gracefully in the sun, and both overflowed with cheerful tourists and relieved residents.

  Jill felt renewed and revitalized that summer's morning. In the week that had passed since her first meeting with Jaiden, she had not shed a single tear for her fiancé, a pathetic soul she now referred as Mr. Demonseed T. Loser.

  Adorned in a festive red sundress and pumps, she made her way to Port Emerald Beach, throwing her head back to bask freely in the summer breeze.

  Her head jerked abruptly upright a moment later as she saw what could be classified as an unusual sight just off the Port Emerald shoreline. A tall man with flowing golden hair stood stoically onshore, dressed elegantly in an ivory pantsuit accented by a matching shirt and sandals.

  Equally impressive was the twenty-foot yacht docked directly behind him, right alongside the Port Emerald pier. The sleek, finely lined yacht shone like an ivory eagle in the rays of the overhead sun. But as much as Jill savored the image it so radiantly presented, the boat reminded her of the cruise she would have shared with her ex-fian ... um, Demonseed T. Loser.

  She brightened as the boat's apparent owner extended his hand to her. “Welcome, my lady.” She immediately recognized the man's smooth, even tones.

  "Jaiden?” She blinked in surprise. Walking forward with swift, excited steps, she clasped hands warmly with her stunning date. “You look incredible,” she praised.

  Bowing before her with a gentlemanly flourish, Jaiden planted a kiss on her sturdy hand. “And you, my lady in red, are a vision,” he praised, gesturing toward the boat. “And I wanted you to have your cruise."

  Jill's eyes flew wide open then misted ever so slightly. “You did this for me?” she breathed. Moving forward, she locked him in a tight, grateful embrace. “That's so sweet, Jaiden.” Her brow furrowed slightly as she pulled away. “I thought, though, that you didn't have a boat."

  "I don't.” He offered his arm. “This is a loaner, one that came courtesy of a Port Emerald scuba diver who owed me a favor. I saved him from drowning a few weeks ago."

  Stepping carefully onto the yacht's deck, Jill looked about with childlike wonder. Finally, she returned her gaze to Jaiden, who clearly reveled in her happiness. “Once again, you amaze me.” She stroked her chin thoughtfully. “And, I must say, you seem to spend a lot of time in the water."

  Before he could respond, Jill whooped gleefully at another spectacle; a deck table covered with an ivory linen tablecloth and two brightly lit candles. A lush grilled chicken salad sat between two china plates, both of which came adorned with a vibrant rose pattern that matched Jill's dress. “How did you know I like chicken?” Jill beamed as she took a seat beside him at the table. “So many people around here prefer fish."

  Jaiden gave her a sideways glance. “You don't like fish?” His tone sounded oddly injured.

  Shrugging, she squeezed his hand before gracing his plate with a heaped helping of salad. “Let's just say I love everything about this arrangement,” she winked.

  Their hands remained firmly clasped during dinner while he encouraged Jill to talk in detail about her family, her job and her interests. During this lengthy discussion, he rained sincere praise in all the right places—when she discussed her recent attainment of a master's degree in business administration—and also booed appropriately whenever she mentioned Demonseed T. Loser.

  He grew quiet, however, when she prompted him to do the same. And finally, she had enough.

  "Jaiden, you know I love spending time with you,” she gestured freely around her. “And I can't tell you how much I appreciate the day cruise. However,” she pointed an accusing fork in his direction, “if you don't tell me more about yourself, I'm either going to assume that you're some mysterious, romantic phantom—or a big-time serial killer. Tell me which. Now."

  Sighing deeply, Jaiden rose to his feet and slowly approached the yacht's railing. Peering out wistfully at his beloved waves, he seemed to draw strength from their smooth, certain motion. Then, slowly and purposefully, he began to peel away his sleek ivory jacket.

  "Nope.” Jill reluctantly covered her eyes. “You're not going to distract me that way.” Keeping her eyes covered, she jumped at the sound of an unexpected splash in the waters beneath them.

  Sighing deeply, she rose to her feet and made her way to the railing. “It's always humiliating when a man jumps overboard on the first date.” She rolled her eyes heavenward.

  However, the sight that met her skeptical gaze was far from humiliating. In fact, its ethereal beauty left her breathless.

  Jaiden reclined easily in the waves below, his muscular, bronzed chest glistening brightly in the noonday sun. His long blond hair fanned beautifully outward in the waters around him, his flawless visage turned upward to face her.

  His lower half, for its part, had changed considerably over the course of the last few minutes. It remained finely toned and gloriously sleek ... And, Jill observed, it shone as green as her Aunt Tillie's cabbage garden. “You have a fin,” she observed blankly.

  He graced her with a dazzling, full-toothed smile. “I know.” He flipped his tail in a broad motion, splashing her full in the face. “Isn't it cool?"

  Jill stepped back, shaking her head briskly. “Was there something in that chicken?” She waited a moment before returning her glance to her smirking, chuckling date.

  Yep. It was still there. The dude most definitely had a fin, a long, smooth, emerald-hued shaft that extended from his waist and fanned poetically into a v-shaped replacement for his feet.

  "I'm a merman, Jill.” He cocked a curious eyebrow. “Surely, being a Port Emerald official, you've heard the legend of the Port Emerald mermen?"

  Jill nodded then began to pace the deck of the yacht in a restless, aimless fashion. “Sure,” she shrugged. “But I've also heard the legend of Santa Claus, and I play Mrs. Claus every year in the Port Emerald Christmas pageant. Does that mean I'm really married to Pete Waterston, the seventy-year-old plumber who portrays Santa every year? No way; the dude has wandering hands and serious body odor..."

  "Jill, love, you're rambling.” Her date performed an artistically sensual back flip; a skilled maneuver that sent his exquisite form soaring upward toward the sun.

  "Wh
o can blame me?” Jill countered, gesturing wildly. “I finally find a decent guy, and he's probably much too hot to be dating me, but then he up and tells me he has a fin...” Her breath escaped her mouth in short, sharp gusts. “You got a paper bag aboard the love boat, here?” She cocked her head, feeling a bit short on air.

  Jaiden made no reply, only splashed happily in the azure waters beneath him. He seemed to welcome his return to his natural element, and he celebrated his freedom by soaring once more in a flawless arc just above the waves. Then, swimming back toward the boat, he blew her a delightful kiss rife with water bubbles. “You're just adorable.” He pinned her with a loving gaze. “You know that, don't you?"

  "Sure.” Jill matched his admiring glance as she extended a hand downward, “Now come back on board, sweetheart, so I can kiss you."

  Despite her utter bafflement, not to mention the complete and utter shock thrown in for good measure, Jill did have to admit some prior knowledge of the merman legend.

  Lillith Munroe, her longtime friend and owner of Munroe Marketing, a thriving Port Emerald business, once confided that she dated a merman: Taron Andrews, a former collegiate athlete who now owned the Siren's Call public relations firm.

  Taron is a hunk, as well as a genuine sweetheart. Jill shrugged. He could tell me that the moon consisted of lavender Limburger cheese, and I'd call for an official amendment to all science textbooks circulating in the Port Emerald school system.

  On a more serious note, Lillith Munroe was no gullible fantasist and, furthermore, neither was Jillian Gregory. And Jaiden—did the frustratingly mysterious dude even have a last name?—seemed like a sincere and trustworthy man, fin or no.

  When she held him closely in her arms, the impossible was possible. Not to mention beautiful.

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  Epilogue

  On an appropriately sunny Port Emerald morning one year later, people once again flocked to the community center, this time for a joyful occasion. The city's government officials would recognize some everyday heroes who carried the people of Port Emerald safely through the trials of Tropical Storm Blaine.

  Mayor Lydia Cone stood proudly at the podium situated center stage at the Community Center. Raising a brass-plated certificate high in the air, she gestured toward two silent figures who sat, hands clasped, at the center's courtesy table.

  "As you know, ladies and gentlemen,” her voice resounded strongly throughout the hall, “we are gathered here today to honor those courageous Port Emerald citizens who, exactly one year ago, helped us deal with the aftereffects of Tropical Storm Blaine.

  "You may wonder, though, why I'm awarding a certificate of merit to two people, city manager Jill Gregory and loyal citizen Jaiden...” Raising her eyebrows, she looked sideways at Jill who, she had to admit, shared her table with a very attractive date. “Did you say his last name was Merman? Like that famous singer?"

  "Like that famous singer.” Jill nudged a smirking Jaiden playfully under the table.

  Shrugging, Lydia continued. “The question remains, why am I awarding one certificate to two people? Is it because I'm a major cheapskate?” Lips firmly set, she shot a silencing look at her city budget director.

  Then she smiled warmly at Jill and Jaiden. “I'm awarding one certificate to these two wonderful people,” she again waved gracefully in their direction, “as an engagement gift."

  Returning her beam, they arose from the table and approached the podium hand in hand. After embracing the mayor, who later attributed her sentimental tears to a sinus infection, Jill turned to kiss her gorgeous fiancé.

  And the city manager who hated fish and the merman who wasn't a serial killer lived happily ever after.

  The End

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  Emery LaRue

  Waves of Enchantment

  by

  Emery LaRue

  From the waters, Trinity watches Christopher swim in the moonlight. Tonight she will be with him; but will he want to hold her forever?

  www.authoremerylarue.com

  Emery Larue's delightful stories can also be found in the following

  Digests from www.midnightshowcase.com

  Pagan Pleasures

  Spellfire Season's

  Spellfire Hearts

  Sweet Wishes, Hot Dishes

  Sinful 2

  Vamptations

  Jaded Beasts: Dragon, Snake

  Spellfire Evening

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  Waves of Enchantment

  by

  Emery LaRue

  Christopher O'Neil closed the file on his desk in relief. He was beginning to hate his chosen profession. Why he had decided on criminal defense he would never truly know. Maybe because the bad seemed to outweigh the good most days and he was guaranteed a paycheck. Whatever the reason, he was tired of it all and in serious need of a vacation and possible change. A quick knock on his door and his partner entered. Karla Morgan was top notch as far as attorneys go. Sharp as a tack, if there was a loophole in the law she would find it. However, even she was getting on his last nerve. One drunken night a few months back, they'd shared an evening he could hardly remember. She saw it differently.

  "Come on, Chris, let's grab a bite and a drink."

  "No thanks, Karla. I think I may spend a week out at the beach house."

  "Oh, sounds like a good time. Care for some company?"

  He didn't miss the invitation in her voice, or the expectant look on her face. As far as pretty went, Karla was unique. Short, midnight black hair framed a face that was almost too perfect to be real. Her black eyes could lure you, or cut right through you. In a sense, she was attractive. But if she got any smaller she would blow away. Chris didn't mind petite, but Karla went above and beyond. Besides, he just didn't see her that way.

  "Not this time, partner. I need to clear my head."

  "Swimming in the moonlight no less.” She sighed. “What do you expect to find out in that sea water other than a shark or two?"

  "I just need to relax. You know as well as I do that the chances of me getting attacked by a shark are almost nothing."

  "Well, you know where to find me, Chris, should you need me for anything.” She winked before she turned away. “I do mean anything."

  "See you next week, Karla."

  He found it almost funny that when he pictured himself being attacked by a shark, the great white had black hair and eyes. He shook his head before the image became too much and he laughed himself to death.

  Gathering his case, he locked the office and climbed into his mustang convertible. His bag was already packed, and he was ready for a week of uninterrupted relaxation. He had a lot to think about, and a few changes may be in the near future, such as taking his practice solo. Karla wouldn't like it, but she didn't like much these days.

  He took the turns and curves with practiced ease. The closer he got, the more he could smell the welcoming salt of the sea. He itched to feel its cool waters against his naked body. His beach house came with a private stretch of sand and sea. It was his haven, and he needed it now more than ever.

  Parking his car in the circle drive, he paused at the house long enough to place his bag inside, then hurried toward the calming waves of the water. With quick motions, he removed his shoes, socks and shirt. His slacks and shorts hit the sand and he was striding forward, sighing in relief at the first touch on his toes in the water. Slowly, he walked deeper, knowing he would soon feel alive and refreshed. With a smile, he made a graceful leap and dive, plunging below the surface.

  Like all the other times before, Chris swam for long moments underwater. When he broke the surface, he turned and could still see the lights near the shore. He floated for a time, swam out even more, and floated more. As he looked up into the dark night sky, a million stars winked down on him. A shiver passed through his body. Why he felt it he couldn't say, but something told him he was not alone in the water tonight.

  Slowly, maki
ng as little noise as possible, Chris began to make his way back to shore. He fought the urge to panic. There was nothing below him but the water, the sea he loved so much. Nothing was below him, waiting to take a bite out of him.

  That thought jump-started the panic he was fighting. Chris swam hard toward shore. By the time he touched bottom, his legs ached from the effort. On hands and knees, he made his way to shallow water before turning and looking back into the sea.

  Chris sat down hard, catching his breath and feeling foolish. Karla's comment had got to him more than he had realized. He had never been afraid of the water. There was no other reason for his sudden panic.

  As he stood, he once again got the feeling he was not alone. Maybe he was just tired.

  Chris shrugged it off, gathered his clothes, and headed back to the house. He just needed a good night's sleep.

  * * * *

  Trinity let the waves carry her to the shoreline so she could set in the shallow water. She had always been fascinated with the human form. This was not the first time she had watched him swim in the moonlight, and this one human male did more than amuse her.

  The first time she had watched him had been during the high tide season. But she had kept her distance then. Tonight she had swum below him, and the familiar tingle she had experienced all those months ago still flowed through her.

  As the male form goes, he was perfect in her eyes. His long, well muscled body cut through the water as if he was born to it. His short, neatly clipped hair looked as black as the night when it was wet. Though she didn't know the color of his eyes, she pictured them blue. But it was that part of him that made him a man that set her insides to boiling. Trinity was innocent still, but she wasn't ignorant. The human was blessed with a perfect body, one she longed to touch.

  "Still dreaming of the human?"

  Trinity looked back into the water and smiled a welcome to Halo. As far as mermen went, he was as handsome as they came with long, flowing, blonde hair and deep green eyes. Even his tail fin was a beautiful combination of every color. She had always considered him her best friend. They had grown up together. But Halo had always made it clear he wanted more. He professed his love daily. She loved him as well, but not the way he would like.