Page 40 of Magic Potions and the Merman's Lure

Chapter 25

Ro

Although Gryn repeatedly objects to my attempts to leave him at the hotel to rest, I am grateful that his stubbornness does have its limit. I thought he would never allow me to escape with Keri. Excitement sings through me with every step we take away from the hotel and I cannot help but steal numerous covert peeks at my female as we head down the roads that lead us farther from the town center and into quiet streets lined with human homes. Among them, she leads me to a somewhat large building. I am a little confused by all the walkways and doors until she heads toward one such door on the ground level and unlocks it with a small gold key she fishes out of her bag.

The space inside is surprisingly tiny, given the size of the building, and a slightly anxious feeling fills me as I step inside. There are no long cavernous corridors and cozy round rooms. All I see is one square room that has a small corner devoted to the food preparation area, while the rest of the space is dominated by shelves filled with books and a few pieces of faded and worn furniture. There is a very short hall off to one side with two doors that can only be the bedroom and washroom. I stare at the minimal space in dismay. How can she possibly be comfortable in such a tiny space?

Aware of my female’s eyes on me and watching my every move, I clear my throat and try to appear as if I am looking around in appreciation rather than wincing at the overcrowded space.

“It is very...” I pause as I search for a word that will not be disingenuous but will not insult her either.

“Small,” she fills in, and giggles when my startled gaze snaps to her. “What? You think I don’t know that this is probably the tiniest apartment in town. Trust me, I know. But it’s within my budget and I don’t need a lot of space for just me.”

“Probably more for your books,” I add without thinking, as I eye the stack accumulating beside an overwhelmed shelf that seems to have spilled out on the floor at some point.

Her unoffended laughter eases some of the tension that I had not even realized was growing within me as I accompanied my mate home. I give her an embarrassed smile so that she knows that I am not oblivious to the fact that my thoughtless comment was rude.

“That is true,” she concedes, her smile growing with amusement as she kicks off her shoes. “I suspect that my books and altars would walk away and rent their own space if they had the sentience and capability, but alas, we must cohabitate here together. And, of course, we will make room for company,” she adds, gesturing toward the couch. “Come on in and have a seat while I get something for us to drink.”

“Water is fine,” I murmur as I head to the couch.

“Tea then to warm us up,” she corrects and heads in the opposite direction. “It’s basically the same thing and I know not everyone is as willing as me to drink coffee at all hours.”

I chuckle at her observation and lower myself onto her couch. “As I do not enjoy coffee, I appreciate the forethought.”

She makes a face that I catch out of the corner of my eye and shakes her head ruefully when I grin in response.

“Blasphemy! But I will forgive you,” she calls over. I hear the soft crinkling of leaves and a beep as she presses a button on a vessel filled with water. Leaning against the counter, she turns to regard me with amusement. “You are definitely too pretty to hold a grudge against.”

I have had many females say flattering words to me as I have searched for my mate, but never before have they filled me with such pleasure and warmth. Perhaps it is because I know she is saying these things even after coming to know me and the more dangerous aspects of my species’ nature rather than just admiring the shape of my face and form. She has seen the predator rise up in me no matter how much I have tried to disguise or downplay it, and yet she still finds me pretty.

“It pleases me that you say so since I would never wish to earn the grudge of a female who entices me so.”

Her smile grows shy and stirs something within me that is both dangerous in its need to protect and its ravenous desire for her, and tender.

“Did you mean what you said before?” she asks shyly. “About preferring to be with me?”

I dare not even breathe or flutter a fin just in case this is a dream. All I allow myself is a slow nod of my head. It takes another moment before I can find the breath to whisper one word. “Always.”

Her cheeks turn a charming shade of pink with delight. I do not know what to make of the thoughts clearly shuttered behind her eyes as she peers up at me. Should I say more? Would she believe the depth of my love if I share the words so soon? Does she even know what she is doing to me with the way she is looking at me now? Her eyes are skimming over me, leaving a burning trail of desire as they drag lower and lower.

My fins flutter with desire as I practically strangle on a groan. “I would show you... if you permit.”

Her gaze drops down to my fins with amusement before shifting back to my face thoughtfully. “Show me?”

“I would prove myself,” I rasp nervously. For all the reputation my species have, I feel like a nestling venturing into wild currents for the first time. “I would demonstrate for you how much I want you. How I prefer you over all others.”

It is not a declaration of intention, but the words are not without meaning—even to her kind, it seems, because she blinks rapidly as she does when she is experiencing a strong emotion. I continue to study my mate in silence, waiting for her answer. Her throat works as she thinks over my words. I am not the only one nervous, and for some reason, it is gratifying knowing that we are coming together on equal terms. Neither of us has power over the other. Even my song would only mutually fan our lust until we are delirious with it.

“Is it safe?” the words are not more than a whisper but my heart thumps in excitement as if the words were shouted—eager to reassure and embrace my mate.

It frustrates me that I cannot just mate her already but not only are we not in the water, but the lure is not embedded and accepted enough to claim her. But joining with her is important too. I have heard courting stories from members of my pod in which joining happened countless times before the mating could truly happen, each coming together of their bodies embedding the lure further and further into the female’s power.

“In this form, it is safe,” I rasp in excitement. “Just watch for the spines on my fins.”

The smile that she greets my words with is beyond my ability to describe. It pours through me like liquid sunshine, warming me and lighting up my life while shining deep within me with all the holiness of the moon. My heart nearly stops when she steps forward and leans in. My head lowers instinctively, my hands coming up cup her shoulders. Although the fabric of her shirt separates us, I feel the heat of her as her scent floods through me. She smells of rain and the sweet musk of growing things in tender springtime bloom. She is the promise of life and joy and I pull her closer, gathering up all of my happiness into my arms as our lips meet.

Her kiss is everything that I have been waiting for. I indulge in it as I explore her mouth first with the caress of my lips against hers and then with my tongue when she opens for me like a flower to the sun. Her taste makes my head spin, but I do not think I will ever stop wanting more. My fingers skim over her clothes to the hem before dipping beneath to seek out the softness of her skin. I trail my fingers up her sides, marveling at the delicate structure of her bones there. She shivers at my touch and her hands drop to close over mine, holding them in place against her flesh.

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