Page 10 of Mermaid For You

“Yes. May I?” I pull out a fancy clam that has body glitter in it.

Her eyes light up as she nods. I look to her parents to double-check, and of course they nod. I dab a tiny bit of glitter on her cheeks. “There! You’re the most stunning little mermaid.”

Click. Click. Click. The camera clicking reminds me of my line. I invite Avery to sit with me on my rock, and we both face the camera.

When the shift is over, I quickly slide my tail down and stand. I have to get away from him. I’m not sure what happened during the shift, but it felt far too intimate. I’m a mess of emotions. He’s insulted me left and right today, but the way he looked at me while photographing me… It’s as though he undressed me with each click of the camera. I pull my hairpins out and then yank my wig off. You look better as a fish. I think about his ugly words from earlier. Maybe he was trying to joke or rile me up. Either way, I didn’t appreciate them or his constant mood swings. I grab my backpack and shove my tail and wig inside. Van saunters toward me, but before he can say anything, I speak.

“You look better with a camera covering your face.”

Chapter Five

VAN

It’s her. I can’t believe she’s the actress who made me come in my pants while we were making out. Of course I didn’t recognize her. When she had me orgasming harder than I ever had in my life in less than two minutes—so fucking embarrassing—she was wearing glitter and had pink hair.

Worse, I about fucking came the instant she walked out of her apartment. It was my wet dream in the flesh. For years, I’d been terrified of coming here and discovering it was all a drunken fantasy. That she wasn’t real. Just like mermaids aren’t real. I’d never been so consumed with someone as I was in that moment. I’m not an obsessive person, but she was someone I could easily find myself obsessing over.

And there she was. This entire time! I was instantly attracted to her, but now I know she tastes as good as she looks—if not better—and she’s just as beautiful without all the glamour and fantasy.

I’ll have to find someone else for the bet. It can’t be Ava. She’s too tempting. Too delicious. Too risky. Besides, I’ve already blown it with her. After my hot-and-cold mood swings yesterday, she more than likely thinks I’m a psychopath. Which further proves I need to avoid her the best I can since I can’t control my emotions around her.

The most painful part is that I don’t think she remembers me. How many guests has she made out with while working under Mermazing Adventures? I bet she gives them all a mermazing experience. I know she did me. But apparently, I wasn’t memorable. Or there’s been too many to keep track of. Maybe Alexi has made her forget everyone else. Then again, it’s for the best that she doesn’t remember. That wasn’t my finest moment, and neither was our shift together. What’s wrong with me when it comes to her?

You look better with a camera covering your face. It’s been taunting me all morning. The way she tossed her words at me and then sashayed away. I was already on edge because I had to keep kneeling for a while with that stupid camera to hide the fact I was sporting a semi-erection the entire time. I felt like a fucking pervert.

Ava was so beautiful, endearing, and carefree. She really did transform into this gentle, charismatic, sexy yet innocent… mermaid. For hours, she kept smiling and engaging with everyone. Each person that came to her was treated like the most important person in the world. I even wanted to go sit with mermaid Nerine. I wanted her to look at me that way. To give me that smile and, just for a moment, look at me like I was the only person who mattered in her world. Like she did at my sister’s party all those years ago. Which she doesn’t even remember.

I’m not pleased with myself for being jealous of every guest who got her smiles. I’ve never really experienced jealousy. This is new, and I hate it.

I squeeze my eyes shut and try to erase all memories of her from my mind. Five years ago, it was lust. I was twenty years old, buzzed, and horny. I’m older now, more mature, and sober. It really is a blessing that she doesn’t remember our brief encounter. If she gave me a chance now, I could prove to her that I can last longer than a few seconds of dry humping. In fact, I’m an excellent and attentive lover.

Not that I want her to. Or do I? Surely I don’t have a freaking crush. Memories from before and now, with her being more mature, are tangling together, but I have to separate those feelings from one another. She’s a beautiful woman who once lit a fire within me, but it was all lust and raging hormones. Nothing serious. It was nothing.

Placing my hand on the door handle, I inhale a deep breath. I’m dressed in my white fitted shorts (which are out of my comfort level) and white button-up with Hayes Resorts embroidered in the left corner. As soon as I walk out this door, I leave the past behind and focus on kicking ass at this job and starting a relationship based solely on my personality and not my bank account. I’ve got this. I shake my fist in the air, psyching myself up.

Yes! I’ve got this! Here we go…

The sun is shining and there’s a cool, gentle breeze. I turn my face toward the direction of the wind and close my eyes.

“Feels great, doesn’t it?” calls a sweet and friendly voice.

“Sure does,” I respond before I open my eyes and choke.

Ava walks up to me in tiny jean shorts and a white bikini top. “What did I do to you?”

That’s a loaded question. Where to even begin. Made me feel something more than lust. Made me come in my pants and humiliate myself. Made me regret not going back for you. Made me regret even touching you, because no one has compared since. Made me fall in love with a stranger. Wait—no. Shit. Love is too strong a word. Obsess is a better word choice.

“Sorry. I’m awkward and confused with how to navigate new people and surroundings.” I’m a dumbass, is what I am.

She looks up at me through the longest lashes. “Wanna walk with me to get a coffee?”

“Yeah. Lead the way.”

We walk side by side, and she tells me all about how amazing Hayes Resorts are. She seriously loves working here as a mermaid, which blows my mind. I force down the urge to ask if she’s ever made out with customers while in costume. For Ava to be such a rule follower and dedicated employee, I know for a fact she’s broken the rules and done something she could’ve been fired for. We’re a family resort, and the mermaids aren’t supposed to behave in any scandalous manner.

When we walk into the café that’s located inside the main building of the resort, I groan. Alexi. I thought she said he bartended. He beams at Ava. “Your usual?”

“Yup!” She grins and plops her elbows onto the counter. “Jenna called in?”

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