Page 17 of Beneath the Surface

“Some would say you’re lucky.”

“Yeah, and those ‘some’ don’t necessarily know what they’re talking about. I’m basically alone now. My dad’s gone, I have no siblings, and my mother left a long time ago.”

Conversation died as they focused on eating. The fact that Kannon didn’t have any immediate family was a blessing as far as Nisha was concerned. Merfolk weren’t immortal, but they did live longer than humans. He was already seventy. Once mated, their mate’s life expectancy extended too, if they were human. This would happen to Kannon once Nisha finished the mating.

After lunch, Nisha changed into his swimsuit and met Kannon outside by the pool. Fortunately one side of it was shaded. Kannon had pulled a couple of loungers over to the shade. Smart of him, considering he was a tad bit pink even with the sunscreen Nisha had put on him earlier.

A small table sat between the lounge chairs with two beers sitting on it. Kannon had draped long beach towels over their seats. Nisha stood in the doorway, watching Kannon. His swim trunks were a deep blue with a light blue edging.

They went well with his skin tone. He’d also twisted his long auburn hair up on his head. Those laughing blue eyes intrigued him. Kannon was about six foot even. For a thirty-something-year-old man, Kannon had a nice, sleek build.

Kannon slipped into the water, his arms resting along the sides of the pool. He moaned slightly as the cool water lapped at his skin. “That feels good.”

The pool wasn’t very deep—maybe four feet at the most. Nisha walked down the pool steps—he much preferred the ocean to chemically treated water—and slowly moved toward where Kannon stood, hands trailing in the water. His sense of hearing picked up the sudden spike in Kannon’s breathing.

“Feels good, huh?” Nisha continued across the pool until he was standing in front of Kannon. “Bet I can make you feel better.”

Kannon licked his lips. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.” Only inches separated Nisha from Kannon.

Nisha ran his hands across Kannon’s shoulders then down over his arms until he reached his hands. He threaded his fingers through Kannon’s then tightened his grip, trapping his hands there. Drops of water trailed down, following the path of Nisha’s caress, tickling the sensitized skin. Kannon shivered slightly.

Nisha closed the remaining distance between them, waiting to see if Kannon would do or say anything to stop him. Eyes heavy and panting slightly, Kannon stood there waiting. Nisha brushed his lips across Kannon’s, a featherlight touch that promised what was to come. He nipped and licked Kannon’s lips. Kannon moaned softly and angled his head, trying to get more.

Nisha tightened his hands and leaned his head back slightly so he could see Kannon’s eyes. “Behave.”

Kannon bit his lower lip. “I… I don’t know what you—”

“Take what I give you only when I give it to you.”

“But—”

Nisha lowered his mouth over Kannon’s, ending any protest his mate might have. There would be answers and more questions soon enough. He also noticed Kannon wasn’t struggling to get out of his hold. Excellent. Kannon didn’t fight his control over the kiss.

Grinding his hard cock against Kannon’s, Nisha fought to keep his need in check. When Kannon whimpered, Nisha ended the kiss. He let go of Kannon and quickly turned the other man around so he faced the edge of the pool.

He grabbed Kannon’s hands and gently pulled them behind his back. Kannon immediately grabbed one of his wrists with the other hand. Nisha grinned slightly as he released his hold on Kannon’s hands. It seemed like Kannon knew exactly what to do.

Had he fantasized about this? Nisha put his hand between Kannon’s shoulder blades, and with a gentle push, encouraged Kannon to bend over. Nisha was grateful they were in the shade. At least the concrete Kannon’s chest rested on wouldn’t be hot.

“Okay?”

“I… yeah, I’m okay.”

“Good. Is the concrete too hot?”

“No, no it’s fine.”

“Excellent. Leave your hands where they are. Understand?”

“Y-yes.”

All Nisha could do was stare. He’d waited for this for so long, and now he didn’t know where to begin, so he smoothed his hands across Kannon shoulders once again and Kannon trembled. It wasn’t from fear, he knew that.

Kannon reeked of desire. He trailed his fingers down Kannon’s back and over his clasped hands. Kannon’s breathing sped up when Nisha let his hands rest on the waistband of Kannon’s swimsuit letting the anticipation build.

Slipping his finger underneath the band, he slowly moved it around to the front of Kannon’s swimsuit. Kannon’s stomach muscles bunched and jumped under his finger. He held Kannon steady with his other hand.

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