Page 64 of Where the Current Takes Him
Loriun got to his feet and stood over him with a satisfied smile. He was still in his aquatic form, with fins and tail on full display. Beau decided it would be preferable to simply die there, on the floor, drinking in the beauty of his Alpha.
Red marks like sunlight through waves marked his arms, and though he couldn’t see them, Beau recalled identical markings down his spine. One day, he would commit himself to tracing each and every line with his tongue.
“Come on,” Loriun said, crouching down. “Let’s get you cleaned up.”
“Maybe I like being dirty.”
Two arms slid beneath his body. Beau gasped as he was tugged into the air.
“Regardless, it is my job to take care of you,” Loriun said, “and a good Alpha does not leave his Omega lying in a puddle of cum.”
Beau laughed, allowing himself to be carried down the stairs. He tilted his head to rest it on Loriun’s shoulder, and noticed several slashes of red along the Mer’s neck. The edges of scarlet frills were barely visible. Beau stretched out a wondering finger and stroked along the lines.
Loriun coughed. “What are you doing?”
“What are these?”
“My gills.” Loriun coughed again. “So finger out, if you don’t mind.”
Beau whipped his hand away. “Sorry.”
The large fins that radiated from Loriun’s ears flared. “You can touch these.”
Beau took one in his hand, stroking along the thin membrane. It was almost like velvet, but cool and slippery. A shudder rippled through Loriun’s body as he entered the kitchen.
“Does it hurt?” Beau asked, hastily removing his hand.
“No,” Loriun said, his voice slightly strained. “Quite the opposite.”
A devilish smile spread across Beau’s face. That information would be fun to utilize in the future.
“Do you think your legs will be back by the time I set you in the shower?” Loriun teased.
“Why can’t we just go for a swim? That counts as a bath, right?”
Loriun snorted. “I believe that is not true for your kind. But I am never one to deny time spent in the water.”
Beau found himself being ferried toward the pool in the living room. Loriun lowered himself into the waves, clutching Beau tight to his chest.
The cold water shocked him for a few seconds—the fever of heat wasn’t present to shield him this time. Loriun treaded water, waiting patiently for Beau’s body temperature to adjust.
“Would you like to go out into the open water? I can assure you that no dangerous animals will approach you if I am nearby.” Loriun frowned. “Your Earth creatures seem to be terrified of us.”
Beau laughed. “Well, as long as a shark doesn’t come nibble off my toes, I’m in.”
Delight brightened Loriun’s face. “Take a breath and hold it.”
Beau obeyed, and together, they plunged beneath the surface. The side-to-side motion of Loriun’s powerful tail bore them through the passage that led from the house.
Warm night air touched his skin once again. Beau blinked the salt water from his eyes. Stars glittered overhead and a thin crescent moon hung in the satin sky.
“It’s beautiful,” Beau murmured. “Let me go, I can float.”
Loriun hesitated before releasing his Omega from his grip. Beau spread his arms and legs, letting the ocean supporthim as he stared up into the heavens. Water lapped at his ears, muffling sounds of the outside world.
“Your sky is more impressive than ours.”
Beau splashed upright in alarm. A mass of wavy red hair resurfaced, and Loriun grinned at him. “You have never heard a Mer speak underwater?”
