Randy (Tales of the Merman Book 2) Read online

  They both struggled to breathe as Tevon started to caress and run his hands over Randy's body. They were so good together that Randy didn't want it to ever end. He wanted more, a lifetime of more.

  The thought caused his breath to catch. Was he really thinking long-term? Was Tevon the one he was meant to love?

  Love… It was a word Randy avoided for as long as he could remember. He wasn't the type to settle down, but now, after the accident, after getting to know Tevon, the thought of forever with another person didn't seem as scary.

  His body hummed with unreleased arousal and he wondered if he would ever be able to find satisfaction again.

  "I like being with you like this." Randy rolled over as Tevon pulled out and stood beside the bed.

  Tevon blushed. "I like it as well."

  Randy took a deep breath as he watched Tevon. "Enough to make it a permanent thing?"

  Tevon stilled as he looked down at Randy. "You sure this is what you want?"

  "I'd like to try, but I understand if you don't want more."

  Tevon tossed his robe on the stool beside the bed. "Scoot over."

  Randy smiled and moved to the far side of the bed.

  Tevon lay down beside him, wrapping an arm around Randy's chest. "Mind if I stay for a while?"

  Randy brushed his lips over Tevon's temple. Relief flowed through him as he wrapped his arm around Tevon and pulled him close. "You can stay as long as you want."

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Tevon watched as the king and his brother, Sage talked in the office. He tried to ignore the nervousness that twisted his stomach. He should be excited, but going inland to look for property to build a new clinic made him nervous. Change made him nervous and the thought of possibly having to live among the humans for the first time in his life didn't sit well with him.

  He liked the caves and the quiet seclusion and safety they offered. He never understood the others longing to live on land. They were mermen, meant to be in the water. Still, for the good of the clan, he would do what he must to help. Having the new equipment and electricity was a bonus.

  "Going to leave without saying goodbye?"

  Tevon turned at the sound of Randy's voice and smiled. "I thought you were sleeping."

  "I was, but I don't mind if you wake me." Randy shifted his cane and moved to lean against the stone wall.

  "Rest is good for you. You've been working your body hard the last week."

  "Doctor's orders." Randy reached for Tevon's hand and pulled him close.

  "I said exercising would be good. I did not mean hours of it." Tevon grinned as he brushed his lips over Randy's. "Just because you're feeling better doesn't mean you are healed."

  "I'm in good hands if anything goes wrong." Randy hooked his arms around Tevon's waist and deepened the kiss as he pressed their body's closer. "Sure you don't want to stay?"

  Tevon grew hard under the robe he was wearing. "I don't think the king would be happy if I stayed."

  "I can handle Heath. I'll tell him I need my doctor." Randy pushed his hips forward against Tevon's growing cock.

  "And I would have to ask what exactly do you need your doctor for." Heath stepped into the hall with Sage. Both men were grinning as they looked at Tevon and Randy pressed together in a lover's embrace.

  Tevon went to pull back but Randy tightened his grip.

  "Aren't you worried about my well-being?" Randy arched his head at his brother.

  Tevon rolled his eyes at Randy who just grinned back. Tevon loved Randy's playful side, but to be caught in this position by the king was embarrassing, even if the king was Randy's brother.

  "I didn't know you two were dating," Sage said.

  "Neither did I." Heath raised a brow. "How long has this been going on?"

  Randy sighed. "It's not like I'm fifteen anymore. I don't need to report to you when I meet someone."

  "Didn't say you needed to. Just hurt you wouldn't share the good news with us." Sage mocked pain by holding his chest.

  Randy released Tevon and then tossed his cane playfully at Sage. "And you wonder why I didn't say anything."

  Heath caught the cane before it reached Sage. "I'm happy for both of you."

  "Thanks." Tevon shifted uncomfortably.

  Randy pushed away from the wall and reached for his cane when Heath offered it back. "Don't keep him all day, Sage." He gave Tevon a gentle kiss.

  "Thought I would invite him out with Gary and me tonight." Sage grinned when Randy glared. "Don't worry. We're going to look at a few buildings. He should be back by dark."

  Tevon stifled a groan at the thought of being gone all day. He worried what would happen if someone was injured and he was away.

  "Thanks for doing this, Sage." Heath slapped his brother on the shoulder.

  "My pleasure." Sage turned to Tevon with a grin. "Ready or do you two need a moment?"

  Tevon blushed. "I'm ready." He glanced up at Randy, wishing he were anywhere but here. "See you tonight. Don't overdo the sit-ups. You can still tear that muscle."

  "He won't have time. I have a stack of work I need his help with." Heath linked his arm around Randy's shoulders. "Worst you'll find him with when you get back is a few paper cuts."

  Randy faked a cringe. "I'd rather tear a muscle."

  Tevon grinned as he turned and followed Sage down the hall to the ocean's edge. Thankful his hard-on had faded. He stripped his robe and waited as Sage did the same. They dropped their robes on a rock and turned to the water.

  Tevon secured the string on his waterproof bag to his wrist and made sure the seal was tight on the bag. Inside were clothes he would change into once they hit land and shifted again.

  "You know the cove off Current Beach? I thought we would surface there and hit a few places in that area I have found I think you might like." Sage brushed his long, black hair back from his face.

  "Sure. It's been a while, but I remember it." Tevon tried to think of the last time he was there. It had to have been years ago.

  "Then let's get going." Sage dove into the water and shifted.

  Tevon watched him swim deep before he jumped into the water. He shifted as soon as he hit the ocean and immediately took off after Sage.

  Sage slowed his pace once they left the caves and unlike when with the king, Tevon swam beside him instead of a couple paces behind. The water soaked through his skin giving him strength; the salt water being a life-sustaining need for mermen. The effect was instant and he welcomed the slight rush it gave him.

  He glanced over at Sage and smiled as they both kicked though the water, enjoying the freedom of the ocean. Tevon didn't know Sage well, only that he was the oldest and had given up the position of king and allowed Heath to step into the role. He heard he was now in a relationship with a human and lived inland, even that the human knew what Sage was and kept the secret.

  Tevon was uneasy about that. He didn't like the thought of humans knowing what he was. He hoped that they wouldn't run into Sage's boyfriend while they were inland. Being away from the caves made him uncomfortable enough. He didn't need the added strain of having a human stare at him as if he was a monster.

  He just wanted to get a building, help Heath order the supplies for it, and be done. He refused to think that he would have to operate the inland clinic. He hoped Heath's call for another doctor produced a couple people from other clans and he would be allowed to stay in the caves.

  As they neared the shore, Tevon hung back as Sage surfaced and waited for him to wave at him that the coast was clear. The last thing they needed was some human to report two naked men walking out of the water together.

  Once he saw Sage wave the all clear, Tevon shifted. His feet hit the sand and he rose up and made his way to the shore. The waterproof bag brushed against his leg as he stepped out of the water. He looked around the rocky cove, relieved to see no one around.

  Sage moved a large rock and pulled his clothes out from where he must have left them when he came to the cave. It wasn't un
common for mermen to leave clothes hidden in the rocks when they went swimming.

  As Sage dressed, Tevon pulled his own dry clothes from the bag and quickly dressed. He tied back his long hair with an elastic band he'd brought along and then hid the plastic bag under another rock so he could use it when he was ready to return home.

  Sage brushed his fingers through his own thick black hair. "The first place is about a block from here. The others we will need the car for. We can drop by Gary's surf shop and borrow his car for a few hours."

  "He knows what we are, doesn't he?" Tevon worked his way through the rocks and up to the main walkway above the beach.

  "Yeah. He's good with it. He won't tell anyone."

  "You really trust a human?" Tevon couldn't imagine trusting anyone that much.

  "I trust him with my life and the clans." Sage smiled. "He won't do anything to hurt any of us."

  Tevon bit his lip, not wanting to offend Sage. He'd heard the rumors about Sage meeting the human, but it still didn't sit right with him. If there was a risk, Heath would have warned them, but it left him nervous every time he thought about meeting Gary.

  "You think we will ever be able to come out to all humans?" Tevon glanced back over his shoulder at Sage as he took the last step off the beach onto the sidewalk.

  "Heath is considering it. Would make it easier for us in some ways, but not knowing how humans would react as a whole, it's still risky." Sage pointed down the sidewalk, past several small buildings that lined the one-way street. "Just down this way a bit. I wasn't quite sure what you were looking for. I found a couple different places I thought would work. If none of these are good, we can spend some time online and look for stuff close that you like."

  Tevon hardly heard a thing he said, he was still trying to believe that Heath was thinking about telling the humans about them. He forced the fear that thought brought to him back and focused on what they were supposed to be doing. "I’m not sure I even know how to work a computer anymore."

  Sage laughed. "Gary can help us or even Everest. We can drop by his shop and use his computer if you're more comfortable with him than Gary."

  Tevon blushed. "It's not that I have a problem with Gary. I'm just a bit uneasy with the thought of a human knowing what I am. I never thought I would see the day that we talked about coming out to them."

  Sage smiled. "Times are changing. Around the globe, several humans are mated to mermen. They have kept our secret."

  "So you think we should come out to all of them?"

  "I think it's worth looking into. It's getting harder to hide. It's just a matter of time before they find out about us anyway. Better we control the situation." Sage turned the corner and nodded to a large two-story building. "This is my favorite out of the buildings I found. It has the second floor we can convert into a small apartment for you or whoever stays here."

  Tevon looked at the large brick building. It wasn't much to look at from the outside, but he only needed to worry about the inside. If there was enough room for the equipment he wanted and if the layout would accommodate his needs, he didn't care what the outside looked like. "It looks big enough, and being able to live close would be a bonus." He once again wondered if he would be the one stuck living inland.

  Sage pulled the keys out of his pocket and Tevon raised a brow curiously.

  "The owner is a friend of Gary's. He's in construction. He got the place in trade for some work he did for another client." He slipped the key in the lock and pushed the door open. "I told him my brother was looking to open a doctor's office in the area."

  "He knows about us, too?" Tevon stepped inside and smiled as the entry opened to a room. It was dusty, but well kept. He didn't see any sign of wear at first glance.

  "No. He has no clue. Gary is the only one who I have told." Sage shut the door and flipped on the lights. "It's been empty for a year. Property this close to the beach isn't cheap, but Heath figured we would need something close to the water."

  "Yeah. We will need access to salt water." Tevon walked farther into the building. A long hallway led to several other rooms, perfect for an exam room and a small surgical center. He noticed two bathrooms and a small kitchen also along the hallway. "I'd like a salt water pool or even hot tub like setting if we could. Soaking is one of the best ways we heal."

  "Like with Randy?" Sage grinned.

  Tevon nodded. "Randy healed faster than I've ever seen any merman. He amazed me. I thought he would be bedridden for weeks."

  "He has always healed fast. I remember when he first came to the clan, he and I snuck out one night and went exploring. We were young and not paying attention. We ran straight into a group of small sharks. I thought we were both going to die that night. Randy took a bite from one of the larger ones and it crushed his arm. He made me swear not to tell anyone. We were both so scared of Father back then. I kept quiet and he hid his arm. I tried to get him to see the doctor for it, but he refused." Sage smiled and shook his head. "Randy never was the smart one. His arm was a mess. The bone was crushed and I know it had to hurt like hell, but he bandaged it, and in just a week the wounds were healed and the bones had returned to their normal shape."

  Tevon stared at Sage. "He was lucky. Shark bites can be serious. He has an issue being bitten by them it seems." He wanted to hurry back and exam Randy's arm, even though the injury happened years ago.

  Sage stepped to a door at the end of the long hallway. "Like I said, Randy wasn't always the smartest one. Bravest for sure, but he likes to take risks."

  "He was lucky to live through this last one." Tevon followed Sage into the larger room. "This would make a great recovery room. I could fit several beds in here. We don't have a lot of use for them, but there are times I have more than one patient at a time."

  "Want to see the upstairs?"

  "Sure." Tevon shoved his hands in his pockets. "Hard to imagine living away from the clan. I don't know how you do it."

  "I missed it at first, but you adapt. It's a nice change in many ways. I like having access to electricity and all the conveniences like that. I miss a lot of things, too though. My brothers and I used to go swimming together almost every day. We haven't done that in a long time. Since Heath took over as king, it seems everything has changed." Sage leaned against the wall. "How long you been seeing my brother?"

  Tevon blushed. "Not too long. I promise I kept it professional, at least until he moved back to his chamber. Even then, I was hesitant to act on feelings. I'm trained not to do things like that."

  "So just because you're a doctor means you can't have feelings for someone?"

  "Not a patient."

  "Hate to tell you, Tevon, but sooner or later you will be doctor to all of us mermen. Unless you plan on finding a human, it's unlikely you would find someone you hadn't treated."

  Tevon shrugged. Sage was right, but he still found it unsettling to be with a patient he was still actively taking care of. He hurried up the stairs after Sage to look at the apartment, hoping the conversation was over.

  As they entered the upstairs, Tevon smiled. "I don't think we need to look at any other places. This one is perfect. If the price is right, of course." He moved to the large window and looked out. "The ocean is within walking distance, the rooms are big enough to do what we need and this…" He waved his hand around the large room. "Seems perfect for someone to live."

  "You don't want to see the bedroom?" Sage nodded down a short hall.

  "Can't be worse than the stone chambers at the caves."

  Sage laughed. "True. Have to admit that sleeping on a mattress instead of a bundle of blankets and furs has me spoiled."

  "It was one of the highlights of medical school." Tevon grinned as he ran his hand along the dusty windowsill. "This will work nicely. There is no point in wasting time with other places. You said you know the owner, which means you trust him to give you a good deal. If this suits what Heath wants, then I'm happy with it."

  "You are the one who will use it. It doesn't
matter what Heath thinks. This is your baby. You like it, you get it."

  "Just like that?"

  "Yep, just like that."

  Tevon wiped his dusty hands off on his pants and wandered around the small apartment. Down the hall were two bedrooms and a bathroom. A small kitchen was just off the living room. It was more than he had now. He couldn't imagine needing this much living space.

  "Let's do it."

  "Good. Then we can start working on getting it cleaned up and equipment in." Sage turned to look at him. "You think Randy is strong enough to swim inland yet?"

  Tevon frowned, wondering if Sage had somehow heard about Randy's doctor appointment. "Why?"

  "I thought he could help you get the place set up. He's driving Heath crazy in the office. Getting him out and busy will help make him feel productive."

  Tevon bit his lip as he tried to push back the protective feeling that overwhelmed him at the thought of Randy swimming that distance and tried to look at it from a doctor's view, not a lover's. "I think he needs to swim around the caves for a while. Build up his strength. He hasn't done any heavy swimming in over a month, his hip still stiffens up on him, but it's possible if he takes it slow. He and I went out a couple days ago, he was pretty sore when we got back."

  "You do want his help, don't you?" Sage eyed him suspiciously.

  "Of course, I do. It's just that he hasn't done much. He doesn't realize how weak he is. I wouldn't want him going out alone until he's much stronger."

  "I'll try and get him to go swimming this afternoon, if that is okay with you. I could use a swim like we used to do. Might even get my other brothers to join us."

  Tevon wished he could be included in that swim. Being an only child, he always wondered what it would be like to have family and brothers. "Sure. Just watch he doesn't get too weak or force too much. His hip is still healing even if he thinks it's all better."

  "We won't go far. Just up to the island."

  Tevon nodded. "So anything else we need to do?"

  "Not unless you want to see the other places, or come with me to negotiate a price."