SAGE (Tales of the Merman Book 1) Read online

  "He's a good man."

  "And you're a good friend to him."

  Derrick bit his lip as if he was holding back something he wanted to say.

  Sage stared at the man, wondering just what he was to Gary. Jealousy he didn't have a right to feel, flared inside him. He couldn't deal with the thought of Gary in another's arms. It made him that much more determined to make things right and find a way to get Gary to forgive him. He kept his gaze on Gary as he spoke to Derrick. "I can't just give him to you."

  "He wouldn't come to me even if you did." Derrick gave him a weak smile. "He and I are friends. I'm okay with that. I will be there for him when you aren't."

  Sage wasn't sure if that was meant as a cut or not, but if it was, it was deserved.

  "I'm going to tell him goodnight. It was nice to finally meet you, Sage. I hope I get to see you again." Derrick offered his hand.

  Sage shook it and stepped back as Derrick wandered over and say goodnight to Gary. He watched the two men closely, wondering how they met and how close they really were. He fisted his hands at his side as he watched Gary pull Derrick into a hug. It was short, but enough that Sage had to resist the urge to rush over and drag them apart.

  Gary watched Derrick leave and then turned to look at Sage. He smiled and motioned him over.

  Unsure what to expect, especially after what Derrick had just told him, he made his way toward him. Once at his side, he smiled. "You found a good friend in Derrick."

  Gary blushed. "What did he say to you?"

  "It was pretty much a warning not to hurt you."

  "He's a good friend."

  "He is, and he's right. I've already hurt you. I don't want to do it again."

  Gary stepped closer. "I'm fine."

  Sage raised a brow.

  "Okay, I was hurt, mad. I don't see why you couldn't at least call. I did give you my phone number."

  "I wasn't able to get to a phone." At least that much was true.

  "For three weeks?"

  "Yes, for three weeks. My brothers and I were in a place without phones."

  "I noticed Everest was gone."

  Sage nodded. "Yes, he was with me. We had to deal with my father. It didn't go well."

  "You're okay?" Gary reached for Sage's arm.

  "I'm fine. Everything worked out. Better than I thought it ever could. My father stepped down. My other brother took over. He is going to run things." He slid his arm up until he could lace his fingers with Gary's. "Can you forgive me?"

  "We have a lot more to talk about, but I want to talk. Can you stay the night?"

  It was a start. "Yes. I can stay as long as you need me to stay."

  "I have another hour of this then we can go home. Do you have your car?"

  "I took a cab," Sage told him.

  "I will see if I can sneak out early. I'm a bit overwhelmed." Gary looked around them. "I never imagined so many people would show."

  Sage pointed to several paintings. "All but one has sold signs."

  Gary turned to look and gasped. "I hadn't realized." He looked back at Sage his eyes wide in shock.

  Sage laughed. "I knew you would be a hit."

  "I thought I might get lucky and sell one or two, but never thought all of them."

  Sage gave his hand a squeeze. "I'm proud of you."

  "Thanks." Gary shook his head. "It's a dream come true."

  Sage felt the same way, but not about the art. He felt that way about Gary.

  The two of them lingered and made small talk as the show wound down. The tension between them seemed to ease, but Sage dreaded what he knew was still yet to come. He needed to explain things and he still had the problem about not having a phone number to give or a house to bring Gary to.

  "So Everest will be back tomorrow?" Gary asked as they walked hand in hand to the car.

  "I'm not sure. I didn't ask before I left. My youngest brother Barron just got into town and I wouldn't doubt if Everest stays to visit a day or two."

  "You didn't want to visit?" Gary unlocked the car.

  As they both got in and shut the doors Sage glanced over at Gary. "I wanted to see you more."

  Gary looked flattered for a moment and then frowned as if he remembered everything. "I still don't understand what kept you away. Why you couldn't call."

  "My father had us arrested. It took a few weeks to work out the facts and prove our innocence."

  "You were in jail?" Gary looked shocked as he started the car.

  "Yeah." Sage fisted his hands in his lap, hating that he couldn't explain. It sounded horrible to say he was in jail for three weeks, but what other excuse could he give? "That's one of the reasons my brother Barron came home. He was in Israel. He's a historian. When everything happened with my father, he rushed home to help us."

  Gary pulled the car on the road. "Did you get all charges dropped?"

  "Yes. Like I said before, Heath is taking over the business now. My father won't have anything to do with it. I will go back to diving and working with the crew, and my brother will handle the office end of things."

  "Which is just what you wanted, right?"

  "Yes. And it also allows me to spend more time with you. I won't be stuck with all the paperwork and have to be around as much. I'm free to come and go more often." Sage reached over and rested his hand on Gary's thigh as he drove. "I missed you. It drove me crazy wondering what you were thinking. I couldn't call or even get anyone to get you a message. I thought for sure you would hate me."

  "I never hated you. I'm mad, confused, but I could never hate you, Sage."

  "You're still mad?" Sage frowned. "I guess I deserve that. I saw you with Derrick tonight and I thought I had lost you for sure."

  Gary's expression changed and Sage pulled his hand back. "What?"

  "Derrick wanted to date. He and I have gone out a few times. More as friends than dates, but he really helped me get through the last few weeks."

  "He admitted to me that he wanted you."

  "What else did he tell you?"

  "That you made it clear you were still waiting for me." Sage smiled. "That means a lot."

  Gary sat in silence for several minutes before glancing over at Sage. "I kissed him."

  "What?" Sage closed his eyes, trying to force back the pain.

  "I kissed him. I wasn't sure you were coming back. I wanted to let you go. Forget you, but I couldn't. I knew after that one kiss that I wasn't ready. I somehow knew you would be back, that something else was going on."

  Sage stared out the window, unsure what to say.

  "You're mad?"

  "I have no right to be. It's not like we ever really talked about being a couple, but yeah, I don't like the fact you kissed him."

  "It only happened once. He knows how I feel about you."

  Sage remembered Derrick telling him that Gary loved him. "How do you feel about me, Gary?"

  Gary bit his lip and shrugged.

  "You don't know?"

  "I care more than I should," Gary finally admitted.

  "So do I." Sage placed his hand on Gary's thigh again. "You were all I could think about when I was locked up. It was thoughts of you and what little time we did share together that pulled me through the long days."

  "I was so mad at you, Sage. I wanted to hate you. I wanted to forget that I ever met you, but I couldn't."

  "I don't want you to forget me, Gary, but I don't want you mad at me either. I know I deserve it. I warned you my life was crazy, but I never expected all this to happen. I promise you, if you're willing to give us another chance, things will be different."

  Gary pulled the car into the parking stall and put it in park before he turned to face Sage. "I can't tell you no."

  "Do you want to?"

  "The part of me that hurt does."

  Sage's heart broke hearing how he hurt the only man he had cared about in years. "I promise it won't happen again. At least to this degree. I can't say I won't ever do anything to hurt you, but I promise it won't b
e like this time. I will do my best to never hurt you again."

  Gary didn't say anything as he opened the car door and stepped out into the darkness. Sage followed, going around the car and meeting Gary face to face. He reached up and cupped Gary's face in his hands. "I want this. Want us. I want to try again."

  Gary blinked several times. "Why do I have no control with you, Sage?"

  "Because you know just as well as I do that this feels right." Sage closed the distance between them and kissed him.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  Gary melted into his arms and it was as if the three long weeks apart never happened. His body came alive at Sage's touch and he moaned against his lips as he opened his mouth to him and felt his tongue slide across his teeth.

  Sage's hands caressed down his arms and slid around his back to pull him even closer.

  Gary went willingly, forgiving Sage a little bit more with each second that passed.

  All the anger and confusion he'd felt over the last three weeks disappearing as his body and heart were reminded of just how much Sage meant to him.

  Gary brushed his hands up into Sage's hair and pulled the band that tied it back free, allowing the long black hair to fall around his shoulders. He savored the taste of Sage against his tongue, the salty sweetness that he had remembered every night as he tried to fall asleep alone. This was what he wanted. It was everything he needed.

  The sound of another car pulling up forced them to pull apart, both breathless as they stared at each other. Sage bowed his head against Gary's forehead and smiled. "That was better than all my memories."

  Gary laughed. "Let's get inside before we make a few more memories in a way too public way."

  Sage linked their hands and turned for the walkway. "Thank you."

  "For what?" Gary pulled his keys from his pocket.

  "For forgiving me. Giving me another chance."

  "I couldn't believe that you would just use me. I knew something more was wrong."

  "If I could have sent word I would have." Sage followed him into the apartment.

  As soon as Gary closed the door, he turned back to Sage and pulled him back into his arms. "You came back, that's all that matters." He brushed his lips over Sage's jaw. "I won't pretend I wasn't mad, but I do understand."

  He closed his eyes as Sage kissed him. He fisted his hands against the back of Sage's tuxedo. He shouldn't give in so easy. Three weeks was a long time, he wasn't going to deny how bad it fucked with his head and his heart when he thought Sage had used him, but how could he remain mad now that he knew the truth? No matter how mad he should be, feeling Sage's body press hard against him, and having him here in his arms, eased the pain. Helped to erase the anger and push away the doubt that plagued him the last few weeks.

  Gary pulled back and licked his lips. "I shouldn't want you like I do."

  Sage thrust his hips forward, letting Gary feel how aroused he was. "You're not the only one."

  Gary moved his hand up Sage's chest and started working the buttons open. "We have a lot to talk about."

  "We can talk during." Sage grinned as he pushed the suit coat down Gary's arms.

  "You sure?" He nipped at Sage's jaw. "Mouths might be busy."

  Sage captured his lips and sucked on them for a moment before smiling down at Gary. "Then we talk after. I'm not leaving."

  "Good." Gary slid his hands up Sage's now bare chest. He curled his fingers and scratched back down until he came to the button on his pants. His fingers shook as he worked it open, slid his hand down into Sage's boxers, and grasped his cock.

  Sage was hard and already leaking as Gary stroked him. "I won't last. You need to get naked now."

  Gary smiled. "Maybe I don't want you to last." He tightened his fist and continued to tease him.

  With a quickness that took Gary by surprise, Sage pulled back and lifted him off the floor and into his arms, cradling him against his chest as he smiled. "I don't want to come in my pants."

  "Where do you want to come?" Gary wrapped his arms around Sage's neck and tucked himself closer to his chest.

  "Inside you." Sage turned and carried him to the couch.

  Gary refused to release his arms from around Sage's neck as he went to dump him on the sofa. He let his legs fall and then pulled Sage down with him as he wrapped his legs around his waist and brought their bodies together.

  Sage laughed as his long hair fell between them. He reached up and moved it out of Gary's face. "You're going to have to let go if you want us naked."

  "I don't want to let go," Gary whispered against his lips.

  Sage settled on his knees, between Gary's legs and thrust his hips forward. Even through the pants Gary felt how hard Sage was and as their cocks pressed against each other, he gasped.

  "I can keep doing that until you finally decide to let me undress you." Sage thrust his hips forward once more, his black eyes gleaming as he teased.

  "You're killing me," Gary groaned.

  "No, being away from you was what nearly killed me. This…" Sage pressed forward again. "This is what makes it worth living."

  Gary released his legs from around Sage as he kissed him hard and then let him go. "Hurry." His own hands already dropped to his own pants as he kicked off his shoes and worked the button loose.

  He watched as Sage stood and worked his clothes off. His body begged for more as he did the same, kicking his clothes aside. Once naked, he gripped his own cock and gave it a hard squeeze as Sage stepped back to him.

  "You have no idea how many times I thought about you doing that while I was gone." Sage licked his lips as he took his own cock in his fist and ran his fist up and down it several times. "I was locked away with my brothers. I couldn't even please myself. I would get so hard at night while lying there, thinking about you."

  Gary's cock jerked in his hand. "What did you think about? What were we doing?"

  Sage knelt back on the couch, nudging Gary's legs farther apart with his knees. "I'm about to show you."

  Gary stared up into his unblinking eyes. This was why he couldn't move on. Why he waited. The connection between them was like nothing he'd ever known. His heart pounded as he watched Sage move lower down and push his legs up and wider. Gary hooked his hands under his own legs, holding them for Sage as he lowered his mouth to his balls.

  The air rushed from his lungs as Sage's tongue licked over one ball and then the other before sliding down his sack and running over his ass. Gary's head fell back and he closed his eyes, lost in the pleasure.

  "This is what I dreamt about. Watching you in pleasure. Watching you come." Sage took another long lick over Gary's hole. "I would lie in bed and think of new ways to please you. Imagine exploring your body in every way possible."

  Gary lifted his legs back farther, forcing his ass toward Sage's mouth. "Don't stop."

  "I have no plans to." Sage's tongue swept over him once again before he buried his face against him and started to suck against his puckered entrance.

  Gary moaned in pleasure as he rocked his body against Sage's mouth. He placed one leg on the back of the couch, while he continued to hold the other. He gripped his cock with his free hand and started to jerk himself off, unable to stay still as Sage probed him with his tongue. "Please."

  Sage pulled back. "Please what?"

  "I need you." Gary was ready to beg.

  "I have to get a condom." Sage went to stand.

  "No, don't care, trust you. I haven't been with… Please just take me."

  Sage glanced down at him as he slid his finger over Gary's ass and pressed it inside him. "You sure?"

  "Yes," Gary gasped as his ass parted and Sage's finger slid deep. His own fist moved faster over his cock. "If you don't hurry, I'm going to come without you."

  "Can't have that." Sage bent forward and captured Gary's mouth with his own, deepening the kiss with a slide of his tongue. At the same time, he pulled his finger free, positioned his cock against Gary's ass, and gently pushed forward.
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br />   Gary's legs pushed up against his chest as Sage's body forced them forward. His ass spread and he moaned into Sage's mouth as he reached up, combing his fingers through the thick black hair that fell around them.

  Emotions he hadn't dare feel for the last three weeks surged forward. Sage was here, with him, and making promises not to leave him again. The wall around his heart started to crack and he swallowed back the fear that the sudden feelings brought forth. Nothing ever felt so right. No man ever so perfect.

  Sage broke the kiss and sat back on his knees. He glanced down between them, where they connected, and smiled as he started to move. His fingers dug into Gary's skin as he gripped him tighter and worked his cock in and out of him.

  Gary's own fist worked over his cock in hard strokes, his breath already catching and his balls drawing up tight. He didn't have a chance of lasting, not with how good it felt having Sage inside him. He raised his gaze to find Sage watching him and he smiled, clamping his ass tight around the welcome intrusion.

  Sage groaned. "You really don't want me to last, do you?" His thrusts came stronger and harder.

  "No. I want to feel you come," Gary grunted. "I can't wait…" He closed his eyes as sweat dripped down his forehead, rolling back against his ear.

  Sage rose up off his knees to his feet. His hands pulled Gary's ass closer, tilting it up as he worked himself into him. Gary ached at the new position, Sage's cock spreading him wider. He ignored the pain and focused on the pleasure.

  Precum leaked from his cock and he used it to coat his hand. One stroke and then another and he was lost, his body tightened and then released as cum shot from his cock, his ass tightened around Sage and his release coursed through him.

  Sage cursed, his grip on Gary's body slipping as he fell against him and his hips surged forward several more times before they stilled and a loud groan of pleasure escaped him. His weight grew heavy on Gary as he filled him with his seed.

  The sound of their breathing was the only sound in the room as they both fought to recover. Gary was the first to find the strength to move, reaching up to caress Sage's shoulder.

  "Don't move." Gary whispered, his ass sore, his cock sensitive.