SAGE (Tales of the Merman Book 1) Read online

  "You're giving me that look again, Gary." Sage set his fork down and wiped his mouth with the napkin.

  Gary blushed. "I'm sorry."

  "There is nothing to be sorry for." Sage nodded to Gary's nearly empty plate. "You finished?"

  The lusty look in Sage's eyes was more fulfilling than any food ever could be. Gary set his napkin down. "Yes."

  "Then I say we head back to your place and look at your paintings."

  Gary's pulse doubled. "I might even be able to offer you some dessert."

  "I'm counting on that." Sage smiled as he waved for the bill.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Sage stepped aside as Gary unlocked his apartment. He could see the ocean from the front porch and smiled thinking about how nice it was to be away for a while. Gary's place wasn't far from the beach where they met.

  The sun was sinking low in the sky and Sage was tempted to suggest another walk on the beach, but as he glanced back at Gary, he quickly dismissed the idea. He wanted them alone.

  "Come on in." Gary pushed the door open and stepped inside, holding the door for Sage to walk in.

  "Thanks." Sage moved into the apartment and turned to wait for Gary to shut and lock the door. He glanced around him, taking in the basic apartment. It was a sharp contrast to the royal court he lived in. He loved it.

  "Have a seat." Gary motioned to the worn, brown couch. "Can I get you something to drink?"

  "No thanks." Sage took a seat. "So is this your work?" He gestured to a painting on the wall, one of an old pirate ship sailing through turbulent waves.

  Gary took a seat beside him. "I did that in high school. It was one of my first real paintings."

  "It's wonderful. You have great talent in catching the colors of the waves and the shadows of the boat against the water. Show me the others."

  Gary stood, looking nervous. "Sure. I have made the spare bedroom a small studio."

  "Nervous to show me?" Sage stood and placed his hand against Gary's back. "It's just me. This show you have coming up will probably be thousands of people."

  Gary turned to face him. "I know. I have nightmares about that."

  "You haven't shown many your work?"

  "Very few. It took me forever to work up the nerve to show the owner of the art store to see if he would show my work." Gary hung his head.

  Sage frowned and glanced back at the painting on the wall. "I can already tell you have talent." He lifted his palm to Gary's cheek. "Show me the rest."

  Gary stared up at him and Sage resisted the urge to bend down and kiss him. It was all he wanted to do, all he thought about all night, but he didn't want Gary to think this was all about sex. As hard as it was, he was trying to take things slow.

  Sage brushed his thumb over Gary's cheek and held his stare for a moment before pulling his hand back. "I'm not a harsh judge."

  Gary took a deep breath and reached for Sage's hand. "Okay." He gently pulled him down the hall.

  Sage followed silently. He liked the slight insecurity Gary was showing him. Mermen were confident, even cocky. With his own kind, it was about what they could get from each other. More than one man had pursued Sage, thinking of the riches they would have from courting the future king. Sage wanted nothing of it.

  Then there were the human females. They longed for him for his looks and his money. He let very few get close, but those who had, used him as a trophy to show off to their friends. He quickly learned it was safer and easier to be alone. Thus, years had gone by since he had felt the affectionate touch of another. Gary was changing that. Gary was different. For once Sage longed for the touch and attention the male might give him.

  As they stepped into the back room, the smell of paint overwhelmed him, but was quickly forgotten as Sage turned and saw several paintings laid against the wall. His breath caught as he stepped forward. "These are yours?" Sage glanced over his shoulder at Gary.

  "Yes." Gary moved beside him and repositioned several that were stacked together. "These are some I plan on showing."

  Sage stared, amazed at the talent Gary had. He'd seen a lot of art in his years and this was as good as any. "They are amazing." He knelt down and pointed at one of the sun setting into the ocean. "You can hardly tell this isn't a portrait. It looks so real."

  "I did that one from my balcony." Gary shoved his hands in his pockets and shifted from one foot to another.

  "You really have no idea how good you are, do you?" Sage stood and moved to another painting that was sitting half finished. "This is near where we met. Just a little farther south."

  "It's one of my favorite places to jog."

  Sage turned to him. "You have nothing to worry about. People are going to love your work. Gary, these are amazing."

  Gary shrugged.

  "Do you have more?"

  Gary turned and opened the sliding doors on the closet. "These aren't as good."

  Sage reached in and pulled out two of the paintings and shook his head. "No, these are just as good. You need to take these in as well. You should hang some in your shop for sale. I bet they go fast."

  "You think?" Gary sounded doubtful.

  Sage set the paintings back in the closet. "You have no clue how good you are." He turned to Gary and placed his hands on his shoulder. "I bet you don't know how attractive you are, either."

  Gary's face went red and he shook his head. "Nothing like you."

  Sage rubbed the pad of his thumb down Gary's cheek. "I love that blush." He studied Gary's face, seeing a touch of fear in his eyes. "Do I scare you?" He dropped his hands and stepped back, not wanting to force anything if Gary wasn't ready. The last thing he wanted was to make him feel uncomfortable.

  "No. It's not that you scare me. At least not like you think." Gary shook his head and took a heavy breath. "I'm scared of what you make me feel. What you make me want."

  Sage smiled, relieved. He once again lifted his hand to Gary's face, brushing his fingers over his cheek and then though his soft, brown hair. He let the strands work though his fingers as he dipped his head. "What do you want?"

  Gary raised his eyes. "More than I should."

  "Who is to say what we should?" Sage lowered his head the last couple of inches and kissed him.

  Gary's body melted against him and Sage dropped his arms to his waist and pulled him closer. Sage's own body reacted to the first touch of their lips and he fought back a moan as he moved his mouth over Gary's.

  He'd waited all night for this, hell, he had waited days. Ever since meeting Gary in the water. It was better than he imagined and he licked over Gary's lips, seeking entry.

  Gary opened for him and Sage slid his tongue into his mouth, tasting and exploring as the kiss deepened. Their bodies swayed closer as Sage rubbed his hand up Gary's back, enjoying the way Gary pressed into his touch.

  Sage forced himself to pull back, but refused to release Gary from his arms. He stared down at him, aware of Gary's arousal pressing against his thigh. "I've wanted to do that all night."

  "You shouldn't have waited." Gary smiled as he laid his head against Sage's chest.

  "I didn't want to push you, scare you away." Sage continued to move his hands over Gary's back. "I didn't want you to think this was just about sex."

  Gary glanced up at him. "What is this about?"

  Sage closed his eyes a moment before answering, not knowing quite what to say. He brushed his lips over the top of Gary's head. "I don't know. All I know is I want to know you. I'm drawn to you like a moth to a flame. I don't care if I get burned."

  "I don't want to hurt you." Gary pulled back looking up at him. "I don't understand this. I've never felt attraction like this. Hell, that kiss was …" He shook his head. "I don't have words."

  Sage fought an inner battle. He wasn't scared Gary would hurt him, he was scared he would hurt Gary. There was no future for them. No way a relationship with a human would work. The secrets he kept would destroy them, and being honest just wasn't an option.

  He hated hi
ding who he was, but then if he was to tell Gary, not only would his father have them both killed, he would risk losing Gary anyway if he freaked out and couldn't deal with the news.

  Sage pushed all his fears back. For the first time in his life, he wanted to do something for him. He didn't care how much it would hurt to end it later. If he walked away now, he would never forgive himself. He didn't want to spend the rest of his life wondering what if.

  "There is no denying the attraction. I've warned you my life is crazy, but I want this, Gary. I want to date, see what this is, and experience more of this…" He dipped his head again and took Gary's mouth in another long, hard kiss. He tightened his arms around him and pressed his hips forward, allowing Gary to feel his need.

  Gary broke the kiss and glanced up at Sage with a lustful gaze. "Will you stay? Stay the night?"

  Sage thought of his father and the explaining he would have to do when he returned. With the others disappearing it would cause his father to worry if he didn't come home tonight. But he was a grown man. He wouldn't let fear of his father's reaction dictate how he lived his life.

  "There is no where I'd rather be." Sage slid his hand under Gary's suit coat, smiling when he heard his breath catch.

  "My room." Gary pulled back and took Sage's hand. He flipped off the lights as he led them from the room.

  Sage followed, surprised by the nervousness that rolled through him. He was crazy getting involved with a human. Nothing could come of this, and that thought didn't sit well with him. The fact that all they could share together would be a night or two of sex angered him. For the first time in his life, he hated what he was and the secrets he was forced to keep.

  Gary turned to him as they stepped into his bedroom. He slid his hands up Sage's chest, staring up into his eyes. "It's been a while."

  Sage smiled. "For me as well." He covered Gary's hands with his own against his chest. "Do you want to wait?"

  "No." Gary shook his head. "I've thought about this moment all night. I want you."

  Sage didn't need to hear more. Drawing Gary back into his arms, he lowered his mouth to his ear. "You have me." He pushed the suit coat down Gary's arms, catching it before it fell and tossing it on the dresser. He returned his hands to Gary's shirt, pulling it from his pants and sliding his hands up his back. His hand splayed over the warmth of his skin as they rocked their bodies against each other and kissed.

  Gary's hand still pressed to his chest and Sage groaned with need as Gary started working the buttons open and slid one hand over his chest, teasing his nipple.

  Sage was trying to go slow, but the need and heat that between them grew until they were both working each other's clothes off in a hurried pace. It took only moments before they stood naked, staring at one another.

  "You are more wonderful than I even imagined." Gary stared at him, causing his cock to jerk against his thigh.

  Sage smiled, wondering what he would say if he ever saw him in his natural form.

  His own gaze traveled over Gary, his body such a contrast to Sage's. Hair covered his chest and trailed down his stomach to a thick patch surrounding his cock. Dark tan lines stood out over his hips and Sage wanted to trail the line with his tongue as he explored his new lover's body.

  "As are you." Sage moved to the bed and lay down. "Come here." He held out his hand.

  Gary stared at him for a moment before stepping forward and crawling onto the bed. He moved over Sage and kissed him, lowering his body against him, bringing them skin against skin for the first time.

  Sage relaxed back into the pillows, wrapping Gary in his arms as he parted his legs and allowed Gary to settle between them. Their cocks touched and they both gasped from the pleasure.

  "I wanted to take this slow." Sage spoke against Gary's lips. "But I'm not sure I can."

  "Then don’t." Gary moved his hips forward as he kissed him.

  "You're going to kill me." Sage groaned as he rolled them. He braced his arms on either side of Gary's head, licked a trail from one nipple to the other and bit softly as he drew the perked tip into his mouth. His hips thrust forward, bringing them together once more.

  How long had he gone without this? The feel of Gary's hard body beneath him was almost overwhelming. He fought for control, scared he would find his release before they even came together as one. He lowered his mouth, licking down Gary's chest and stomach until he settled between his legs and glanced up at him.

  Gary stared down at him with lust, his hands reaching out to brush through the sides of Sage's hair that was still tied back in a ponytail.

  Sage smiled up at him as he reached for Gary's cock that lay inches from his face. He encased it in his palm and stroked, watching Gary's eyes close and head fall back as he moaned.

  "So sexy." Sage stroked him again and lifted the cock to his lips. He licked the head, circling it with his tongue several times before pressing his lips around it and taking it into his mouth.

  "Oh, hell." Gary gasped as he shifted his hips. "Don't stop."

  Sage didn't plan on it. He watched Gary as he slid his mouth over him, pressing his tongue against his cock as he moved his mouth up and down the shaft. His own cock ached as he pressed his hips into the bed, praying he would have enough control to wait.

  He cupped Gary's balls in one hand and lifted them, getting his first look at the puckered hole he wanted inside of. He pulled his mouth from Gary's cock and lowered it to his ass, licking up and down his crack and over the underside of his balls.

  "Lube?" Sage asked as he continued to lick.

  "Nightstand." Gary rolled to his side, causing him to pull away from Sage. He quickly found the bottle and rolled back, tossing it and a condom on the bed beside him.

  Sage eyed the condom with disgust, but there was no way to tell Gary that he couldn't catch diseases. He would suffer through wearing it.

  He grasped the bottle in his fist as he lowered his mouth back to Gary's ass. He pressed his tongue against his hole, sliding the tip inside several times, as his hand worked over Gary's cock.

  He replaced his mouth with his thumb and pressed it forward, sliding deep into the tightness. His cock jerked at the thought of feeling Gary around it. He couldn't wait. He would take time to explore Gary another time, this time he needed inside him, needed to find his release.

  He popped open the bottle and poured lube over his thumb, sliding it in and out of Gary with little trouble. He pulled his thumb free and replaced it with two fingers. He stretched Gary's ass as he fucked him with his fingers, making sure he wouldn't cause him pain when he took him.

  "Please." Gary lifted his hips up and down, riding Sage's fingers.

  "You ready?" Sage licked up the base of Gary's cock.

  "Yes, please." Gary reached down and wrapped his own hand around his cock.

  Sage rose up on his knees and reached for the condom. He tore the package open and rolled the latex over his cock. He once again took the lube and poured some into his palm. He rubbed his hand up and down his cock, coating the condom with the shiny fluid.

  "You are so beautiful." He bent down and kissed Gary again.

  Sage was surprised to find his hands actually shaking as he moved forward and pressed the tip of his cock against Gary's ass. Pulling back from the kiss, he watched as he shifted his hips and pressed forward. Gary's ass opened for him and spread around him as he pushed his cock forward into him.

  Gary's body tensed and his hand stilled on his cock.

  "You okay?" Sage froze, afraid to move.

  "Yeah. It's just been a few months. Don't stop." He reached down, placed his hand against Sage's hip, and pulled him forward.

  Sage wasn't going to argue, his own need was reaching new levels and the warmth of Gary's ass around him only caused the ache in his own balls to grow. He braced his body over Gary's and started to move, slowly at first, allowing them both to adjust to the feel of each other. He brushed his lips over Gary's shoulder and to his neck as his hips thrust forward and his balls sla
pped against Gary's body.

  Gary's hand moved between them, working his own cock in rapid strokes as he turned his head, caught Sage's mouth with his own, and kissed him hard.

  The two of them moved their bodies together as if they had been lovers forever. Each touch of Gary's hand pushed Sage closer to the edge. It was as if Gary knew his body and just how to touch and move with him to make everything perfect.

  Sweat coated their skin as Gary hooked his legs around Sage's waist and lifted his hips to him. Sage arched his head back, fighting for control. He wanted this to last forever. As great as finding his release would be, being inside Gary was better. He craved the closeness and the touch, the intimacy he had for so long denied himself.

  "I'm…" Gary's voice broke as his body contracted and hot cum shot from his cock, coating Sage's stomach.

  Sage bit his lip as Gary's ass tightened around him, trying to hold back, but as Gary's body clenched around him once more, his own release raced up on him and with a final plunge into Gary, Sage stilled, his own body shaking as his cock exploded and his orgasm washed over him.

  The two stared at each other as they gasped for air. Both of them silent as they recovered from their pleasure. Sage brushed his hand through Gary's hair, the light brown mixed with tones of blond and red, matched the color of the sand around his home.

  Easing his hips back, Sage pulled from Gary's body and collapsed beside him. He rested one leg over Gary's as he traced his hand over his chest. "I'm addicted." Sage smiled as he rested his head against Gary's shoulder.

  Gary laughed. "Good way of putting it." He kissed Sage's forehead. "I think I am, too."

  "Good." Sage pulled him closer. "I think that was the best dessert I've had in a long time."

  "Much better than pie." Gary rolled to his side to face Sage. "I'm not good at this."

  "At what?" Sage braced his hand under his head as he looked down at him.

  "The after sex stuff."

  "Oh." Sage grinned. "I didn't know we were supposed to be good at it."

  Gary shook his head. "You know what I mean. The what now stuff."