SAGE (Tales of the Merman Book 1) Read online

  Sage understood. Years before, he would have already been reaching for his clothes, ready to leave. "I didn't go out with you tonight just for sex. In fact, I had planned on holding off on sex until we had seen each other a few times. I failed miserably at that."

  "I don't mind. I think we were both aware it would lead to this before we even left the scuba shop."

  Sage nodded. "But I want more than this. I don't want to walk out the door and never see you again. This wasn't about the sex."

  Gary kissed his chin. "Good. The sex is great, and believe me, I do want more of it, but I also want to know you. You intrigue me. There is something so different about you than others I've dated." He reached up and pulled the tie from Sage's hair, letting it fall over his shoulders. He combed his fingers through it and grinned. "I like your hair down."

  Sage brushed his own hand through his long, thick hair. He shouldn't want more from Gary. He couldn't give him forever. Hell, he would be lucky to give him a few weeks. He had too many secrets and he didn't doubt for a minute that his father would come unglued if he found out that Sage was seeing a human.

  "I told you before my life is crazy. My father is demanding and I am stuck working a lot of the time. If you are able to deal with my schedule, and the fact that I can't always get here to see you when I like, I want to try. See where this goes." He scraped his teeth down Gary's jaw.

  "I can handle your schedule," Gary whispered as he arched his head back so Sage could kiss over his throat.

  Sage nipped at his collarbone. "Then no more talk about it." He moved his mouth back to Gary's hoping when the time came, the two of them could walk away from this without too much pain, because no matter how bad Sage longed for it, forever was not an option.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Gary stared at the canvas he had set up in the back room of the scuba shop. It was slow and he didn't see any reason why he couldn't paint while here. He'd been thinking about Sage all day, remembering their night together and as he started to paint, he suddenly knew exactly what he would do.

  Starting with the water, he painted the ocean, making sure to get the colors and waves exactly as he remembered them the day he met Sage. It seemed like a long time ago, not just a few days. He smiled and his body stirred as he thought about the three times they had sex the night before. He was pleasantly sore and each time he shifted on the stool was reminded of just how great the night had been.

  "Gary, you here?"

  Gary set the brushes down and stepped out front to find his friend Tony. "Hey. You're back."

  "Got home last night. Let me tell you, you want some excellent diving you have to go to Hawaii. It was amazing." Tony came behind the counter and sat on one of the stools. "I didn't want to come home."

  "Tina have a good time?" Gary reached for two bottles of water in the small refrigerator he had in the back of the store and tossed one to Tony.

  "She shopped. It's going to take me forever to pay off the credit cards, but it was worth it."

  Tony's wife, Tina was known for her shopping. Gary had been victim to her shopping sprees more than once when hanging out with Tony and it was something he hoped never to repeat. His friend looked good. The two of them dived together several times a month and Gary was glad he was back.

  "She do any diving?"

  "Nah, she stayed on the boat a couple times, but most the time she stayed on shore and spent money." Tony twisted the lid on his water bottle. "Next time I go, I'm taking you. You would have loved it."

  "Someday, hopefully, I'll have the money." Gary glanced around the store. "I've had two customers here all day."

  "It will pick up, and you got that art show coming up, right?"

  "Yeah, I hope that goes well. No guarantee that they will buy my stuff."

  "Got to think positive. You know if you ever want it, I got a spot for you."

  Gary laughed. "Yeah right, can't see me doing construction, but thanks."

  Tony shrugged. "I could find you something to do."

  "I'm good for now. I can make rent and that's all that matters. I have a bit saved from my parents house. It will at least get me through the year." Gary glanced at the calendar. Summer was almost over, August half gone. Come September crowds would really die down and his business would slow even more. "I'm going to spend the winter painting. I'll know better by next year if I need to keep this place or not."

  "You want to go diving Sunday?" Tony stood, brushing his blond hair back from his face.

  "Yeah we can do that. I close the shop at noon. I'll meet you at your boat at one?"

  "Sounds good. My brother will go with us."

  Gary wondered if Sage would want to go. "Is it okay if I invite someone?"

  Tony turned to look at him. "Sure, I don't mind." He moved closer, watching Gary's face. "You meet someone while I was gone?"

  Gary shrugged. "We've been out once. Not sure where it's going, but I like him." Liked him a hell of a lot more than he wanted to admit.

  "Ask him. You know how it is out there. The more the merrier." Tony tossed his bottle in the trash. "I have to pick Tina up, she insisted on getting her hair done as soon as we got home. Give me a call if anything changes. Otherwise I'll see you Sunday."

  "Tell Tina hi." Gary pushed off the stool and waved as Tony left.

  He shook his head, wondering how Tony put up with Tina. The woman spent money like it grew on trees. Tony owned his own construction company, but Gary still didn't see how he supported a woman like Tina.

  The thought brought his mind back to Sage. He wondered more about what he did. He dressed and acted like he came from money and Gary suspected that seeking treasures on the ocean floor paid well, but it probably also cost a lot in equipment and such. He remembered a show he'd watched on some channel about ocean treasure hunters and how much money they put into their job.

  Going back to his painting, he stared at it, hoping that he could get it just right. He'd never wanted to paint something more than he wanted this and he needed to get it just right.

  He glanced at the clock, seeing it was only two. Not that he had any reason to rush home when the day was over. Sage had warned him it might be a few days until they could see each other again. He was a little surprised Sage hadn't offered to give him his phone number, especially after he gave him his. He tried not to dwell on that, but he almost felt like it was Sage's way of making a clean escape.

  With a long sigh, he sat down and started to paint again. If he finished in time, he could show this to Sage the next time he saw him… If he saw him.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Just as Sage expected, his father was waiting for him as he entered the main office. He nodded. "Good morning, Father."

  "Where the hell have you been? I was up all night worried about you." His father strode to stand in front of him, blocking his way to the desk.

  "I was out." Sage pushed past him, pulled a couple books from the shelf and set them on the desk before sitting down.

  "Out, that's it, just out? And you couldn't let anyone know where you were?" His father braced his hands on the stone desk and glared at him.

  "I spoke to Randy before I left." Sage flipped the book open.

  "He said you were going out with some human. He did not mention that you would be gone all night." His father continued to stare.

  Sage glanced up. "Am I not allowed to go out and spend time with humans as the others do?"

  His father frowned. "You are not just one of the others, you are the future king. You must not put yourself at risk as the others do."

  Sage laughed. "How was I at risk? I went to dinner and enjoyed an evening with someone."

  "Without informing me."

  "I didn't know that at my age I needed to report to my father on everything I do."

  "You will not do it again. Next time you need to scratch an itch, you will let me know, and you will return before morning. I am not going to lose sleep again worrying that you have been attacked by some shark or worse."


  Sage stood and slammed the book closed. "I am not reporting my every move to you, Father. You might be my father and my king, but that does not mean that I can't have a life without your involvement. For years, I have bowed to your desires. I take one night away and suddenly you feel the need to treat me like a child." Sage returned the books to the shelf and turned back to face his dad. "You want me to report to you? Fine. I'm taking a few days off. I don't know when I will be back." He started for the doorway.

  "Stop." His father bellowed. "You are my son. You will not leave."

  "You going to have your guards stop me?" Sage was aware his father would do nothing to let others know of their fight. "I will be back in a few days after you have calmed down and realized I'm your son, not your pawn. You do not treat my brothers this way. I will not allow you to treat me this way, either." He left the room without looking back.

  His anger only grew as he made his way to his quarters and thought more about how controlling his father was trying to be. He was aware of many nights where Heath took off with women and would not return for days. Why should he be any different? He didn't want to be king, had on more than one occasion stated he didn't want to take the throne.

  Reaching for his waterproof bag, he tossed in several days' worth of clothes and anything else he could think he might need. If he forgot something, he could buy it there.

  "I heard you fighting." Heath stood at the entrance to his room. "You're leaving?"

  "Just for a few days. I'm not going to let him treat me like a child. I was out for one night. Am I not permitted to take a night away like the rest of you?" Sage tossed a pair of tennis shoes into the bag.

  "Hey, I'm on your side here. You've bowed to his every demand for years. I'm glad to see you getting out for a change. I'm sure it just took him by surprise." Heath's blue eyes stared at him with concern. "You going to be okay? Where will you go?"

  "Does it matter?" Sage sealed the bag tight. "I'll get a hotel room if I need to. I just don't want to be here."

  Heath reached out and touched his shoulder. "You need anything?"

  Sage stopped and took a deep breath. "No." He shook his head. "I'm sorry. I'm not mad at you. It's just the way he insists on —"

  "I know." Heath smiled. "Go. If you need anything, let Everest know. I'll deal with Father. Try to make him see how he treats you different from us."

  Sage sighed. "I think he knows he does. It's because I am to be king." He tied the bag to his wrist. "Thanks, Heath."

  "Try and relax. This will be good for both of you." Heath followed him down the caverns of the cave until they came to the water's edge.

  "I'll be back in a few days." Sage closed his eyes and shifted as he dove into the water.

  The relief was instant, as if just being off the same land where his father stood calmed him. He swam out of the cave's entrance and dove deeper into the ocean's water, his large tail fin pushing him through the current toward the human's land.

  The swim would take at least a half an hour and Sage used the time to calm down and sort his thoughts. Fish swam past him, careful to stay away from him in case he was hunting. His kind normally fed on fresh fish in the water unless around humans.

  Sage licked the double rows of razor sharp teeth in his mouth. It was another reminder of just how different he and Gary were. He wondered what the reaction would be if Gary saw him like this. He looked down at his body. His legs were now gone and a long thick silver and gold fin took their place. The sharp double rows of teeth were perfect for killing and tearing their prey apart. His vision stayed the same in human or merman form, perfect for seeing in darkness and under water. His hearing able to pick up the sonar of whales and other animals for miles around him. He could even send out his own communication to other creatures of the sea or talk to his brothers underwater if needed, using clicks and sounds much like those that dolphin made.

  He needed the salt water to survive. It absorbed into his skin. If he didn't shift at least once every couple days, he would grow weak and that could prove dangerous considering the strength it took to bring about the shift. He could easily be stuck in human form without the salt water, where he would grow weak and eventually die.

  He passed by a pod of dolphin and slowed to swim with them for a bit before going on his own again toward the shore. He wanted to see Gary, but he needed to make sure he found a hotel room first. The last thing he wanted was to crowd Gary and make him think he was seeking out a place to stay. In fact, Sage hoped he could keep his current living status quiet, as he didn't want to try to explain why he was staying at a hotel and not in his own place.

  As he neared the shore, he poked his head up out of the water to look for humans. His people used the hidden beach often to come and go, careful to make sure humans didn't see them. The rule was to always shift before leaving the water and to shift back only after diving deep into the surf. If humans were going to be around, like the day he went searching for Gary, they always carried a pair of swim trunks with them to change into before they came out of the water.

  Sage's gaze swept the beach and surrounding area. He didn't see anyone other than a stray dog nosing around. He swam until he hit the sand, shifted, rose up out of the water, and walked to the beach. His feet sank into the wet sand as he stepped naked toward the rocks.

  Once at the rocks, he sat and let himself dry before pulling clothes from the waterproof bag and putting them on. If anyone happened to be watching, he would look like a nude sunbather. Not that uncommon in the area.

  Dressed and dry, he ran his fingers through his long hair, combing the wet tangles out and then leaving it to air dry. Climbing the rocks, he stepped away from the hidden cove and up onto the main walkway. Several people glanced his way as he appeared, but paid him little attention as he held his bag in his hand and started down the street.

  He made his way to one of the nicer hotels in the area, and quickly checked into a suite for three nights. His room looked over the ocean, and he as he stood on the balcony he could even see Gary's shop. He smiled, imagining him inside, leaning on the counter as he waited for the day to end.

  Sage sat down at the small table on the balcony and inhaled the scent of the salt water. It helped calm him and eased his nerves. He needed this. His brothers vacationed often, but Sage had stayed loyal to his father, humoring him, and learning the ways of his people without argument. This was his time. Time to enjoy and forget all the stress that his father piled on him.

  He glanced at the clock that sat just inside the hotel room. Gary wouldn't be off for several more hours and Sage didn't want to bother him at work. He was already pushing his luck even showing up today, after telling Gary it would be a few days before he could make it back.

  Still, he wouldn't be able to stay away being this close. It was one thing to be stuck in the caves with his father, but here, only minutes from Gary, he wanted to spend the time with him. Show him that it wasn't just sex between them and hopefully bring the two of them closer.

  Sage sighed. Closer… Just so he could say goodbye when things got too serious. Maybe something good would come of him being king. He could change the laws, make it okay for humans and mermen to mate. He would have to figure out how to keep their secret or possibly even find a way to come out to the humans without them freaking out and killing his kind off.

  It was something he would have to think over. It was a risk, but his people had suffered for so long, so many risking banishment or death when they fell in love with a human.

  He closed his eyes, resting his head back against the wall. He was here to relax. He'd nap for a couple of hours, then go find Gary. Maybe he could help him forget.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Gary wiped the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand. He glanced at the clock, debating on going home, but he was so close to being finished with the painting. Two hours ago he'd locked the shop and returned to the back room.

  He stared at the painting and smiled. It was nearly perfect. He'
d worked so hard to get every detail right and the colors as close to perfect as he remembered them. Just a little more work on the water and it would be finished.

  Not bad for a day's work. As he reached for a new brush, he wished that all his paintings went this fast and this well. He bit his lip as he started to paint again and debated on what to do with this one. He could put it in the art show, but it was so personal and special to him, that the thought of someone else owning it caused his chest to ache.

  A knock on the shop door startled him. It was just luck that the brush didn't fly across the painting and ruin everything. He cursed as he stood and set the paintbrush aside. He didn't need any distractions, but if someone was knocking at this hour, it had to be important.

  He made his way out front and peeked through the window, smiling when he saw Sage standing on the other side of the door. He quickly worked the lock and opened the door. "Hi."

  "I hope I'm not bothering you. I saw the lights still on." Sage lifted a sack. "I thought you might be hungry."

  "Starving. Come in. I want to show you what I've been working on." He stepped back to let Sage in before shutting the door and locking it again. "I didn't expect to see you."

  Sage set the sack down on the counter and turned back to Gary. He reached out, pulled him into his arms, and kissed him softly. "I had a change of plans. Wanted to see you again. I hope you don't mind."

  Gary licked his lips, tasting the strange, salty flavor of Sage's mouth on his own. "No, I'm glad you're here. If I would have known, I would have met you somewhere."

  Sage released Gary and turned for the food. "I didn't want to bother you. I felt strange coming over after I told you it would be a few days." He pulled several boxes out of the bag. "Hope you like Chinese."

  "Love it." Gary pulled up the two stools and sat down beside Sage. He reached over and set his hand on Sage's leg. "I'm glad I don't have to wait to see you. I haven't been able to get last night off my mind."