Page 33 of Stealing the Merman

Instead of an answer, Darin wrapped his arms around Finn’s middle, shuddering at the softness of his skin, and pulled him in for a passionate kiss. Finn’s lips tasted like seawater, his tongue was sweet with a tang that could only be the aftertaste of his release. Thumbs drawing circles over the velvety skin of Finn’s back, he deepened the kiss.

Chapter Eleven

Finn

After catching Darin and the men out in the strait, the mermen returned them to the cave, where Finn let Darin drink from a waterskin. Darin gulped down half of it, and Finn berated himself for not getting him something to drink earlier. He’d been thirsty, and Finn should’ve taken better care of him.

He did, to his credit, take great care of Darin’s sexual needs in the hours afterward. The sea witch’s toy worked miracles, stretching Darin’s endurance beyond Finn’s wildest dreams. The cock ring kept him hard while the plug ensured he was leaking and twitching, bursting at the seams with desire. It was as close to a merman’s perpetual state as a human could get, with the important difference that Darin found release and satisfaction while Finn’s insides twisted in desperation, hoping against hope that he’d somehow, miraculously, find a way to come. Which, of course, he never did.

But seeing Darin blossom in lust was a generous consolation. Finn reveled in it. He ensured the toy never stopped massaging him.

They played throughout the evening and into the night until Darin passed out, exhausted. He’d come in Finn’s mouth, expressed his appreciation, and then his head tipped to the side. A moment later, he gave an adorable little snore.

Finn extracted himself from between his legs and pushed onto the ledge. Quietly, as not to wake Darin, he removed the restraints clasping his wrists. They’d stepped up to iron shackles after that Swedish brute had destroyed the ropes.

Finn didn’t envy Arian and Tarlis, who’d picked difficult men. In the case of Fernando and Kristian, the iron shackles were a safety measure and not garnishing like for Darin. Both men were large and muscular—though not as big as Conall, Finn thought with satisfaction—and they could cause serious damage to the mermen if left unchecked. Why did Arian and Tarlis put themselves through this? The world held plenty of burly men that were more easily handled.

The shackles removed from Darin’s wrists, Finn lay next to him. Sweat had soaked his copper hair and plastered it to his brow. Finn brushed the strands from his face, his moves slow and careful to not disturb his sleep.

Drowning Darin in pleasure had been what Finn needed. He thought of what they’d done and contracted his inner muscles, desperate for a semblance of relief. Tensing and relaxing his pelvic floor, he laid an arm around Darin’s waist and pulled him close. Finn buried his face in the crook of his neck and inhaled Darin’s sweet scent of wood and spice and young man. He fell asleep to the gentle play of waves against stone.

The next morning, he awoke when warm light peeked inside the cave, and a hot body pressed against his. Hands roamed his back while soft lips kissed his cheek and a hard cock poked into his abdomen. Hmm. No better way to wake up. He tilted his head and sought Darin’s lips. Darin’s whole body responded. His touch grew bolder, and he ground against Finn.

Closer to the cave’s entrance, someone moaned, loud and filthy. It had to be Luis, the Spaniard Zade had picked. Zade had been at him all day yesterday. He was insatiable, and so was his companion. The sound of flesh slapping against flesh echoed off the walls. They had to be rutting.

Finn grinned and pushed against Darin, increasing pressure and friction. It drew a groan from Darin.

“Good morning,” Darin said into their sloppy kiss.

“That’s one hell of a way to wake up.”

“Is it? I woke up with a merman in my arms, and he smelled so good, felt so nice, I couldn’t resist tasting him.”

“And?”

“Your cheek tastes like sea salt and sunshine. And your tongue,” Darin said, licking into his mouth, “is caramel.”

Finn ran his hand down Darin’s back until he reached his butt. He squeezed a perky cheek, the muscle firm in his grip. Darin gave a low moan and kissed him harder, his tongue stroking across Finn’s.

They sank into play, and Finn toyed with Darin’s body, making him shudder and writhe and come. Once they’d exhausted themselves, Finn realized to his shame that he hadn’t fed poor Darin. He led him out of the cave, and they spent the day eating fruit, catching fish, bathing in the sun and fooling around. They rolled in the sand, limbs entangled and fingers twinned. Darin wore the toy, surprising Finn with his untamed lust. They were playful, Finn brushing Darin’s cock at every inopportune moment, and Darin was unable to keep his hands to himself.

At night, they ate a dinner of fish and coconut in the cave with the others. The warm rays of the setting sun fell through the mouth of the cave, painting the rock walls golden. Finn and Darin sat side by side, sticking their heads together.

“I think Fernando and Luis are coming around,” Darin said quietly, sneaking a surreptitious glance at the men.

It was true. Zade was playing with Luis without pause, and the Spaniard hadn’t complained. And Fernando, who’d resisted Arian in the beginning, sat suspiciously close to him as they ate.

“Kristian, however…” Finn said, eyeing the Swede. He was the only man who remained in shackles. He was also the only one who exchanged hostilities with his merman.

“He’s…”

“…dangerous,” Finn finished Darin’s sentence. Kristian was brawny. And yet, Tarlis had him under control. Also, the way Kristian looked at him spoke volumes. He did appreciate Tarlis’s beauty. That was clear from how his eyes tracked Tarlis’s every move, how they flew to his lips when he spoke. The two of them made for an explosive combination.

Darin shifted where he sat to reach for a piece of fish that lay on a banana leaf. He half-swallowed a yelp when he moved, withdrawing his hand before he touched the fish. Finn whipped around, worried.

Darin’s face was bright red, his eyes downcast.

“Are you all right?” Finn asked.

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