Mermance

By Megan Hussey

Stories from the sea about love, romance, and mermen by Megan Hussey, including Siren Song, Merage, the Magic Kiss, Rest Ye Merry Mermen, Passion Storm and Azure Masquerade.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Melange Books, LLC
• Release date: Jan 29, 2019
• ISBN: 9781680467338

Megan Hussey

Megan Hussey is a feminist erotica writer and editor with nine single-title ebooks, twelve anthology stories, an erotic audio CD, and seven paperback novels in print. From mermen to vampires, Megan's stories feature sexy, kind-natured heroes and strong, real woman heroines. Megan won an Honorable Mention for Love Romances and More Cafe's 2007 Vampire Book of the Year award, for her book "Under Cover of Night: The First Book of Nuit". She was also a nominee for the Erotic Romance Reviews for Women Golden Shoe Award; and her book The One that Got Away received a Recommended Read rating from the Erotica Readers and Writers Association. She lives in Florida.

Book preview

MermanceFull Page Image

Mermance

Copyright © 2012-2018 by Megan Hussey

---

Second Edition

---

ISBN: 978-1-68046-733-8

---

Published by Satin Romance

An Imprint of Melange Books, LLC

White Bear Lake, MN 55110

www.satinromance.com

---

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

---

Names, characters, and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review or scholarly journal.

---

Published in the United States of America.

---

Cover Design by Caroline Andrus

Contents

A Siren’s Touch

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Merage: The Magic Kiss

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Rest Ye Merry Mermen

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Passion Storm

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Epilogue

Azure Masquerade

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

The One That Got Away

The One That Got Away

About the Author

Also by Megan Hussey

A Siren’s Touch

Environmentalist Kristianne Newhart is a rescue worker with a special love for creatures of the sea. Yet when she saves the life of gorgeous merman Gerard, her affection and respect spark to a red hot desire that blazes hot in the tropical sun.... A merman with a special talent for pleasing and healing women with his magical touch, masseur Gerard aims to take special care of his brave, funny rescuer Kristianne; yet when his gratitude turns to desire, can he woo her with his siren's touch? 

Chapter One

OK, so this is what happened when Kristianne Newhart ignored her mother’s advice.

As a skilled and experienced marine life rescue worker, Kristianne knew and followed the rules of the water; always taking utmost care when she performed her brave array of undersea salvage missions.

Whether pulling a hook from the flesh of a tortured fish or cleansing the skin of an oil-stricken seal, freeing a dolphin from a poacher’s net or any number of sea creatures from the dangers and toxins of polluted waters, she always took care to preserve her own health and safety in the process. She always wore a standard issue wetsuit and mask, although she often joked that she bore a stronger likeness to a sea turtle than a Baywatch babe in the too tight confines of her emerald suit. Still she always maintained a strong oxygen supply and dove free and unencumbered through crystalline waters; trying as she did to respect and salvage the natural radiance of her native home.

Born thirty-eight years ago in Port Emerald, Florida, Kristianne had left the sun-drenched, exotic coastal community to attend college, remaining in the larger city to pursue a career as a marine biologist.

Ultimately deciding that she would far prefer saving animals to studying them, Kristianne joined the Emerald Alliance, a newly formed brigade of aquatic rescue workers who sailed and swam the waters of Port Emerald Bay, seeking out and aiding sea creatures in need.

Serving as a presiding commander and captain of the brigade, Kristianne now resided on a modest houseboat that glided along peacefully in crystalline waves; tropical streams that sparkled like diamonds in the light of the morning sun.

This same light—along with the stock of high-tech camera and video equipment that she counted as part and parcel of her trade--afforded her a far more disturbing view this morning, she lounged on a deck feasting on a stale bagel slathered with a somewhat helpful topping of fresh cream cheese.

While peering out beyond the deck of her compact, ivory white schooner, she spotted the spectacle of what seemed to be a bizarre underwater pennant; an elongated, azure blue flag shaped like a fin, that swayed to and fro like a water lily of a particular length.

Only that’s no flower, she mused, frowning and confused as she rose from her rickety wicker deck chair and looked over the railing of the houseboat that could morph to a rescue vehicle at a moment’s notice. And it ain’t no fish. And, aside from the rhythmic and hypnotic swaying motions that are about to put me back to sleep at 7:30 in the a.m., it ain’t moving—a’ tall.

Hurriedly sweeping her unruly black curls away from her cherubic face and reaching for the pea green wetsuit and scuba gear that lay ever ready beneath her table, Kristianne sprang to action and donned the uniform of a verified sea captain.

Conveniently, though, I seem to have forgotten that even sea captains and commanders still need to listen to their moms, she reflected now, even as her determined body sliced madly through the waves of an otherwise sedate Port Emerald Bay. And mine told me, repeatedly, never to eat and swim. I’m supposed to wait 45 minutes after eating before I even do as much as dip my toe in a kiddie pool. And here I am, poised to perform a daring and strikingly stupid water rescue—just seconds after downing a stale bagel drowning in cream cheese. Consequently, I myself likely will be drowning before said rescue is even completed. Go me.

Still she dove down with frenetic strokes as the waters cleared before her, a school of rainbow-colored guppies scattering through the waves as she made fast aquatic tracks toward the swaying stand of water lilies.

Soon she found herself face to fin with the tallest of the lilies, one that bore a suspicious likeness to a fin.

It’s too small and narrow to belong to a whale, but too long and graceful to come attached to a standard fish, she reflected.

A hard, sharp cramp assailed her leg, reminding her of her own fragile state, still she swam on undaunted, diving deeper into strange waters as she made to identify the subject of her rescue.

Her eyes flew wide as the long, smooth fin gave way to a very human patch of golden flesh; a chiselled set of what she normally would refer to as washboard abs, topped by a massive heaving chest.

Yet this normally appealing sight was rendered most confusing by the presence of the blasted fin along with a billowing mass of golden blond hair that obscured its facial features.

Venturing farther downward, Kristianne also spotted a pair of very human arms, also swaying eerily in the water surrounding, bound as they were in a thick mass of netting that seemed to confine the entrapped sea creature.

A creature whose wide azure eyes seemed to beg for her help.

Springing to immediate action, Kristianne ripped with purposeful hands at the thick wad of netting that ensnared the hands of her rescue subject, all the while ignoring the stifling tightness that seized her own leg.

Finally, the creature broke free, joining hands with his rescuer to surge upward with her in the waves around them, flexing his freed arms as he cast a grateful smile over his broad muscled shoulder.

Within seconds they broke the surface, their hands remaining joined as their gazes locked.

Thank you so much, Madame, he addressed her in a deep, sonorous voice, raising her hand to full, soft lips for a long, lingering kiss. You have saved my life.

Kristianne froze, suddenly quite overwhelmed by the present circumstances; and, for that matter, by the stunning presence of the ethereal sea creature looming before her in the water.

Um, not a problem, she sputtered. How did you get into that predicament, anyway?

The man sighed.

I was out for a swim this morning when I spotted the net lining the lily garden, he revealed, snorting with disgust. I never cease to be dismayed by the carelessness of some of the fishermen and boat captains that work the coast of Port Emerald. That blasted net was crushing the water lilies, and I was seriously worried that some of my friends underwater would get caught up in its lengths. I was trying to lift and break the net when it ensnared me. He paused here, cringing at the memory. For a moment there, I thought I was a goner for sure.

Dazzling her with a white-toothed smile that expressed his gratitude, the man squeezed her hand in his.

And if I had not been rescued by the beautiful angel before me, he praised her, I fear I would have died.

Smirking in spite of herself at these words of glowing praise, Kristianne did a quick visual self-inspection; one that took in her rubbery green wetsuit and soaking wet hair.

Beautiful. Angel. OK, so these are not the descriptors I would apply to myself at this point and time, if any, she deadpanned, adding with a smile, I am glad that I was in the neighbourhood, at just the right time. I’m Kristianne Newhart, brigade captain of the Emerald Alliance. It’s my job to help both the people and the sea creatures who swim the waters of Port Emerald Bay. She paused here, staring with wide eyes at the long, graceful aquiline fin that came attached to the most curious—and admittedly gorgeous—man before her. As well as those blasted overachievers who seem to insist on being both a person and a sea creature, all at once.

The—um—man pitched his head back, letting loose with a deep sonorous chuckle that sent chills down her spine.

Well first of all I must tell you, I have incredible admiration for the work of the Emerald Alliance. Your group has made such a difference in Port Emerald, saving so many of my brethren and cleaning up the beach and waters. He paused here, sneaking his own self-conscious look at his rather noticeable finlike appendage. And in case you’re wondering, when I fill out my annual Port Emerald census form, I tend to check two boxes: 1. Human being. 2. Sea creature.

Kristianne’s eyes flew wide as she considered this news.

Well leave it to a wonky, wonderfully weird city like Port Emerald to even offer a ‘sea creature’ option on its census form, she reflected, adding as she graced her companion with a shy smile, And just know that we more than welcome both paid workers and volunteers to participate in the Alliance. You seem to have the heart for the job. She paused here, adding with an awkward wave in the direction of his unique appendage. Not to mention the fin.

Her companion chuckled.

Well I am honored by the invitation, Miss Kristianne. And as much as I would love to volunteer for the alliance, I’m afraid that my current profession keeps me pretty busy at the moment.

Kristianne pursed her lips.

So just out of curiosity, she queried, tilting her head in his direction. "What is the base salary these days for an entry level siren of