“A large iced americano, as well please.”
“One large iced americano and… a lot of croissants. You know these contain dairy, right?”
“Yes, they’re not for me.” Loriun’s gaze finally dropped to the cashier, and he felt his eyes go wide. The young man at the register was scaled, and small fins were visible at his ears. Yet the scales were muted shades of silvery blue, and the fins spiraled into the shape of a human ear. The gloved hand that was counting Loriun’s pastries showed little webbing through the clear plastic, and his thick, Mer-like hair had been cropped short.
A hybrid.
Either the teen didn’t notice Loriun’s shock, or he was used to it, and simply said, “That’ll be $81.25.”
Distracted, Loriun raised an eyebrow at the screen displaying his total. How did humans survive if their food cost this much? Another mystery for him to unravel.
He paid the astronomical fee, received his coffee, and slid back into his car. It was a nondescript, light gold sedan with a standard Mer interior—nothing too flashy. Loriun had seen the kinds of cars wealthy humans owned, and he’d never quite been able to make sense of it. All he cared about was comfort, durability, and how hot the interior became when sitting in the sun.
As he pulled out of the parking lot, it occurred to him that Beau may have been less than impressed by his ride. Perhaps he had expected a luxury sports car. Loriun sighed, adding theworry to his ever-growing mental list, and turning out onto the road toward the beach house.
Chapter 9
Beau
Soft morning light filtered through gauzy curtains. Beau groaned, flinging his blankets over his head. His eyes flew open. The comforter was plush, and smelled of down. The sheets were crisp and cool beneath him.
It took several moments of staring blankly around the room to remember where he was. The walls in this room were painted a shade of beige that reminded him of seashells, and his puffy duvet was cloaked in a natural linen cover. Even with the windows shut, the scent of sea breeze drifted through the room.
Seeing it all in the daylight somehow made it more real. Beau couldn’t decide if the tightness in his stomach was nerves or excitement. He was free from under the thumb of his father, but he also knew that there was a waiting crib just one floor above him.
Despite being born an Omega, he’d never seriously considered children. He figured he’d bounce around the local gay bars until his father kicked the bucket, then settle down with a lonely millionaire on his last legs. Beau was accustomed to a certain lifestyle after all.
But now, everything had changed, and he’d only had twenty-four hours to wrap his head around it.
An absent hand rested on his belly. He tried to imagine what it would be like to feel a responding kick. He shivered and swung his legs out of bed. He’d come to terms with pregnancy some other day.
A muffled bang froze him in place.
“Beau?” The voice sent vibrations down his spine. Loriun.
Hastily, Beau tugged the door open to see the Alpha in his kitchen, bearing a large paper bag.
Those startling eyes met his, then roved down his body. Beau realized he was wearing nothing but a thin tank top and gray sweatpants, leaving very little to the imagination.
Loriun on the other hand, was dressed in light tan slacks and a collared shirt of robin’s egg blue. The sleeves were once again rolled up to reveal his taut forearms. Beau was not prepared to see the Mer in the light of day.
The skin on his arms glittered with vibrantly teal scales, edged with a scarlet fin along the bone. His throat was nearly a human skin tone, but refracted the sun in the palest seafoam green. Beau could now see that delicate, red webs spanned between long, powerful fingers, and his nails were vaguely sharp and curved. The scarlet scales at his fingertips added a level of menace, like he’d dipped them in blood.
Loriun cleared his throat. “You look… refreshed.”
Beau flushed.What the hell does that mean?
“I didn’t expect to see you so early,” he muttered.
“No,” Loriun said, his brows furrowing. “I didn’t mean… You look lovely.”
Beau snorted. “Thanks. But I don’t think I believe you when you’re dressed likethat.”
The Mer frowned, looking down at himself. “I believed this to be quite popular among humans in business—”
“It’s not bad!” Beau interrupted, feeling his flush deepening. “I mean you look hot as hell—” He clamped his jaw shut.
Literally, what is WRONG with you?
