By the time we arrived home, it was nearly five, and the back of the truck was filled with several cloth bags filled with various clothing items and toiletries. Exciting the truck, I walked to the back, grabbing a few bags as Delmare grabbed the rest so I could go and unlock the door. I watched as he held the door for me with his back, still holding the bags in his hands. Walking past him, I quickly set the bags down on the dining room table, looking over at Delmare as he followed in my footsteps.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5OuN92K3V
"We should probably wash your clothes before we put them away." I said, unwrapping the packages filled with the white undershirts. "It'll take a few loads I would think. You don't mind staying in those clothes for a few hours while they're in the wash, do you?" I turned to look over at him as he looked up, his eyebrows furrowed, "Um, no I don't mind staying in these clothes. How do you wash your clothes on land?"294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeFAm2OZMm
"Oh, sorry, I can show you." I paused, gathering the clothes into my arms before making my way into the laundry room, "Come on, I'll show you how I do it."294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MfJCG5vkW
In a moment I felt his presence at my side as I opened the washer, "Okay, the first thing you do is stuff the clothes in the washer, then you'll close the door," I paused, letting the door shut with a click before grabbing the laundry detergent from the shelf, "then you pour about half of the lid into this container then pop the thing back in. After that you'll change your settings and then hit start." I finished, pushing the button as it jingled to life.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfQC1i3xko
"Interesting piece of equipment." Delmare commented, staring at it for a moment before turning back to me, "And the machine under it dries them?"294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zvcirKVbi
I nodded, "Yes, you'll want to add a dryer sheet in there. Shut the door and then hit start. The machines will go off once their done." I paused, turning to walk back into the kitchen, "You can set your toiletries in the bathroom. I think I'm going to get started on those dishes and make some dinner."294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFIwESZvyS
"Okay." He called as I started work on the dishes that lay waiting in the sink, as I cleaned, I found my mind wondering to this morning, the way his arms wrapped around me in a comfortable embrace, how I leaned into him without even thinking. I knew what he was and that he was a stranger to me, but why did I feel so comfortable around him? Why was it so easy to talk to him? What made him different than anyone else I have spoken to?
I hadn't realized he had walked back into the kitchen until he spoke behind me, making me jump as I accidentally dropped the plate that I had been scrubbing not a few seconds before into the sink. Thankfully, the plate didn't break and laid there undisturbed under the rushing water. "Are you alright?"294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI36OhNKDSd
"Yeah," I gasped, placing my hand on my chest, trying desperately to calm my now racing heartbeat, "I'm fine, you just spooked me."294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlAUM5g02L
"I'm sorry."294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bbqPAppu6
"You're fine. Did you finish putting your stuff away?" I asked and he nodded before turning towards the unwashed dishes in the sink.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhI7zhJcXaf
"Do you need help with those?" He inquired, taking a step towards me, his hands lightly touching my forearm as I looked up. I couldn't speak, my heart stopping completely as I looked back at him, his eyes that were once a striking silver were now gold, glowing against his dark black hair that fell into his eyes. I wanted to push the stray hair out of his eyes, feeling his hair in between my fingers as I caressed the back of his neck. Before I could do something I regretted, I looked away, feeling the blush creep back up my neck and along my cheeks. I cleared my throat, remembering only for a second that he had asked me a question before I answered him, "No I'm fine. I- I think I need some air."294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgL7sZ17gSJ
Before I could register what was happening, I was running out the back door and towards the gate that led to the ocean. The beaches weren't closed by now but still people weren't swimming this late as the sun was just starting to set. My bare feet squished into the sand, sinking slightly with each step I took. I wasn't sure what I was doing or what I thought I could gain. But this was no time to catch feelings for someone, let alone a merman! Why did his eyes change colors? What if someone found out what he was? Did merpeople have laws against intermixing between species? What was the underwater world like? Why is he staying on land? A million questions floated in my mind as I walked further and further towards the water. The lull of the sea seeming to lure me further and further towards it as I stared, trying to process everything that has happened in the last two days. Before I knew it I was walking in the surf, the water spraying over my toes and calves, I took a deep breath, trying to concentrate as the salty sea air filled my lungs.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGHzmpdmCe
"Anna." A familiar voice called my name, his voice gruff yet kind and filled with concern, looking back I knew immediately who it was, "Annie, I'm sorry I have sprung the existence of my kind on you, and now you have to keep me here. I will leave if I must, if this is too much of a burden for you." He paused, pain evident in his town as he stood next to me.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7nfA2F03O
"Why are you running from the ocean? Why do you have to stay on land? Why is it so easy to talk to you? Why am I comfortable with you if I know nothing about you?" I found the questions blurting out in a rush, my mind swirling with unanswered questions.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjv4SXoK3O
"Let's go back inside and I will answer your questions." He said, quickly looking back at the sea uneasily before turning back to me. His eyes pleading for me to follow him back inside. I only nodded, walking back into the house as Delmare followed me. As I slid the sliding door closed behind us, I turned back to Delmare, motioning towards one of the dining chairs as I took my seat. I watched as he sat down, the sound of the dryer running in the background as my mind began to ramble with a bunch more questions as he sat quietly.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgvLI3euRl
"Let's begin, with why I am here. I am arranged to marry a Symari I do not love. I've always wanted to visit the land, so I decided if I was going to be miserable with a Symari I do not love that I will spend some of what freedom I have left on land. But then, I met you. And you opened your arms to me, you purchased me new clothes and have kept the secret of my kind a secret. I am eternally grateful to you, and I believe the only way I can repay you is by giving you information." He paused, his eyes flickering back to their gold color as he looked down, trying to decide whether or not he should tell me more, "My name is Delmare Triton Stormborn and I am the heir to the throne of Arcadia. I am to be king one day."294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEqAngrC3X
I just stared unable to comprehend what he had just told me until it sunk in. I was sitting across from not only a merman but royalty! What the hell did you get yourself into Anna? There's kingdoms under the sea? We're there civilizations? A working economy? What was a Symari? Is that what they call themselves? How are the reproductive systems of these Symari? I felt my cheeks heat at this thought, trying not to think about what it would be like for Delmare to sleep with someone. Why was I so horny lately?294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqJtiFeJUI
"Are you okay?"294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1Ig4mYe6X
I looked up, unsure of how to respond to his question. Was I okay? No, I wasn't. I'm trying to absorb all of this newfound information and I have no idea what to do with any of it. I wanted to ask him all kinds of questions because I found him fascinating. I wanted to see what made him tick what made him unique but at the same time, I was insanely attracted to him. And to make matters worse, I wasn't sure exactly why, I knew almost nothing about him. Did he put some kind of spell over me to make me like him and more apt to help him?294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjO1Em1yEXm
"Annie?"294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBflcZe643
"Um," I paused, pinching the bridge of my nose as a headache began to form at the back of my head, "I'm fine, it's just a lot to process is all." He only nodded, not saying anything as I stood, "I think I'm going to go to bed early, help yourself to whatever's in the fridge. I'm no longer hungry."294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMSsCj2AFT
And with one last glance back at him, I made my way back into my bedroom. Peeling my clothes off until I was naked, my mind racing as thoughts I wished I wouldn't think of filled my head. God, I really hope he wasn't listening in on my thoughts right now. Then, for the third time today I felt my skin warm as the redness crept up my face. And as I was about to crawl into bed butt naked, I turned around as my door crept open. I froze, turning to face whoever decided to come into my bedroom without knocking. Golden eyes met mine as they came towards me and in this instance I completely forgot I was standing stark naked in my bedroom as Delmare came towards me, his eyes never leaving mine as he closed the distance between us. Only a second passed before his hands were on my hips pulling me against him as our lips locked in a sheer amount of need and desire. I wasn't thinking then, all I could think about was the feeling of my fingers through is hair, how my legs wrapped around his hips and the way he left soft and sweet kisses down my neck. And as I pulled his shirt over his head, I had no other thoughts other than how badly I wanted him.
