The Mermaid Catches Her Mate Page 2

  She shook her head. “I’m perfectly happy selling it exclusively here. I guess I’m not ready to sell out and trade my peaceful existence for celebrity status. Who wants to live a life being scrutinized and constantly running from the paparazzi?” She waved the brush in the air and her eyes landed on the television segment highlighting the most talked about magician in town. “Unless you’re someone like…”

  “Ace Conall?” a rich Irish brogue suggested.

  Luna pivoted around and her wet brush fell out of her hand, landing with a splat on the floor. What is he doing here? She hadn’t expected seeing the man three times in the past twenty-four hours. Twice was a coincidence. Three times was an omen she didn’t want to think about.

  “I see you have a knack for dropping things, lass.” He grinned broadly, his tone more intimate than it should sound. The kind that could mislead others into thinking they actually knew each other.

  He gave her a familiar wink and watched her shift uncomfortably.

  “Excuse me?” she squeaked.

  Did he have to make every action resemble a shark eyeing his prey? He was the enemy here! She had to remind herself that Ace and his henchmen were gearing up to make the next six months of her life a total misery.

  Her frown deepened, not liking how her body’s reaction was betraying her usually level head. She was no better than the women she’d seen ogling the poster. Did he have to look so charming? His piercing ice-blue eyes held a hint of flirtation. She was more annoyed with herself for finding him super-hot in the fitted grey t-shirt and dark jeans molding to his lean, muscular frame in ways that shouldn’t be legal.

  Ace no longer had on the baseball cap or loose outfit from earlier. He’d cleaned up. Too good. She could bet her sweet kelp that he probably knew he had that effect on women and he ran with it.

  Luna noticed that Gracie remained quiet during this whole scenario, while Basil had been glued to a spot near her station with starry-eyed wonder. Boy, this was the most entertainment she’d been involved in since she arrived in Nocturne Falls. Luna wasn’t particularly thrilled about the forthcoming inquisition from her enrapt audience.

  Someone cleared their throat and Luna finally noticed the stunning blonde standing beside him. She pursed her lips, obviously not pleased with witnessing their exchange. She gave Luna a quick once over before dismissing her, as if Luna wasn’t even in their league.

  “Are you acquainted with Ace?” she asked with a plastered on smile.

  Luna feigned innocence. “Not exactly. We sort of bumped into each other.”

  “It doesn’t matter, but what does is that Ace requires the salon’s services for the rest of the afternoon.”

  “Huh?” She glared at her front desk assistant.

  Basil let out a nervous laugh, “About that…”

  “I’m Natalia, Ace’s manager,” she cut in. “You must be Luna Matsya. I’ve heard you were the best hairstylist in town.”

  “That’s right,” she agreed, distracted by the woman’s shade of bright red lipstick. If she wasn’t a blood sucker, she sure as heck would fit in as one. She let loose a smile at the thought and immediately realized she must’ve sounded cocky.

  “Modest are we?” the blonde bombshell added, “I’m one to hold judgment until after I’ve seen the results.”

  Touché. Natalia didn’t mince words. Nor did she hide the fact that she wasn’t impressed by Luna.

  “It’s only natural I get the best,” Ace said with a Cheshire smile. Was he trying to break the tension? He continued, “Seeing as to how much free publicity you’re getting from me, just by showing up here today.”

  Ace wasn’t wrong. She knew everyone at Hair Scare would benefit from having a celebrity singling out the salon, which meant more clients and recognition in town. Which translated to more stress and expectations. Her body tensed at the idea of increased business coming from tourists and immortals when the media got wind of this. Her quiet existence would soon be a thing of the past.

  Luna smiled stiffly. “It must have slipped my mind. I just need to finish up with Gracie,” she said through clenched teeth.

  Natalia stated, “Just know that Ace has an interview with the local television station at four. He can’t be late.”

  Luna eyed the large clock on the wall and realized it was already a little after one. She gave Basil a hard stare for not giving her a heads up. She knew there was plenty of time to get Ace ready, but she didn’t appreciate being put on the spot.

  “Perhaps you’d like Darcy to work on you first,” she said as she gave him a critical once over, her eyes stopping at his fingernails. “After all, your delicate magician’s hands need a manicure.”

  “Aye,” Ace laughed. “We can’t have that. Appearances are everything. Who knows if I’ll need these ‘delicate’ hands to rescue a damsel from falling and spilling her coffee on me.”

  She could feel the heat rushing to her cheeks.

  He addressed Natalia, “Let’s go with this plan.” He glanced over at Luna. “I like the idea of saving the best for last.” The blonde let out a huff, pivoted on her heel and headed back toward the lobby with Basil quickly following behind.

  “I think she’s warming up to me, don’tcha think?” Luna smirked.

  “She’s all bark.” He gave Luna a big smile that revealed some serious dimples. “Natalia isn’t used to not having things her way.”

  Oh, my. The man certainly knew how to fight dirty.

  Snap out of it! She reluctantly glanced away, telling herself she was unaffected.

  “Maybe it’s time she accepts that she can’t always get what she wants.”

  “Luna Matsya, you’re becoming more interesting than you already are.” Ace grinned. “See ya in a wee bit.”

  She watched him walk back to an impatient Natalia, taking those secret weapons with him. She felt the woman’s angry glare and actually enjoyed the idea that perhaps she was seen as competition. Even with her short temper, Luna had stayed out of trouble while living here. Maybe knowing in a few months she’d be returning home, she entertained the thought of playing with fire to pass the time. She had nothing to lose. Being waterproof could prevent her from getting burned.

  Luna refocused her attention back on Gracie. “Let’s get you rinsed, cut, and styled.”

  “Ace is quite a handsome young man, isn’t he?” The older woman’s eyes glittered with laughter.

  “He’s handsome enough,” Luna murmured.

  Gracie bit back a smile. “He’s exactly what this town needs. Shake things up a bit. I can name a few ladies who need to be taken off the market, and who wouldn’t want to have a successful and gorgeous man to parade with?”

  “You forget that he’s only traveling through,” she huffed. “It’s only been a day, but I’m sure he’ll make Julian Ellingham look like Prince Charming. Besides, the only parade I’ll ever participate in is the Panic Parade, thank you very much.”

  “I can see you’ll be just fine guarding that heart of yours.” Gracie laughed as if she knew a secret Luna didn’t.

  She quickly glanced over at the man that had thrown her life into turmoil since his arrival. Her pulse raced and she cursed her body’s reaction. Ace wasn’t exactly hard on the eyes, she’d give him that. Her beef with him was that he’d waltzed right into Nocturne Falls and already charmed everyone with his Irish hotness. He was getting everything his way, including a piece of her lake.

  Heck, no. She wasn’t going to allow him to get his way any longer. She’d do whatever it took to send him and his crew packing.

  She’d make darn sure this was one mermaid Ace Conall would regret ever tangling with.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Ace hopped out of his Range Rover and entered the magic tent. It was a luxurious design constructed of the best materials. From the stage to the set, everything was top notch. He had made sure each show would exceed the fans’ expectations. This place was also personal to him. It was hi
s home for the last two decades, and as much as he loved living among humans, he was ready to get back to the secret life he’d left behind. Excitement and nostalgia wrestled in his gut.

  This was really going to happen.

  Being immortal, he’d spent the past three hundred years assuming different identities, constantly changing to blend in with the people and the era. Of course, there were a lot of perks and plenty of close calls. He grinned at the countless times he had to make a quick getaway. Not surprising, this time he’d chosen the life of a magician which allowed him to be his true self, while cloaking reality with some little white lies.

  Ace had never grown tired of touring the world a thousand times over and enjoying every minute of his adventure. He amassed a fortune that could feed several small countries; however, he wasn’t immune to loss. He witnessed loved ones grow old and die and he even secretly attended his own funerals, to hide his immortality from the world.

  Truthfully, he was weary of pretending to be something he wasn’t: Human. He may be famous worldwide for his death-defying illusions, but he’d definitely pulled the greatest act of them all. He came from the world of magic. His ancestry belonged to the Tuatha Dé Danann. His relatives served as the draoi, wizard, to the Courts. And, well, Ace was a bastard heir whose father was the ruling king of the Kingdom of Draíocht, leader of the sacred Council of the Draoi, and his mother a Fae.

  That’s why Nocturne Falls had been so appealing to him. When his cousin Riley had mentioned a town filled with supernaturals, he could imagine a way toward retirement. Back to a life of anonymity. Fame and fortune had only filled a small void, leaving a deeper emptiness in his heart. After losing his mortal wife on the Titanic, he hadn’t had a serious relationship since. Love was something he wasn’t very good at to begin with. He’d taken pleasure to pass the time but he didn’t have the time or energy to invest with his busy lifestyle. Besides, he was smart enough to know things never ended well.

  The tent door flapped and Ace didn’t have to turn. He knew it was his trusted assistant and bodyguard. “Any news, Kearney?”

  “Nothing yet, sir.” The man stood several inches taller than Ace’s six-foot frame. “Seems your mother is still pissed at you. She wants you to stop running and settle down. Pop out a few grandchildren. Return home.”

  “I’ll not have her make demands. She’s in no place to do so.” Ace had never told Kearney of his plans to retire. He’d wanted to wait until everything came together before raising the man’s hopes up.

  “Truth be told, I’m ready to return. Babysitting you wasn’t on the top of my life goals as a young lad.” Looks were often deceiving. Kearney may have the build of a warrior and women swooned at his resemblance to the actor that played the son of Odin, but deep down he possessed a kind and gentle spiritual temperament. He was also one of Ace’s best friends and regarded him as a brother he didn’t have.

  He also made one hell of an invaluable assistant.

  Ace sighed, “Jeez. You’ve been taking those manifesting courses again, haven’t you? I’ve already promised you a million times that when I retire this mortal life, I’ll make sure you live the fulfilled authentic life. You’ll be the spiritual guru in your own tropical commune. Happy?”

  Kearney eyes held skepticism. “I’m noting this in my journal. I’ll have you know, this is a verbal agreement.”

  Ace shrugged. “Feck it.” He spit in his palm and held it out. “Me word as a draoi.” He’d never make a promise he couldn’t keep.

  The bulky man was taken by surprise. His eyes lit up and he grinned from ear-to-ear. Kearney also spit in his palm and they shook on it. “I’ll hold ya to it, sir.”

  “I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Ace wiped his hand on his jeans. “Now, can we go over the schedule for this week?”

  They spent the next hour discussing details of the show but his head wasn’t really focused on work. He couldn’t stop thinking about the magical lake and the mermaid in the water. That was what kept him distracted. There was no mistake she’d woven a spell over him, just like the lore he’d overheard from his youth. He’d seen many things in his lifetime, but he’d yet to meet a gentle creature of the sea.

  None of his kin had since the pact between the two worlds.

  Harumpf. He scoffed at the memory. Perhaps the lores were nothing more than wives’ tales. If anything, she had a siren’s disposition, especially when she’d tried to drown them with the rainstorm.

  “What’s got you off kilter?” Kearney said loudly. “I’ve been trying to get your attention for the past few minutes.”

  “Sorry, I’ve had a long day. You know how Natalia gets when I don’t tell her what she wants to hear.”

  “Which is always.”

  “Aye.” Ace nodded. “Well, take the night off. I’m going to sit at the lake before heading home.”

  Kearney eyed him strangely. “As you wish. See you back at the Excelsior.”

  He made sure the man was long gone before Ace ventured out around to the back where the tent met the lake. Frankly, there wasn’t much to tell until he confirmed things for himself.

  As he made his way down the slope, a loud splash nearby caught his attention and he pivoted around. He didn’t want to get caught spying so he ducked behind a large boulder along the sloping overhang that covered the body of water. He peered over and excitement mixed with desire coursed through him. He quickly clamped his mouth shut as he watched in fascination, not daring to inhale.

  The mermaid was a magical seductress swathed in moonlight.

  She swam with a fluid grace and elegance that made his chest constrict and his body react. She emerged from the water and flipped her long dark tresses tinged with bright flashes of electric blue streaks. He couldn’t look away. Didn’t want to.

  He was enchanted by her beauty, glowing with pure sensuality as she laughed musically along with the fishes that swam around her. She communicated with them as if they were lifelong friends.

  Ace was so caught up in her radiance that he stood up without considering his action. Immediately, he caught the mermaid’s attention. She let out a long siren’s shriek of alarm that sent the school of fishes scattering. The piercing sound could have easily ruptured a mortal’s eardrums. Even he had to cover his ears for protection while withstanding the pain.

  “Stop!” He ground out, “Enough already!”

  She seemed to have heard him from a distance. She fled in a panic, but hadn’t gone far.

  “Don’t go!” he called out to stop her. Ace endured the residual ringing in his ears and dropped his hands. “I won’t hurt you. I promise.”

  The mermaid slowed her pace, stilled, then turned around to face him. That’s when his eyes locked onto those spellbinding jade ones that sparkled like a prism. They held a familiarity about them that he couldn’t put his finger on. Where had he seen her before? The thought bothered him. As if lightning struck, it all came back to him. His eyes widened as the truth of her identity slammed into him. There was only one other woman with those exotic Asian features that he’d encountered before.

  LUNA.

  One minute he was standing on solid ground, the next, his arms were flailing in the air as he struggled for balance. No chance. He slipped, rolling down the steep incline, and straight into the water with a loud SPLASH!

  The kettle whistled as the water came to a boil. Luna carefully poured the hot liquid into the ceramic mugs and stole a quick glance at Ace, barely clad in her satin robe. He definitely made himself quite comfortable, taking up a good portion of her small sofa. She was secretly impressed that he didn’t seem to care how ridiculous he looked, and didn’t fuss over whatever she’d given him to wear. His clothes were on the last cycle in the dryer, yet he acted as if he had all the time in the world. His long, manly bare legs were visible beneath the fabric that ended below his thighs. He wasn’t a bulky man, but his tall, athletic frame filled up the couch quite nicely.

  What was sh
e thinking? Luna swallowed the imaginary lump in her throat and focused hard on inspecting the steeping progress of the organic tea. She blew at some loose strands of hair that had fallen across her face. She wanted to laugh over the incident but this was a serious predicament to be in. Luna had been caught in this stranger’s net, and she’d have to have a sharp trident to cut her way out of this one.

  In fact, this whole situation was unprecedented.

  After Ace had managed to get out of the water, they’d walked to her house, and he’d gotten out of the wet clothes. Now came the uncomfortable part in the entire scenario. She bit her lower lip anxiously. She was reminded that she’d rarely entertained guests in her modest cottage. She’d made it a point to remain as private as possible. The townspeople knew she was a bit of a recluse other than when they saw her at the salon.

  She could also count the number of friends she had on just the one hand—unless she included the water creatures in her lake. Oh, and Keke LaFleur, her Polynesian best friend and a gorgeous unicorn shifter. Beyond those mentioned, she didn’t exactly throw tea parties or backyard barbeques with the neighbors.

  Luna crinkled her nose. Maybe she was getting crabbier the older she got. Lately she’d become more sensitive to all the noise from the outside world, and as a mermaid, she had reveled in the tranquility of the seas. Sometimes the sounds got to her and she couldn’t wait to return to her sacred space where magic was used without fear of being discovered.

  Until now.

  She carried the mugs to the living room, handing one to him. Her eyes caught a glimpse of a unique and exquisite ring that was displayed on his right pinky finger. It was a crescent moon with three tiny diamond stars inside. Probably a rare family heirloom. Luna dismissed the object and took a seat on the recliner across from him.

  Ace cocked his head to one side, “Let me get this straight. You aren’t really a mermaid, but you parade as one?” He sounded unconvinced.