The waves crashed on the beach, pounding surf sending cool spray high into the air. One ambitious wave rolled almost to the lone man's feet before slithering away with a hiss. A solitary sea gull wheeled overhead, crying softly. The man stopped and stared quickly out to sea. His eyes searched the water again and again. Finally, he shrugged and turned to walk further along the shoreline.
Patrick continued along the beach until he reached a line of rocks near the edge of the cliff that bordered this end of the cove. Selecting his favorite, he clambered up onto its flat surface and settled back, his eyes turning inevitably towards the water once more. Patrick was a big man, tall with broad shoulders and very little spare flesh. His cool, blue eyes reflected glints of light, much like the water he watched so avidly. He ran long, blunt fingers through his sandy hair as he leaned back against the wall of rock behind him.
He closed his eyes, remembering a riot of red-gold curls, the flash of fey, golden eyes. Some details were growing dim, but he would never forget those eyes, that hair, and of course the feel of that body. It had been a shock when the seal had slid out of the ocean and transformed into the most beautiful woman Patrick had ever seen. But the shock of her hand on his body, the willingness of her response to his touch, had been beyond imagination.
"I might be back," she had said, "I hope you'll be here"
And Patrick had been waiting. Every free moment he had spent on this beach, waiting.
He couldn't explain the encounter to anyone without sounding like a madman. But he knew it had happened and he would wait as long as he could for another chance to see this woman, this selkie. His time was running out though, as was his patience.
Returning to the present, Patrick turned his attention once more to the sea. An arching back, a flash of a sleek tail caught his eye and he jerked upright. There it was again, definitely a seal. Patrick jumped hastily down to the soft sand, landing lightly before running to the ocean's edge. It could be another false alarm, this wasn't the first seal he had seen as he had kept watch week after week. He waded into the surf, nonetheless, staring without blinking into the oncoming waves.
The flash of the sun on the sleek fur was much closer now. The seal was only twenty to thirty yards away. Patrick watched with fascination as it rolled easily over in the water, waving one flipper idly before disappearing under the blue-green surface. He stared out to sea, waiting for another glimpse as he waded waist deep into the cool water.
Nothing.
Patrick slapped the water with frustration, swearing softly under his breath. The soft brush of slick, wet fur against his legs shocked him, and he turned quickly around. Wide, golden eyes sparkling, the seal slid slowly past him, rolling over to expose her lighter belly. Patrick laughed with delight as the seal dove under the water only to resurface behind him, splashing him with cold seawater.
The sleek body of the seal twisted as she arced down into the water, sliding easily between his legs as he spread them for balance. Her fur caressed his bare skin and he shivered. Patrick jumped with a yelp as the seal bit playfully at his butt.
"Hey now..." Patrick laughed and reached out to lightly run his fingers over the seal's head. The seal made a soft chuffing noise and rolled over to expose her belly once more. Patrick tentatively stroked the soft, smooth fur as the seal's eyes slid shut.
"Can we go talk? I have so many questions to ask you." Patrick tickled the seal's belly and pointed to shore.
The seal rolled over easily, nudging Patrick's hand.
"I promise I'll rub anything you want..." Patrick grinned down at the seal then turned to wade out of the water.
The seal watched him with her head cocked to one side. She turned and dove into the water, then rode a wave past him onto shore. As Patrick emerged onto dry land the seal began to shimmer. Before he had taken a single step, the seal was gone and a slim figure with long, red-gold hair stood in its place.
"Greetings," her voice was as warm and rich as he had remembered.
"Greetings yourself," he smiled into her deep golden eyes.
She tossed her glorious red hair back over one shoulder, her pearl-white skin glowing in the sunlight. She moved towards him, her gaze flicking over his broad shoulders and down over his flat stomach and lower. His breath deepened as her pink tongue darted out to wet her full lips.
She stopped a foot away, a soft breeze blowing her hair forward, the long tendrils brushing his bare chest. He reached out and tucked her hair behind her ear, his fingers gliding down over her delicate jawline. He brushed her lips with his thumb before letting his hand fall to his side.
"I think we should talk," his body screamed out for him to touch her, take what was so willingly offered. He had been thinking though, and he knew he needed some answers.
She frowned slightly, her eyes searching his.
"Please, I just want to know more about you. You appeared like a dream from the ocean, made me feel better than I've ever felt, and then you disappeared for weeks." He ran one hand down her arm, linking his fingers with hers. "I need to talk to you, make sure you aren't a dream."
She tilted her head to one side, studying him thoughtfully before nodding assent.
He sighed with relief as he led her higher up on the beach. He grabbed the shirt he had discarded earlier and draped it over her shoulders
"What is this?" She fingered the fabric curiously.
"It's a shirt, it will protect your skin from the sun," He smiled, then continued under his breath, "and hopefully, give me some chance at coherent thought."
She shrugged and allowed him to show her how to place her arms in the sleeves. The buttons fascinated her, she slipped them in and out of the holes a few times, her bright head lowered in concentration. Her smile was luminous as she finally buttoned the last button for the third time.
His shirt hung loosely on her slender frame, the hem brushing her thighs, the deep vee dipping low over her full breasts. Patrick studied her and sighed as he realized the effect was almost more erotic than her unashamed nudity.
He settled down on the soft sand, his hands resting lightly on his muscular thighs. She drifted to rest next to him, her slim hand reaching for his. She snuggled into his side, nuzzling his neck. Her fingers twined with his, her knuckles brushing his bare thigh.
"I'm so glad you came back, I was afraid you wouldn't" He cleared his throat, his voice husky as she nibbled gently on his earlobe. "Umm... if you do that I may not be able to control myself."
"Why would you want to?" She whispered into his ear, her breath soft and warm on his skin.
"Temptress! You make it hard for me to think when you do that," He shivered, his eyes drifting shut. With a supreme force of will, he pulled away, his breath ragged. "No, I promised myself we would talk."
She giggled softly and sat back on her heels, her hands folded demurely in her lap.
"Now, what were we talking about?" He took a deep breath, then let it out slowly. "I remember now, we were talking about you."
"We were?" Her gaze was quizzical.
"We were about to. For instance, you were going to tell me your name." He smiled down at her.
"I am Me'ira." Her eyes gleamed with amusement as he stumbled over her name, taking several tries to get it right.
His smile was wry as he introduced himself, bowing slightly from the waist.
"Patrick... it's a noble name," Her voice made it a caress as she shifted, her shoulder grazing his.
"Tell me about your home." He pulled her against his side, his arm circling her waist.
She leaned against him, her gaze returning to the surf. Her eyes glowed with an inner light as she began to speak, her voice low and musical.
"The ocean is more than home, it is friend, foe, mother, and lover. It never changes yet is never the same. You are never alone, for the ocean is always there."
His eyes closed as her fluid voice washed over him, drawing him in.
"There are times of harmony when you glide through the depths with your companions slipping silently past you. You brush against one in quiet fellowship, barely missing another. The pack turns as one to follow a current of colder, swifter water, slipping sideways through the sea. The young ones ride in their Mothers' wake, secure in the strength of the pack."
"There are times of joy and fun, times when you nip and tease, fleeing with a playful slap of your tail. There are times of hunger. You hunt in the depths, twisting and turning to follow your prey. Watching it escape into a hole too small for you to follow, or perhaps diving just in time to snap it in two with your sharp teeth."
He shivered slightly, trying to reconcile this delicate creature with the images her soft words were creating.
"Then there are the times when the orca hunt, and you are the one diving and twisting an inch away from death. Sometimes one darts the wrong way, turns aside too late. Then it is time to mourn." She rested her head against his muscular shoulder with a small sigh.
He softly stroked her long, soft hair, gazing thoughtfully down at her.
"Is this the only life you have ever known?" He asked. "Have you never spent time on land, met other people?"
She shrugged, the oversized shirt slipping down over one shoulder. "I have seen others of your kind, but my mother always warned me away." Her smile was sad, "My mother was always worrying about me."
"Was? Is she gone, then?" He reached out for her hand, holding it gently between his own.
She nodded briefly, a glistening red curtain of hair falling forward to shield her face.
He squeezed her fingers in sympathy and they sat quietly, the only sound the soft whisper of the waves against the beach.
Finally, she stirred. "I must be going."
"Please, not yet... I have so many more questions." His fingers tightened on hers as if to keep her with him.
"It grows late," She glanced up at the sun dipping low in the sky. "It is time to hunt."
"I see. Will you be back?" He watched as she rose easily to her feet, fumbling slightly with the buttons. He unfolded his long legs, reaching to help her with the shirt. Their fingers tangled over the task, and she flashed him a bright smile.
"Aye, perhaps in the morning. When the sun is high." She slipped the shirt from her shoulders, offering it to him with another swift smile. "You will be here?"
"You can count on it." His answering smile lit up his eyes as they wandered slowly over her body. He reached out for her, his hand slipping around her waist.
She drifted into his arms, her face turning up to meet his. He lowered his head, his lips capturing hers. Her breath escaped with a soft moan as his tongue slid into her mouth. He explored her soft mouth with slow passion, his hands roaming over her bare back. Her fingers trailed along his spine, her tongue dancing with his.
When she finally pulled back, panting for breath, he held her gently but firmly.
"Please stay."
She shook her head regretfully. "I can not. I will return soon."
She ducked easily out of his arms and with a few graceful steps was at the water's edge. She turned and waved, the late afternoon sun glinting on the gold highlights in her red hair. With a flash of white skin and glowing red hair she dove into the surf. The seal surfaced several yards from shore, then dove deep with a flip of her tail.
Patrick flopped to the sand, his eyes staring out to sea long after the seal disappeared. Finally, he slipped the shirt over his shoulders, inhaling the sweet, salty scent lingering on the collar. He sat back in the sand, watching the waves as the sun slid below the horizon.