Gwen broke in. "If he's offering a hand, you should take it." Disapproval colored her tone. "You've already been rude enough."

She was about to get a little ruder.

Grabbing her sister's arm, Tessa shoved Gwen to one side. "I have my reasons," she gritted. "I just want him gone." Later, when they were alone, she'd explain things. She'd never shared the details of the day, not even with her sisters.

Kenneth Randall couldn't fail to overhear. "I think that's my cue to catch a ride out with Lucky." He turned and simply walked away. A moment later he disappeared around the corner.

Watching him go, Tessa felt her tension drain away. Thanks be to the G.o.ddess. He wasn't going to be an a.s.s and force himself into a place he wasn't wanted.

Tessa ran her palms across her face. Her skin felt clammy, cold. That was a bullet she didn't care to dodge again. The fact he'd come looking for her was a bad sign. What if he remembered that part of that day, including the fact she'd been in the water, wearing a tail? Being busted was simply not an option. Mers already had a hard enough time surviving in this unfriendly world.

She shot a surrept.i.tious glance toward her sister. Gwen would have a stroke if she knew Tessa had been swimming around any humans in full Mer form. It wouldn't matter that the man was more than half-drowned and close to death.

Best not think about that now. She'd deal with the fallout, when and if it arrived.

Tessa switched back to the problem at hand. With temperatures climbing past the nineties, the relief of a cool house would be welcome. "Now I can get back to fixing this old piece of junk."

She didn't quite get the relief she was counting on.

Gwen stepped in to continue the fight. "This time I'm putting my foot down," she insisted, taking up where they'd left off. "You don't know your a.s.s from a hole in the ground." She threw up her hands. "Look at this place. All you've done since Mom and Dad died is let it go to h.e.l.l in a handbasket."

Startled by the intensity behind Gwen's attack, Tessa's hackles rose. "I'm doing my best. But you know as well as I do money's tight and finding someone who'll work for a reasonable wage is d.a.m.n near impossible. Not to mention the cost of materials to do the repairs. I can handle things, but only one at a time."

Gwen pressed her lips into a line, and she crossed her arms over her chest. "That's the trouble. Nothing's getting done. This place is too much for one person and the money's running out. It's true I can funnel more cash over from the hotel, but I'm not inclined to do that anymore. As much as you don't like it, you've got to face facts. It's time to let the island go."

Tessa felt a stab of anger-driven pain so sharp it went straight through her core. "I'm not selling the island. This is my-our-home. It's the only place we belong."

Gwen slowly shook her head. "It's time to give it up, Tess. Move onto the mainland and live a normal life."

Normal? What was normal about their f.u.c.king lives? As much as she tried to act human and play the part, Gwen knew d.a.m.n good and well that mermaids and humans didn't mix well.

Planting her feet as though the act would anchor her to the ground, Tessa glared daggers. If looks could kill, Gwen would be pushing up daisies about now. "I'm the oldest. I decide what happens here. You tell Addie I'm not selling it. Not today, tomorrow, or ever."

Gwen countered with her own fierce glower. "We each have an equal share, and Addison agrees with me. Two votes add up to the majority, and we've decided to sell." Her sister's ultimatum hit like a blast of arctic air on naked flesh.

Tessa gasped. She'd hoped Gwen wouldn't feel compelled to make that threat.

A chill s.n.a.t.c.hed the air from her throat. She'd been outplayed. Her sisters could sell everything out from under her and she was powerless to stop them. "f.u.c.k you both," she mumbled, feeling like she'd been pummeled to tiny pieces.

Gwen sighed heavily. "This didn't go as well as I'd hoped."

Irritation flickered. "I think I've heard enough."

Gwen raised her hands, palms out. "Just listen. Please."

"Why should I?" Tessa replied, forcing her eyes open wide so she could stall the threat of tears. There was no way she'd let her younger sibling see her cry. h.e.l.l would freeze over first.

Gwen paused, pursing her lips. "Because we won't sell if you'll just hire someone to help out." She spread her arms. "It's that simple."

It was the same old dilemma, except Gwen had some serious leverage behind her threat. And while Tessa didn't want to share the island with a human, she also didn't want to be packing her bags to move to the mainland.

Tessa considered her options. None. It felt like Gwen had cut her legs off at the knee. She was down and had no way to get up. "Fine. You find a guy who wants to work for nothing and he's hired." She didn't need to look at her checkbook to know the balance was perilously low. The island was considered a prime piece of real estate and even though it belonged to her family, the taxes on the land weren't cheap. Uncle Sam was eating her sack lunch, leaving only crumbs behind.

To Tessa's surprise, Gwen wasn't the one who answered.

Kenneth Randall reappeared, easing around the corner of the house. "I couldn't help overhearing," he said, offering a sheepish grin and a shrug. "Maybe I can help out."

Tessa launched a glare his way. He was supposed to be gone. For good. "Eavesdropping isn't polite."

Dark eyes met hers. He was too confident-and too d.a.m.n s.e.xy to easily ignore. "Neither is walking away when someone needs help."

His heavy gaze burned right through Tessa, causing her body temperature to inch dangerously higher. She clenched her jaw against the tremor of awareness flooding her veins. He affected her on such a physical level.

Tessa swallowed over the lump in her throat. "I'm not a charity case. I can do for myself."

"I didn't say you were." An easy laugh escaped him. "I'm in between jobs, so I've got time on my hands."

Nostrils flaring, Tessa looked at him doubtfully. "There's a lot to do. The house needs a new roof, a fresh coat of paint, and it's got a few plumbing issues. Not to mention the lighthouse."

"And the cracked front window," he reminded.

Tessa winced. The list was endless. No wonder she'd gotten so far behind. "I could use an extra pair of hands."

Kenneth caught her gaze, holding it for a long moment. "If it helps, I'm a certified mechanic. And I did a lot of construction to pay my way through college. h.e.l.l, I could even drag up a reference or two if necessary." His reply was natural and sincere. He clearly meant every word he said.

Tessa wavered. "I can't pay much," she admitted. "In fact, it's almost nothing."

He ignored the fact. "If you've a place I can stow my stuff and can throw me a sandwich now and again, I'm good."

"We do!" Gwen clapped her hands. "And I can hit the deli and stock up today."

Tessa drew in a long, shaking breath. Everything was slipping out of her control with alarming speed. It all sounded too good to be true. Kenneth Randall seemed too good to be true. "You'd do that?" she asked, still a little dazed by the sudden turn of events. "Work for free?"

"Not for free," he corrected. "I'll work for room and board." A slow, wry smile parted his lips. "If nothing else, maybe it'll keep me out of the water."

"You've got a job, then," Gwen said, sealing the deal by offering her hand.

Tessa opened her mouth, trying to think of a reasonable protest but nothing came out. Just like that, a decision had been made. On some secret, selfish level she was relieved to be spared further argument. But that didn't stop her stomach from rolling over. Whether or not she agreed with the notion, she had no choice.

She'd have to share her island. With a man she'd seen at his most vulnerable, stripped bare and struggling to find the will to live.

A man she couldn't help but admit she desired a little.

A flush p.r.i.c.ked Tessa's skin even as her heart sped up, filling her mouth with a vaguely coppery taste. Sweat plastered her thin T-shirt to her back. Thinking about her new handyman undressed and aroused was like grabbing on to a hot-wire fence. Hang on tight and she'd get one h.e.l.l of a buzz.

Foreboding sent a chill down her spine. She had a feeling the island wasn't going to be big enough for both of them.

Chapter 2.

Asmile tugged at the corner of Kenneth's mouth as he followed Tessa Lonike up the narrow circular staircase leading to the second floor of the lighthouse.

As befitting the warm afternoon, Tessa was casually dressed in a pair of shorts and a tank top. A sports bra hugged her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, a no- frills undergarment that nevertheless managed to look s.e.xy beneath her stained work shirt. The shorts accentuated her slender waist and peach-firm rear, their high cut displaying endless, tightly muscled legs. She'd twirled up her long hair, securing it with something that looked like a set of chopsticks. Her locks shimmered with a thousand flames, fiery to pale reds and effervescent coppers. A few stubborn strands refused to be tamed, straggling around her face and neck. Aside from a delicate gold chain holding a simple crystal pendant, she wore no jewelry. Her body undulated with a particular feline grace each time she lifted a foot.

Kenneth had already imagined brushing those curls off her slender nape before planting a soft kiss on the enticing curve. But her tight shoulders and distant att.i.tude indicated making time with the boss wouldn't be one of the perks of the job.

At this point she was being civil. Nothing more. Nothing less. Considering he'd made himself welcome on her turf, he didn't blame her. But if taking the job meant he could remain on the island, then he'd gladly roll up his sleeves and go to work.

He still wanted to know what the h.e.l.l was in the water.

As for the perks, he had to admit following Tessa around wasn't a bad way to spend an afternoon. Truth be told, he was having the time of his life. If nothing else, the view was terrific. Even more interesting was the fact her bare arms were heavily tattooed with some sort of a tribal pattern. The design appeared to continue down her back and over her abdomen, reappearing again on her legs. The pattern ended at her ankles, just above the unlaced combat boots she wore. On any other woman the design would be vulgar. On her the tattoos were strangely alluring.

Kenneth winced. That much needlework had to be extremely painful. "The tats are awesome," he said, eager to break the silence hanging between them. She didn't seem to be the chatty kind, speaking only when spoken to.

Tessa didn't stop walking, nor did she turn her head. "Thanks," was all she said.

He tried again. "Must have taken years to get done."

She kept on climbing. "Seems like a lifetime." Her tone was noncommittal. She simply answered, giving no invitation to continue the conversation.

Kenneth pressed on anyway. He'd had enough of silence in his life lately. Surely it wouldn't hurt her to talk a little. "How'd you come up with the design? Tribal, isn't it?"

Tessa shot a glance over one shoulder.

"It just kind of happened," she said. "In fact, you might say it grew on me."

Kenneth c.o.c.ked his head. For a moment it seemed her voice had changed a bit, taking on a tinge of bitterness.

Conversation stalled as they reached the second level.

Tessa stepped into a small vaulted vestibule, flicking on an overhead light. The single bulb cast a soft, luminescent glow throughout the loft. Though the ceiling was ridiculously high, the s.p.a.ce was more than a little cramped due to the circular construction of the lighthouse.

Easing in behind her, Kenneth set his duffel bag on the floor. It was the sole piece of luggage he had. It didn't take long to look the place over because there wasn't much to look at. The simple design had enough room for the bare basics: a small kitchenette, adjoining bathroom, and, shoved under the staircase that continued up toward the control tower, a bed. A small dinette set and a lounge completed the furnishings. A couple of portholes broke up the solidity of the walls. The natural wood of the walls was austere, the floor bare except for a few necessary throw rugs.

Though not the newest or the most expensive, every item in the small apartment was clean and well kept. The bed was a single, neatly made up with a patchwork quilt. A yellow tomcat had made himself welcome, stomping down the pillows and stretching out on top.

For the first time that day, Tessa showed a bit of animation. "There you are, Jasper." Crossing the small s.p.a.ce, she scooped the cat up, giving him a quick scratch behind the ears. "Sorry, big fella. You're being evicted." Cat in hand, she turned around. "This is as good as it gets."

Ken coughed in the damp atmosphere. The loft was stuffy and humid, the air smelling of the sea. The humidity in the attic created a fine sheen of perspiration on his skin. Catching sight of the fan propped on the countertop, it vaguely occurred to him the lighthouse didn't have any sort of cooling system.

He couldn't complain. After all, it was his decision to stick his nose into Tessa's business. It was his own fault if he sweltered and suffered the heat. Fortunately Maine summers were short; the winters were long and fierce. It wouldn't be long before the island would be blanketed in snow, its inhabitants digging in against the cold.

Realizing she expected an answer, he nodded. "It's good."

She knew he'd spotted the inadequacies right away. "This is the old keeper's dwelling. It's not really up to date, but it's private."

He nodded his approval. "It's nicer than I thought it would be." Since deciding to pack up and leave Jersey, he presently owned nothing more than the clothes he carried and his vehicle. He'd disposed of everything else.

A snort of disbelief escaped her. "Yeah, right."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Tessa eyed him a long moment. "I'm wondering how long you will last," she finally answered, frowning. "A lot of the guys Gwen's hired treat the island like their own private getaway. I can't tell you how many I've caught smoking dope, getting high. One guy was even smuggling, for heaven's sake." She shook her head. "Can't trust anyone nowadays."

Kenneth couldn't imagine being a woman alone, a mile from the mainland. That in itself was a recipe for disaster. Tessa had no business living alone. She clearly needed someone trustworthy and reliable.

Like me, came his niggling, intrusive inner voice.

Kenneth immediately backed away from the thought. It was one thing to offer a hand. He might even amuse himself with a few harmless fantasies. But barreling into this woman's life like a steamroller wasn't the way to impress her. That smacked of desperation. And desperate people-lonely people-were scary.

"I agree," Kenneth said, choosing each word carefully. "The world isn't a safe place." It was definitely a fact he knew too well.

Tessa laughed shortly. "I don't mind if a man wants to kick back and have a beer after a hard day's work, but I definitely don't need the party- hearty types." She paused, her face taking on a serious look. "You might think Gwen pretty much strong- armed me into hiring you, but that's not true. I'm not blind and I'm not dense. I know this place is falling down around my ears. If you're offering honest help, I could use it."

Her unexpected admission was a breakthrough. It was the first allowance she'd made that she wouldn't mind having him hang around. Not a great gesture of welcome, but it was a step in the right direction. It offered a chance they might get along, maybe even like each other.

Past that, he wouldn't push. Right now just having a place to live and something to do was a G.o.dsend. In fact, it was exactly what he needed, a project to take his mind off the fact he was still drifting.

"That's exactly what I'm doing."

Tessa studied him, her gaze simmering with suspicion and wariness. "My mother always told me that if it seemed too good to be true, it must be some kind of a con."

"And my mother used to say seeing is believing," he countered. "So why not just give me a chance and judge for yourself?"

She crossed her arms, nodding with resolution. "You've got a two-week trial. If things don't work out, you leave. No questions asked."

He nodded. "That's fair enough."

She lifted a hand, pointing a finger his way in a scolding manner. "I've got some rules, though."

Kenneth smiled politely. "And those are?"

Tessa jabbed her finger his way. "On the mainland, what you do is your business. Here, what you do is my business. I don't like strangers, so bringing girls here is off-limits. So are drugs. If you use them, you might as well leave now."

Uh-oh. Better get this one out of the way. "I do have one drug."

Her gaze clouded. "What?" Jaw tightening, her tone was icy.

He grinned. "Nicotine. Okay if I smoke?"

Tessa relaxed, voice returning to normal. "Outside, if you must."

Kenneth laughed. "I must."