Taking the Bait by Kiki Burrelli

Passions run high when divorced, single-father, Marcus, falls for Jake, a young gay man with a mysterious secret.

At forty-seven, Marcus believes he is done with self-discovery. Then he meets Jake and his protective instincts go haywire. Jake’s life hasn’t been easy and he’s struggled to make ends meet. Marcus quickly realizes his affections for Jake are unlike any he’s ever felt—especially toward another man—and he’s not about to let this feeling, or Jake, slip through his fingers.

Jake has no idea why someone as perfect and hot as Marcus would be interested in him. Perhaps his life is finally turning around. At least, that is what he thinks until he wakes up in the middle of the night with an uncontrollable urge to walk into the Pacific Ocean. Jake discovers he’s a merman. And not just any, but a prince. His father tells him he is to rule under the sea but also forbids him from ever going back to land, threatening to kill any who discovers his secret.

Forbidden from seeing each other, Jake’s concern is in keeping Marcus safe. Except, neither of them knew to protect Jake from the reproductive possibilities that transforming into a merman provided. As a human, he hadn’t worried about becoming pregnant and besides, there were more pressing concerns, like how the father Jake never knew he had wanted to kill the boyfriend Jake never thought he’d find.

Marcus knows Jake is keeping something from him. He also knows Jake thinks he’s doing it for his protection. But, Marcus has already taken the bait. He’s hooked. And there isn’t an ocean deep enough to keep him from the man he loves.