Page 35

Having this kraken in my bed, wanting me, is an unexpectedly heady thing.

Elias thrusts against me again, groaning a little when I meet the insistent press of his cock with my hips. Still, when he drops his head to lean against my chest, there’s something hesitant about the rasp of his breath and the creases in his forehead.

A sudden realization strikes me. “Would you rather be… shifted for this?”

His eyes are two blue flames when he glances up at me, dancing with sensual promise at the idea. “Would you like me to be shifted for this?”

Would I? I’d be a filthy, filthy liar if I denied that I’d skimmed some kraken porn videos in the days since our first date.

Well… maybe more than skimmed. And maybe there were a few scenes that made my blood race and damp heat pool between my legs. Maybe there were a few tangles of limbs and tentacles that had me reaching a hand down to stroke my clit, desperate for relief…

Still, am I prepared for what that would all entail?

“I don’t know,” I say, as honest as I can be. “I’m not sure I’m ready for that.”

For just a moment, something like disappointment flashes across his face.

My heart sinks. I pretty much just told him I’d rather him not be his true self with me, didn’t I? I open my mouth to apologize, to reconsider. Maybe Icanbe ready for this. If it makes him more comfortable, maybe it’s alright if he…

I don’t get the chance to take the words back before he’s kissing me again.

“We have all the time in the world to explore that side of our relationship. This morning, all I want is your comfort. And your pleasure.”

“What about—”

“So many thoughts in that head of yours,” he murmurs, kissing the words from my lips. “So many worries. What would happen if you let me help you forget them for a while?”

“Yes,” I say breathlessly. “Please.”

“Then just relax, little siren.”

My core tightens, but not in fear or discomfort. No, it’s something else entirely that has me feeling restless and boneless all at the same time. That feeling only grows as Elias moves down over me, kissing from my jaw to my neck to the exposed skin above the neckline of the tanktop his extraordinarily helpful housekeeper had waiting for me when I arrived last night.

His teeth catch on the fabric, another low growl sounding in the back of his throat.

“I’m going to have to thank Marta for this,” he murmurs, drawing the shirt down low over the tops of my breasts. “And for these.”

His hand moves under the covers to skim up the bare skin of my thigh, toying with the leg of my shorts.

“She left me a nightgown, too,” I say with a laugh. “A long one with a ruffle around the neck. Should I have worn that instead?”

A quick nip at the curve of my breast tells me just what he thinks of that idea.

“I’d rather have you in nothing at all.” He tugs the loose tank down even further with his teeth to expose my breasts.

Elias draws a nipple into his mouth, and all the rest of my laughter flees, replaced by aching, urgent need. I tangle my fingers into his hair, pulling him close as he lavishes attention on one breast and then the other. Gentle swirls of his tongue and long, slow draws on each aching peak. Little nips that make me arch into him.

All the while, his hand is inching higher, playing with the hem of my shorts. His clever fingers find the edge of the panties beneath and dip just inside. My hips rise immediately into his touch, and a strangled groan works its way out of my chest. It’s enough to have him pausing and pulling back slightly, his roguish face filled with heat and taunting amusement as his fingers continue to explore.

“So responsive,” he murmurs. “Are you enjoying this, little siren?”

To punctuate his words, he leans in and nips at my lips, swallowing the needy sound I make in reply to his question.

“Is that a yes?”

He knows it is, but I nod anyway, hips still rising to meet the fingers that are toying with me over the fabric now. It’s deliberate, a slow build meant to tease me.

“Can I touch you, Nora?”