Page 53

“Well, no. Kodia and I enjoy moving fast through the water, pushing our limits.”

She smiles, but it’s sad. “I bet that freedom feels amazing.”

“It does.” I want to erase the sadness from her eyes and replace it with joy. Before I can think better of it, an idea flies from my lips. “Want to see for yourself?”

“Really? He’d let me ride him?” Her brow furrows.

“Yes.” I actually have no idea. I’ve never asked him to carry more than me. “I have one of the devices that will allow you to breathe underwater and keep your body temperature stable.”

The sadness in her eyes lessens just the slightest bit at the offer. I want nothing more than to permanently erase it. “Come with me.”

I turn and head for my study. I have to rifle through a couple drawers before I find what I’m looking for, but once I have the disc in hand, I pass it over to her. She looks at it quizzically.

“How is this going to help me breathe underwater?”

“May I?” I take it back from her and point to the back of her neck, visible because of the way all her hair is piled on top of her head.

“Yes,” she says hesitantly.

I take a step closer to her and wrap my hand around the back of her neck, setting the disk at the base. I press the top and step back to watch the tiny nanotech suit ripple over her body. Each small cell locks the eight around it, forming a thin barrier. I stop it from covering her mouth and nose just yet.

“Oh my stars,” she says, looking down at her body which is now covered by the suit. “It’s all over me.”

“Yes. It spreads under the clothing you’re wearing and once we get in the water, I’ll activate the head piece which will filter the oxygen from the water allowing you to breathe as usual.”

“Do you use these?”

“No. My skin is still made for the water, and once submerged my gills open.”

Her lips part in surprise. “I didn’t even realize you have gills.”

“I don’t right now.” I finger the material of her shirt. “Take your clothes off and let's go for a swim. Kodia has been wanting my attention anyway.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.” I grab her hand, linking our fingers as if it’s the most natural gesture in the world and begin pulling her toward the door.

She follows and doesn’t try to shake my hand off, so I leave it. The battery-operated motion lights I had installed for her on the staircases light up as we walk down the worn stone stairs to the stone transport landing. She keeps back while I walk to the edge of the water and tap the surface a few times, calling for him.

I wait, and within a minute Kodia breaks the surface. His black eyes alight with happiness and what could only be called a toothy grin stretched across his face. I’m sure he looks strange to her, maybe even frightening, but he’s just a playful animal. I can’t ask his permission the way I’d like, but as scratch behind his ear, I look over my shoulder at Neev.

“Come here,” I tell her quietly.

She takes slow, measured steps and then kneels beside me.

“Hold your hand out to him.” I place my hand on the small of her back in encouragement.

The two of them look at each other for a moment and then Kodia makes the first move, pressing his nose against her palm. Whatever he smells, likely the mate bond between her and I, makes him immediately look at me. In his eyes I see his absolute acceptance of her. I know if I’m ever gone, and he can protect her, he will. His black tongue snakes out of his mouth and licks her.

“Is that a good sign or does he think I’m dinner?” she asks me.

“He accepts you.” I stand and begin to strip out of my clothes. “Take your clothes off.”

She looks down at herself and follows my instructions. The nano suit covers her like a second skin so as she strips down, I have a vague idea of how she would look naked. It’s enticing enough to make cock harden in its sac.

I turn quickly and look down at Kodia. The last thing we need is my cock to extend outside my body. It’s bad enough it did so the night I shared Neev’s bed. Once I have my desire back in check, I turn to her again.

“Are you okay with me speaking into your mind while we’re underwater?” Neither of us will be able to speak normally, so it’s this or nothing. “Before you answer, I do need to tell you that the more you allow me into your mind, the easier it is for me to enter at will.”