Page 40 of Adonis (Salt and Starlight #1)

Adonis

Adonis snaked his arm around Connor’s waist, holding him with his cock still inside. He loved how it felt in there, liked to think about every drop of semen ending up inside of him, even though his body lacked the organs to result in a pregnancy.

“Hm…”

Connor hummed. “Coming inside feels good,”

he said lazily.

“Yes,”

Adonis agreed, mind numbed by delirious delight. “Even if I cannot carry your child.”

“Yeah. I can’t… wait… what?”

Connor sat up, directing a puzzled frown at Adonis. His gaze slid down Adonis’s body to where his cock slipped out of him.

A bolt of fear cut through Adonis. “I can bring you children,”

he said urgently. “I cannot carry them, but I swear I will find you appropriate wombs that can.”

Connor sat back on his heels and ran a placating hand down the length of Adonis’s thigh. “Easy, It’s okay. We can talk. You don’t need to panic,”

he told Adonis. Connor’s face was one of utter confusion, despite his soothing tone.

Adonis’s terror of being turned away without having the chance to hold on to Connor was momentarily placated. Connor regarded him calmly, giving him a chance to explain himself.

“I—”

He bowed his head, fearing Connor’s reaction to his deception. “My body lacks the organs to carry children. That is why our joinings have not resulted in a pregnancy. I am sorry I didn’t tell you, even though you were trying so hard to get me pregnant.”

Connor was silent. Adonis couldn’t take the silence for long and peeked at Connor. He was staring at Adonis, incredulous.

“I wasn’t trying to get you pregnant,”

Connor said. Adonis flinched in shock.

“You—but—”

Pain seared Adonis’s heart. He crumbled. “You said we were mates, you said—”

“Whoa, whoa, Adonis, calm down.”

Connor ducked in, captured Adonis’s face between his palms and pressed his cheek to Adonis’s. “We are mates.”

Confusion marred Adonis’s mind. “But—”

“I wasn’t trying to get you pregnant because I assumed you couldn’t get pregnant. Not because I don’t consider us mates. Okay? Please don’t make that expression; that’s not what I meant.”

Connor pressed a dozen placating kisses to Adonis’s cheeks as his mind recovered from the awful shock.

Connor pulled back, studying Adonis’s expression. There was worry on his own face. “Mates,”

he said, almost to himself. “Adonis… you know, we’re different species and the same gender.”

Connor’s brow pulled down, and pain crept into his expression. “I don’t want to disappoint you, but I don’t think the chances of us being able to have a child, now or down the line, is very promising. And what you said just now about bringing a suitable womb for me to—”

There was clear distaste in Connor’s voice as he cut off, and he took a deep breath before he continued. “I’m not having sex with anyone but you, Adonis. So if you mate to have children, then...”

The pain in Connor’s voice, so clearly forced out of him, was bare and vulnerable. There was a tremble in his hand as he pet Adonis’s hair.

“I do not require progeny,”

Adonis said with absolute determination.

“When we got together, I never thought we could have kids. I didn’t expect it. But if that’s something that you’re looking for…”

Connor’s voice came out rough. His eyes were glossy as he blinked several times. “I might not be a suitable mate for you,”

he finished.

Adonis grabbed Connor, wrapping his arms around him and hauling his body to his. “I don’t want anyone else,”

he said, his body and mind reeling in horror at the thought of pursuing a mate other than Connor. He never could. He knew, deep down, that there would never be anyone for him other than Connor.

“I love you too, Adonis.”

“We shall make do with Laurence,”

Adonis said with confidence.

Connor groaned. “Adonis, I have told you a dozen times. Laurence is not my child.”

Adonis grunted.

“Adonis.”

“Yes. I remember. He is step-child.”

“No, that’s—ugh, never mind.”

Connor pulled back from Adonis, lying side-by-side on the bed with him. “Do you still want to be mates, even if it won’t lead to kids?”

Adonis nodded. He had never thought about whether it would be possible, only that he would do his duty by Connor and bring him someone suitable when he felt the need to have children. But Connor said he would refuse any that wasn’t him. That he had never expected children in the first place, and still wanted to be mates. That was enough to reassure Adonis of their bond.

“Yes, I wish to be mates still.”

Adonis tucked in close to Connor’s body, resting his head on his chest.

Connor adjusted to the position to still run his fingers through Adonis’s hair.

An unnerving thought disrupted Adonis’s peace. “Does this mean… you will no longer try to impregnate me?”

The disappointment in his voice was plain to hear.

Connor seemed to choke on the air for a moment. The choking morphed into a laugh. “I promise to try every chance I get,”

Connor said, voice filled with amusement.

“Really?”

“Yes. Now, are there any other expectations you have for this partnership that I should know about?”

“We must be together forever,”

Adonis said.

For some reason, that made Connor roll his eyes. “Obviously, genius.”

“Connor?”

Laurence’s voice pipped up from outside.

“Duty calls… don’t make that face. We’re leaving in a few days, and then you’ll be wishing for company other than mine.”

Connor leaned in, pressing a kiss to Adonis’s lips before getting up and changing. “Do you want to try surfing in that form?”

Connor asked as Adonis stood up. He flashed him a smile. “You can see how hard it is for yourself, and then you won’t be able to laugh at Laurence anymore.”

Adonis lifted his chin in pride. “It is no challenge.”

Connor grinned. “We’ll see. I have a drawer set out for you there. Put on shorts at least.”

“I do not need them.”

Connor paused at the doorway. He stopped his ascent and approached Adonis. “Shall I go naked, too? And let everyone see my body?”

Adonis’s lip curled back in displeasure. The mere thought of others gazing at Connor’s bare form was infuriating. He didn’t mind them admiring him clothed, but he would dispose of any that dared gaze at him naked.

“I feel the same way about people looking at you,”

Connor said. “So, cover up, please.”

Adonis grunted. “Yes. It would be bad for your family to lose their eyes. I will dress.”

Connor blinked, his expression unreadable for a moment.

“I’d better keep that comment in mind,”

Connor said. “If you want to harm someone, I’d prefer if you run it by me first.”

Adonis recalled Connor’s anger when he’d pushed Laurence from him. Adonis still believed it had been his right to get Laurence’s hands off the claim marks he’d left on Connor… to see Laurence prod at them so openly had been infuriating. “I will tell you first,”

Adonis promised.

“If it’s a case where you’ve been kidnapped, or I’ve been kidnapped, or anyone like those scientists and that rich prick are trying to harm us, then you can act first.”

Connor’s gaze darkened. “If they think they can put you in a cage, show them how stupid they are.”

“I will,”

Adonis promised, enjoying the sight of Connor’s protectiveness.

“Are you two having sex?”

Laurence called.

Connor rolled his eyes, breaking away from Adonis. “Get dressed. I’ll go help him aboard.”

Adonis listened to him go upstairs as he pulled on a pair of pants. He was getting more used to being clothed thanks to Connor’s insistence, and now that he had been warned, he would be sure to keep himself covered in the presence of others. He hadn’t realised Connor felt the same coveting urge that he did, and it pleased him greatly to learn.

He could not wait to show Connor his world, sights in mind that he was eager to get Connor’s reaction to. Though he was keener to have Connor stay in his nest for more than a few days… they had time. Connor had promised for weeks that they would be able to enjoy their time together without interruptions soon.

Adonis went outside and found Connor tying Laurence’s speedboat to their larger vessel.

Laurence smiled at Adonis as he spotted him. “Connor told me I was a brat. But he always says that.”

Adonis grunted his agreement. “Yes. You are a whelp.”

Laurence’s smile vanished. “Whelp? What does that mean?”

He looked at Connor for an answer.

Connor leaned against the railing, casting a grin at Adonis before nodding at Laurence. “It means you’re a big baby.”

“What? It doesn’t mean that, does it?”

Laurence looked at Adonis with wide eyes. “Adonis?”

“That is what it means,”

Adonis confirmed.

“Come now, whelp, do you want to surf?”

Connor taunted.

Laurence’s eyes flashed in indignation. “Don’t call me that.”

“What a whelp of a thing to say,”

Connor said. Adonis recognised the signs of amusement in the crinkling lines around Connor’s eyes. He walked to him and leaned against the railing next to him.

“If you repeat that to anyone, I will wake you at five a.m. from now until forever,”

Laurence threatened.

Connor hummed. He was going to repeat it. Forever.

Another boat approached with Trevor and Nick standing on the front bow and a red-haired man at the helm. Adonis’s nerves prickled at the sight of Trevor, and Connor reached behind him for his wrist, squeezing it without even turning his head toward him. Adonis struggled to get his defensiveness into order: he knew how Connor loathed to see him hiss at Trevor. He was too ingrained with his sire to show him disobedience, but Adonis hoped that once they departed, Connor would see that he did not need to answer to anyone but himself, especially with Adonis at his side.

As the new boat came abreast to Connor’s vessel, Adonis noted the way Connor eyed it with contempt. Adonis had found the pictures adorning the hull attractive—even in the water, the ship had caught his eye at times—but he knew how Connor despised any variety of octopi and squid, even paintings of them. Contrarily, he’d been furious with Adonis when he brought a dead squid to him—wrongfully thinking that perhaps Connor would indulge in the creature if it was already dead when presented. He had learned to avoid them at all costs, instead bringing fish Connor would accept with a smile.

Connor raised his arm in greeting and set to work tethering their ships together close enough that all could set foot on Connor’s vessel.

None paid the due respect they should, but Adonis couldn’t complain after Connor levelled him a silencing look. Adonis bristled but held peace.

Trevor’s hand pressed at Connor’s back, rubbing him in an intimate gesture that spoke of their bond. Anger filled Adonis. He loathed how Trevor treated Connor as a whelp still beholden to him when he was clearly matured far beyond such a role.

“You know, I think I preferred the growling,”

Trevor noted in good humour.

Connor looked over his shoulder, and Adonis was too late in masking his expression. Connor let out a noise of exasperation, and displeasure coloured his countenance. “Adonis.”

“I did nothing.”

Connor snorted, and thankfully Adonis could tell he wasn’t terribly angry with him this time. “‘Nothing.’ You’re glaring at Trevor like you’ll drown him.”

“I will not! You made me promise.”

Trevor twitched.

“Here.”

Laurence intervened to offer both Connor and Trevor a drink. As vexing as Laurence’s presence sometimes was, he at least paid Connor the respect he was due.

“Do you want one, Adonis?”

Laurence asked him.

“He’ll have mine,”

Connor said. He opened the can and passed it to Adonis, who took it with renewed spirits. He stepped to Connor’s side, pressing his cheek to his. Trevor took a sip of his drink and watched the two of them. Adonis made every effort not to glare at his appraisal. It was made easier when Connor’s fingers slipped into his hair to distract him, rubbing a soothing motion.

“When do you two set off?”

The red-haired captain of the other ship, Sam, asked.

“In a few days,”

Connor answered. “Now that Austin’s turned up alive, I can go without worrying.”

Trevor cleared his throat. “There are still several things to sort out. It’ll be weeks before the house sale goes through, and you’ll need to be around for that.”

Adonis identified the smile Connor cast his sire as one meant for humouring. “They can wait until I’m back.”

“A brief trip to the nest should be enough exploring,”

Trevor said, great reluctance in his voice.

“We’ve had this conversation,”

Connor replied.

“A dozen times,”

Laurence agreed.

“A hundred times,”

Nick corrected.

“And you’re still going,”

Sam stated rather than asked. “That’s about what I’d expect.”

“It’s another dimension. Of course, I’m going to look around. I’ll have Adonis to take care of me, and he’s shown all of you how strong he is. He’ll keep me safe.”

Adonis preened at the utter confidence with which Connor spoke.

“There could be giant squid over there,”

Sam said, a hint of merriment in his eyes. “Creatures with long tentacles waiting to wrap their arms around you once you’re in the water…”

Connor shuddered.

“And just think of the beak waiting to bite.”

Laurence snickered, and Nick smiled broadly. Trevor looked at Sam like he was a genius while Sam stared at Connor with a wry grin, watching the horror that transformed Connor’s features.

Connor schooled his features into a glare. “Another word, and I’ll have Adonis sink your boat. And you—”

He cut a glare to Trevor. “Don’t get any ideas. If you even suggest giant squid are waiting for me to try to dissuade me, I’m having Adonis take back his promise about not drowning you.”

“I can crack the hull very easily,”

Adonis said, backing up his mate. He hesitated before confirming the ease that he could accomplish the second task Connor had mentioned: his instincts told him Connor would get cross with him for it.

Approval shone in Connor’s eyes when he cast him a grin.

“Did you talk to Austin?”

Laurence pipped up, stepping in once more to ease the conversation to calmer waters. Adonis had to admire the skill that Connor’s whelp used to navigate such situations without causing offence. He would do well in court and be an asset to Connor.

“He called,”

Connor replied, voice bland. “Apparently, he thought I’d died and has spent the last few weeks drinking himself to death.”

“Can he get drunk?”

Nick asked. He glanced at the drink that Connor had given to Adonis. “Even strong spirits affect Adonis, whereas with you…”

“Austin can hardly walk steady after one beer,”

Connor answered. “Whatever traits he inherited from the merfolk, sobriety was not one of them.”

“So all the rumours about you going around getting drunk are fake!”

Laurence said, giving Nick an arrogant look.

“He can act it well enough,”

Sam remarked. “The rumours came from somewhere.”

“Hear that?”

Nick looked pointedly at Laurence.

Later in the evening, when the sun had gone down and the group had tired themselves with activity and drinks, Connor leaned against Adonis’s side, watching Trevor approach with beer. Music played, and the others were engaged in animated conversation by the speaker. Adonis had noticed Laurence and Nick squabbling constantly about what songs were played.

Trevor settled next to Connor against the railing. Connor tightened his hand in Adonis’s hair, a warning not to fuss. Adonis obeyed.

“I know you’ve set your heart on going,”

Trevor said, his gaze on his quarrelling progeny as Connor’s gaze slipped to him. “And I know there’s nothing I can say that will convince you otherwise.”

Connor tensed in Adonis’ arms. Concern flashed in his mate’s eyes, and Adonis saw the urge to yield in his eyes. His wish to do as his sire bid him was obvious and soured Adonis’s mood.

“I want to get away,”

Connor said. “Everything that’s happened, everything I’ve learned—it’s a lot to take in. And I want time to do that away from prying eyes. I don’t mean you. Or Nick. Laurence pries a tad, but I don’t mean him, either. I want a break from the world. I’m somewhat sick of it all at the moment. I’ll come back, Trevor. I promise I will, even if I find paradise over there.”

“Just be safe.”

“Adonis won’t let anything happen to me.”

Trevor’s brown eyes moved to him. Adonis straightened under his gaze, lifting his chin to meet the challenge. “You’re not to let him out of your sight,”

Trevor told him.

“Never,”

Adonis said. “Together always.”

Connor cast him an amused but pleased look. “There you have it, Trevor. Adonis will be glued to my side. And he wouldn’t bring me at all if he thought there was any danger.”

Trevor seemed ill at ease, but his shoulders slumped in defeat. Adonis’s chest swelled with delight at Connor’s victory.

“I wouldn’t mind half as much if he didn’t look so smug,”

Trevor admitted with a groan.

“Enough with the faces, Adonis,”

Connor murmured to him.

Adonis buried his face in Connor’s hair to hide his expression. His mate smelled good, and he breathed in deeply.

“I’ll be home before you know it.”

Adonis didn’t whine: Connor had used that tone. The one meant to soothe and not relay the truth.

When Trevor walked away, Connor turned to Adonis, capturing his lips and departing too quick for Adonis to kiss him back. His eyes shone. “Don’t worry,”

he whispered. “I plan to make the most of our time alone… and you have set aside all those books for me. I don’t expect I’ll want to leave the nest you made so skilfully anytime soon…”

Adonis shuddered in delight.

Connor’s smile took on a rakish quality. “Do you like that plan?”

“Yes.”

“You and I, together forever…”

“Yes.”

Adonis nuzzled Connor’s cheek, and Connor sunk his fingers into his hair. “Forever.”

What Comes Next?

I plan on returning to Connor’s world to explore more of what he and Adonis find as they go out on their adventure, and I also want to explore more of Connor’s new family. Whether that will be in another full-length book, or as shorts on my website, I am not yet sure.