Page 19 of Kiss for My Kraken (Fairhaven Falls #8)

N ina woke to the unfamiliar sensation of weight across her body. Not oppressive or threatening, but secure—like being wrapped in the warmest, most perfect blanket. She kept her eyes closed, savoring the feeling and piecing together her memories of the night before.

Sam.

Her lips curved into a smile as fragments of their lovemaking flooded back.

The cool embrace of the water. The glow of his bioluminescent markings illuminating their joined bodies.

The way his tentacles had held her with such exquisite care, strong enough to support her completely yet gentle enough that she’d never felt a moment’s fear.

She’d never dreamed she could feel so desired and so protected at the same time.

Sunlight warmed her face, coaxing her to open her eyes.

The bedroom wasn’t large and the bed platform took up most of it, but there was a small dresser next to the door.

Of course. He would be able to wear clothes in his land form.

She couldn’t deny that she liked the idea of strolling into town with him, but if he wasn’t comfortable with the idea, she could be perfectly happy here with him.

She shifted slightly, turning her head to look at him.

He was still asleep beside her, his powerful body still completely in his kraken form.

His skin in daylight was a marvel of subtle colors—predominantly a silvery-grey that caught the light, but with patterns of deeper blue and hints of iridescence.

His dark hair spilled across the pillow, partially veiling the delicate slits of his gills, closed now in air.

His face was relaxed in sleep, the sharp angles softened, making him look younger, more vulnerable.

He’s beautiful , she thought, filled with a sudden, fierce surge of love so powerful it almost hurt. And he’s mine.

Unable to resist, she reached out to touch his face, her fingertips tracing the strong line of his jaw. His skin was cool and smoother than human skin, with an almost silky quality that reminded her of river stones polished by water.

His eyes opened at her touch, a startling bright blue even in the golden morning light. For a moment, they were unfocused, then sharpened as they found her face. His expression shifted from confusion to recognition to something so tender it made her heart ache.

“Nina,” he said, her name a caress in his deep voice. “You’re still here.”

The wonder in his tone made her smile. “Did you think I’d leave?”

The tentacle around her waist tightened slightly. “I thought I might have dreamt you.”

“Not a dream.” She leaned forward to press a gentle kiss to his lips. “I’m very real.”

His hand came up to gently cup her face. “Last night…”

“Was perfect,” she finished for him, leaning into his touch.

His eyes darkened. “I didn’t hurt you?”

“Not at all. You were… amazing.” She gave him an impish smile. “I don’t have anyone to compare you to, but I can’t imagine anything being better than that.”

The tentacle at her waist moved up to cover her breasts and she gasped at the sensation, her nipples tightening against the suckers. “I can show you better,” he murmured, his mouth moving over her throat.

She arched into his touch, her body responding instantly.

One tentacle moved to circle her leg, urging her thighs apart, and another dipped between them.

She moaned, her hips lifting instinctively to meet his touch.

The soft, cool underside of his tentacle brushed over her clit and she cried out, her fingers digging into his shoulders.

“I love your sounds,” he said softly, the vibration of his voice humming through her. “I love knowing how much you enjoy this. You are so responsive, little minnow.”

The suckers on her breasts tugged gently at her nipples, sending sparks of sensation through her.

At the same time, the tentacle between her legs stroked her with increasing speed and pressure.

A third tentacle teased at her entrance, the tip curling against the sensitive flesh, and her breath caught.

She reached for him, skating her hand down over his chest to where his tentacles joined his upper body, then frowned.

“Where is your… c…c?”

She couldn’t quite bring herself to say the word and his eyes lit with tender amusement.

“Are you asking about my cock, little minnow?”

She nodded as the heat rushed to her cheeks.

“I don’t have one in the human sense. Here.” He guided her hand to a long thick ridge centered beneath his tentacles. “This sheath contains my mating arm.”

“Mating arm?” she whispered, gently exploring the swollen length. He groaned, and then the ridge opened and a long flat shaft emerged, as wide as her spread fingers. “That… that’s not possible.”

He gave a choked laugh and she watched in amazement as he furled it into a long cylinder.

It still looked ridiculously large but she could at least imagine it entering her.

She touched it cautiously and found the surface smooth and velvety.

She felt it pulse against her fingers and without thinking, closed her hand around it.

“Careful,” he growled. “I don’t have complete control when I’m like this.”

“I want you inside me, Sam,” she said, her touch growing firmer.

He growled again, a low rumbling sound, and his mating arm pushed into her hand. “Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

With the same patience he’d shown the previous night, he worked her body with his tentacles until she was trembling and begging, and then he filled her completely, his mating arm stretching her to an impossible degree.

The sensation threatened to overwhelm her—she felt impossibly full, his thick length stretching her open as she shook with pleasure.

Then her ability to think deserted her, washed away by a tidal wave of ecstasy as he began to move.

They were still entwined, her body limp with pleasure, when a wet nose nudged insistently at her shoulder. She pulled away with a startled laugh as Ozzie, evidently feeling neglected, pushed his way between them.

“Ozzie!” she scolded without heat. “Timing, buddy.”

Sam chuckled, the sound rumbling through his chest as he reached to scratch behind the dog’s ears. “He’s protective of you.”

“No, he’s hungry.”

Sam nodded, though his tentacles remained curled around her, seemingly reluctant to let her go. “His food is in the cabinet above the sink.”

She leaned forward to kiss him briefly, then reluctantly began to disentangle herself from his embrace. “As much as I’d love to stay here all day, I have to go to work.”

He released her with obvious reluctance, his tentacles sliding away from her body with a final, gentle caress.

She shivered at the sensation, already missing his touch as she slipped from the bed.

A brief search of the cabin revealed her discarded clothing, still damp from the night before.

She pulled her panties and jeans back on but left her bra off, pulling the t-shirt over her head.

She looked in the mirror as she did, and smiled at the imprint of Sam’s suckers covering her body.

Ozzie was already at the door, looking back at her expectantly.

“All right, all right,” she told him, crossing to let him out. “Go do your business, but don’t wander too far.”

The dog bounded out into the morning sunshine, disappearing into the underbrush with a happy bark.

She followed him out onto the porch, admiring the view.

Tall trees filtered the morning light, casting dappled shadows across the mossy ground.

The river surrounded them, glittering in the sun, the gentle sound of flowing water creating a constant, soothing backdrop.

Birds called from the trees, and somewhere nearby, she heard the splash of a fish jumping.

“It’s paradise,” she said softly as Sam joined her on the porch.

He had assumed his land form and pulled on loose pants, but his powerful torso remained on full display.

“You don’t regret it?” he asked, standing close beside her. “Coming here. Being with me.”

“Regret is the last thing I feel. I feel…” She searched for words adequate to express the fullness in her heart. “I feel like I’ve found something I didn’t even know I was looking for. Something rare and precious and perfect.”

His expression softened. “That’s exactly how I feel about you.”

They stood together in comfortable silence, watching Ozzie explore the island. The dog seemed completely at ease, sniffing excitedly at new scents and occasionally looking back to ensure they were still there.

“He likes it here,” she said quietly.

“He’s welcome anytime. As are you. This island can be your sanctuary too.”

She smiled and leaned against him, savoring his solid strength. “Thank you.”

After a moment, she reluctantly straightened. “I really do need to go.”

He frowned. “But you’ll come back? After work?”

The uncertainty in his voice tugged at her heart. “Of course I will.”

His expression cleared, a smile softening his features. “Then I’ll be waiting for you at your dock.”

“I was thinking,” she added as they walked towards the boat, and he tensed again.

“What were you thinking?”

“As much as I love being here, I may want to spend some time at my shack as well. Would you consider being there with me?”

She glanced up, unsure how he would react to the suggestion, and found him watching her with undisguised wonder. “You would want that? To share your home with me?”

“Of course,” she said, surprised by his surprise. “I love you, Sam. I want us to be together.”

The words had slipped out naturally, without forethought, but she didn’t regret them. He went very still, his eyes wide. “You love me,” he repeated, the words somewhere between a statement and a question.

She nodded, suddenly nervous. “I do. I know it hasn’t been that long, but I’ve never felt this way about anyone. It’s like I’ve found the missing piece of myself.”

For a heartbeat, he remained motionless. Then he surged forward, pulling her into his arms with such swift intensity that she gasped. His kiss was fierce, almost desperate, as if he was trying to convey with actions what words couldn’t express.

When they finally broke apart, both breathing hard, his arms—and several tentacles—were wrapped securely around her.

“I love you too,” he said, his voice rough with emotion. “From the moment I saw you, something in me recognized you. As if I’d been waiting for you without knowing it.”

The simple declaration filled her with a joy so intense it brought tears to her eyes. She blinked them away, smiling through the overwhelming emotion.

“So,” she said, trying to lighten the moment, “is that a yes to sharing my shack?”

He laughed, the sound vibrating through his chest. “Yes. To that and anything else you want, little minnow.”

“A dangerous promise,” she teased. “I might want all sorts of things.”

His expression turned serious again. “Whatever you want, if it’s in my power to give, it’s yours.”

The sincerity in his voice made her catch her breath. She leaned forward to rest her forehead against his chest. “All I want is you. The rest is just details.”

They stayed like that for a long moment, breathing each other in, content in their shared closeness. Finally, reluctantly, she pulled back.

“I really do need to get going,” she said. “I need to shower and change before my shift.”

He nodded, though his tentacles tightened briefly around her before releasing her. “I’ll take you back.”

They called Ozzie, who returned to them with obvious reluctance, having thoroughly enjoyed his island exploration. When they reached her dock, he held the boat steady while she climbed out, then lifted Ozzie onto the wooden planks beside her.

“Tonight,” he said, more statement than question.

“Tonight,” she confirmed. “I’ll come straight here after my shift.”

Sam rose partially from the water, his upper body emerging to pull her into one last embrace. His lips found hers in a kiss that started gentle but quickly deepened, filled with promise and longing.

“I’ll be thinking of you all day,” he murmured against her mouth.

“Me too,” she whispered back. “Every minute.”

With visible effort, Sam released her and sank back into the water. “Be safe, little minnow.”

“Always,” she promised, then added with a mischievous smile, “Besides, I have my river prince watching over me, don’t I?”

“Always.”

He disappeared beneath the surface, a swirl of silver and darkness in the clear water. She stood on the dock for a long moment, her fingers pressed to her lips where she could still feel the pressure of his kiss.

Finally, with Ozzie at her heels, she turned and made her way up the path to her shack. She moved through her morning routine with unusual energy, humming as she showered and changed for her shift at the tavern. Even Ozzie seemed to pick up on her mood, prancing around her with playful excitement.

“You like him too, don’t you?” she asked the dog as she pulled on her jacket. “Our river prince.”

Ozzie barked once, as if in agreement, making her laugh.

The walk to the tavern was filled with small wonders she hadn’t fully appreciated before—the way the sunlight filtered through the trees, the cheerful sound of birds calling to each other, the rich scent of earth and river water. The world seemed sharper, more vibrant, more alive.

Or maybe I’m the one who’s more alive , she thought, with a lightness in her heart that was entirely new. She caught a flash of silver in the river that ran alongside the path and a smile curved her lips.

Her river prince. Her protector. Her love.