Page 24 of Kiss for My Kraken (Fairhaven Falls #8)

N ina didn’t see Sam as she raced back to her shack, so she hurried inside, locking the door behind her with shaking hands.

Ozzie gave an excited woof as he trotted over to her side, his stubby tail wagging happily.

She’d brought him back to the cabin earlier that day because of the constant bustle of people and activity.

She picked him up and hugged him, taking comfort in the small warm body as he tried to lick her nose.

A splash outside caught her attention and she rushed to the window. Oh, thank goodness . Sam was pulling himself onto the dock, water streaming from his powerful form.

“Sam!” she called, hurrying outside with Ozzie.

He looked up as she raced down the steps to the dock, surprise flashing across his features before concern took its place. In two swift bounds, he reached her, his still-wet hands grasping her shoulders.

“What’s wrong, little minnow?” he asked, his eyes scanning her face.

“He’s here,” she gasped, the words tumbling out in a rush. “Jed. I saw him in the town square. With someone else from Haven’s Grace. They’re looking for me, Sam.”

His expression darkened, the markings along his neck flaring bright blue with emotion. “You saw him?”

She nodded, shivering despite the afternoon warmth. “He didn’t see me. I ran. Came straight here.”

His grip on her shoulders tightened fractionally, then relaxed as he visibly controlled himself.

He transitioned into his land form with shocking speed, then led her back up to the shack.

Once inside, he retrieved a blanket and wrapped it around her shoulders.

She clutched it gratefully, even though she wasn’t physically cold.

“They had the same van. And Jed looked exactly the same—so stiff and righteous.” Her voice broke on the last word.

He knelt before her, taking her cold hands in his warm ones. “How many?”

“I saw Jed and one other in the square. But Flora said they’ve been circling for days so I’m sure there’s more.”

He nodded grimly. “Eric reported strangers who were asking questions about newcomers.”

The thought of Jed methodically hunting her through town made her feel physically ill. “What if they find me? What if they try to take me back?” The possibility terrified her.

“It won’t happen,” he said with absolute conviction. “I won’t let them take you.”

Looking at his fierce expression, she almost believed him. But fear, once awakened, was not easily silenced.

“You don’t understand,” she whispered. “Jed always gets what he wants. Always. If he can’t persuade someone, he finds leverage. Pressure points. Weaknesses.” A horrible thought struck her. “What if he hurts you? Or Ben? Or anyone else in town trying to help me?”

His expression softened slightly. “Nina. Look at me.”

She met his gaze, finding strength in those brilliant blue eyes.

“Fairhaven Falls is not Haven’s Grace,” he said slowly, emphasizing each word. “There are Others here who are both powerful and united. We are not weak and we are not afraid.”

Some of her panic started to recede. He was right. This wasn’t the isolated, powerless situation of her past. Here, she had allies. Friends. And Sam—strong, brave Sam who would face his own deeply ingrained fears to protect her.

“The Festival,” she said suddenly. “It’s Saturday. Everyone will be there. What if Jed uses the crowd as cover to find me?”

He nodded, having clearly considered this. “Eric is prepared. There will be watchers and patrols.” His thumb stroked her cheek. “And I will be there, by your side.”

The image of Sam standing beside her in the town square while Jed looked on, was simultaneously terrifying and oddly comforting.

“Are you sure you want to show yourself so publicly?”

“For you,” he said simply. “Yes.”

The depth of devotion in those three words broke through the last of her paralyzing fear, replacing it with a surge of fierce love. She wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her face against his shoulder.

“I don’t deserve you,” she murmured.

His arms encircled her, strong and secure. “You deserve everything, little minnow,” he said roughly. “All the good things.”

They stayed like that for a long moment, and then she stroked her hand down over his chest. In his land form, his sheath was easier to find and she teased the long ridge until it began to swell beneath her fingers. He took a sharp breath, and looked down at her, his eyes glowing.

“Are you sure you want to do this now?”

“Yes. I want to forget about everything except you.”

“Your wish is my command.”

She gave a breathless laugh as he swept her up into his arms and carried her up the narrow stairs to her loft bedroom. Even in this form he was incredibly strong and powerful. He laid her carefully on the bed, then lay down next to her, propping himself on one arm to gaze down at her.

“I like your land form,” she whispered, reaching up to touch his cheek. “But then I like all of your forms.”

He growled, and bent his head to kiss her.

His lips were soft and warm and she opened her mouth to the thrust of his tongue.

The feel of it sliding against hers intoxicated her.

He kissed her until she was breathless, then began to move down her body, kissing every inch of exposed skin he could find.

She moaned when his mouth found her breasts, nipping and licking her sensitive nipples through the thin fabric of her dress. When he sucked hard on one, she almost came right then and there.

“Sam!” She tugged at his shoulders, desperate to have more of him.

He chuckled, his warm breath caressing her damp skin. “Patience, little minnow. I want to taste all of you.”

She shuddered at the promise in his voice, her hands falling to her sides. He released a tentacle and it slid up under her dress, wrapping around her thigh and she felt the tip probing delicately at the edge of her panties. Oh God.

He resumed his leisurely exploration of her breasts, first one and then the other, as the tentacle teased her, tracing circles on the inside of her thigh. It moved higher, sliding over the damp fabric between her legs and she couldn’t hold back a gasp of pleasure at the intimate caress.

“So beautiful,” he murmured against her skin, his fingers slipping beneath the neckline of her dress. With a quick tug, the fabric parted, exposing her body to his hungry gaze. “So perfect.”

Her underwear followed, leaving her entirely naked. He sat up to look at her and she bit her lip as his gaze raked over her. His tentacle continued its maddening caresses between her thighs, sliding back and forth in a slow, deliberate rhythm. Liquid heat pooled in her belly.

“Sam, please.” Her voice came out breathless, pleading.

“Please what?” he asked, the corner of his mouth curving in a teasing smile.

“Please. I need you. All of you.”

His smile widened and he bent down to kiss her again, deeply, thoroughly, and she lost herself in the sensation. She tore her mouth away from his, gasping as she felt the tentacle probe at her wet heat. His eyes blazed with hunger as he watched her, his fingers continuing to play with her nipples.

“So wet,” he murmured. “So ready. I love how responsive you are, little minnow.”

The tentacle slid inside her, just the tip and she moaned. “More. I want all of you.”

The tentacle plunged deeper and she cried out in pleasure as it filled her.

It twisted and swirled inside her, stimulating all those sensitive nerves.

More of his tentacles emerged, wrapping around her legs and spreading them wide.

One wrapped around her waist and she felt the suckers on her skin, sending little shockwaves of pleasure through her.

He was everywhere, inside her and around her, and she was helpless to do anything but surrender to the sensations. She felt her climax building, coiling tight inside her, and then it exploded in a burst of pleasure that seemed to go on and on.

Just as she started to float back down, his tentacles lifted her body to his waiting mouth. His long tongue swiped across her swollen flesh and she gasped. He repeated the movement, lingering this time and she writhed against him.

He chuckled, his breath teasing her. “I love the sounds you make.”

Then his tongue plunged deep inside her.

She was still sensitive, and she cried out at the unexpected pleasure.

He swirled his tongue, finding every hidden place, and she could only cling to him as he drove her closer and closer to another climax.

His tongue flicked her clit and she came with a scream, her body shaking helplessly.

“Sam. Oh God, Sam.”

She collapsed, her chest heaving, and he gently lowered her back to the bed.

Then he stretched out beside her, pulling her into the curve of his arm.

He was no longer in his land form, but his tentacles wound around her body, keeping her close.

She rested her cheek against his chest, savoring the feeling of his heart beating beneath her skin.

“Better?” he murmured into her hair.

“So much better,” she said, her eyelids already growing heavy. “You are very skilled at distractions.”

He chuckled, the sound reverberating through him and into her. “Sleep, my little minnow.”

But despite the pleasant afterglow, sleep didn’t come. She tried not to disturb Sam but he eventually sighed and rolled over her, careful to keep his weight off of her.

“I can hear you thinking.”

“Sorry. I guess your distraction wore off.”

“Do you want me to start again?”

A tentacle slid across her breasts and she instinctively arched against it before she shook her head.

“Yes, but no. Not yet.” She took a deep breath. “I think we should lead them here.”

“Absolutely not,” he roared, his skin darkening, and she quickly put a soothing hand on his face.

“Just hear me out, please. First of all, I hate this waiting. It’s like I can’t breathe for worrying about what’s going to happen. If they’re going to take me. If they’re going to hurt you or anyone else.”