Page 55 of The Frog Prince

“Frog prowess.” Alwin was startled into a chuckle, shaking his head. “You can be surprisingly amusing.”

“Lovely,” Otto said. “All I ever wanted.”

Alwin croaked out another laugh, feeling how foreign it was for his body to make that sound. He hadn’t had a reason to laugh in years, and now this man was making him want to remember how.

Turning to the water, he let the tiny ripple lick at his toes, promising blessed relief.

“Store your shoes and cloak in your satchel and walk after me until you can’t anymore,” Alwin instructed, “then let me carry you.”

He waded into the water first, shivering at the first touch on his feet. It felt so good, soothing every irritation, his skin drinking it up greedily.

He went farther in, listening to the soft splashing of Otto’s steps behind him as the water reached his thighs. His clothes soaked through, clinging to his body, and he had to look down to make sure nothing was visible, anxiety making him pull the fabric away from his skin and hold every tucked-in seam in place.

He closed his eyes as the water rose to his waist, feeling his skin loosen, the irritation lessening as it started to feel like it fit him again. He lifted his hands to touch his forehead with his wet fingers, dripping water over his cheeks and neck. It wasn’t enough.

He waded farther in and bent his knees to submerge his head. The green-grey water closed over him, muffling the sounds and cutting him off from the rest of the world.

Peace.

He allowed himself a moment to float, everything cast from his mind but the pleasure of feeling before he turned himself around and caught sight of Otto’s legs just a few steps behind him. His entire body was in the water other than his shoulders and head, and his shirt had gone completely see-through, a glimpse of pink nipples making Alwin release a gulp of bubbles.

Like everything else, water looked stunning on him.

Pushing up, he reappeared on the surface, mouth bobbing in and out of the water but the rest of him safely hidden underneath. Otto found him immediately, looking as fascinated as he had been earlier.

“You like this,” Otto said.

“Frogs enjoy water.” Alwin risked swimming a little closer. “More than that, actually. They need it to live.”

Otto’s eyes traced every new inch of skin that was revealed, and Alwin fought the urge to dive deeper again. “You’re shining,” he said softly.

Alwin looked down at his own arm and tried not to grimace, pushing the sleeve back down and clamping his fingers around it. “Yes.”

He turned his back to Otto, feeling safer this way. “Hop up.”

“You’re sure?” Otto asked.

Alwin nodded.

Otto shuffled forward, and a heartbeat later, Alwin felt questing fingers brush across his back. He barely controlled his shudder.

“How should I…”

Alwin reached back and grasped Otto’s thick waist without turning the rest of his body around. He gave Otto a small tug until his chest was glued to Alwin’s back and a staggered breath was fluttering right into his ear.

He prayed for strength. Not to lift him, but to survive.

“Wrap your arms around my neck,” he whispered over the soft lapping of the water, the anticipation of warmth encircling him near his most sensitive and hidden place both sweet and nerve-racking.

They snuck across his back first, featherlight and burning like fires. Draping over his shoulders, fingers joined under his chin, the knuckles pressing just slightly into his collar. It was enoughto have Alwin losing all his breath, squeezing his eyes shut, and not daring to move.

“Is this okay?” Otto asked, his voice barely above a murmur.

“Yes,” Alwin said, quick and hitched.

Otto tightened his grip a little more, making Alwin roll his lips into his mouth to prevent any sound from escaping them, feeling wetness begin to leak from his hole and his stiffening member.

It was mortifying. The things this body did to ready itself for mating. Primal and greedy to fill or be filled.