Page 15 of Santa Has Tentacles

“There is much to research and document.” That was definitely something that made him happy.

“Was that your job before?” We wrote everything down, so I could only assume they did too in some way or another. “Most of the people I’ve seen on TV or just around seem to be working in the sciences.”

They couldn’t just all be scientists, though.

Hell, every society needed a variety of jobs to keep going even if they were super-high-tech space aliens.

“Yes.” Doing another one of his wiggles, he looked very pleased. “I was worried I would not have enough to document with our journey to become members of your society. However, that has proven to be what you would callridiculous.”

I wasn’t sure laughing was the right response but I couldn’t help myself.

When I could breathe and he was still looking proud of himself, I shook my head and grinned. “Yep. Ridiculous. But in your defense, it was hard to picture exactly what would happen when you guys moved here.”

That was such an understatement, I just ignored it.

“And there’s a lot to document…new jobs, new food, new types of people…new relationships.” It wasn’t subtle, but his smile said I didn’t need to be.

“I am finding the possibility of a new relationship to be educational and inspiring.” Something made him pause and he looked serious for a moment. “My lessons on human relationships and what is sometimes calledsubtextencourage me to explain I am not dating you forresearch purposes.”

That came out so carefully it was cute, but I managed not to smile as he nodded to himself. “Yes. Humans are prey, so their minds attribute negative connotations as a safety mechanism.”

Huh?

“We have a tendency to worry…and sometimes assume the worst, but I will do my best not to do that and to bring any worries to your attention.”

Because he wasn’t human and offending him seemed like it would be almost impossible.

“As the dominant partner in a human domination-based relationship, I must strongly encourage that you bringallworries to my attention.” Saint reminded me of a teacher I’d once had, going very stern but not sounding mean.

I might’ve had a crush on him too.

“Your ability to manage your life is not in question. However, human submissives do not always handle the stress that goes with management well.”

We could do it but we went nuts doing it…well, he wasn’t wrong.

“I’ll do my best.” I thought that was a good response based on the fact that it was our first date, but if he’d been human, he’d have raised one eyebrow and sighed.

“We will discuss an adequate system of rewards and punishments to help make that transition easier for you.” He was totally serious and completely convinced that rewarding me would get what he wanted.

To take care of me.

I liked that he was right and kind of hated that he was right.

At the very least, he should’ve been more subtle about getting me to be a good boy.

“What kind of rewards?” I should probably figure out what he was going to bribe me with before I got all huffy about it.

Chapter 5

Colby

“Human submission is fascinating.” He was definitely studying me like I was a fun new topic to research, but I decided it wasn’t bad when the tentacle that’d been loosely wrapped around my ankle started sliding higher.

Research was going to be fun.

“Your body responded to the idea of pleasures before they were even specified.” He seemed amazed at the idea that just thinking about what he would do to me could get me aroused.

Ormorearoused in our case.

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