Page 33 of Slithery Heat

Gideon shook his head. “You’re most definitely not.”

“I mean, we’re less coy with our wants and needs. Don’t you ever have Vaellians come to your store telling you exactly what they need?”

“Well, now you mention it… Yes. We don’t have many Vaellian customers, but the few I’ve met were refreshingly straightforward. Like you.”

“I’m glad you find my straightforwardness refreshing.”

Siurin looked at Gideon earnestly, unmoving, and Gideon didn’t know what to say next. As their conversation quieted, he noticed the soft, sensual jazz music surrounding them. The restaurant lighting was subtle, with a few candles flickering on each table. The atmosphere was decidedly romantic, and he shared a table with the most handsome man in the room. Why did they start talking about work again?

“What’s on your mind, sweetest?” Siurin leaned forward, scrutinizing Gideon’s face.

The endearment warmed him. “It’s…uh…strange. It’s our first date, and we’re talking about our jobs. But I realize I already know you so well.”

Siurin placed a hand over his on the table. “I’m glad. I feel close to you, Gideon. I was hoping you felt the same.”

Gideon felt himself blush. “I do. The days we spent together. That wasn’t just sex.”

“No. I believe I was emotionally invested from the start.”

Grinning, Gideon bit his lip.

“And what is funny now?” Siurin asked with a teasing lilt in his voice.

“It’s just the way you said it. Emotionally invested.”

Siurin’s inhumanly perfect face morphed into the gentlest smile. “Can I say I’m developing romantic feelings for you?”

“Um. You can. I like you too. A lot.”

Suddenly, he felt a brush of warm skin on his ankle. He started, but Siurin placed a finger over his lips and winked. A smooth tentacle circled Gideon’s ankle and sneaked up his pant leg, hugging his calf.

“I won’t tease you, I promise,” Siurin said in a low voice. “I would simply like to feel your skin against mine. Is that acceptable?”

Gideon sighed, not caring if he seemed dreamy. “It’s nice.”

The tentacle stroked him tenderly but did not venture above his knees, which was lucky because he would have let Siurin do stuff to him under the table that could have gotten them arrested.

They made it through the dessert, a lovely chocolate fondant with raspberry sauce. It would have been a shame to miss that. But they cut the walk short, striding hand in hand through the park directly to Gideon’s apartment.

In a darker part of the park, Gideon tugged on Siurin’s hand to make him pause. He looked at the sky where only a few of thebrightest stars outshone the city lights. Staring into the depths of the universe, he wondered at the sheer improbability of his meeting Siurin. What an amazing world he lived in.

“Where are you from?” he asked quietly.

Siurin hugged him from behind, his lips brushing Gideon’s temple.

“I hatched in Atlanta,” Siurin replied in a teasing tone.

Gideon laughed. “You know what I mean.”

“I do. Sorry. Um. I could show you, but we would have to be in the Southern Hemisphere. Our sun is a part of the constellation you call Hydra.”

“Oh.”

A light breeze wafted around them, and Gideon shivered.

“Are you cold?” Siurin asked.

“It’s okay.”

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