Page 68 of Treasure of the Abyss

“Betrayed them how? Because of your absence? That’s normal for you, isn’tit?”

“When I went back to find your suit, Dracchus confronted me. He had declared a hunt. I refused, which I have never done. I have missed hunts during my wanderings, but I have never refused one while I was present. Our people rely on the hunters to bring in enough meat to keep them fed, especially those who are unable to go out on theirown.”

How could she not feel responsible for that? He’d gone back because of her, and had refused because ofher.

“Is that all it takes? You refuse a single hunt, and it means you’re working againstthem?

He squeezed her hands gently. “In your home, you grow food for your people, and you have men who hunt on land and sea to bring home meat, don’tyou?”

“Yes, but if someone doesn’t work for a day, it doesn’t mean they’re betrayingus.”

“Because you have plenty already. For kraken, there isonlythe hunt. It is our survival. There is nothing more important, except protecting females andyounglings.”

“What will theydo?”

“I cannot say.” One of his tentacles brushed up and down her back slowly. “But it makes little difference to me. My place has never truly beenthere.”

The melancholy in his voice was undercut by a strange confidence. She didn’t know how to respond to him, didn’t understand how he felt about it; he likely didn’t understand,himself.

“What was it you wanted to ask me,Jax?”

“I have betrayed your trust, as well, Macy.” His jaw muscles ticked. “I told Arkon I would show him what I have been hiding in ten days. It was not right for me to speak for you, to take your choice, so know that you do not have to agree. You don’t have to come with me and meethim.”

Withdrawing a hand from his, she traced the dark stripes on his head and pressed a kiss to his lips. “You trust him, and I trust you. I’d like to meet yourfriend.”

Jax leaned his forehead against hers and slipped his arms around her. “You arecertain?”

“Yes.” Macy smiled and rubbed her nose against his face. “It will set your mind at ease, and maybe his... Well, maybe not so muchhis.”

“I think he will be more…curious, thananything.”

She chuckled. “I remember someone else beingcurious.”

“I still am.” The tip of a tentacle slipped between her thighs and the hem of her longshirt.

His touch sent a thrill through her. Her sex clenched, and she rose to her knees, bracing her hands on his chest and parting her thighs. He settled his hands on herhips.

“What is it you’re still curious about?” sheasked.

“I want to know every little piece of you, and learn how you respond when I touch eachone.”

“So touch me, Jax,” she begged. His words made her ache formore.

He bunched her shirt in his hands and drew it over her head. She returned her hands to his broad chest, and he cupped her breasts, caressed them, teased their hardenedtips.

Macy arched into his palms with asigh.

When the tentacle between Macy’s thighs stroked her slit, she gasped and parted her legs further. The tip of his limb slid along her slick folds. She closed her eyes and let her head fall back, surrendering to his ministrations. She rocked against him, jolts of pleasure sweeping through her as he moved his suction cups, one at a time, over herclit.

She came quickly. He took hold of her hips, forcing her to ride out the waves. Liquid heat flooded her core and flowed from her, coating his tentacle and her thighs. Before she’d recovered, he lifted her and pressed the tip of his jutting erection to her sex, lowering her onto him with deliberate slowness. Her inner muscles quivered, drawing himdeeper.

Jax slid his hands to her legs, guiding them to encircle his hips, and she locked her arms around hisneck.

Breath ragged, she opened hereyes.

The two of them remained still, their bodies intertwined, and Macy felt the beat of his pulse echoing through her. She’d never felt so close to anyone in her life; her bond with Jax transcended physicality, extending into her heart, hersoul.

She hugged him closer, kissed him, rose and fell to take him fully into her body. His tentacles ran up her back and curled over her shoulders as he broke the kiss and pressed his lips to herneck.

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