Page 59 of Treasure of the Abyss

“Yes. Sometimes, a razorback gets a taste for kraken and claims the area near our home as its territory. All able-bodied kraken take part in those hunts.” He lifted a tentacle, bending it to show her the jagged scar ringing it about halfway up. “I lost a tentacle to a razorback, during one such hunt. I waslucky.”

Macy traced the scar lightly with her fingertips; Jax’s skin heated beneath her touch, and it took all his concentration to hold himselfstill.

“It grewback?”

He tilted his head. “Of course it grewback.”

“You say that as though I should’veknown.”

“You asked as though it were strange toyou.”

“Humans limbs don’t growback.”

Jax pulled back enough to take gentle hold of her wrist and lift her arm. The upper bodies of humans and kraken were remarkably similar. Though her hand was concealed by her diving suit, he knew its details well; apart from webbing and claws, it was the same ashis.

But hers wouldn’t grow back if it were tornoff.

Pressing their palms together, he gazed into her eyes. Humans came from a different world, a world of air, filled with strange beasts and predatory plants, and it seemed unlikely they should have survived for so long. They were fragile creatures, based on what he’dseen.

“I will protect you,Macy.”

Macy settled her free hand on his chest. “Iknow.”

Her eyes dropped. Slowly, she slid her hand over his chest and ran it along his shoulder stripes before moving it backdown.

Jax inhaled, drawing in her scent, and only then realized the truth of their position. Her legs were to either side of his waist, and the spot between her thighs — the mystery he longed to solve — was poised over his slit. Faint but unmistakable heat radiated fromher.

Her hand hesitated at his middle before venturing farther down, moving past the point where his skin darkened. His breath quickened as her fingers neared his slit. His shaftthrobbed.

Jax caught her wrist with his freehand.

She gasped, eyes wide, and her cheekspinkened.

“Macy,” he said through his teeth. His body ached for her; his need nearly overwhelmed him. Did she realize what she was pushing him toward? Was she motivated by attraction, or simple, innocentcuriosity?

Jax withdrew his tentacles from beneath her, letting her onto the ground gently, and released his hold on her. He moved back toward the water. After their escape from the razorback, his emotions were too amplified; he couldn’t resist her forlong.

His body was different from a human male’s. There was too much of a chance she’d be frightened if his cock extruded withoutwarning.

“Jax?”

“I…just need a little time.” He glanced at her over his shoulder and forced a smile to his lips. “After the razorback… It came too close to harming you,Macy.”

Macy frowned and rubbed her arms. “Okay. You won’t be gonelong?”

He shook his head and entered the water. “Just going to check outside. Make sure it did not follow ourscent.”

“Please becareful.”

Dipping under, he propelled himself toward thetunnel.

Chapter 13

Macy staredat the dark water that hid the tunnel. Her heart pounded, and unease twisted her insides. They’d waited a day to ensure the razorback left. One day. Despite Jax’s confidence — he insisted it had moved on to a better hunting place — Macy was a wreck. She hadn’t wanted him to go. She could do without the food they’d leftbehind.

But Jax had insisted because he knew she neededit.

Macy clenched the fabric of her dress in her fists and bit herlip.

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