Page 81 of Jewel of the Sea

Arkon held her through all of it. He hissed softly into her ear until he finally pulled back and pushed into her again. His tentacles worshipped her skin; his claws grazed her backside in his desperate but surprisingly gentle grip. Though his rhythm remained consistent, his pace increased, and their moans mingled with the sounds of the raging storm.

The fires inside her rose into an inferno, blazing through her from head to toe and dominating her entire being. It was pain; it was pleasure; it encompassed her entirely.

She came again with a scream and clung to him — her lifeline — as he sped his pace, pistoning in and out of her, pushing deeper with every thrust. Violent tremors wracked her. Seeking relief, she bit his shoulder.

Arkon threw his head back and roared. The sound vibrated through Aymee. She felt him thicken, stretching her further, and then he exploded within her, flooding her ravenous body with his hot seed.

He pinned her to the wall. Aymee writhed as the feelers at the base of his cock flicked and stroked her swollen, sensitive clit. She panted and ground against him.

Breathing heavily, Arkon leaned back and covered her breasts with his hands, kneading her flesh. His tentacles and pelvis held her in place, and he watched with hungry eyes while he pushed her to the edge again.

“Arkon,” she rasped when her body’s quaking subsided.

“You’re beautiful.” He moved his hands from her breasts to settle upon her hips. One corner of his mouth lifted. “Though I do prefer your natural color.”

Aymee glanced down. Whorls of color were smeared all over her body, and she knew her back had left proof of their lovemaking on the wall behind her. She laughed, and the slight motion reminded her of their lingering physical connection. His grip on her tightened.

“Did you enjoy painting?” She grinned. Streaks of paint were smudged over his cheeks, shoulders, and chest.

“More than I had imagined possible,” he replied with a grin of his own. There was a reluctance in his movement as he pulled back from her, finally severing their connection, but he soon scooped her up into his arms. “Perhaps now is an appropriate time for another new experience. I’ve yet to have a shower. Will you show me?”

She slipped her arms around his neck and smiled. “Gladly.”

Chapter 17

Something brushed along the sole of Aymee’s foot. Brows furrowed, she jerked her foot back, tucked it safely beneath the covers, and nuzzled her cheek into the pillow to go back to sleep.

The same gentle touch trailed over her cheek. She scrunched her nose and turned her face away, inhaling deeply. Even half-asleep she recognized Arkon’s scent — a hint of the sea, a taste of the rain, and something indescribably, utterlyhim. Its comforting familiarity enveloped her.

The touch moved to her neck and changed, becoming the caress of lips over her sensitive skin. She moaned and reached up, her hand encountering something solid — the side of Arkon’s head.

“Wake up, Aymee,” he said.

“Mmm…” She ran her hand along his jaw then down his neck. “Is it morning already?”

“Already? The sun rose two hours ago, at least.”

“Then the sun woke up too early,” she muttered. She sank back into the bedding, curling up under the blanket.

Arkon made no reply; for several, blissful seconds, Aymee drifted closer to slumber. Then his arms slid beneath her, and he lifted her out of the bed, blanket and all.

“Arkon!” She flailed until she looped her arms around his neck. Shoving aside the tangled blanket, she blew hair out of her face and met his gaze.

“You have talked several times over the last few days about how you felt caged-in here,” he said. “The day dawned clear, which means we can go out. You are wasting daylight.”

“The storm’s moved on?”

“Yes, but who is to say when the next will come?” He set her gently on her feet. “We need more meat. Would you like to join me on a hunt?”

“Yes! Why didn’t you just say so?” Excitement thrummed through her, and she hurried away, dropping the blanket. The air chilled her bare skin as she retrieved the diving suit from the open chest at the foot of the bed.

“I tried. You didn’t even stir.”

She walked toward the bathroom, suit draped over an arm, and glanced over her shoulder. “You should talk louder next time.”

Though she’d never seen him wear this particular expression — a brow arched and one corner of his mouth raised — she knew it meant something likeyou’re kidding, right?

Laughing, she entered the bathroom. After relieving herself, she washed her face, scrubbed her teeth, and pulled the suit on. She tied her hair back as she stepped into the barracks again and retrieved her mask. Arkon remained where she’d left him.

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