Page 28 of Hunter of the Tide

Randall hurriedly wrapped an arm around her waist and caught her weight; though he was able to keep her upright, she was far heavier than a human, and he wouldn’t be able to move her far on his own.

“Let’s get her to the infirmary,” Aymee said.

“Mother?” Melaina asked with wide eyes.

“She just needs some rest, kid.” Randall looked to Jax and Arkon. “Would you guys mind giving me a hand?”

Rhea cupped Randall’s cheek and turned his face toward her. “You are worth the fight, my hunter.”

Randall pressed his forehead to hers. She would have fought to the death to protect him, and he for her, and that knowledge hit him hard. “So are you.”

Chapter 9

Melaina’s laughter mixed with Rhea’s as they squirmed upon the bed, each struggling to catch her breath as Randall kept them pinned, assaulting them with his clawless fingers. Tickling was an intense feeling; forceful, overwhelming, almost painful, while at the same time eliciting a strange thrill. She could have broken his hold if she chose to, but hearing her daughter’s laughter — and her own — she’d allowed the torture to continue.

Ikaros chirruped, nimbly bounding between arms and tentacles.

“Stop! Stop!” Melaina cried, rolling from beneath Randall and dropping onto the floor, gasping and giggling. “Ikaros, to me! Protect me!”

The prixxir hopped off the bed and onto Melaina, turning so his waving tail brushed over her cheeks.

Randall stilled his hands. He grinned down at Rhea from his position above her, his thighs straddling her sides. His eyes dipped, and Rhea knew by the heat in them that his thoughts had taken a turn from playful to passionate.

Chest heaving, Rhea smiled. She ran the backs of her fingers down his bare arms and raised a pair of tentacles to caress his shoulders and back.

Randall cleared his throat and glanced over the side of the bed. “So, the traitorous prixxir is siding with you?”

“He will protect me!” Melaina replied. “He knows who feeds him extras.”

“Keep feeding him those extras and he’ll be too fat to protect anything.”

Rhea turned her face toward Melaina. “You best go to Macy for protection before Randall catches you again.”

Melaina’s eyes rounded as they shot up to Randall. “No! No more tickles!”

Randall extended an arm toward the youngling, waggling his fingers with exaggerated menace.

She shrieked, leaping up from the floor and quickly moving to the door. She pounded on the button and was out before it had fully opened. Ikaros remained where he was, head cocked, glancing from the open door to Randall.

“You, too! Go on,” Randall said.

Ikaros chirruped.

“I’m fine. Go look out for Melaina.” Reaching down, Randall patted the prixxir’s head and nudged the creature along. Ikaros brushed his cheek against Randall’s palm before scurrying off after Melaina, claws clicking on the floor. The door closed several seconds later.

A slow grin spread across Rhea’s lips as she ran an open hand down Randall’s chest.

He covered her hand with his own. “You know it excites me when you let me win.”

“The hunter has conquered his prey,” she said, her other hand slipping between their bodies to grasp his hard shaft through his clothing.

He laughed, though the sound ended in a lustful groan. “More like the hunter hasbecomethe prey.” He lowered his hands to her hips and slid them upward.

“Mmm.” Rhea closed her eyes and stroked his cock as his palms covered her breasts. She’d been surprised when she first learned that human males always extruded, hardening when aroused, but she found enjoyment in having access to Randall without having to coax his shaft free.

“You make it pretty difficult to keep my hands to myself,” Randall rasped.

“So keep them on me, human.” She opened her eyes to meet his gaze.

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