Page 15 of Echo and the Homicidal Sea Panda

“How could I trust being out there with a predator? Do you actually think I’d go out there with you alone? I don’t even know your name,” Echo spat.

“Mael.”

Echo frowned.What an odd name.“Like… the opposite of female?”

“As inMaelstrom.”

Echo’s blood turned cold. A lump formed in his throat. “Maelstrom…Marino?”

“One in the same,” Mael replied, narrowing his eyes. “Heard of me, hmm?”

Everyone in Dolphin Bay knew the name Maelstrom Marino. Young dolphin parents used his name to keep their babies from swimming out too far—otherwise, Maelstrom might get them.

“None of it good, I’m afraid,” Echo replied, mouth dry.

He’d really stepped in it. Craving an orca was bad enough. Cravingthatorca? He clearlydidhave a death wish.

Mael chuckled, but there seemed no humor to it. “And just what have you heard, little dolphin?”

“That you’re evil. Sadistic. That you killed your own brother because he’d gotten too powerful and you were jealous,” Echo said.

A strange look washed over Mael’s face before he steeled his expression. “I won’t lie. Ididkill my own brother—but not for that reason.”

“I can’t imagine any reason that could justifyfratricide.”

In a flash, Echo was dragged into Mael’s arms, chest to chest. His feet dangled at least eight inches off the floor. Mael held him immobile with one arm, proven when a hand lifted to trace a finger over Echo’s cheek. “You don’t know meormy story, little one.”

Echo trembled in the embrace, sure he’d pushed his luck too far.

And he’d be punished for it.

So why did heat burn in his chest from Mael’s touch?

He was held by a murderer. One he’d witnessed killing with his own eyes. Echo shouldn’t want his touch or his kisses.

“Yet,for some reason,I want you to know me.” Mael traced his finger lower, riding the edge of Echo’s jawline, his gaze following it. When he stopped moving, his stare whipped to Echo’s. “And I want to knowevery inchof you, Echo Fisher. Inside and out.”

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Echo trembled in Mael’s embrace.

I want to know every inch of you, Echo Fisher. Inside and out.

What was wrong with him? Why did he want to lay himself bare for a killer?

Mael leaned in closer, the same hunger in his eyes Echo had witnessed at the bar. He shouldn’t have been so desperate to have the kiss he’d missed out on, but his desire was stronger than his fear. Or maybe it was strongerbecauseof it. When Mael’s lips closed over his, he moaned, immediately yielding and opening his mouth, needing more. Mael took advantage of the silent invitation, slashing his tongue against Echo’s before angling his head to deepen the kiss.

It didn’t register that his arms were free until he wrapped them around Mael’s neck in his desperate desire to get closer. He mewled against Mael’s commanding lips, greedy for more. The assault on his senses made it hard to think. Thinking was overrated. A violent phrenzy of emotion and need swirled within. Echo knew what they were doing was wrong. He couldn’t be with an orca, let alonethatorca—but the forbidden was always a temptation.

He wanted Mael. More so than he’d wanted any other man.

His cock hardened, sliding out of the protective slit his kind had carried over from their dolphin forms. The leaking head rested against his lower belly. Mael reached between them and cupped him, kneading his hardened flesh over his pants.

Mael broke the kiss, and Echo whimpered at its loss.

“Do you want me to know you, Echo?”

Echo knew he should’ve lied and said no, but it wasn’t as if he could when his body all but begged for Mael’s touch.“This isn’t right…”

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