Page 28 of Beneath the Surface

Kannon grabbed hold of Nisha’s neck. “W-what are you doing?”

He grunted again, wishing Kannon could understand his native language. A tumble of emotions rolled through him, forcing the more primitive side of his nature to take over. The predator in him chantedmine, mine, mine. The desire to claim ruled his mind.

He wouldn’t allow any more threats to Kannon. He’d waited fifteen years—he wasn’t waiting any longer. The fact he hadn’t properly claimed Kannon echoed through his head, a sickening taunt of whatcouldhave happened. He had to remedy that, and now.

“Um, Nisha? Where we going?”

He heard Kannon’s words, but they didn’t really make sense. His mind was a whirlwind of worries and alarm. All he knew was there was no fear in Kannon’s voice. Holding his mate he returned the way he’d come earlier, back toward the cave that led back down to the water.

“Nisha? Can you talk to me, please?”

Nisha buried his nose in Kannon’s hair and sniffed delicately. His nose bumped Kannon’s ear, and he vocalized softly. The trilling notes were sweet and soft, a deep hum that continued as Nisha walked.

“O-okay, that didn’t sound quite human. In fact, it kind of reminds me of a CD I have. It has all these neat sounds from dolphins and whales on it. I, ah, I’m going to assume for some reason you can’t speak to me right now. I’m not hurt, you know. He got in some good hits, but so did I. And I’m babbling.”

He whistled quietly. Still carrying his mate in his arms, he entered the cave and made his way down the passage to the beach.

“Oh boy. I hope you can see, because I sure can’t. It’s really dark in here, Nisha. Please don’t get us lost.”

He knew exactly where he was going. Nisha sniffed at Kannon’s hair again and clicked softly. Such a lovely color it was, and smelled so nice.

“I guess that was supposed to be some sort of reassurance, but it really isn’t. At all. Nope.” Kannon rested his head against Nisha’s shoulder. “I’m not sure what’s going on with you. I really,reallywish you’d speak to me. This is a little unnerving.”

Nisha couldn’t tell him the fight and resulting fear of losing Kannon had prompted the more animalistic side of his nature to take over. It was why he was vocalizing instead of speaking. It was just easier than trying to force the sounds past his vocal cords that were words.

He might look human in this form, but he wasn’t. He didn’t think like a human, and he certainly didn’t act like a human. Human morals were not his. And this wasn’t his preferred form.Thisform was nothing more than a guise he needed to be able to pass among the land walkers.

When he calmed down and got control of his body, he’d regain the ability to speak. Once he reached a sandy part of the beach, he set Kannon on his feet. He gently patted Kannon on the shoulder.

Hopefully his mate would understand he needed to stay still for a moment. Nisha hurried to one of the waterproof camping lanterns. Soon there was a blaze of light through the darkness of the cave.

“Thank goodness,” Kannon said.

Nisha lifted the lantern and made his way around the cave, lighting the others. Now Kannon had the light he needed. He set the lantern down and walked to Kannon. He didn’t see fear in Kannon’s eyes, but he did see wariness and a healthy dose of curiosity, which pleased him.

It was time. Mind made up, he walked to the bag that held his clothes. He dug around until he found what he was looking for then returned to where Kannon stood. He held the lube in his hand, waiting to see what Kannon would say.

“Lube?”

Nisha nodded and held it out to Kannon.

Relief flooded his body when Kannon took it. He held out his other hand. His breath left him in a whoosh when Kannon entwined their fingers. Walking backward toward the water, he held onto Kannon. He saw Kannon gulp.

The water rose up to his knees, then onto his thighs, and then finally up to his hips. There he stopped. He slowly reeled Kannon closer to him and pulled him into his arms. Nisha was relieved to see his mate wasn’t fighting. He tenderly pressed a small kiss against Kannon’s lips.

Kannon sighed after it ended and rested his head against Nisha’s shoulder. Nisha clicked softly. He rubbed his hands up and down Kannon’s back as they stood waist-deep in the water. He nudged Kannon’s chin up and looked into his eyes.

Threading his fingers through Kannon’s wet hair, he again kissed Kannon, but this time the kiss was much less sweet. Kannon opened his mouth under the gentle assault, and his tongue darted out to play with Nisha’s. As the kiss intensified, Kannon moaned, pulled him closer.

Nisha let go of Kannon’s hair. He brushed his lips over Kannon’s while pushing Kannon’s swim trunks down. Once he had them off, he threw them onto the beach. His soon followed. Their breath mingled as he ran a finger down Kannon’s cock.

He swallowed Kannon’s moan as he teased him. Nipping Kannon’s lip, he wrapped his long fingers around Kannon’s shaft and squeezed. Kannon lurched in surprise. Tracing the crown of that veined shaft, Nisha released Kannon’s mouth, both desperate for air.

Not wanting to give Kannon time to think, he knelt in the water and engulfed Kannon’s cock. Even underwater he heard the strangled gasp from Kannon. He knew Kannon teetered on the edge—he’d either give up control or panic at what was happening.

He closed his lips over the dome of Kannon’s shaft and sucked on the crown, running his tongue over the head. His tongue teased the slit, and more precome leaked into his mouth when he went farther down Kannon’s shaft.

Finally his lips pressed against Kannon’s groin. Closing his eyes, he relaxed and lodged Kannon’s cock in his throat, cutting off his air. He swallowed, and his mate shuddered as his throat muscles massaged Kannon’s shaft. Backing off, he bobbed his head up and down Kannon’s thick cock, determined to make his mate lose himself to the pleasure.

---