Page 7 of Beneath the Surface

Nisha raised his head as he continued to bang Kannon’s hot spot with his finger. Kannon tightened on his finger, and he knew his mate was close to coming. “Nisha. My name is Nisha. Know my name as you come for me.”

“N-N-Nisha!” Kannon wailed as come shot across his abs.

Nisha eased his finger out from Kannon’s ass and released his softening dick. “Very good. Very, very good. Next time, though, youwillbeg for me. Sleep now, my mate.”

With one last kiss, Nisha cleaned up the evidence that Kannon had come. He draped the blanket back over his mate and left.

NISHA WALKED from the bungalow. Off to the side he noticed another figure waiting for him on the beach. Well now, this could be interesting.

“Nisha, a moment, please.” Brett stood a few paces away.

“What can I do for you?” Nisha stepped into the moonlight.

“Is he okay?”

Nisha swallowed the first smart-assed remark that came to mind. He reminded himself, yet again, this was Kannon’s friend. “Of course he is. He’s my mate. As such, that means I am incapable of harming him.”

“Yes, but… I…” Brett swallowed heavily.

Nisha crossed his arms over his naked chest. Even though he was nude, except for the waterproof pouch, he wasn’t embarrassed. Nudity was no big deal among his kind. “You know this. You are, after all, mated to my sister, Brooke.”

Brett ran his hand through his hair. “I know! It’s just… He’s my best friend. What happened all those years ago really messed him up.”

“I know that, and I deeply regret it. That doesn’t explain why you’re out here waiting for me on the beach. Or why you’re outside his bungalow prowling around.”

“He didn’t show up tonight, and I… I…” Brett sighed. “I was just going to check on him, but I saw the lights were out. I was getting ready to leave when I heard him yell. It took a second for me to realize it was a yell of pleasure… then I knew what was going on. You picked the lock to get in, I take it?”

“Yes. If you knew it was a yell of pleasure, what exactly do you want to talk to me about?”

“I would ask one thing, and listen to my reasoning, please.”

“Then speak, but tread carefully.”

Brett took a deep breath. “I mean no disrespect, but God, Nisha, did you use that damn powder on him like Brooke did on me?”

“That ‘damn powder,’ as you call it, makes things easier.”

“Jesus God, no it doesn’t! Did you forget how I reacted? That powder takes away a human’s ability to consent. Not to mention you broke in! Consent is a very big thing with us, Nisha, and Kannon was unable to consent to any of that in there! I’m sure you’re going to find out at some point just how he feels about that.”

“I don’t see—”

“Yeah. I know. You don’t see, but that’s… well, that’s going to come back on you, but… Do you plan to claim him immediately? Have you already? I know you just came from his bungalow.”

A low growl sounded from Nisha. “Careful, Brett.”

Brett took a step back, and then caught himself. “Dammit, Nisha, don’t growl at me. I know you want to claim him, but you need to give him time.”

“Time? I waited fifteen years, isn’t that enough? I swear, you humans are endlessly aggravating.”

“Oh, don’t get me started. You want to talk about aggravating? Let me tell you aboutaggravating—”

Nisha held up a hand to stop the words pouring from Brett’s lips. “Yes, yes, I know. Save the lecture on how your species and mine do not think alike. I’m aware. I’m also going to give him time. Why else do you think I’m not carrying him out with me now?”

“Okay, okay. I just… I remember how freaked out I was after finding out about Brooke. I know he’s your mate, and I know you won’t hurt him, so I’ll stop worrying about this,” Brett said.

“There was nothing to worry about to begin with.” Nisha turned back toward the bungalow. “How long is he scheduled to stay?”

“Just until Saturday. He’ll probably leave after the ceremony or the next day at the latest.”

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