Page 8 of Dryad, Try Again
Look at me, charming human dudes!“But seriously, I’m not keen on fire. The phoenix shifters control it, though, and it keeps us nice and cozy on nights like these.”
“I love the vibe. Everyone’s been very welcoming. Especially Seth.”
“He’s a party monster that one.”
“I’ll say. He already told me about his taste in boys.”
I snigger. “Even if I didn’t live with the guy, he has no qualms about giving me details about his hook-up history. Way more information than I bargained for.”
“That’s hilarious!” We share a laugh, and I scoot even closer to him. Maybe it’s the drink, but I find myself letting my guard down with this human I’ve just met. Something about him makes me feel nostalgic, like we’ve known each other for years.
“So, you’re majoring in environmental sci?”
“Mhm.” Tanner takes a sip. “I did community college for two years, and I earned enough credits to enroll as a junior.”
“Same. We’re the same year, and the same major.” I bite back a grin. I lean forward and purr, “You and I have a lot in common.”
“I guess we do.” If I’m not imagining things, a spark of interest flashes in his eyes. “Seth said he’d help me meet hot gay monster guys. Is that something…you’re interested in as well?”
We both grin, and I lean back.Well aren’t I a lucky dryad?I study him curiously and take a sip. The voices around us drown out as I swirl my drink in my hand. Even in the darkness, lit only by the bonfire, Tanner looks drop-dead sexy.
“I could be. Or I could be interested in attractive human dudes. Only time will tell.”
“The semester has just started,” he says. He lifts up his drink and quirks an eyebrow. “To new memories?”
“To the start of an interesting year in human and monster relations.” We clink cups. “Welcome to Creelin U, Tanner.”
“I think I’m gonna enjoy it here,” he says in a low tone.
“I very much hope so.”
4
TANNER
Despite the nightfallshrouding us in darkness, I’m all sorts of attracted to Kovi. He’s been returning all of my flirty signals, and I can’t even remember the last time I’ve played the dating game. There’s something about him that’s so familiar, so homelike, so innate to me. My attraction to him is almost instinctual.
We’ve been chatting for twenty minutes, and it’s as if all the monsters around us have disappeared. Kovi knows so much about the layout and environment of the entire county and beyond.
“And if you stay indoors during the full moon, you should be fine,” he says.
“That’s what I’m afraid of! I barely met any monsters in high school! Now I have to memorize the moon chart?!”
We both crack up. “The school’s official Fangstagram account can inform you. Speaking of…” Kovi whips out his phone. “Do you want my number? That way I can text you all sorts of vital information.”
“Oh really?” I quirk an eyebrow as I plug in my number. “Are you sure you’re not going to contact me for nefarious purposes?”
He sniggers. “Cross my monster heart, I won’t.”
“That’s too bad,” I mutter. I scoot my chair closer to him, and now a few inches separate me from his tantalizing knee. His front is just as sexy as the back I saw earlier in the library.I could reach over and pat his thigh…
“You’re new, and I’m kind of an expert at environmental sci. So I can walk you through it.”
I snort. “Oh, so you’re an expert now? I thought you were a student?”
He laughs. “I’m trying to get my degree. But yes, I’m very well-versed at forestry specifically.”
“What, does the grass talk to you or something?”
