Page 20 of Coral Prince Conundrum
Early every morning, as the sun rises, I wade into the water at the beach and dwell on my future. The salty tide bathes my skin and fills my gills, and I pray I can protect this tranquility. My hope to avoid world war is not lost. Peace is very much an option, and my goal is in sight. I am learning more about the surface world, and with this intel, I can convince the Corali government to call off any attacks. I need to present the information to Father and my people in a thorough and charismatic manner.
Of course, none of this would be possible without a certain special someone. I was so wrong to assume Daryl was an ocean pillager like his father. Every day, we meet at Café Magnifique and go over notes. He takes his breaks with me and we pour over information while drinking coffee. He’s so well-versed withpresentation crafting and even shows me how to keep the data on something called a shared drive on my smartphone. He is so smart and talented, it is almost like magic as he crafts various media to support our goal. He's amassed enough studies and research to prove that certain surface-dwellers around the world work to protect the living seas.
As I sit in the public café, sipping hot beverages and listening to him talk on and on about conservationism for the seventh day in a row, one thought strikes me like a tsunami: I want him.
I want to kiss Daryl Tishman so badly. This is not because of the celibacy I’ve had for almost a year —finding human connection at home has been difficult due to the insincerity that plagues you when you’re a royal. But I wanthim.
His affinity for research and academia is impressive. His passion for protecting the seas is deeply attractive. And the way he bites his full lips is so sexy. As we work, I have to stop myself from gazing at his wide brown eyes or dark, almost-curly hair and stubble. This is nothing to speak of his lithe body that I recall from the showers.
We are so close to completing the collection of information for me to take home. I’m dreading saying goodbye to him for an indefinite period of time, but I’m even more frightened of the regret of not, as the Americans say, shooting my shot. I need to face my fears and take advantage of what little time we have together.
One evening, I tell Daryl I’m busy with hotel work and ask him to bring his personal laptop to my room after dinner. I make myself busy by cleaning my bed and ensuring everything looks inviting. I consulted one of my fellow hotel royals, a snake prince from another continent, on the subtle art of seduction. He advised me that a good strategy is to have him sit on my mattress in privateand make him comfortable. I intend to let him know I want him, sexually, on this very night.
When he knocks on my door, I briskly stride to the entrance and open up. “Hey man, um—” He smiles, but his mouth quickly falls when he looks at my chest. It is no accident that I am wearing my traditional green garment around my waist and no shirt. We Corali wear very little clothing, but I am also proud of my personal physique. Of course, I did extra exercises for my chest and abdominals, hoping Daryl likes what I have to offer.
Judging by the wide look in his eyes, he is appropriately aroused. “You made it!” I say with a grin. I lean in and half-hug him, as if we do not spend every day talking over hot drinks for hours. “Come in.”
“Um, y-yeah,” he mutters as he walks into my room. “Did I like…interrupt your, um…shower?” He points at my waistcloth and noticeably looks up.
I smirk, knowing my plan is working. “Oh, this? This is the traditional Corali outfit. Do you like it?”
He still avoids my gaze. “It’s uh…it looks…um, yes.”
I snicker. “Well, thank you. Have a seat.” I point to the freshly cleaned comforter on the bed. Daryl glances at the one chair in my room—as per the naga’s advice, I stacked my possessions on it so that we are forced to be closer—then he sits on the mattress. While he takes devices out of his backpack, I sit down inches away from him. We are so close, yet so far.
He clicks on his laptop. “So, I updated links to news articles detailing how organizations in Australia are collecting ocean garbage.”
“Great,” I reply as I gaze at his full lips.
“And I added an entire presentation about the ozone layer returning. That will help keep the oceans at a more manageable temperature. Do you know what the ozone layer is? It’s like around Earth, and it?—”
“That is fine, Daryl Tishman.” I put my hand over his, and he stills. He looks up at me with a blank expression, and I simply smile. “You have crafted enough material for now.”
“Well, I just want you to be prepared for anything your version of the senate can throw at you.”
“I will be. Let us, as they say, take a break?”
He gulps, and before he can respond, I slowly close the laptop. “There is much I need to tell you, Daryl.” I place his device away, and in seconds, it is only the two of us on the bed.
The air feels charged between us as I gaze into his brown eyes. He’s wearing a large blue buttoned shirt over a tight white undershirt and blue denim trousers. I cannot express how much I want him right now, but I need to try.
He licks his lips. “What…did you want to say?” His voice trembles with nerves, and I half-smile.
“I needed to thank you. You are so smart, well-versed, and noble. You have been working so hard compiling evidence to help prevent this war.”
He shrugs, and a slight redness creeps on his high cheekbones. “Aw shucks, man. I just don’t want the world to get hurt. It’s not that noble.”
“It is! You are helping save others! That makes you heroic. You care so much about the ocean, and it…” My throat goes dry, and my pulse pounds in anxiety. Despite being a prince, the fear of rejection continues to shroud my mind.Ocean gods, give me strength.
“It is very attractive.” I place my hand on his knee, and his whole demeanor changes. His eyebrows jump, and his back straightens. The spark of connection jolts in my palm from his warm skin under the denim. Touching this American boy is like magic.
“I am enchanted by you, Daryl Tishman,” I say with a low voice.
He takes a quick breath. “Seero, what do you…what do you mean?”
I smile and move closer to him on the bed. Time for honesty. “I would…like to be intimate with you.” I stroke his knee with my thumb. “Right here, right now.”
I bring my face closer to his. He does not seem passionate, but he is not moving away either. “If you do not want to, we can…forget it.” My voice is low, almost a whisper, and I place my mouth on his neck. I give his perfect brown skin the lightest touch of my lips, then pull back.He tastes so right.“Do you…consent?”
