Page 2 of Stranded with the Kraken
I look down at myself. Yes, my clothes are much more casual than his, but he saw my photos—this is my go-to everyday uniform, so it’s not like I’d misled him. I lift one shoulder slightly to sniff at myself and don’t get anything but bodywash and my light perfume. I showered after work, not more than an hour ago, so I have no idea why that would be an issue.
“You’re afraid of me,” Jasper says, his voice low. “That’s not exactly a turn-on.”
“I’m not afraid,” I reply on instinct. My breath fogs in front of me, a physical manifestation of my lie.
He raises one eyebrow. “No? I can smell it on you.”
Oh.
“Well, that’s embarrassing,” I mutter. Then I straighten my shoulders. “I-I’m notafraidof you. Like, I won’t scream and start running, if that’s what you mean.”
Jasper sniffs the air again and doesn’t move. “No?”
I shrug. “I’m just…” I motion at the pool, the house, and finally at him. “I’m intimidated.”
He cocks his head to the side. “You are? But why?”
I take a tiny step forward before I can stop myself. “You’re kidding, right? Everything about this is above my level. I feel like I’ve walked into a photo shoot for some lifestyle magazine.”
“Ah.” Jasper palms the back of his neck. His cheeks flush, the change barely visible in the low lighting. “Is it the fairy lights? I thought they’d make the place more cozy, but if it’s too much, I can switch them off.”
And just like that, some of my apprehension evaporates. He tried to make sure I was cozy?
“No, they’re lovely,” I say softly. “I don’t mind. And that’s really thoughtful of you.”
He gives me a small smile, and it lights up his face, rendering him instantly more approachable. “So, if you’re not about to bolt, would you like a drink?”
Jasper leads me into the pool house. The air inside is warm, like in a tropical greenhouse, and when I stomp snow from my boots, he informs me the floor tiles are heated, which explains his shoeless situation. Feeling a little weird, I unlace my boots and leave them at the entrance along with my socks while Jasper closes the door, shutting us into the cocoon of coziness surrounding the pool. I ask for a glass of wine, and he invites me to sit on the deck chair next to his. I face him, and he turns to me, so our knees are just inches apart, even though we’re not sitting together.
“Have you done this before?” he asks. “The Bone-R app, I mean.”
“Nope.” I shrug off my puffer jacket that’s much too warm for this space. “I’m a Bone-R virgin.”
I pick up my wineglass and toast him with it, but he doesn’t respond. Instead, he stares at me, his lips parted slightly.
“Are you okay?” I ask after a moment.
“Y-you’re not a virgin, though, right?” he asks, his voice somewhat strangled.
I laugh. “No, don’t worry. That ship has sailed.”
He drags a hand over his face and lets out a long exhale. “Thank the gods.”
“Why?” I lean forward, leaning my elbows on my knees. “Would that be an issue?”
He grimaces. “What I am is usually an issue even for experienced human women. I wouldn’t want to be your first, I don’t think, and especially not in a situation like this.”
I stare at him, curiosity rising. We’ve come to the question that’s been on my mind for days. “So…what are you?”
Jasper’s throat bobs, and he sits back, setting his wineglass down. “You haven’t guessed?”
“No?” I think through our conversations. “Should I have?”
A corner of his lips twitches. “I dropped hints for you, hoping we could avoid this conversation.”
“Then why didn’t you tell me?” I ask, confused.
“You didn’t ask,” he retorts. “I thought you either knew already or didn’twantto know.”
