Page 36 of Kiss for My Kraken
The question haunted him as he swam towards town, following the path she would take to work. He kept to the deeper channel, invisible to casual observers on shore. When he reached the stretch of river behind the Moonlight Tavern, he settled in to wait, hidden amongst the reeds.
She appeared at her usual time, walking the path from her cabin with Ozzie trotting ahead. She wore her work clothes—simple jeans and a t-shirt with the tavern’s logo—but he thought she had never looked more beautiful. Sunlight caught in her hair, turning it to amber and gold. She moved with a new lightness, a subtle confidence that hadn’t been there when she first arrived.
She paused at the edge of the trees, her gaze drifting towards the river. For a moment, Sam thought she’d spotted him, but she was looking past him, towards his island. A small, secret smile curved her lips before she continued towards the tavern’s back entrance.
He remained where he was, wishing he had the courage to assume his land form and follow her. As the day wore on, his restlessness increased. What use was this bond if he couldn’t becloser to her? If he couldn’t share in her life, couldn’t claim her as his own? The thought of the townspeople seeing him in his land form—of being vulnerable—made him recoil instinctively. But staying away from her was worse.
“Get over yourself,” a familiar voice said sharply, and he sighed, looking up to see Flora leaning over the railing surrounding the tavern porch. Then he looked again and choked.
Today’s baby blue tracksuit was plastered with a cartoon octopus beneath the wordsLet’s Get Kraken.
“Do you like it?” she said, her eyes sparkling. “Because it’s very good advice. You need to get kraken, kraken.”
“I’m going to drown myself right now,” he informed her. “Right in front of you.”
“I’m serious, Sam.” Flora’s teasing expression faded into concern. “Time to stop moping and tell her.”
“What are you talking about?”
His attempt to play innocent didn’t fool either one of them.
“You know exactly what I’m talking about,” she said. “You tell her, or I’ll tell her for you.”
“You wouldn’t dare.”
“Try me.”
He’d known her long enough to know she meant every word. He glowered at her, and she lifted her eyebrows in a way that was both encouraging and threatening.
“You’re a menace,” he grumbled.
“Yes, but I’m right.” She beamed at him, patting her sweatshirt. “And you’re going to get kraken.”
He was waitingat the dock when Nina came hurrying down the path, Ozzie at her heels. She didn’t even stop at her cabin but came straight down the steps to the dock, a brilliant smile lighting her face at the sight of him. She walked directly to him and threw herself into his arms, paying no attention to the water between them.
She was kissing him, her arms around his neck, before he could speak. Her mouth tasted of sweetness and longing, and he gathered her closer, his own desperation rising to meet hers. They stayed that way for a long, breathless moment, their bodies entwined despite the awkward angle.
“Hi,” she said finally, pulling back far enough to meet his eyes. “I missed you today.”
“I missed you too.”
“Even though you were keeping watch over me?” she teased. “Like my own personal stalker?”
“Do you mind?”
“Not at all. It’s funny. The Chosen were always watching me, and it made me feel trapped, but knowing you’re watching me makes me feel safe.” She kissed him again. “You’re my guardian kraken.”
“Always. Will you come to the island?”
“Of course, but I should get some food for Ozzie first.”
“I have food for him,” he said quickly, fighting the urge to just sweep her into the boat and take off. She gave him a puzzled look, then nodded.
“All right.”
He had her in the boat almost before she finished speaking, barely waiting until Ozzie hopped in before heading back across the river. His nerves made him less graceful than usual, but Nina didn’t seem to mind, trailing a hand in the water and watching the shoreline approach with an expression of contentment.
When he docked the boat, he helped her onto the deck, then followed her up, bringing his entire body out of the water. Ozzie raced ahead of them, already knowing where to find his treats.
