Page 40 of Tide Touched

Of course. Why else risk the shame of being so close to water unless he was pulled there by our bond after he’d turned? I don’t know what to say to that.

Killian runs a hand through his hair again, something he does when embarrassed or distressed, I note. ‘Katherine… I didn’t know. I gave you that first shell because I couldn’t stop thinking about you. Then the second because… because I needed you to know you weren’t alone. I howled for you every night.’

‘I know, I heard.’ I reach out, my fingers grasping his calf. ‘That sound.’ My eyes flutter closed. ‘It lulled me to sleep.’ I open my eyes to see Killian’s shining.

He reaches out, slowly, and touches my jaw, my cheek. ‘I… I want to ask what he did to you. What happened.’

I lower my gaze. ‘I know we’re… mates, Killian, but—’

His thumb gently brushes my cheek. ‘But you don’t know me or trust me yet. It’s okay.’ I meet his gaze, glad he understands. ‘If and when you’re ready. In the meantime… I’ve seen you swim like a fish. Let’s have a race.’ He gets up and slides his jeans off, revealing just his black underwear.

My heart thumps, excited. I grin as he steps back, then takes a running dive into the river, splashing everywhere. I squeal and splash him back. The water is deep and dark enough to forget that I’m naked, but I’m all too aware of my bare skin this close to Killian.

He treads water a few paces from me. Even though we’ve been much closer than this—he carried me out of the estate, I’m sure of it—I’ve never felt this exposed before. This new level of respect, of letting me know he’s thinking about what I’ve gone through, but won’t push it, makes me feel closer to him.

I guess that’s a good step in a potential relationship. Building trust.

For a long moment, we stare at each other, transfixed. Killian cracks a smile and swims over to the bank. He points to a rock in the middle of the river. ‘There and back.’

‘What are the stakes?’ I quirk a brow, teasing him.

‘What do you want?’

‘I want to sleep in a bed, not out here on the ground. I want us to find somewhere to stay where we don’t have to hunt for food or pee outside.’

Killian chuckles. ‘Fair enough. Okay, if you win, we stay indoors.’

‘And Moira,’ I add.

‘Of course. And if I win, I get to shift with you.’

I blink at him.

‘What?’

‘I just… I didn’t expect that. You just saw me naked, is that why you want to?’

Killian barks an embarrassed laugh. ‘Um, it’s a perk, for sure, but no.’ His gaze softens. ‘Katherine, no one taught me how to turn. I’d like to be there for you, to help you. If you’d like.’

Something unfamiliar and warm floods me. It’s kind of like the feeling when Moira brings me food, or makes sure I have something to wear. It’s… affection. I avert my gaze. ‘You just can’t get enough of me,’ I tease. ‘Ready? Go.’ I push off the wall of the bank, giving him a good view of my ass as I start swimming.

‘Hey!’ Killian follows, quickly catching up.

I touch the rock, then turn and push myself to swim back to the bank. I wonder what it would be like to swim as a wolf. Wait, can my wolf swim? I touch the bank and stand, inhaling at the same time as Killian. I grin. ‘I win.’

He scoffs, pushing his wet hair back from his face. I get a great view of his arm muscles clenching. ‘What? No, I won.’

I gape. ‘Hardly.’

‘Okay, compromise? What if we both win?’

I purse my lips. ‘Fine.’ I hold out my hand. ‘Deal.’

When he grasps my hand, despite the water, his skin is warm. Killian meets my gaze. ‘What is it?’ His voice is soft. He almost moves his hand, as though worried, but I hold on.

‘You’re warm.’ I look up, at his large torso, and want to fold myself into his embrace.

He gives a little smile, squeezing my hand. ‘Well, yeah. So are you.’

---