Feeling his mate’s warm seed splash over his insides, William groaned in bliss. He stopped fighting. His balls tightened, and he came, growling his mate’s name.
William’s senses buzzed out. His mind swam as ecstasy crashed through him, pulling him under like a riptide. His arms gave out, and he flopped forward, sinking onto the comforter.
When William slowly regained his senses, he had his head cradled in one arm. At some point he couldn’t remember, he’d moved his left arm behind so he could grip John’s hip. William felt the heavy weight of his mate sprawled over his back, and to his pleasure, his human’s softened prick still stretched his body.
“Damn, John,” William mumbled. He peered over his shoulder and spotted John staring down at him with one bleary-looking eye. His other eye was closed. “Can’t ever remember feeling so good.”
While William knew John still didn’t understand why their attraction was so intense, he relished the sated smile John graced him with. Even feeling the dampness against his belly and realizing he lay in the wet spot couldn’t diminish William’s joy. He loved the headway they were making.
Now if only our relationship will survive the truth of me and shifters.
After several minutes of lying sprawled over his back, William finally felt John shift above him. His mate groaned as he eased his softened dick from William’s body. William smiled as he watched a relaxed looking John flop to the right of him.
Wanting out of the wet spot—and since the bed was a king size with plenty of room—William wrapped his arm around John’s waist. He eased closer to his mate, moving him a little as he went. Once the dampness no longer cooled him, William slid his left arm under John’s head and cuddled him close.
William heaved a huge sigh as endorphins continued to ping through his system. Unfortunately, his lethargy couldn’t completely take over, because he felt a hint of tension in John’s body. Maybe his mate wasn’t a cuddler.
Hopefully, I can change that.
Rubbing his palm up and down John’s side, William pressed a kiss to his mate’s temple. “What has you thinking so hard over there?”
John turned his head and met William’s gaze fully. “We didn’t use a condom.” His brows furrowed, and there was a hint of tightness around his lips. “I, uh, I’m clean. On the force we get tested regularly, but, uh—” John seemed to run out of steam.
Along with John’s rambling, which betrayed his unease, William read something else from John’s scent.
Uncertainty. Concern. Even a little fear.
Well, damn. That wasn’t what I hoped for after sex.
On the other hand, William decided maybe starting the I’m a paranormal talk while lying wrapped up in post-coital bliss and in each other’s arms would be a good thing.
“I don’t have anything, either,” William decided to start with. “And you’re the first human I’ve ever done anything with without a condom.”
William paused, wondering if John would take the bait.
“I’m sorry.” John’s brows shot up. “Did you just say, first human?”
Good.
Nodding, William slid his palm up and traced over John’s chest. “I did.” He decided to use the rip off the band-aid approach and see where things fell. “I’m what’s called a shifter. A type of paranormal. I share my spirit with an animal, and I can change into my other form at will.” As William spoke, he saw the way John’s eyes began to narrow and how his features tightened. He scoffed softly as he teased up to slide his fingers over his shoulder. “There are far more creatures than just humans on Earth, my mate.”
When John pulled away, William loosened his grip. He’d expected the move, but that didn’t mean he didn’t like it any less. His squid writhed uncomfortably in the back of his mind, and William agreed.
No, I will never let this man go. No matter what. I will make him understand.
Levering up onto his elbow, John didn’t go far. He scowled down at William. “Look. Sexual safety is important. This isn’t some laughing matter where you make up stories to—”
William rested his fingertips over John’s lips, ceasing his angry tirade. The action earned him a growl. His mate’s angry scent washed over him.
“I promise I’m clean, John, and that’s not what this is,” William assured him. “I can prove every word I say.”
John snorted, his lips curving down in annoyance.
Remaining undeterred, William pointed out, “You wondered why your body responded so swiftly to mine. Why you couldn’t seem to get enough of me. The answer is simple.” His heart hammering in his chest, William prayed to the gods that his next words wouldn’t send John over the tipping point. “I’m a shifter. You’re my mate, the other half of my soul. The single person living on this planet who completes me... just as I complete you.” Giving John a soft smile, William stated earnestly, “John, my mate, we were made for each other.”
Chapter Seven
John gaped down at William. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He was also having a hard time believing that William—a man who seemed so down to earth and kind—would spew such nonsense.
Why would he do such a thing? What could he possibly have to gain?
Then William’s words about them being soul mates struck him. Heaving a sigh, John pushed to a sitting position. As he moved, he felt the traces of not only his seed, but the lubricant William had used to slick them both up.
His cheeks heated.
Pushing aside the reaction, John shifted his legs so his right leg was bent while still flat on the bed. It was no time for shyness, seeing as they’d already seen everything each of them had to offer. With that in mind, he stretched his left leg out straight for balance.
“I thought I already agreed that we were dating,” John began slowly, sweeping his gaze over William’s face. Taking in his lover’s features, he tried to figure out the man’s motives. “There’s no need to make up wild stories to get me to agree to another date.” Then another thought struck. “Are you on meds? Or, uh... are there meds you should be on but skipped taking?”
William actually chuckled as he too sat up. Resting his weight on his right hand, he rubbed his left hand over John’s bent knee. “No, handsome. No meds. No drugs. Just the truth.” His smile appeared a little sad as he continued, “I know you don’t believe me. Humans never do without proof. So”—he began scooting toward the edge of the bed—”I’ll show you.” William paused once he’d lowered his legs to the floor of the yacht. “Just keep one thing in mind, okay? When I change into my animal, I’m still completely cognizant. I know exactly who you are and what you mean to me.”
John didn’t know what to say to that. William actually seemed certain that he could change into an animal.
Holding out his hand, palm up, William wiggled his fingers. “Care to see how deep the rabbit hole goes, Alice?”
Rolling his eyes, John took William’s hands. “Sure, man. You a werewolf?” he asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
To John’s surprise, William grinned broadly while laughing. “Not at all, my mate.” He winked as he led the way out of the bedroom and back toward deck. “I’m something a lot bigger than a wolf, and I sure as hell don’t need the full moon to change.”
John just shook his head in disbelief. “How could a grown man believe in such things?”
William strode out on deck, relaxed in his nakedness.
John glanced around uneasily first. Public nudity was against the law, after all.
Winking, William squeezed John’s hand. “After you believe, you tell me how you’d answer that.”
Shaking his head, John opened his mouth to tell him... something. His thoughts ground to a halt when he saw William grab the railing and vault over the side. John stood frozen for all of two seconds... until he heard the sound of William’s body hitting the water.
John rushed to the edge. Gripping the railing, he peered over the edge. “William?”
he cried, searching the sea. A second later, his lover’s head popped above the waves, the man whipping his head around to clear his thick black hair from his eyes. John glared at the man who was most definitely certifiable. “What the fuck are you doing? Where’s this yacht’s rope ladder. I’ll throw it down to you.”
William just laughed again and shook his head.
Yep. Certifiable.
“You wanted to see. I’ll show you.”
“Maybe you should tell me what you supposedly turn into, William,” John told him. Leaning against the railing, he added, “You know. Just so I’m not scared, you being so much bigger than a wolf.”
“Good point.” William grinned up at him, treading water. Even with the waves nearly swamping his head with each undulation, he looked completely at home in the water. “I’m a giant squid.”
“A giant, uh, g-giant squid?” John cocked his head. “Huh?”
William just continued to smile. “You’ll see. Ready?”
John nodded, even though he wasn’t. It sounded ludicrous.
“Remember, I will always know who you are.” With those last words, William lifted his arms above his head.
Even as John wondered what to expect—should I go search for a life preserver to throw in—he spotted something odd. William’s arms were... changing. John gasped when their color darkened to a greenish-gray, then split in two. Four slender limbs waved above the water from William’s shoulders. Then the man sank into the sea.
“W-William?” John would forever deny the squeak in his voice. After swallowing hard, he called louder, “William?”
A low moaning bellow, which reminded him a little of a humpback whale’s song, filled the air. Then a long tentacle rose from the sea, followed by a second. The appendages wrapped around the railing of the boat to John’s left, but the boat didn’t tip.
Even as John backed away, he realized the octopus wasn’t pulling at the yacht... just using it for balance.
What a weird thing to think! Wait, that second pair of tentacles look different. Right... William had said a giant squid.
“O-Okay... okay... um, that means—” John forced his brain to process what he was looking at—a squid—otherwise he feared he’d mentally shut down. He had a funny idea that would be bad for both of them. “There are eight arms and two feeding tentacles.” Peering into the water, John gaped upon spotting the massive creature’s body floating at the surface. The squid stared at him unblinkingly with one massive gray eye. “Oh my god. William?”
Movement ten feet in front of John caught his attention. As he watched the longer, slenderer appendages slide across the deck, slowly moving toward him, he backed up a step. The appendages stopped, twitching a little where they rested.
Unable to help himself, John returned his focus to the huge cephalopod floating beside the boat. “William?” John couldn’t help asking again.
The creature vocalized softly—something John hadn’t even realized they had the ability to do. Or was it a shifter thing? John made a mental note to ask William sometime.
“Can I touch you?” The words were out of John’s mouth before he even realized he’d thought them.
Holy fucking shit! Am I believing this?
The squid made that same haunting sing-song noise.
Deciding in for a penny, in for a pound, John slowly crept toward the tentacles which still sprawled across the deck. His fingers twitched, and his heart hammered in his throat. When he stretched out his hand, it trembled.
What if I’m wrong? What if this is some wild animal that has already eaten William and is getting ready to pull me into the sea as his next course?
John scoffed at his thoughts. As quickly as they entered his mind, he realized how ridiculous they were.
No way would a giant squid be this close to the surface, let alone behave this way. While I don’t know how it’s possible, and I can scarcely believe it, somehow, someway... this squid is William. And he can understand me.
Another thought struck.
I guess it’s human hubris to think we’re the only things to possibly be living on this planet.
With that resolved in his mind, John rested his fingertips on the tentacle lightly. He glided his hands upward a few inches, shocked at the smoothness of the grayish skin. The appendage trembled under his touch, but it made no move to wrap around him at all.
“Holy fucking shit,” John whispered in awe. His head swam a little as his world shifted under his feet—and it wasn’t the rocking of the boat. John held onto the railing tightly as he straightened and peered into the sea. The squid remained right where he’d last seen it, drifting alongside the boat, patient as could be. “Shifters are real. And I’m fucking one.”
That meant everything else William had told him was true, too.
“And William is my soul mate.”
While John hadn’t said the words loud, they must have been loud enough. The squid vocalized again as another arm slid up the side of the boat. John tensed but didn’t move away as William’s squid slid the back of his arm down his thigh. Every sucker flexed and contracted with the movement, but never once did they come close to John’s skin.
John didn’t know what to say, so he just stood there and waited. Even though he had a million questions rattling around in his head, he didn’t see the point of asking them to a squid. It didn’t matter that William had said he recognized John and understood while in that form. It wasn’t as if the huge beast could answer back.
After what felt like an eternity to John but was probably only five minutes, the squid pulled its limbs away from the boat. They disappeared beneath the waves, as did the huge body they were attached to. John stared into the depths, searching for any sign of a human William.
As soon as his lover’s head popped over the water, John burst out, “I have so many damn questions.”
* * * *
“I’ll tell you anything you want to know,” William assured his mate.
William was beyond thrilled that John had accepted his squid so easily. He figured there was a reason his human was a police captain. John was strong and brave and made of sterner stuff—physically and mentally—than the average man.
Maybe he’s more open-minded due to all the shit he must see on the street.
Allowing the change to partially slide through him, William’s arm split into two squid arms. It wasn’t easy, and few shifters could manage it, but he and Kaiser had worked hard to hone the ability. The move also made his arms long and slender with suckers, so he could easily climb back onto the yacht.
Just as William wrapped his arms around the railing and began reeling himself upward, the vibration of a boat motor caught his attention. He quickly eased over the railing, then strode past John. Lifting a finger in a just a sec gesture, William peered across the waves.
William spotted a good-sized craft speeding across the ocean... and it was heading straight for them. Squinting, he searched for identifying marks. There was a very slim chance that Kaiser needed him for something. However, since his brother knew William intended to share his nature with John, he was more apt to come to him in squid form and tap against the side of the boat.
“What’s up?”
Without taking his attention from the approaching boat, William wrapped his arm around John’s naked waist. “Looks like company. Ah, fuck,” he muttered, finally able to read a logo on the side of the boat. “That’s a boat owned by Perisource Enterprises. Armando’s company. Let’s go get dressed.”
As William guided John back to the galley where they’d ditched their clothes, his mate commented, “Well, that was about as snide as I’ve ever heard you. You have a beef with Perisource? Or Armando?”
“Since they’re pretty much one and the same, just like Aquatica and the Roush brothers are one and the same, both,” William explained, yanking on his board shorts.
William couldn’t help but hum appreciatively and slide his hand over John’
s ass as he bent to pull on his jeans. Smiling upon hearing his mate’s grunt as he jolted, nearly falling, William wrapped his arm around John to steady him.
“I’d say sorry, but that would be a lie,” William teased when John frowned at him. He knew there was no true ire in his man. “Anyway, Armando is dirty. And not just because he uses male call boys to slake his lust, and then tried to have his own son sent to somewhere to make a real man out of him.” William curled his lip into a snarl as he thought about it, not surprised to see and scent John’s surprise when he pulled away to put on his shirt. “Anyway, there’s absolutely no good reason for a Perisource boat to be heading this way.” Gripping John’s upper arm, he leveled a serious look at his mate. “If push comes to shove, there’s a loaded revolver in the port side nightstand of the bedroom. I know you know how to protect yourself, so do it. Got it?”
John’s jaw sagged open, the spicy scent of his shock permeating the cabin.
“Promise me,” William pressed.
“Of course.” Then John’s lips curved into a wry smile. “But I’ll use my own gun, thanks.” He pointed toward his bag which rested on a padded recliner in front of an entertainment system.
Barking a laugh, William felt his heart buoy with his joy at having John as his mate. “You’re amazing,” he crooned before dipping his head and pecking a hard kiss to his man’s lips.
William released John and headed back to the deck.
“You’re just wearing your shorts?” John questioned, dropping into step with him.
Shrugging, William told him, “If I need to shift, less to take off.”
“If you need to shift? Why would you—you’re expecting trouble?”
William nodded, appreciating how quick-witted John was. He didn’t require a lot of explanations. Of course, William knew he still owed his mate a few about paranormals and what it meant to be his mate, but that would come soon enough.
Just as William hit the deck, he felt the telltale bump of another boat nuzzling against his yacht.
A man in a black, long-sleeved shirt and camo pants hopped onto his deck. The stranger wore a holstered sidearm on his hip. As the man grabbed the rope another man tossed him so he could tie their ships together, William leaned against the railing and scowled at those in the boat.
Drifting With a Giant Squid Page 6
