Page 16 of Hot Summer's Prey

As we get closer, Slugger gets antsy, sitting to nuzzle up to us both. I set the glasses on the counter and cash out, nerves practically vibrating with excitement. As I deal with the bill, Pacari doesn’t take his hands off me and neither does Slugger.

Once we’re done, I pick up the anxious little bichon frise.

“What are we gonna do with you, little guy?” I murmur.

“Is he a problem for you?” Pacari asks, keeping his hand at my waist as we leave the bar.

The ocean breeze feels more like frigid knives. I shiver, pulling the dog closer.

“I mean, he’s so cute. It feels like a crime to rail you in front of him,” I say frankly.

Just to make sure we’re on the same page.

He coughs. I look at him, ready to laugh at his surprise, but something strange passes over his expression.

“I mean, if that’s what we’re doing. No pressure,” I say. “It’s just we were practically fucking on the dance floor back there, so I assumed. But you can tap out at any time. That’s a-okay with me.”

“You’re right, he’s too cute to fuck in front of,” Pacari says, though it lacks a little bit of the lightheartedness we had going.

He looks slightly pained. Dark hair falls over his eyes. He blows at the strand with no luck. I adjust Slugger in my arms, reach up, push the hair out of his eyes for him. He turns to my palm and kisses it, kisses down my wrist. I inhale deeply as tingles work their way across my skin with every kiss. Our mouths find each other again, and it’s not until Slugger lets out an impatient whimper that we stop.

Pacari pulls back, rests his forehead against mine.

“Depths below,” he grumbles—like he’s in a pirate movie? What kind of phrase is that? “Do you… have somewhere we can go?”

I shake my head slightly. “I’m staying with friends. And your place is… under construction?”

“I know somewhere we can go, but it’s…”

“I trust you,” I say before I can overthink it.

All I know is I need him. Badly.

7

THE SEX CAVE

PACARI

“Itrust you,” she said.

Humans have a purpose. Our two species have a natural symbiosis—they gain pleasure, we gain magic.

But that’s not what I want from Teresa. I want her trust. Her passion. Her honesty and desire.

I don’t want to share her with the sea witch. All that pleasure of hers should be mine.

Never once have I felt unhappy with my little friends. But the nudibranch is wearing on me, because without him I could take this woman’s pleasure in peace. But as long as the Lantern Witch’s spell wraps about him, he is a spy. If she finds out that I have taken a human’s pleasure without sharing it, I fear her retaliation.

“Fuck me, it’s freezing,” she laughs, wrapping her arms around herself.

My own body heat won’t be enough, so I offer her my jacket. As a creature of the depths, cold does not bother me in the way it does humans. The jacket is to blend in.

“Won’t you get cold?” she asks.

“Would you turn down a cuddle if I do?” I ask, batting my lashes playfully at her.

She rolls her eyes, trying to hide her grin.

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