Page 7 of Little Saint Nautilus

“Better?” I asked through a thick voice.

“Hmm…I suppose. It helps to not feel the air whisper against my pe—my dick? It felt rather exciting.”

I snorted. “Yeah, it can. All right, now that that’s sorted. How about a shirt?”

He pursed his lips in thought. “Is that necessary?”

“At the beach? Not really, I suppose. Though, typically it’s recommended if you go anywhere else that’s not private. But you’re not cold? It’s been really chilly today.”

He shook his head. “No, I am used to the cold. There often isn’t any sun where I come from.”

It was my turn to tilt my head, puzzled by his statement. “How about something light, then? I have some in a similar fabric to the pants if you like those.”

He rubbed his hands down his thighs and gave a nod. “Yes, I like this. It feels funny, but nice. Makes my skin happy.”

Holding in the smile that wanted to break free, I rifled through the other linen options. When my hand landed on a white crop top, the man stopped me and pointed.

“This one? You’re sure?”

“Yes. It looks less cumbersome.”

I took it off the hanger, ripped off the price tag, and instead of talking him through it, I simply had him lift his arms and I slid the shirt over him. He lowered his arms and felt his bare belly, playing with the edge of the shirt that rested a couple of inches below his nipples. He looked up at me and smiled wide, making my heart bounce around. Shit, he looked so fucking beautiful. I mean, naked,he was stunning, but I was too shocked to appreciate it fully, but now, though, he was radiant.

“Are you happy?”

“I like the color. It reminds me of my home.”

“Good. I’m glad. Now how about we have a seat, and we can talk?”

“Yes. We should.”

I led him to the counter and pulled out the extra chair I kept in case anyone needed it. I sat across from him, grabbing my coffee thermos. “Are you thirsty? Or hungry?”

He watched me take a sip. “Thirsty, perhaps. I always forget that I need to intake fluids. Can I?” He pointed at my thermos.

Each thing he said was more cryptic than the last, but nonetheless, I happily handed over my coffee, with no hesitation about sharing it with the no-longer naked stranger. “Sure. It’s warm, but it shouldn’t be too hot.”

He held the thermos in front of his face and sniffed. His nose wrinkled in an incredibly adorable expression. He tilted the cup and took a cautious drink. I half-expected him to spit it out, but instead, he closed his eyes as if savoring the taste. I typically drank my coffee black with sugar to take the edge off the bitterness.

“Do you like it?” I asked cautiously.

“Hmm. It is a rich flavor, earthy… quite nice, actually. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Help yourself.”

He took another drink and offered me a sweet smile.

“So…uh, I take it you don’t have a lot of experience with clothing.”

“No. Not really. I’ve seen it, of course.”

“Of course,” I replied, as if that was a completely natural and normal statement.

“I never fully understood it before, but I don’t hate it.” His hand brushed over the cropped shirt, drawing my attention and making me wish it was my hands trailing over him.

“I have so many questions.”

He smiled at me, his eyes raking over me in his own examination. “As do I.”

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