Page 72 of Citrine

I want her, but it is very clear she does not want me.

There is a pain in my chest I cannot explain when I think that.

"You're not even listening! I swear. You… I shouldn't bother with you."

She rubs at her face, then continues. "That thing you did underwater, the echoing thing. Teach me how to do it."

I stare at her, the thought of her speaking to me under the water seeming more and more like torture.

"No."

"No? What do you mean, no? Why won't you teach me?"

"I will not."

"Excuse me,mister! You can't just tell me no with no reason! That'sdiscrimination!"

I decide I like it. The expressive range of emotion that crosses her face.

It's always changing, never dull. She's always full of life, always bubbling like sea foam. She's just as weak, of course, but I am finding that it matters to me less and less.

I especially like it when her face contorts in anger, and she yells at me. Raising your voice and exerting your presence is the way of a predator.

She's doing well now.

"You're not listening again!Arrrghh! I give up!"

She sits by the shore and folds into herself. I raise a tentacle and poke her, but I get no reaction. She's dull now. I want to see her expressions again. I poke her harder and this time, her head snaps up.

"What do you want?"

"Touch," I say, holding my tentacle out.

She looks at me with sharp eyes and says…

"No."

She fighting back. It's rare that prey fights back. I raise a tentacle and wrap around her waist again, intending to bring her into the water.

"Wroahk, don't youfuckingdare…"

There is a menace in her voice now, and it thrills me. She doesn't have to touch me withkind hands, but I need her near me.

She's back in the water again, her head above the water, though I would like to dive deep, and my tentacles are wrapped around her. I hold her face with my grasper, relishing in how soft it is.

"What are you doing?"

"Kiss," I urge, knowing I can't take it, but hoping she will offer.

"I'm not going tokissyou after what you just did."

"I helped you. Saved you from the storm. You didn't drown."

Recognition flares in her eyes, and she doesn't look pleased.

I pull her closer, my hunger for her growing stronger. I want more, but then I remember how empty it is when I take.

It's hard, but I manage to stop, letting her loose in the water.

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