Page 9 of Love in Unexpected Places

If August and I did make a future together, would he want to raise shifter young? Unlike my parents, I’d like to remain in my children’s lives past adulthood. Maybe if they’re half me and half August, they’d want that too.

We climb on my boat, August strapping himself in to the seat and putting on a life jacket. I put one on as well, then set out to take us far out to sea. I have a full tank of gas, so I can take us out up to three hundred miles and still have enough fuel to get back. But about twenty or thirty miles will do.

When I get us far enough out that we can’t see the shore, I turn off the boat and drop anchor. August takes off this seat belt and walks over to where I’m sitting in the captain’s chair. He wraps his arm around me and kisses me gently on the neck.

“It’s gorgeous this far out. No lights, no people. Just the stars and the open ocean.”

“Does that frighten you? I know some people don’t like being this far away from shore.”

He puts his face against my cheek and shakes his head. “Not even a little bit. Makes me realize how small I am in the whole scheme of the universe. It puts things in perspective.” He waves his hand out, indicating the water before us. “Looking at the water around us and the stars above, makes me feel small. But not in a bad way. Makes me want to make every day count.”

I turn around in his arms and kiss him gently. He straddles me in my chair grinding his thick ass on my lap. I wantnothing more than to be inside him. But he has to know everything about me before we take that step.

Slowly, I pull away from him, taking a deep breath. “I have something to show you, August. I want … I don’t want you to be afraid. I won’t hurt you, okay?”

“I know?—”

“Just … know that. I won’t be able to talk to you soon.”

He looks at me with knitted eyebrows. I pat his hip and he stands, moving back to his seat.

Slowly, staring at him all the while, I start to strip. I could shift with my clothes on, but I didn’t bring a spare set with us. I didn’t want August to ask too many questions. I always keep a towel on board, so I won’t have to put on wet clothes.

He watches me with hungry eyes and I smirk. “Mind out of the gutter,” I tell him. August grins and sits back, his erection prominent.

Shaking my head, I shuck my underwear then take a deep breath. “Don’t be scared,” I say, then dive into the water. I hear him shout my name, but I ignore him as I swim out a few paces. Then I duck underwater, close my eyes and shift.

chapter five

DANTE

This is the part of being a shifter that I love.

I’m very comfortable in human form, but when I’m a Spinosaurus, I feel free. There aren’t many things bigger than me and I feel invincible. Of course, that’s not true, but it doesn’t stop me from thinking it every time I shift.

My massive fin shoots from my back and I sink lower so I don’t startle August just yet. I want my shift to be full before I reveal my form. I try to get low enough to where my expanding body doesn’t cause waves that will rock my boat too much.

The stretch of my body and muscles into almost endless feet of my dino musculature is freeing, my dino roaring under the water after my face elongates into a snout. My hind legs lengthen, the powerful limbs keeping me afloat while my fore legs lengthen, then curve.

Slowly, I swim to the surface and feel my fin breach, the wind blowing against it. My head comes above the water and I turn my head in time to see August stumble back, hand on his chest.

“What the fuck!” he exclaims.

My heart hurts. Fuck, I think I guessed wrong. He’s going to be afraid. He’s going to run. He’s?—

“Dante?” I turn my large head back to him, moving closer to the boat. “Holy shit, you’re the creature? You’re a … a dinosaur.”

If I nod, it’ll cause too many waves and might tip the boat over, so I hum, letting him know that I’m still in here.

He kneels over the edge where my head is. It’s easy for me to tread water, my large hind legs and tail keeping me afloat.

Surprising me, August sticks his hand over the edge, as if to … pet me? I slide my head closer, my snout almost bumping the boat. I know my dino can look terrifying, so I move slowly.

My eyes close when August’s small hand comes in contact with my skin. A rumble leaves my mouth as he rubs back and forth slowly. “God, you’re beautiful.” He chuckles softly. “You could have told me.” I grumble, making him laugh again. “Yeah, I understand. You need to swim?” I stick my tongue out, licking his hand gently by way of saying yes. “Go on then. I’ll be here when you get back.”

I bump against his hand with my snout, then lower myself under water, looking around at the wide expanse of ocean before me. After I swim gently a little ways away from the boat, I dive deeper and swim in earnest.

Being out here is so liberating. No one to keep me in check or laws I have to adhere to. I can be me. My true nature set free. And I fucking love it.

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