Page 12 of Love in Unexpected Places

I’ll keep your secret

It’s mine to keep near

I’ll keep your secret

You have nothing to fear.

He wraps both arms around me, squeezing me close. “I’ll never get enough of you writing me songs. This going on the EP?”

I nod, taking the notebook back from him. Dante convinced me over the course of a few months to give singing a shot. He even had me get up during karaoke night at the bar to sing, saying I wouldn’t believe him but others would tell me if I sounded good. Apparently, I have a good voice because the manager approached me, asking if I wanted to start a live music night twice a week. So along with writing songs for other artists, I’m writing for me and singing covers and original songs for our community.

I’m not sure I would have taken that leap without him.

“You need to go out tonight. It’s been a while since you shifted.”

Dante adjusts himself nervously under me. I wish we had paid more attention to the calendar so he could have shifted last week, but we didn’t think there would be aninflux of people just because it’s been the year anniversary of his sighting. Apparently, people like that type of shit because here they are, trying to see if he’ll show again.

“I know, but I don’t want to risk it.” He adjusts himself, probably feeling antsy in his skin.

“Babe, I found a place. Somewhere no one will see.” I may have taken his boat out one night this week while he was at work so I could see if anyone traveled out as far as I did. When I was about forty miles out, and no other boats drifted by, I knew I found what he needed while the vultures were here.

Dante twists me around, looking at me. “What? Where?”

“Get dressed. Or not,” I mumble, running a hand down his chest. I stand as he chuckles, moving around me to change out of his work attire.

I bustle around, packing a bag and a change of clothes for him. He doesn’t use them, since he strips before his shift, but we never know when we’ll need them.

Dressed in a pair of joggers and a white tee, Dante walks over to me, looking nervous. Smiling at me, I wrap him in my arms and kiss him. “Don’t worry, baby. I promise no one will see.”

“I trust you,” he replies against my lips, kissing me once more.

Taking his hand, I lead him out of the house, sliding in the driver’s seat. The ride to the marina is quick and Dante fills me in on his shift, how hard it was having to listen to people call his dino a beast, monster, brute, and any other name they can think of. I rub his hand, then squeeze it gently. “You’re none of those things. You’re gorgeous, as your dino and otherwise. I wouldn’t want you any other way.”

“I know, babe. I just can’t wait for them to leave.”

“Soon,” I say, patting his hand.

We get to the marina and on the boat, with me driving this time. Instead of heading north to our normal spot, I turn us east, taking us further out into the ocean. When I get to the coordinates I jotted down, I stop and drop anchor. The lights aren’t even visible from where we are.

Dante turns in a circle, looking out at the ocean. “I’ve never come out this way.”

“You told me. I went exploring, to see if we could be hidden. So, this is another option for you if there are a lot of tourists.”

Sighing, Dante starts to take off his clothes, eyeing me hungrily. “When I finish my swim, I’d better find you naked, ass in the air. Have yourself ready for me, because I’m going to want to sink into you as soon as I’m dry.”

I shiver and nod, walking over to him. When he’s naked before me, I cup his face and kiss him deeply. Dante’s hands wrap around me, his hands holding my ass in his strong grip. “I love you,” he whispers against my lips.

“Love you too. Have a great swim. Catch something for me.”

Dante laughs and rolls his eyes, then dives into the water. I watch him swim out a few yards, then duck under water. A minute or two later, his large fin rises from the gentle waves and I smile, waiting for his beautiful head to pop up.

I don’t have to wait long.

His snout pops out of the water and as has become our routine, I reach out and pet him. Dante’s dino does this grumble-groan and pushes against my hand. I laugh, taking a step back. “Yeah, I’m getting ready.” I start to remove my clothes as his large head turns to the side, watching me. “Go. I’ll be naked when you get back.”Another grumble-groan rises from him, then Dante sinks under the water.

Quickly, I get undressed, reaching into the bag and pulling out the lube. I get myself ready, fingering my hole and stretching myself for him.

Smiling, I roll onto my stomach so my ass is in the air for when Dante is done with his swim.

Placing my chin on the back of my hands, I look out at the water, then gaze up at the sky. Yeah, I found out there’s something bigger than me out there. And he’s my boyfriend. My Spinosaurus. The man I want to spend the rest of my life with.

Every day I wake up—after I curse them for exposing him as they did—I thank the frat bro that got his dino on tape. So I could be in his orbit. So I could find my happily ever after.

THE END

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