Page 30 of Ocean's Whisper

"I didn't mean to call you creepy and controlling earlier," she said softly, her sea-blue eyes holding his gaze with surprising steadiness. "I was just overwhelmed."

Her lips suddenly curved into a playful smile that made his blood run hot. "And I'm sorry for suggesting people would think rebuilding the research station was a deal for your benefit.Though if we form a relationship, people will definitely think you did it for me."

"I am doing it for you," he replied without hesitation, his voice a deep rumble that floated over the gentle lapping of waves.

He watched understanding dawn in her eyes—the realization that this wasn't a casual flirtation or temporary arrangement. His wolf purred with satisfaction as her scent changed, tinged now with excitement and trepidation in equal measure.

"Oh," she whispered, blinking rapidly. "So this is... you're really... I mean, I'll be dating the local billionaire."

He suppressed a smile at her human perception of his wealth. If only she knew the true extent of his power and influence accumulated over centuries rather than decades.

"I'll be in magazines," she continued, her voice rising slightly. "Tabloids. There'll be speculation about me. I hate being the center of attention."

The water around them stirred more forcefully, responding to her agitation. He reached out, his large hands cupping her face, forcing her to focus solely on him.

"I don't want you to think about all that right now," he said firmly, his thumbs brushing across her cheekbones. "What matters is you feeling comfortable and safe here with me."

His wolf prowled beneath his skin, demanding he pull her closer. For once, he didn't fight his instincts. His arms encircled her waist, drawing her naked body against his. The sensation of her soft curves pressing against his hard planes sent electric pulses through his entire being.

The ocean seemed to respond, warm currents swirling around them like invisible hands pushing them together. His Luna's powers were already working in harmony with the water and his powers, even if she didn't realize it yet.

"I'm going to kiss you now," he stated rather than asked, because alphas didn't ask permission—they took what belonged to them. Yet something in her gaze made him pause, waiting for the subtle nod of consent that came a heartbeat later.

When his mouth claimed hers, he felt the centuries of longing dissolve in an instant. Her lips were soft and yielding beneath his, opening with a sigh that he swallowed hungrily. The taste of her—salt and sweetness combined—was more intoxicating than any wine he'd sampled over his long existence.

His hands slid down her back, memorizing the curve of her spine, the dip of her waist, before settling possessively on the swell of her hips. The water buoyed her against him, creating a weightless sensation as if they were suspended between worlds—neither fully human nor supernatural, but somewhere gloriously in between.

"Mine," he growled against her lips, unable to contain the primal claim any longer.

He felt her shiver in response, her fingers threading through his wet hair, nails scraping lightly against his scalp in a way that made his wolf keen with pleasure. She might be human, but her body recognized what her mind was still processing—they belonged to each other.

"This is surreal," she whispered as she pressed herself more firmly against him. "I just met you."

He laughed, a deep sound that rumbled from his chest. "Time is measured differently for my kind. What humans might take months to decipher, we experience in moments of clarity."

His hands cupped her face again, forcing her to meet his gaze. "Tell me you don't feel it—the pull between us that defies explanation. Tell me, and I'll let you go."

The words cost him, but he meant them. Alpha he might be, but he would not trap an unwilling Luna by his side.

Her lips parted, but instead of denial, she surged forward and kissed him with such unexpected ferocity that even he—with all his supernatural strength—was momentarily caught off guard.

THIRTEEN

ISOLDE

Isolde surged forward and kissed Nereus with a ferocity that even surprised herself. Her hands tangled further into his dark hair, and she felt him groan into her mouth as his hands tightened on her hips. The ocean lapped at their bodies, the cool water a sharp contrast to the heat building between them.

His hands soon began roaming her curves like they were mapping out every inch of her. His lips were soft yet demanding, coaxing a response from her that she didn't know she had in her. She kissed him back with equal fervor, her fingers tightening their grip on his damp hair, pulling him closer as if she could fuse them together.

"Mine," he growled against her mouth, the word sending a shiver down her spine. It wasn't a question or a request—it was a declaration, firm and unyielding.

Her body reacted before her mind could catch up, arching against him as if to sayyours. The water around them seemed to hum, alive with their connection, and for a moment, she felt weightless, suspended in a world that was pure sensation.

His hands slid lower, tracing the curve of her back before settling on the swell of her ass. He lifted her slightly, the waterhelping to support her weight, and she wrapped her legs around his waist without thinking. His lips trailed down her neck, nipping and sucking at her skin, and she let out a breathy moan that was swallowed by the sound of the waves.

"You're perfect," he murmured against her skin, his voice rough with desire. "Every inch of you."

Her mind was a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts—this is crazy, I barely know him, I should stop—but her body didn’t care. It had taken the reins, and it wasn't letting go. She tilted her head back, giving him better access to her neck, and his teeth grazed her skin, sending a jolt of pleasure through her.

---