Page 8 of Hot Monster Summer

“Three, actually,” Caspian says dryly. “But Kaelen is probably watching from the woods. He’s less sociable.”

“The Dire wolf,” tree guy rumbles, his voice so deep I feel it in my chest. “Watches. Always watches.”

“And you are…?” I ask, trying to process the fact that I’m apparently surrounded by monsters.

“Oren,” he says, approaching the dock with slow, deliberate steps. His voice is deep, resonant. “Forest guardian.”

“Right. Caspian, lake guardian. Oren, forest guardian. And somewhere there’s Kaelen, presumably the… wildlife guardian?” I laugh weakly. “Did I accidentally rent a cabin in a supernatural nature preserve?”

“The cabin shouldn’t be here,” Caspian says, a tentacle now boldly wrapping around my ankle. The contact sends a jolt through me that I refuse to acknowledge. “This shore is my territory.”

“Forest. My territory,” Oren counters, now at the base of the dock. The wooden structure creaks ominously under his weight as he steps onto it.

I’m caught between them, the tree giant at one end of the dock, the sea monster at the other, and me in the middle.

“Maybe we could discuss territory disputes after I’ve had more coffee?” I suggest trying to sound calm despite my pulse hammering in my throat.

“You’re not leaving,” Caspian says, another tentacle sliding up to circle my calf.

“Not leaving,” Oren agrees, taking another step that makes the dock groan.

“Okay, that sounds vaguely threatening, and while I appreciate the whole ‘ancient forces of nature’ aesthetic you bothhave going on, I’m just a human having a mental breakdown in a rental cabin—.”

The dock chooses that moment to give up its brave struggle against Oren’s weight. The wood splinters with a crack, and suddenly I’m airborne for a split second before plunging toward the water.

Bracing myself, I don’t hit it.

Caspian’s tentacles wrap around my waist, suspending me above the surface, while Oren’s massive hand catches my wrist. I hang between them, breathless and startled, one monster holding me from below, one from above.

“Got you,” Oren rumbles, his massive fingers surprisingly gentle around my wrist.

“Safe,” Caspian adds, tentacles secure but not constricting around my middle.

The moment stretches, bizarre and somehow intimate.

I’m literally dangling between two creatures who should terrify me, who are currently engaged in a silent battle of wills with me as the prize.

Yet instead of fear, I actually feel… wanted.

Something hot and unfamiliar uncurls in my belly.

“This is…” I swallow hard, looking from Caspian’s intent face to Oren’s glowing eyes. “This is not how I planned to spend my morning.”

“Plans change,” Caspian says softly, one tentacle daringly sliding higher up my thigh.

“Better plans,” Oren agrees, his thumb brushing the pulse point on my wrist.

I’m in trouble.

So much trouble.

4

Kaelen

They’re touching her.

Both of them.

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