Page 15 of Party With the Kraken
Juniper gives me a sly grin across her shoulder. “Oh, I definitely want to.”
“Me too,” I sigh out.
Focus, Viggo. Keep your tentacles together. No funny business. Just get to know her and give her the chance to get to know you. And for fuck’s sake, feed her.
I set the picnic basket on one side, then help Juniper sit down on the edge of the turquoise water. “Don’t venture in too far,” I warn as gentle waves lick at her toes. “There’s a rip current here that’s caused a sudden drop-off and the water gets deep quickly. But if you fall in, I promise to rescue you.”
“Is that why no one else comes to this part?” Juniper asks as I take a seat next to her.
“Definitely. Those who aren’t sea creatures are wary of the ocean. And rightly so.” A moan of sweet relief falls across my lips as I plunge my feet into the cool water, my tentacles roiling once again to be set free.
“Do you want me to look away when you shift?” Juniper asks. “I’m sorry I’m not well versed in shifting etiquette.”
“You can keep your eyes on me whenever you want. But fair warning, I’m going to take my pants off before I shift, otherwise my lower half will tear them apart.”
Juniper doesn’t look away for a second, her gaze riveted on me as I leisurely undo my pants and slip them off. By the widening of her eyes, she didn’t expect me to be going commando underneath the shorts, but I find underwear cumbersome. I let her stare at my cock a few seconds longer before I loosen my leash on my human appearance and finally set my tentacles free. My lower half transforms and eight thick limbs appear where my legs once were.
I stretch each one out slowly as I lower them into the water, my whole body relaxing as I settle into myself.
Next to me, Juniper’s breathing is shallow as she watches me with rapt attention.Is she scared?I take a deep breath to see if I can detect her emotion, then feel awfully smug as I pick up on her arousal.
“Like what you see?” I ask, perhaps a bit cocky.
“Have I told you my favorite color is purple?” Juniper asks eyes still fixed on my tentacles curling and uncurling in the clear water in front of us.
“Mine too.” I gently tug on a lock of her hair then pass her the lavender matcha I got from The Flowering Teapot.
After a couple of sips, Juniper asks, “Think we’ll be able to go swimming later? Or is it too dangerous?”
I hand her a napkin with a mini fish-and-prawn pie. “With me, it’s never too dangerous. I’ve got you. The more important question is did you bring your bikini?”
Juniper pauses with the pie halfway to her mouth and quirks a brow at me. “Who says I need one?”
Slapping a hand over my eyes, I say, “Fuck, Juniper. Imagining you naked is not something I can do right now.”
“Why not?” she asks all innocent, bumping me with her shoulder.
“Because I’m trying to be a gentleman and get to know you first before I worship the fuck out of you for the rest of my life. I mean night. For the rest of the night,” I quickly amend.
“Fair enough,” Juniper replies around a mouth full of pie, ignoring my blundering confession. “What do you want to know?”
“Tell me more about Treasure Hunters,” I say then dig into my own pie.
A dreamy glaze comes over her face as she stares out at the sun inching closer to the horizon. “Treasure Hunters is both my job and my passion. It’s been in my family for three generations, but I’m the sole person running it now since my parents retired. It keeps me busy but I also really enjoy it. I love turning an everyday item into something new that can be a source of joy for someone.”
Juniper takes another bite and washes it down with a sip of her drink. I remain quiet as I finish my second pie, absorbingevery bit of information that will help me understand Juniper better.
“For example, the porch geese I sell. One of which Doc Calla now owns. I take great care in giving them unique outfits and doing something unsuspecting with their displays. They’re our best sellers these days. I do also stock the ‘normal’ thrift store things, but my customers seem to grow with me and enjoy my creative spin on some of the special items.”
I wrap one tentacle around her ankle where it rests in the water. “You’re really incredible. I’d love to see your shop one day. Maybe when I drop you off tomorrow?” I ask the question, then hold my breath while I wait for her answer.
One corner of Juniper’s mouth tilts up in the teasing curve. “Maybe. We’ll have to see how the night goes.”
I mentally fist-bump the air for that win. If it was up to me she’d be picking her wedding dress come morning, but having the chance to see a part of her life is a very significant step in our relationship.
Yes, I’m calling it a relationship, because I’m going to marry Juniper. Maybe not today. But soon. I just have to convince her to want to marry me too.
I hold out a creamy profiterole for Juniper, my head angled to the side in a silent question if she’ll allow me to feed her.
