Page 17 of Party With the Kraken
By the time we make it to the main area, the birthday song has ended and they’ve started cutting the cake. When I look around us, I note that the sun has dipped below the horizon and the first stars are already winking down at us.
“Did you know the sun has set? When did that happen?” I ask Viggo, one arm slung around his waist, hand hooked into the back of his waistband.
Viggo’s hand on my shoulder tightens as he pulls me closer to him. “While I was falling in love with you.” He says it sononchalantly that I almost doubt that I heard him. But he doesn’t take it back or correct himself.
Before I can question the statement more, a gorgeous willowy female dances toward us, arms outstretched. Her knee-length hair swishes behind her, her viny bracelets mesmerizing me as she gets closer.
Viggo introduces us, “Juniper, this is Annamae. She’s the dryad who runs The Flowering Teapot with her husband, Richard.”
Annamae smiles serenely at me as she says, “You are most beautiful, sweet Juniper. Can I gift you with a flower crown? I’ve been making them for all the guests and you would look ravishing with one. What do you think, Viggo?”
“She already looks ravishing,” he answers easily, “but I think a queen such as herself deserves a crown.”
Annamae waves her hands and conjures up plants out of thin air, weaving them together in shades of green, purple, and pink. My jaw unhinges as the crown quickly comes together, perfectly tailored to me.
In no time at all, it’s complete and Annamae is handing it over. “I took inspiration from your name and used sprigs of Juniper as the base. I added sea lavender to complement your hair, and rugosa roses for a pop of color.”
My eyes mist as I place the crown of green, purple, and pink on my head. “Thank you so much. It’s beyond beautiful. May I hug you?”
“Oh, yes, please! I welcome hugs!” Annamae embraces me with so much warmth that I melt against her—physically, emotionally, and mentally.
A chasm forms in my remaining defenses as I tumble further in love with Starry Hill. I will never forget this moment—the moment I realized I really wanted to be part of this community. Idon’t know how I can make it work with my shop in the city, but I’ll make a plan.
It’s like Annamae knows something has shifted inside of me, because she releases me with a final squeeze and a nod of understanding before wordlessly waltzing off to the next group of creatures.
I turn toward Viggo and place my hands on his waist, my fingers resting against the sharp V of his hips. “I like Starry Hill,” I state simply, hoping he gets everything I’m trying to say.
Viggo brushes the hair out of my face and cups my jaw. “Good. I think Starry Hill really likes you too.”
Without having to exchange another word, he slings his other arm around my waist and starts swaying to the music. One song leads to another, and we keep dancing.
Creatures mingle about, children go home, and the beat picks up.
Viggo and I dance and dance and dance.
I don’t know where my body ends and his starts as we grind against each other, hands roaming, teasing, promising, but never going too far. I’m breathless, delirious with joy and lust. And hot.
“Let’s go swimming,” I say against Viggo’s ear, then take his hand as I lead him toward his favorite spot.
Out here, it’s dark, the bonfires behind us providing just enough light to guide me in the right direction.
When we reach the picnic basket, I shimmy my shorts down until I’m standing in just my underwear. Viggo pauses, enraptured as his eyes trace every inch of me. I grip the bottom of my shirt and tug up, stripping it off and throwing it to the side.
Viggo moves forward as if in a trance, his fingers lightly skimming across the ocean-themed tattoo decorating the skin under my breasts.
“You’re absolutely perfect. Just look at this scallop. And the jewels,” he whispers as he follows the delicate lines that span half the width of my torso.
A scallop centers the tattoo between my breasts, hugged by a starfish on either side. Dainty dotted lines curve under each breast, tiny jewels dripping down to form an intricate pattern.
“I thought you might appreciate it,” I say and lean into his hand. He cups my breast and runs his thumb over my hard nipple, making me shiver at the touch.
“Panties off, my treasure. And in the water,” he commands.
I don’t have to think about my actions, I just do as he says. We both rid ourselves of all our clothes and I ball up my damp panties, placing them in the pocket of my shorts before putting everything together with his clothes.
Viggo plops in with a faint splash, then holds his hands out for me. I lower myself down, the cool water a silky embrace to my heated skin. Like my body has a mind of its own, my arms fling around Viggo’s neck and my legs automatically wrap around his waist. Even though I’m a good swimmer, I cling to Viggo like he’s my lifeboat.
Viggo holds me close, his arms a safe harbor as we wade into deeper water. The lights and sounds from the party fade away until only the stars in the dark sky and the gentle sounds of lapping waves accompany us.
