“Is that a yes?”
“Please.” I kicked the duvet off me and parted my legs.
With a quick tug, Ner pulled my ass up and buried his face in between my cheeks. I wailed into the pillow as he licked my rim, his tongue as wicked as his tentacles, stroking and teasing.
I wanted Ner in me as often as possible for the short time we had left together.
Chapter Twelve
Nereus
Iwasgrateful,fuck,for real. But my head was not computing how I was sitting at a meeting with the restaurant managers when I should be at the Winter at the Beach festival. The weekend in Orlando with Rick and the twins had been fantastic. We’d rolled out of bed to jam, do some sightseeing and go back to fuck again. Heaven.
Now, I was back in the real world.
My hands flew over the keyboard of my tiny laptop as I wrote down the tips and information exchanged at the table.
“How did the tax changes affect your pricing?” I asked Mark. The manager of a successful restaurant in New York City was answering all my questions with patience and professionalism. If not for Santiago, I’d never have the opportunity to talk to him so despite my conundrum, I was soaking up as much as I could. The experience of working in Miami and the inside info from Mark would make improving my next year’s business plan for Dad’s restaurant a lot easier.
I already had three pages full of notes in the document but the tiny clock at the bottom of the screen reminded me I had less than an hour to Rick’s concert.
Mark continued talking, but I had to force myself to register the information. I blinked, nodded, and typed a quick note.
My palms turned sweaty, and I bounced my knee under the table. If I didn’t leave soon, I’d miss not only the festival I’d wanted to see for years, but the performance of a man who meant so much to me. I repositioned in my seat and my upper tentacles flexed around my waist with impatience. Before the meeting, I’d dressed in a loose shirt so I could cover them, rather than having them wrapped around my arms and in plain sight. They were still noticeable under the thin fabric but I’d learned that hiding my extra limbs put people at ease, even if they knew who I was. It was uncomfortable and frankly, quite shitty, but seen as professional behavior for monsters like me.
“How about some fresh coffee and we can move on to the staffing, and then inspection?” Santiago stood up, nodding for me to follow.
“Excellent.” Mark lifted his empty cup, and I took it, following Santiago to the kitchen.
“You’re distracted, amigo. Is something bothering you?”
“I—” I let my shoulders fall as I sighed. “I should be somewhere else right now?”
“This meeting was very important to you, no?” Santiago leaned against the counter and frowned.
“It was, but this other thing is too.” I massaged my chest, twisting the ring on my pinkie.
“Is it a heart matter?” He waved a hand then scratched his beard. “A special person?”
“Yeah. Very special.”
“Then what are you still doing here?” He clicked his tongue and put his hands on his hips.
“I’ll say goodbye to Mark and run.”
“Just go.” Santiago patted my shoulder. “I’ll tell him you had an emergency.”
I paused, re-tucking my shirt. “Really?”
“Don’t waste time. Hurry!” He shooed me with a flick of his wrist.
“Thank you so much.” I stashed my laptop into my locker and was off through the back door like my ass was on fire.
Once I was on the street I swerved through the people dancing and swaying on their way to the evening concerts, and others already returning. Despite the chill, see-through clothing and pierced nipples were the main trend of the party, contrasting with woolen hats and parkas. Oh, how easy it was to tell the difference between half-naked tourists and thickly-dressed locals used to much hotter weather during the summer.
The palm trees and buildings along the route shone with tinsel, baubles, and lights, bathing the crowd next to me in cheerful colors. They flickered from afar, creating both Christmassy and party atmospheres. I was close.
I fished out the wristband I’d bought weeks ago and the VIP pass Rick had given me, presenting both to the bouncer at the gate. He waved me in and barked something to the radio. Within a moment, a tall woman in a padded security vest appeared next to me and motioned for me to follow her. The music from the small scene was loud enough to render speaking useless, so I nodded and walked along barriers to the side that created a passage separate from the crowd gathered in front of the main stage.
