When we break apart, we're both breathing hard.
“Does that answer your question?” I manage.
“Clearly.” He lifts me from the water, carrying me to our sleeping ledge. The nest he built has been transformed since the hatching, made larger, softer. Made for us instead of for babies. “But female must understand something first.”
“What?”
He arranges me on the soft materials, then settles beside me. One tentacle traces my arm, following the bioluminescent marks that never faded after the frenzy. “This one wants female more now than before hatching. More than during breeding. More than during the Hunt.”
“How is that possible?”
“Because this one has watched female become everything she was meant to be.” His hand moves to my belly, tracing where the eggs once grew. “Watched her transform from frightened humanto fierce protector. Watched her carry twelve lives and hatch them successfully. Watched her fight, adapt, survive, thrive.”
His tentacles begin moving, one sliding up my thigh, another wrapping around my waist. The familiar sensation makes my breath catch.
“Female worried this one would not desire her after changes,” he continues, his voice dropping lower. “But changes make desire stronger. Female is not human anymore. Not this one's species either. Female is something new. Something perfect. Something that belongs here, with this one, forever.”
“Aylth.” His name comes out breathless.
“Female defended territory while this one was unconscious. Raised twelve hybrid offspring without complaint. Transformed her entire body to adapt to their needs.” Another tentacle finds my breast, the sucker attaching gently. “How could this one not worship such strength? Such devotion?”
The pleasure starts building slowly. After weeks without his touch, even these gentle movements feel overwhelming. My body responds immediately, wetness that has nothing to do with seawater coating my thighs.
“This one has been patient,” Aylth says, his hand sliding higher on my thigh. “Has given female time to heal, to adjust. But patience ends tonight.”
“Good,” I gasp. “I don't want patience anymore.”
His mouth crashes into mine again as his tentacles work my body with practiced precision. They remember every spot that makes me gasp, every pressure point that makes my back arch. Within minutes I'm desperate, seeking friction he's not quite giving me.
“Please,” I manage between kisses.
“Please what? Female must be specific.”
“Touch me. Properly. The way you used to.”
“This one touches female now.” But his hand stays just above where I need it, teasing.
“You know what I mean.”
“This one knows.” His fingers finally move to where I'm wet and aching. “Female wants this?”
The first contact makes me cry out. I'm so sensitive after weeks without that even his gentle touch borders on too much. But it's perfect, exactly what my body has been craving through all the exhaustion and baby care.
He builds me slowly, using his fingers and tentacles in combination. One tentacle wraps around my thigh, holding me spread while his hand works between my legs. Another tends to my breasts, the suckers creating that devastating suction I remember. His mouth stays on mine, swallowing my gasps and moans.
The orgasm hits suddenly, no long build-up, just an explosion that starts at my core and radiates outward. I shake in his arms, sobbing his name, gripping his tentacles like they're the only solid thing in existence.
When I come back to myself, he's watching me with an expression I can't quite read.
“What?” I ask.
“Female glows brighter when she climaxes.” His hand stays between my legs, fingers still moving gently. “Forgot how beautiful that is.”
“My turn.” I push at his chest, trying to shift positions.
“Female does not need to?—”
“I want to.” I manage to get him on his back, which takes some maneuvering given his tentacles. “You've been taking care of me for weeks. Let me take care of you.”
