A rush of pleasure flooded Craeg’s body upon hearing that Silas worried about him.He didn’t think anything had ever sounded sweeter.After all, they’d only known each other a few days, and they hadn’t done more than cuddle, share kisses, and exchange touches.
Well, I also give Silas blowjobs.I just can’t keep my hands and mouth off of him.My mate just tastes so damn delicious.
Lifting his free hand to Silas’s dark hair, Craeg couldn’t resist threading his fingers through it.“It’s okay, my sweets,” he assured.Then, after a second of hesitation, he revealed, “Plus, there’s a bunch ofhors d’oeuvresbein’ served.They’ll be available throughout our time there...the dolphin show, the intermission, and then through the tiger shark show.”Seeing Silas’s surprised expression, Craeg knew he needed to share the rest.Turning Silas, he began guiding him up the stairs once more as he dipped his head and murmured, “Plus, a number of my pod-mates will be stoppin’ by.You’ll be able to meet and chat with them in a nice, relaxed settin’.”Craeg hesitated before adding, “Includin’ Alpha Kaiser and Beta William.”
Silas snapped his attention to Craeg.He’d sucked in a sharp gasp, and his lips were parted in obvious surprise...and concern.Even with the uneasy scents filling the air around them, Craeg found it so damn difficult to refrain from capturing Silas’s lips...they were that delectable.
Except, knowing Silas had grown concerned every time Craeg’s shifter leaders had been mentioned, he softly crooned, “Please, my sweets.”He bussed a kiss to Silas’s temple as he kept them climbing the stairs.“I thought a nice relaxed settin’ would help ease your fears.”Gazing at Silas with a warm smile, Craeg told him, “Don’t fret, my mate.You’re welcome here.”
Even as Silas continued to climb the steps, he held Craeg’s gaze.He hesitated a few seconds before nodding slowly.Silas captured his bottom lip between his teeth before offering him a smile and sagging against him.
“Sorry, I’m so stressed about them,” Silas mumbled, flicking his gaze up at Craeg before glancing away.“I just...never had anyone in authority like or believe me or support me before.”
“Ya won’t have that problem here,” Craeg assured.Silently, he fumed, once again vowing to ask Ovram to track down the bastards in the system who’d failed Silas so completely.Pushing those thoughts to the back-burner of his mind, he released Silas’s arm in order to wrap his own around his mate’s shoulders.Craeg tucked Silas into his side as he guided him into the private viewing box.
To Craeg’s relief, the shows, as well as the meet-and-greet, went off without a hitch.Everyone was friendly, welcoming, and supportive.They shared fun tales of things that had happened at the marine park, as well as a little about how a few of the couples had met—like Kane and Tortelion.Kane had been visiting the area—his sister and her kids lived not too far away—and had been shoved by rough-housing teenagers, landing him in the pool at the end of a tiger shark show.Fortunately, Tort—being the tiger shark shifter who’d performed the show—had recognized Kane as his mate and saved him instead of being a danger to him—not that a shifter would normally attack a human, anyway.That had led to the pair meeting, giving Tort the chance to woo his human mate.
They even gave Craeg glowing reviews, sharing stories of how he’d helped them at some point.There’d been a time when Craeg had kidded with a fellow shifter about riding a human’s scooter to help break the ice between him and his newly discovered mate.He’d also been a friend when a shifter had grown frustrated while watching other shifters find their mates and still waiting impatiently for his own, inviting him on outings to divert and settle his emotions.
They’d even told Silas that he’d bagged a good one.
Silas hadn’t seemed to know how to respond to that, other than nibbling his bottom lip, smiling, and nodding.
Craeg found it so damn sexy.
If Silas hadn’t still been a virgin, Craeg would have been sorely tempted to whisk him into the bathroom for a quickie.He wouldn’t even have cared if any of his pod-mates had heard him...or given him shit about it later.Hell, Craeg knew plenty of the other mated men enjoyed a discreet corner here and there—he’d scented it after the fact.
As long as everyone was damn careful and never caused problems for the park, the alpha and beta didn’t mind.
Hell, I’ve known them to utilize a secluded broom closet a time or two with their own mates.
With Silas’s arm tucked securely in the crook of Craeg’s elbow, he led his mate down the stairs and out of the amphitheater.“So, what did you think of the shows?”he asked, guiding him to the right.Craeg wanted to show him the marina’sAquatic Catacombs.
Craeg thought the newly opened section of the park would appeal to Silas’s bat.On the outside, the exhibit appeared to be a mine shaft that went into a rocky outcropping.Inside, there was over a mile of walkways with cement paths, lighted aquariums, and interactive exhibits explaining fossilized marine life from long,longago.
The new exhibit had opened just in time for the Halloween holiday season, and they’d received rave reviews from it.
Having been through it more than a few times during construction and after, Craeg had to admit, it was pretty damn cool.He’d even dressed up as one of the ghouls that had haunted the tunnels during the grand opening.All during October, the place had been decked out for the holiday, with a number of employees shuffling through dressed as mummies, zombies, vampires, and more.
Craeg had gotten a kick out of the fact that Dare’s vampire mate, Price, had had such a blast showing off his real-life fangs, and no one had known it.
That had been entertaining.
Just as they reached the entrance to theAquatic Catacombs, Craeg heard someone call his name.He turned and spotted Cuzco—a coconut octopus shifter—approaching with a wave.His human mate, Detective Grisham Canton, strode beside him, holding his hand.
“Hey, guys,” Craeg greeted, lifting his free hand in a wave while giving Silas a squeeze.“How are ya?”
“Good, good,” Cuzco replied with a grin.“Sorry we missed the party.”He glanced at Grisham, a fond smile curving his lips.“My man got held up at work.”
“Yeah, sorry.”Grisham grimaced as he shook his head.“Had a beat cop catch me on the way out the door that wanted to ask me a few things.”
“Oh, no worries.”Craeg patted Grisham lightly on the shoulder, mindful of his strength, considering the dark-skinned man was a human.Pride filling him, Craeg turned and squeezed his mate’s arm.“This is my mate, Silas.”Then he introduced the pair.
After Silas smiled and waved, Grisham cleared his throat and cocked his head.“Do you know an Officer Cameron Ricci?”he asked softly with narrowed eyes.
Catching the way Silas’s eyes widened and his body tensed, Craeg muttered, “I think ya should join us as we explore.”He didn’t like the way his mate ever-so-slightly began to tremble.“I think we need to take this conversation to a more secluded space.”
“Good idea,” Grisham agreed softly, eyeing Silas, having clearly picked up on his sudden change in mood.
