His hair, dark as the deepest ocean, is splayed against the pillow, falling across his forehead. An urge strikes me to brush it back from his face, but I restrain myself, not wanting to wake him.
His chest is a tapestry of hard, powerful muscles, and I can see the faint—almost unnoticeable—swirls of different shades of blues and grays. It’s almost like a mesmerizing painting, an abstract blend of colors that flows across his entire body.
The tentacles, dark blue on the top with a purple underbelly and suckers, are a stark contrast to his skin. They’re wrapped around my legs in an intimate hold that sends a shiver through me. It’s strangely reassuring, considering we’ve never met, the way their firm but gentle grip reminds me of his presence.
Intrigued, I reach out to touch one, tracing the rim of a sucker with my index finger. It’s warm to the touch, its texture a pleasant surprise. It isn’t slimy or wet—as I’d expected. Instead, it feels like rubber, pliable and smooth.
Suddenly, it grips my finger, a startling sensation that makes me gasp. An unexpected wave of pleasure rolls through me, a delicious shock that leaves me breathless. The feeling is unlike anything I’ve experienced, electrifying, stirring something deep within me. The sensation has me holding my breath, a thrill of anticipation humming through my veins.
My heart stutters in my chest.
We’ve never met, but as I lie here, intertwined with a stranger, I can’t deny the undeniable pull I feel toward him.
It’s comforting…
And it’s as if we were always meant to be together… as strange as it may sound.
“Rey.” Zethe’s voice breaks the silence, startling me. “You can explore more of me if you want.” My heart flutters in surprise, my cheeks heating with embarrassment. I hadn’t realized he was awake.
I gasp, pulling my hand back quickly as if burned, embarrassment flushing my cheeks. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…”
His large hand quickly closes over mine, halting my retreat. His touch sends a jolt of electricity through my body. It’s somehow comforting, and so incredibly warm.
Our eyes meet, and I’m caught in the depths of his gaze. They’re a beautiful ocean blue, calm yet hiding a storm of emotions beneath the surface.
“You don’t ever have to be sorry,” he assures me, his voice low and soothing. “I’m the one who should be sorry,” he continues, his voice strained with regret. “I failed you today. I had a brief lapse, forgetting that we had a human guest here… I didn’t notice the brewing storm in time to call in the swimmers. I failed in my duty as a lifeguard…” His voice drops even lower, resonating deep within my chest. “… and as your fated mate.”
The words hang in the air between us, leaving me stunned.
“Fated mate?” I echo, my heart skipping a beat at the term. The shock must be evident in my voice because he looks up, his gaze meeting mine once more. “Is that why… is that why I feel so… safe?”
“Yes,” he confirms, his voice a whisper in the dimly lit room. “That’s why you feel so… safe with me. And why I already feel so protective of you. We are bound by the Moon Goddess herself.”
I know what fated mates are, it’s not an unfamiliar concept. It’s essentially what humans call soulmates, the inexplicable tether that snaps into place the moment two beings lock eyes on each other.
The way that speed dating still thrives despite the rise of dating apps, because the digital world just can’t replicate that instant spark, that magnetic pull, that feeling of belonging you get when you meet the right person in person.
And, somehow, even though I know next to nothing about Zethe, my soul recognizes him. It recognizes his touch, his voice, his scent… his very essence.
It knows he’s safe, it knows he’s home.
“How did you know?” I ask, breathless, my eyes wide as I search his. His body tenses beside mine, a clear sign that he’s taking my question seriously.
“How could I not?” he counters, his gaze soft yet intense. “Can’t you feel it? The electricity between us, the pulse that binds us together?”
I came here for a vacation, to relax and unwind.
Not to find love… or whatever this is.
Just ’cause he says we are fated mates, doesn’t mean we’re automatically in love. Even though this isn’t love, it doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy the sensations from it.
“But I… I didn’t come here for this,” I protest weakly. “I came here for a vacation, to escape the stress of my life. Not whatever this is.”
His gaze never wavers, his expression serious but patient. “Won’t you give me a chance? Give us a chance?”
His plea leaves me breathless. Despite everything, I find myself considering his words. After all, they say love finds you when you least expect it.
And in an exotic resort, surrounded by gorgeous monsters, I can’t deny that anything could happen.
