His words light a fire in my heart. Chasing an instinct, I reach over and put my hand over his on the table. His scaly skin is soft, and that simple contact makes me feel warm all over. “You’re…here now. We’re…”
Try as I might, the sentence won’t finish. That is, until Gordy grins and says, “We’re friends now. And that’s what’s most important.”
Thirty minutes later, I’m pulling up to Gordy’s driveway. Their house is situated on the other side of Cosmo, but I don’t mind driving him. I’ll take any excuse to spend time with Gordy. My attraction to him only continues to grow and grow.
I turn off the engine and cut the lights. Darkness shrouds us on the small road, and the driveway is cloaked in trees. My heart beats faster knowing what might happen if this were a real date. But it’s not, we’re simply two friends who have finally come to an understanding. Still, tell that to my trembling hands, ready to reach over and do…something with Gordy.
“Thanks for the ride,” he says quietly.
“Welcome.”
He undoes his seatbelt and holds up one finger. Before he says anything, he sighs and puts his hand down. “I’ll see you online, buddy.”
Why does it feel like he was going to say something else? “Okay.”
“Goodnight, Speakeasy.”
“Night, Coldblooded,” I reply with a half-grin. The tension is thick between us, but in moments, he’s opening the door and exiting my car.
My heart wants to fall out of my chest. I shouldn’t be disappointed; we’re just now becoming friendly, and that’s more than enough. So he doesn’t want to kiss me or anything like that, that’s fine. I have to accept that Gordy and I are only platonic.
But then he stops. He turns to me, red eyes pooling with tenderness and conflict. After clenching his fists twice, he quickly walks back to me. Did he forget something?
Gordy strides in front of the car to my side. And he’s pulling the door open.
I don’t have a chance to say a word before he’s yanking me up by my collar. In a blur, his mouth is on mine.
Underneath the stars, as the crickets sing, Gordy Lee, the legendary Ruby Turtle himself, is kissing me. When he moves his mouth, I gladly open mine and allow his tongue to touch mine. A small moan leaves my lips in this perfect moment. When I bring my hand up to his cheek, I caress his scaly skin on instinct.
What I’ve been dreaming of for weeks is finally happening. Gordy wants me, and my soul has never felt this light.
CHAPTER 12- GORDY
GAZING AT MYSELFin the full-length mirror, I do a small spin. How do I look? Obviously, my shell, tail, and green skin are prominent features. But I’m trying to figure out how Loxley will see me. We messaged via Hot Water chat and exchanged numbers?success!?and he asked me out on a proper date to the Cosmo summer carnival. Naturally, I said yes, so I’ve spent the last six days panicking. I’ve also been swooning in my bed at the mere thought of him. Can anyone blame me? I’m twenty-one, I’ve never been on a date, and before last week, I had never kissed anyone.
And what a kiss it was. His lips felt so right on mine. I have no regrets about running to the driver’s side door and putting my mouth on his. Loxley was—no, is—so irresistible. I had to give in to the pull he has on me.
With a sigh, I gaze at myself in the mirror. After concentrating for a moment, I morph into my human guise. While I’m proud of my large chest and tight-but-not-actually-chiseled core, I ponder if Loxley will like what he sees. Wait, will I have an opportunity to get naked with him? This is all moot since I can hardly hold this form. After putting on a large white long-sleeved shirt and black jeans, I shift back into turtle form. My tail pokes out of the back of my pants, but that’s what the coat is for.
I’m almost out the door when I spot Seb out of the corner of my eye. He smiles at me as he pours some potion into some bowls. “Gordy!” he hollers.
Cringing, I pause and jog back. “Yeah?”
“Where are you off to on this fine Saturday evening?”
Biting my lip, I shrug. “Out.”
“Do you need me to drive you?”
I shake my head and reply. “I’m just gonna take the bus.”
“It’ll be so much easier if I take you.”
I try not to wince and contemplate lying and running off. The truth is, I’m not looking forward to the two buses to get to the carnival. “Um, okay?”
“Where are we off to?” Seb asks with a pep in his step.
“Just like…the other side of town.” After getting in and buckling up, I put on a medical mask and hike up the large hood attached to my trench coat. Seb seems friendlier than usual, and that’s saying something. He keeps eyeing me coyly, like he can read my thoughts. “Where’s Kai tonight?”
