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“Do you like it when I play with your dick?”

I nod frantically. I’m close, so close—

—Stunning—his voice is resonant, melodic in my head.

—Daddy—I come with a shuddering whine, the pleasure shaking from my body. I can’t see, I can’t think about anything but him and mate and Daddy. My mouth latches to the side of his neck, sucking and licking at the salty, sweaty skin as I ride out the aftershocks of my orgasm.

It takes nothing but a shove of his loose shorts to free Javier’s erection. A few pumps of my hand and then he’s coming, cock pulsing and spilling over my fist. His breaths are ragged, like the orgasm I just gave him was so much more than a brief handjob.

“I cannot believe you are here,” he says breathlessly, kissing my cheeks. “I never thought—”

“Hey.” I curl my palm around his bearded jaw, the dark hair thick and soft. “Javi, I’m here.”

“I know.” Turning his face, he presses a kiss to my palm. “Sometimes you have to say these things out loud, you know? The impossible dreams that were always out of reach. You,” he pauses to clear his throat. “I worry you do not have a choice in this, and whatever ancient magic this is means you are being robbed of a life or a partner who is young and vibrant like you.”

“What are you talking about? I chose you without knowing about the ‘mate thing.’” A smile plays on his lips and he shakes his head, expression fond. “You’re exactly what I want.”

I can tell there is still lingering doubt, but when I try to respond a yawn overtakes me. Javier helps me up, and strangely, it already feels routine to rinse off with him in the crowded shower, to brush our teeth side by side, and to climb up to the loft bed.

When I’m snuggled with my back pressed up against his hairy belly, his thumb brushes over the scars across my chest. “I can’t wait to swim with you,” I say into the dim darkness.

He’s quiet for a moment before responding. “Rest, sireno,” he murmurs.

Chapter 17

Stuck With Me

Javier

The bed is empty when I wake up.

Frowning, I crawl out of the bed, my limbs stiff and tingling as I carefully back my way down the ladder.

Aleks is not in the bathroom, although there is condensation on the mirror and a wet towel tossed on top of the toilet seat. Shaking my head, I hang it up over the shower rod.

He is not in the living room or the kitchen, and the little back deck is empty. I check the bathroom again, to be sure.

I am not worried. There is still plenty of time before we need to be at the pool for the medal round. I just thought—

Never mind what I thought. Aleks is perfectly capable of taking care of himself. There is no reason to worry.

I scowl down at my hairy belly as I take a piss. Dios, I cannot believe I am going to be competing today. Me? Artistic swimming? A part of me still thinks this is an elaborate dream, and I will wake up to find Aleks curled up at my side with his lips wrapped around my thumb.

The door slams open. “Javier? Where are you?”

Thank the gods. “In here, sireno.”

Bare feet slap on the floor and his face appears in the open doorway. When he sees me he smiles, wide and eager, and fuck I am putty in his hands. “Hi,” he says.

I give my soft cock a tug and a shake and tuck myself back into the boxers I slept in. “Good morning, boy.” Turning on the sink, I rinse my hands off.

Aleks crowds me from behind and rests his chin on top of my shoulder. We make eye contact in the mirror, and his grin turns mischievous. “I’ve decided something.”

“Oh, really?”

“Mmhm.” One of his hands reaches around my middle, fingers trailing through the thick hair on the underside of my stomach. The light touch sends a shiver of pleasure down my back. “You shouldn’t ever wear a shirt.”

I cannot help it. I laugh—a loud, startled sound bursting from my chest.