Hold my Reins (Monster Match season two)

Chapter 7

seven

W ith the lunch rush over and a small breathing space before the afternoon crowd came in, Lynck wiped down all the tables and swept the floor. Keeping busy didn’t stop Rox’s message from rolling around his head.

I’m thinking about checking out the lake after work. I can swing past the cafe if you want to grab a coffee and come with?

What kind of message was that?

“What’s bitten you beneath the tail?” Thursten asked as he refreshed the cake cabinet.

“I’m just doing my job.” And trying to figure out how to reply.

“Yes, like you hate it.”

Lynck leaned on the broom and glared at his friend. “I’m thinking.”

“Human problem?”

There was no point in denying it. It might’ve been easier to write Rox off if he hadn’t messaged. Instead, he’d followed up as promised. He said as much to Thursten.

“So you’re miffed because he wants to see you again?”

“Because he only wants sex.” He couldn’t remember the last time a human wanted more than one night with him.

Thursten shrugged. “Humans are weird. Some of them like to start with sex and then see if things work out.”

“I know that.” He’d been around humans for long enough to understand that their dating rituals were as varied as they were and often made no sense.

“What did he say?” Thursten pressed.

“That he wants to get coffee and check out the lake.” But that wasn’t what was implied.

“Clearly, he wants to be banged in the middle of the cafe or on the beach in front of everyone,” Thursten quipped.

It was far too easy to imagine Rox spread out on a table with his legs in the air. The lust that had been on a low simmer all day was more than ready to make that happen. “He’s trying to be polite.”

“If you wanted a date, why did you go around and pound him into the bed?”

“I did not.” Lynck huffed.

Thursten laughed. “Oh, really?”

Lynck flicked his ears. “Maybe a little. He liked it.”

“Liked it so much that he wants coffee.”

“And sex.” That is what they’d selected on their profiles. If Rox wanted more, he’d have selected romance…then they wouldn’t have matched.

“I’m still not seeing the problem. He wants you; you want him.” Thursten shrugged. “Is this a kelpie thing?”

“Maybe?” He’d been without a herd since he was a teenager. He’d never gotten branded as an adult member of the herd. But running and swimming and other physical feats were used to prove your worth as a mate, as well as the crafting of a song to celebrate the union. Is that what he craved? Someone to run at his side?

A herd?

He closed his eyes. That was impossible.

“Why don’t you change your profile to romance if hooking up bothers you?”

Because if he did that, he’d have to lie to his partner, and he couldn’t do that either. He thought he was fine on his own, but was he free if he couldn’t really live?

“That’s unrealistic.”

“There’s plenty of monster-human couples.”

But none of those monsters were hiding from a frost giant. None of them had been captured and bridled. The chain around his neck grew heavier with the weight of his past. He should ignore Rox’s message. He resumed sweeping, pushing thoughts of taking Rox to the lake away. “It’s just sex. That’s all he wants.”

The lie was a sour note.

“He wants coffee and a walk by the lake.”

Lynck sighed. “He’s new in town, and I’m the only person he knows.”

“So be a friend and take him out. I bet the only things he knows about kelpies are from human myths.”

And human myths were full of tales about the dangers of kelpies. They weren’t wrong. But they weren’t entirely true either. He swept up the crumbs with the dustpan. “If he knows the myths, I doubt he’d want to go to the lake with me.”

If he learned the truth, Rox wouldn’t want to be alone with him.

No one would.

“You’re scared,” Thursten said. He pulled the cups out of the dishwasher and started stacking them up, ready for the afternoon customers.

“No, I’m not.” He clomped over to the cleaning cupboard and put the broom and dustpan away.

“Yes, you are. You’re scared you might like him.”

Lynck rolled his eyes. That’s not what worried him, but it was easier than telling Thursten the truth. “And what if he only wants to fuck?”

“Did you like it?”

“Yes.” He didn’t need to lie about that.

“Have you got a better offer?”

“No.”

“So, grab some takeout coffees and go for a walk by the lake and see what happens.”

He knew what happened. The novelty wore off and Rox moved on, or they grew closer and the chain around his neck came between them. He didn’t want to experience either option.

It was much better to keep his distance.

Keep things cool.

One time only.

Even though he hated it. He’d run from the monster world needing to be free, and instead he’d built himself a new cage made up of his own rules and the only person he was killing was himself.

Kelpies were never alone.

He needed a herd. But he wouldn’t have that if he went through the portal either, only more blood on his hands.