Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
Simbel
It felt so damn right to parade around town with Rissa on my arm.
Well, okay, we weren’t exactly parading around town , but rather, the school’s athletic field, waving and greeting parents, staff, and even the students like Trick who’d been dragged along to the small fundraiser oyster roast.
And she wasn’t on my arm , because it’s not like this is the old-timey-times, yeah? But her fingers were twined with mine, and it felt really fucking perfect, is my point.
We’d met in the parking lot. Although I knew where she lived, she hadn’t yet invited me to her house, so I wasn’t going to go pick her up or anything. And when I saw her, it took everything in me not to pull her into my arms and kiss her .
Even now, my Kteer was thundering in my chest, demanding I quit playing nice and throw her over my shoulder to take her back to my cave.
My Kteer is kind of a primitive asshole.
Not sure I blamed it, though.
That kiss we’d shared after our date the other night? It had caused my blood to ignite and my chest to swell and my cock—? Well, the less said about that, the better.
I have never wanted a female—wanted anything —as badly as I wanted Rissa that night. And every hour—every minute— since then.
I tried to avoid the front office these last few days at work, just so I couldn’t be tempted by her scent. It hadn’t worked; I’d been drawn to her inexorably.
Luckily, despite my fears, it seemed as if that kiss hadn’t scared her off. She hadn’t considered the date ruined thanks to my Kteer’s inability to stay in control.
“There’s Joleen and Maggie,” she announced excitedly, tugging me toward one of the makeshift tables—a few boards and a pair of sawhorses—around the grill. “Can we join them?”
“I’ll follow you anywhere, Rissa.”
The laughing look she sent me told me she thought I was being charming…but I meant it. Gods of the ancestors, I had it bad for this female, and we’d done nothing more than kiss.
“Hi Rissa,” Joleen, the school nurse, called out. “Hi Simbel. This is my wife, Maggie. Mags, this is the school’s new resource officer. ”
The older, dark-skinned woman at Joleen’s side paused in her efforts to shuck an oyster and eyed me up and down, her eyes twinkling with knowing. When she cocked her head and bumped her wife’s shoulder, her graying braids swung around her head. “You didn’t tell me he was so cute.”
The nurse snorted; her attention on the oyster in her left palm as she tried to jab the knife in between the shell. “I told you he was totally into Rissa, didn’t I? They need to cook these things longer, they’re not open enough.”
Rissa, who was flushing happily now, latched onto that. “That’s the way I like ‘em! They dry out once they’re opened.” She was already pawing through the bag on her shoulder. “Here’s your oyster knife, Simbel. I couldn’t find a glove for you, so you’ll have to make do with a rag.”
We stood across the wooden boards—which were strewn with shucked and unshucked oysters —and I had to confess that I didn’t actually know what I was doing. This led to much laughter as the ladies instructed me on how to cradle the oyster in my left hand, how to find the crack, how to jab in the dull blade and twist it just so, how to slurp out the slimy creature within.
I loved oysters…I’d just never had to shuck them before.
“You’re doing great!” Rissa assured me, deftly spearing her oyster and wrenching it open. “And I can’t believe how well that knife fits you. When Dad made it a billion years ago, we all joked that it was too big to be used.”
I hefted the blade, then spun it on my palm. “Fits my hand perfectly. It reminds me… ”
When I trailed off, she bumped my hip with hers. “Of home?”
Had it been ten years since I’d last held a dagger? Good thing this was so dull. “We had freshwater clams where I grew up, but they were easier to open.”
“Ooh, I love clams. We go clamming a lot in the springtime.”
My brows rose, and I managed to resist making a raunchy joke about loving clams , since the lesbians would either find it hilarious or outrageously offensive, and I didn’t want to piss anyone off. “You dig your own clams?”
Rissa’s attention was on the mollusk in her gloved hand. Everyone besides me wore only a glove on their left hand, to hold the oyster. “Sure. My favorite spot is Lighthouse Island, and the sandbars around it. Patrick and I went out last week after school, actually. I mean, we had to spend a day checking over the boat—”
“You have a boat?” I couldn’t help the excitement in my voice as I interrupted her.
She made a satisfied noise as her knife slid between the shells. “Yep. A center console fishing boat, nineteen feet.” She paused, then shot me a side-long look. “Patrick and I were going to take it out tomorrow. The tide is right for clamming…any interest in joining us?”
I heard Joleen suck in a breath, but I couldn’t look away from Rissa. My face split into a grin. “Really? You don’t—I mean…” I took a breath, forcing myself to tamp down my excitement. “I would love to go out with you two, as long as you’re okay with me spending ti me with Trick.” I placed my knife and rag on the table, wanting to focus on this conversation. “I know it must be a delicate balance, protecting him and letting him be part of your life, so it’s okay if you don’t want me to…”
I wasn’t even sure what I was saying anymore.
Luckily, Rissa seemed to understand. She was quiet for a moment as she wrestled the oyster from its shell. Then, when it was dangling from her blade, she turned to me. “You know what? I am okay with it. I like you, and Patrick likes you, and he knows you. Do you want to join us?”
“I would love that,” I whispered.
Smiling, she lifted her knife, the mucus-blob of the oyster dangling from it. “Here.”
I wrapped my fingers around her wrist and guided it to my mouth, making sure I slurped as loudly as possible as I ate the thing. “Mmm.” I smacked my lips. “Can you imagine how incredibly hungry the first man to eat an oyster must have been? To look at one of these things and go Yep, I’m going to put that in my mouth .”
As Rissa grinned—and didn’t pull her hand away from my hold—Joleen snorted. It was Maggie, however, who quipped, “Many cultures consider oysters—even half-raw ones like these fuckers—to be aphrodisiacs.”
I used my hold on Rissa’s wrist to tug her closer, and I bent my head to murmur near her ear, “I don’t need a mollusk to turn me on when I’m with you.”
Rissa sucked in a breath, her cheeks heating, her eyes widening. I was close enough to feel , to scent , the changes in her…including the sweet rush of her arousal, which teased my nose and tongue.
Unable to help myself, I growled, my Kteer urging me on, and lowered my lips toward hers…
”Why hello ,” came a jarring voice from behind us. “Oh, Simbel, it’s so good to see you here!”
It took a moment for me to blink away the haze of lust I seemed cocooned in around Rissa and turned to see Kelly—the PE teacher—lurching toward us. She carried a beer in one hand, wore a tight t-shirt that outlined her breasts, and a huge smile.
“Simbel!” she announced cheerfully, pressing herself too close, resting her hand on my arm. “Is this your first Eastshore Isle oyster roast? Of course it is!” she laughed gaily. “I’m disappointed I didn’t get to show you how to open oysters.”
The way she waggled her brows left me with no doubt she was also thinking about aphrodisiacs. Did she not see that I’d been about to kiss Rissa? Did she not see I was still holding Rissa’s hand? As carefully as possible, I extracted myself from Kelly’s hold, backing along the table and pushing Rissa with me.
“I have the best instructor on the island.” I tried for a charming grin, but part of me couldn’t understand why I was bothering to charm Kelly. I guess I just didn’t want to hurt her. “Rissa has been awesome.”
Kelly’s lips tugged into a pout as she made a big deal out of “noticing” Rissa for the first time. “Oh, that’s…cool.” She looked Rissa up and down, and my hand tightened on hers in support. “Maybe for the town Oy ster Festival next week, you and I could get together?”
Joleen, bless her, chose that moment to intervene. “Didn’t I see your name up on the charity auction, Kelly? What are you offering?”
The blonde woman’s lips curled into a knowing smile. “ Myself. ”
I heard Rissa suck in a gasp as Maggie, behind us, snorted. I glanced down at Rissa, whose smile and shrug looked a little sickly as she explained, “Eastshore celebrates the end of the oyster season with a big outdoor festival. The auction is usually donations, which the Town Council uses to improve Eastshore. I think this year’s is going toward the park equipment fund.”
“Yes.” Kelly hummed and swayed forward, as if she was trying to touch me. “Only this year, I’m putting myself up there on the auction block. You can bid on me.” Her wink was lewd. “I promise you’d win me.”
I had to fight my smile.
This was getting ridiculous.
As I cleared my throat, Joleen snorted, “You can’t sell yourself, Kelly. Eastshore Town Council doesn’t go in for pimping.”
I hid my laugh, and Kelly blinked too innocently, even as she laid her hand on my forearm. “Pimping? Oh my gosh, Simbel!” Her laugh was tinkling, as if I’d said something funny. “No, I’m offering my services . As a workout partner.” She winked saucily. “I’m only mentioning it because I am passionate about fitness, and I can tell you are as well. ”
Her hand stroked along my forearm, and now I had to tighten my jaw to clench down on the impulse to shudder and jerk away. My Kteer wanted nothing to do with this woman, not when Rissa was at my side.
Behind us, Maggie muttered. “I’m passionate about fitness. Fittin’-this oyster in my mouth.”
“Yeah, Kelly,” Joleen agreed. “We’re trying to enjoy the roast. Did you bring your knife?”
“No, I didn’t,” she pouted up at me. “Maybe Simbel could lend me his?”
Rissa’s father had made the one she’d let me use; I would never presume to share it. I glanced down at Rissa, and only then saw the embarrassment, the misery on her face. Fuck . I needed to do something about it.
But before I could open my mouth, Rissa offered, “His is pretty big, but if you want to use mine—”
“That’s okay,” Kelly purred, squeezing my arm. “I can handle big.”
Aaaaand that’s enough of that.
“Sorry, Kelly.” I slid my arm around Rissa’s shoulders and tugged her up against me, trying to keep my expression polite even as my tone hardened. “I’m going to the Oyster Festival with Rissa.”
I could feel Rissa shrinking beside me, and I hated that. I hated the way Kelly was dismissing her, the way she’d sneered at Rissa’s long skirt and fluffy boots and sweater. I hated that I couldn’t sweep Rissa away from all this and assure her she was the only female I was interested in—would ever be interested in .
Well, why couldn’t I?
Kelly huffed, “Don’t you want to be with someone who knows how to have fun ?”
In that moment, I knew. I understood.
I glanced down at Rissa and allowed my smile to soften. “I’m with the female I’ve always wanted to be with.”
Dimly, I heard Joleen gasp happily and wondered if I’d revealed too much. But at this moment, I felt as if I couldn’t claim her fast enough. “Would you like to go on a walk, love?”
Her blue eyes were round, but she nodded jerkily. I turned us both from Kelly— Sorry, Joleen and Maggie, you’re going to have to put up with her —toward the hand-washing station out in front of the porta-potties.
After washing up, I twined my fingers through hers again, but I could feel her stiffness, her uncertainty. This stroll felt like we were running away, so I turned us toward the bleachers. We walked along them, well away from the crowd.
When we reached the end of the row of bleachers, I glanced down at Rissa and was alarmed to see the way she was frowning down at her feet. I glanced behind us, but we still weren’t far enough away, so I turned us and began to walk along the backside of the bleachers. Under their towering protection, we were well-hidden from the crowd at the oyster roast.
“So…” I tried to break the awkward silence. “That was weird, huh? I guess I should avoid Kelly at the next staff meeting. ”
I tried to make it a joke, but Rissa didn’t respond. I squeezed her hand. “Hey.”
Finally she looked up, her cheeks pale, her blue eyes swimming with what looked like sorrow. “You didn’t really mean it, did you?” she whispered.
Oh, gods below.
My heart clenched, and I tugged her to a stop, turning us so my back was to one of the supports. Using it to hold myself up, I scooted my legs apart and pulled her toward me, settling her between my thighs.
Only then did I gently grasp her chin between my thumb and forefinger, tipping her head back to meet my eyes. “I meant every word, Rissa.”
Even the part about forever I didn’t say.
I felt her touch my hips gently, then her fingers gripped my shirt, as if she was trying to hold on. “Simbel, I know I’m older, I’m not the prettiest, I’m definitely not as outgoing as Kelly—”
“Hey,” I interrupted, giving her chin a little shake. “I’m not going to stand for you insulting yourself. You’re beautiful, you’re fun, you’re funny , and I really enjoy spending time with you.”
“Yeah, but—”
“Rissa,” I interrupted, dropping my chin and my voice. “Do I have to spell it out for you? I like you . And not just for your personality.” I flexed my hips forward, so my cock—doing a valiant effort to break the fly of my jeans—brushed against her. “You’re everything I ever wanted in a female. ”
Her eyes had widened. “Me?” she breathed.
I was simultaneously charmed at her innocence and angered that no male had ever told her how desirable she was.
“You’re all I can think about.” My fingers moved from her chin to her jaw, then her throat, then I cupped the back of her neck. “I’ve been thinking about kissing you since our date.” The pad of my thumb brushed over her cheek. “I’m thinking about it right now. I want to kiss you, Rissa.”
“I want that too,” she whispered, her cheeks pink.
So I obliged.
I lowered my lips to hers, gently, slowly. This kiss was exploratory, me showing her what she meant to me. Which was strange because I was still coming to grips with these feelings.
Rissa wasn’t just someone I was dating, just someone I was kissing. I cared for her. I cared about her. I wanted to be with her.
Fuck. Maybe my brother had been right.
With a growl in my chest, I pulled her closer and deepened my kiss. My tongue probed, and with a little whimper, her hold on me tightened, and she met me eagerly.
Time seemed to blur. All I could think feel smell know was Rissa in my arms. Rissa, kissing me back.
My lips moved across her skin, murmuring little words of praise, and my hand slid down her arm and up under her sweater. “Please?” I asked, my palm spreading across her skin .
Instead of answering, Rissa arched her back, thrusting her breast into my hand, and we both groaned at the perfection of it.
I continued to caress her skin with my lips as I fondled her through her bra. Gods below, how could something so simple be so arousing? I could feel her nipple pebbling through the silk, and at that moment, I wanted nothing more than to yank it down, to press my lips there , to love her.
No, that’s not exactly true. What I wanted more than anything was to taste the sweet scent of her arousal that was cocooning us. Unable to resist, my hand left her neck, and I dropped it to her hip, then lower. As she ground her pelvis against my erection, seeking pressure and release, I cupped her ass, my fingers slowly dragging her skirt upward.
“Rissa,” I gasped, straightening just enough to meet her eyes, promising her the world with my gaze. “Can I—Can I touch you?” My fingers had stilled against her breast, but I was still tugging her skirt up. I saw her shiver as the spring evening air caressed her legs.
Please .
I wanted to add, but I didn’t want her to agree if this wasn’t what she wanted.
I shouldn’t have worried. With a desperate little gasp, she thrust herself toward me, pulling my lips down toward hers. “If you don’t,” she murmured against my mouth, “I’ll never forgive you.”
My lips curled, and I yanked her skirt up far enough so I could slip my hand under. As I rolled her nipple between my thumb and forefinger, feeling her shudder with need, I moved my hand between her legs, cupping the soaked cotton of her underwear.
“Rissa,” I groaned happily. “Gods of the ancestors.”
“I’m sorry,” she panted, pulling me closer. “I—”
“You’re so wet.” I slid my finger along her seam. “Gods, so wet. I want to touch you.”
“ Please ,” she groaned, grinding against me.
I pushed aside her underwear and dragged my finger along her cleft. We both shuddered at the sensation. I wanted to push into her, to claim her, to make her mine.
“You’re perfect, Rissa,” I murmured, stroking her. “So wet, so beautiful. I’m never going to get enough of you. So fucking perfect.” When my thumb brushed against her clitoris, she jerked, so I did it again. “You like that?”
Whimpering, she clutched me, her eyes closed, her head tipped back. I loved that she was so focused on her own pleasure, as she should be.
I dipped my finger into her, and when she didn’t clamp or freeze, I slid a second inside. She was so responsive, so wet, so perfect .
“That’s it,” I murmured, rubbing her clitoris and slowly stroking her, careful to keep my claws retracted. “You’re doing such a good job, letting me love you like this. Can I make you come, Rissa?”
Her eyes flashed open on a gasp, just as I pressed against her nub. Dazed blue eyes blinked up at me .
“What do you like, love?” I flicked her clit again. “Tell me.”
“You,” she gasped, blinking up at me. “I like you.”
My Kteer soared, and I curled my fingers forward, my fingertips hitting that rough spot right behind her clitoris. She gasped and jerked against my hold, then sank down with a moan as her eyes fluttered shut.
“That’s it, dkaar .” I did it again, feeling her inner muscles tightening around my fingers. “Let yourself claim this. You’re so beautiful when you come, I know it.”
I stroked her g-spot a third time, as I pressed against her clitoris…and she exploded.
“Simbel!” she cried, a half-second before I silenced her with my lips, her core spasming around me. I held my fingers still, not wanting to interrupt her as she took her own pleasure.
Gods below, I loved this. I loved her .
It was a while before her breathing slowed. I clutched her to my chest, savoring the feel of this. “So beautiful,” I murmured, kissing the top of her head. “I was right. You are amazing.”
She stirred, and I could see the tops of her cheeks turning pink. Slowly, I slid my fingers from within her, moving her underwear back into place. I shifted, allowing her skirt to arrange itself around her calves once more as I pulled my hand away from her thighs.
Unable to help myself, I lifted my hand to my mouth and slid my fingers between my lips .
Her taste was everything I’d hoped. My eyes fluttered closed on a pleased groan. “ Perfect .”
It was as if her musk, this ridiculously delicious scent, was the finest-tasting ambrosia I could imagine. I wanted to bury my tongue in her pussy and never emerge.
But when I opened my eyes, she was watching me, shock in her expression. Grinning wickedly, I reached for the back of her head and pulled her to me. “ Delicious ,” I declared, kissing her.
I wondered if she could taste herself. I wondered if she knew how perfect she tasted.
I wondered if she could tell how much I wanted to claim her permanently.
Shuddering at the intensity of the thought, I pressed her against my chest, hoping my heartbeat would eventually even. Wondering how it possibly could with Rissa in my arms.
My brother was right.
She was my Mate.