Chapter 19
Piper
“Can we go swimming?”
“If that is what you wish,” Katem says.
“It is.”
“Then let us swim. We will head down to where the females wash and if no one is there, we will place a foot covering on the bush and no one will disturb us.”
I chuckle. “Maeve told me how someone unintentionally flashed her naked bits to the unmated males once.”
“That was the first time we had ever seen a female’s chest mounds and cunt.”
“Wait.” I lift my head and narrow my gaze. “Were you one of the guys that got an eyeful?”
Katem’s lips quirk like he’s fighting a smile. “Jodah and I did not realize Remi was not wearing any coverings. We only heard a fright-filled scream and raced toward where we thought was danger. We did not expect to come across a naked female.”
“Oh my god. How mortifying. I assume everything was fine?”
He nods. “This was before the few remaining Krijese became our allies. Daveel had been knocked unconscious by Kala who had then observed Remi swimming. She spotted him as well. Her yell is what brought us to the river, but he had already disappeared by the time we arrived.”
“She’s lucky, especially if you all were still enemies at the time.”
“Kala had already grown tired of fighting by that time,” Katem replies. “He had no wish to battle either Jodah or me is what he told us later.”
“That’s good.”
He clasps my hand. “You have nothing to fear, my mate. I will protect your naked form from anyone who might wish to try and see it. Even myself. Unless, of course, you wish to show me.”
“Katem, are you propositioning me?” I ask with fake outrage.
“I do not know the meaning of this word.” He shrugs, a far too human gesture that looks endearing when he does it. “I am merely saying that no one will see you without coverings.”
“Except you.”
“I would be honored to see you without coverings.” His lips twitch and he’s no longer able to hold back his laughter.
I nudge him with my elbow, but I’m grinning just as widely. “I’m sure you would be.”
We continue walking downstream towards the spot where the women bathe.
It comes into view and although we’re still a bit away from it, there aren’t any socks or other article of clothing hanging on a branch that I can tell.
That means no one’s there. Which means Katem and I will be having our first swimming lesson.
Considering I don’t know how to do so much as doggy paddle, I don’t own a suit.
There has never been a reason to. So, I’m either going to be doing my lesson fully clothed—an idea that has zero appeal—or in my bra and panties.
Once they’re wet, I might as well be naked. Why didn’t I think this through?
We come to a stop at the copse of bushes and Katem glances down at me. “If you are not ready for a lesson, we do not have to do this.”
I shake my head. “No, it’s not that. I’m just reminded of the fact that I don’t have proper swimming attire—coverings.”
He cants his head. “There are special coverings humans wear to swim?”
“Well, I mean, usually there is. Some people do swim naked, I suppose, but yes, they usually wear what’s called a swimsuit.”
“You do not own one of these…things?”
“I don’t, but it’s okay.” I bite at my bottom lip. “I’ll just wear my underclothes.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive.”
“Then we will continue,” Katem says. “But first, we must place some item on the bush to warn others we are here.”
“Oh, okay.” The only thing I have are my socks, so I toe off my shoe, yank one off my foot, and hand it to him.
He places it over a branch and guides me forward beyond the nenuphar bushes down to the river bank.
He squats down and plunges his hand in the water.
“Come, check the temperature. I will not have you cold.”
Carefully, I crouch next to him and slowly dip my hand in, but only to the first knuckle before proceeding to the second and then my whole hand.
It’s definitely on the chillier side, but the sun is out and the air is warm so hopefully it will be tolerable.
At least long enough to get our first lesson in.
“This should be fine.” I glance over at Katem.
“Good, then let us begin.” He stands and reaches for the ties of his hide pants.
I jolt to my feet as well and flail my hands out in front of me. “Whoa, whoa, what are you doing?”
He freezes. “I am getting ready to swim.”
“Naked?” It comes out on a screech.
He tilts his head and that adorable confused look crosses his face. “Tavikhi do not wear coverings while in the water.”
Right. Of course, they don’t. “Okay, how about I turn my back to give you some privacy and once you’re…naked, you get in the water? Then you can turn around while I do this same.”
Katem still looks at me like I’m being weird, but he nods.
I give him my back, but the sound of him removing his pants is loud behind me.
I can just picture his tail slipping out of the hole in the back designed for it and then him sliding down the hide fabric exposing his taut butt—yes, I’ve studied it frequently—and his…
cock, before sliding down his legs to pool around his ankles.
I’ve thought about Katem’s cock in on the abstract of ways, but knowing it’s…right there, has my imagination running wild. Does it look similar to a human’s? Completely different? Oh god. The sound of splashing water intrudes and I’ve never been more thankful to have my thoughts interrupted.
“I am in the water when you are ready to join me,” he calls out.
I glance over my shoulder. He stands waist deep and my mouth waters at the way the sun reflects off his wet abs.
There’s barely a hint of the diagonal hip muscles forming the vee that directs my gaze downward.
Beneath the crystal clear water, the length of his cock is nearly visible.
I swallow saliva and drag my gaze up to meet Katem’s.
“Okay, turn around, please.”
He hesitates for a second, but does what I ask. Looks like I’m next.