2. Viggo
Viggo
S cooting the last box of supplies into the stern of my boat, I watch Beck out of the corner of my eye. He’s looking mad stressed and practically standing at attention as he waits for the Cape Easton guests we’ll be ferrying to the island.
Doc Calla told us these creatures are humans from the city, but they’re all well aware that most of us from the island are not human.
Since Doc Calla doesn’t have a second form and these humans are close enough friends to be invited to her birthday party, I don’t think they’ll be scared of Beck and me.
I mean, Doc Calla’s a goblin who looks like a goblin.
Three feet tall and green with ears bigger than the jewelry usually dangling from them.
When I’m in my shifted form I think I pass for a human.
Beck totally does too. Maybe. If his hair wasn’t so shiny and his dragon scales didn’t appear randomly he totally could.
I hop onto the dock reserved for Starry Hill boats, the one farthest away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the harbor, and spot a couple of creatures at the same time Beck does.
“Gird your loins. Here they come,” I say, and slap Beck on the shoulder.
He frowns back at me. “What does this have to do with my loins?”
“Nothing. Unless you want it to.” I wink back at him and his frown deepens. One day I’m going to get him to double over with laughter. Giving it another try, I say, “Tell me which one you don’t like and I’ll squirt some ink at them.”
Beck’s head rears back. “Why would you do that?” After a second his expression shifts as if a new thought has occurred to him. “Do you have your ink problem under control now?”
I wince and scratch at the back of my neck. “Uh, yeah. Nurse Tilly gave me some… pointers on how to control it. I’m managing myself very well now.”
“Good. I guess it would be uncomfortable for guests if you were to shake their hands only for them to end up covered in kraken ink.”
A blush blooms across my cheeks and I quickly try to laugh it off. “No more accidental leaking for me.”
I don’t need to tell Beck about my stash of kraken cum at home and how regularly I have to jack myself off in order to get rid of the excessive amount of ink coursing through my body.
Nor do I tell him that I sell it online for artists who like to paint with the unique color.
Beck’s cool, but we’re not close enough for that kind of personal information exchange.
I scan the group of humans walking toward us, but when my eyes land on the purple-haired goddess strolling casually behind them with her eyes fixed on the ocean, my blood freezes in my veins before it buzzes and barrels straight to my cock.
I’m in love. Surely that female is mine. There’s no way the universe would be this cruel and show the most perfect specimen only for her to not be available.
The goddess joins the group, smiling sweetly at us, and I almost forget how to breathe.
Oh fuck. Fuckity fuck fuck. Act cool. Don’t let her know you have no game. Don’t leak ink. Think before you talk. Smooth and steady. Unaffected. Cool.
Her hair is tied in two knots on either side of her head, tendrils of soft purple hair draping around her fine-boned face.
Eyes, the same shade as the water in Kraken Cove on a bright day, and a smattering of freckles decorate her nose and cheeks—possibly other parts of her body too.
Plump pink lips that look like they’re ready to burst into a smile at a moment’s notice, and a body meant for tentacles to wrap around and explore.
I’m in big trouble. How am I going to make her think I’m interesting enough to talk to? Come on, Viggo. Think of a plan.
Step one: Keep her away from the other single creatures.
Step two: Entertain her, make sure she has the time of her life today—and tonight.
Step three: Make her fall in love with you.
I can do that, right?
Blinking out of my thoughts and into the present, I subtly wipe at the drool gathering in the corners of my mouth, and belatedly tune in to Beck’s formal greeting, only catching the tail end of his instructions.
“We’ll be underway soon. By my count, we’re waiting for one more to join us. Once they arrive, I’ll ask you to please board mine and Viggo’s boats. There’s more than enough room for all.”
Seeing the opportunity, I step forward and weave through the group until I’m standing in front of the goddess, blood rushing through my ears louder than a stormy sea.
I quickly run a hand through my wavy hair, lift my chin, and put on my most charming grin.
“Hi, I’m Viggo. It would be my honor to escort you to Starry Hill today. ”
She arches a single brow at me, but those luscious lips curve ever so slightly upward. In a voice sweeter than honey, and a tone laced with mischief, she says, “Viggo, you say? That’s a nice name. I’m Juniper.”
She likes my name. One point in my favor. If I say, “I wonder what you’ll sound like screaming it later,” that would be too forward, right? Yes. Small steps. Let’s see what else I can make her like about me before I make her scream.
The rest of the world disappears as I zone in on my sole focus for today. Possibly for the rest of my life.
“Juniper,” I say on a dreamy sigh. Oops, was my new-found devotion too obvious? “Juniper,” I repeat more neutrally, and finally remember my manners, holding my hand out for her to shake.
The moment she places her delicate hand in mine, everything within me ceases. I hold onto my shifted appearance as tightly as I can before all my tentacles explode from me and I drag her into the ocean and keep her as my personal treasure to worship and adore.
Because not only is Juniper the most beautiful goddess I’ve ever seen in my life, but her nails are painted the most exquisite black—bioluminescent black. Kraken black.
I take a shaky breath in, hyperaware of my tentacles roiling under my skin, then hold her eyes as I lift her hand to my mouth to press a soft kiss to her knuckles. The move lets me sniff the ink on her nails, just to confirm what I already expect to be true.
One side of my mouth pulls into a pleased grin as I scent myself on her. This female got her hands on my ink and painted her nails with it. If I had a tail, it would be wagging right now.
I wonder if she’s touched herself with those fingers.
No, don’t go thinking about that now. The others are staring.
She must know it’s kraken ink, but maybe she doesn’t know it’s my kraken that provided it.
Maybe I’ll first ease her into the fact that I’m a kraken before I tell her she’s basically marked as mine now.
Juniper’s eyes travel appreciatively up and down my body, and I subtly adjust my cock in my pants before I straighten up to my full height, quirking my elbow out for her to grab onto. “May I help you with your bag?”
Juniper studies me for a moment, an unnamed emotion flashing behind her eyes before she nods and says, “Yes.” The word comes out breathy but sure, and I mentally pump my fist in the air for another win.
I give a friendly smile to the other creatures waiting around on the dock, nodding a greeting at them, then help Juniper onto my boat.
Trying to be as inconspicuous about my intentions as possible, I glance down and notice the seashell bracelets around her wrists, my hearts beating faster at her appreciation for the ocean.
“You like seashell jewelry?” I ask the future love of my life.
Juniper’s head bobs excitedly. “Yes! I love making my own jewelry from shells I find on the beach. But I’ve been so busy lately that I’ve had to resort to buying them.”
Could this be a match made by the ocean gods themselves? I’ll collect every last seashell in the ocean and present them to her on a platter if it means I get a chance with her.
“Maybe I can help you find some today?” I shoot my shot, then hold my breath as she deliberates.
Juniper sucks her bottom lip into her mouth, and my cock twitches as I zero in on her mouth. I want to be the one sucking on that lip, tasting it.
“That’s a very sweet offer,” she says coyly. “Maybe you can also show me some good spots on the island?”
Is she flirting back with me? Could I be this lucky for once in my life?
“Yes. Anything you want,” I answer enthusiastically. Ready to get out of there and start wooing her, I quickly place Juniper’s bag in the storage area and turn back to her. “You can take any seat, but I’d be honored if you take the one next to mine.”
A small smile crawls across Juniper’s lips. “And if I honor you with my company, what do I get?”
I open my mouth to tell her she can get whatever she wants—my boat, my heart, my soul, but I rein myself in at the last moment.
Luckily she sees me struggling with an apt response and takes pity on me, simply lowering herself into the seat I suggested. If my three hearts beat any stronger they’re going to pound holes through my chest.
Looking calm and comfortable on the boat, she leans back and stretches her long, tanned legs out in front of her, her tiny denim cut-offs making them look like they go on forever. The sight almost makes me fall to my knees right here in front of everyone and declare my fealty to her.
Can this day get any better? I’m going to have to ask Bodin for tips on how to propose.
Ready to leave right now and show Juniper all the reasons to fall in love with Starry Hill—and me—I go to undo the boat from the cleats tying it to the dock, but the look Beck gives me stops me dead in my tracks. Oops.
I hold up my hands. “I was just checking the knots,” I lie. Beck doesn’t buy it for even a second and shakes his head at me, disappointment riddled across his features.
The final creature arrives and Beck divides the group up, directing most onto his larger boat and a few onto mine, all while I keep an eye on Juniper and her serene smile as she lounges in her seat and studies the horizon.
I’m nearly bouncing on my toes by the time we’re ready to go, nervous that someone else will steal Juniper’s attention.
I’m greedy for her. Her company, her smiles, her everything.
Maybe it’s irrational to fall this quickly, but when was being rational ever fun?
Juniper makes polite conversation with the other passengers who got on our boat, but it’s clear that she doesn’t know them.
She’s kind. Another attribute I can list of the things I know and like about Juniper.
Beck uses his fancy water power to leave first, calling over his shoulder, “See you at my dock.”
I shout back, “Go ahead. I’m happy to come second.”
Does Juniper know that the comment was meant for her? Can I be more obvious that I’m talking about bringing her pleasure, again and again and again before I’ll allow myself to find my own release? Oh, to see her cunt dripping with my shiny black ink would be a dream come true.
But first I need to get her to like me and trust me, then I’m going to make her want to keep me.
I follow in Beck’s wide wake, navigating my way through the full harbor while my passengers chat about Starry Hill and what they’re most looking forward to.
I fix my eyes ahead, away from Juniper’s legs in case they distract me enough to crash into one of the other boats, and focus on the deep ocean calling me to return.
On my way back to Starry Hill I’m going to devise at least a hundred-and-fifty ways to make Juniper mine. Today.