Forging Ties (Ties, Book 3) | ✓

Chapter 25

Hamish and Duran had continued wandering down the beach until they'd come to a small pier that had seen better days. It didn't look like it was in use anymore, but Duran had walked along it and jumped up and down and it had held his weight.

Hamish had jumped off the end into the water to go for a swim while Duran sat down on the edge. They were both still naked and Hamish's eyes were starting to find themselves magnetised to every angle and curve of Duran's body again.

Duran knew it, too. The way he leant his weight back on his hands and stretched out his chest was no accident. Somehow he managed to be completely aware of his own sexual appeal without it ever feeling like arrogance.

Hunger was also a consideration. Maybe they should have packed a picnic after all, because it was past time for lunch by now and Hamish was starting to feel it. Perhaps he could beg some money off of someone and take Duran out for lunch somewhere nice. Was that something that people who were whatever the two of them now were did? Come to think of it, they hadn't really fully settled that conversation. It seemed they both wanted the same general thing, but if it was to be something closer, something longer term, it was important that they fully understood one another's needs.

Something brushed against Hamish's leg and he pulled it away, thinking it was seaweed, but whatever it was pursued him. A fish? It felt a little slimy. Without warning, it wrapped around his leg and tugged him down.

Hamish thrashed as his head was submerged under the water and whatever had hold of him let go. He gasped air as he surfaced and tried to swim for the pier, but something slick and muscular wrapped around his chest.

"Hamish!" Duran called out from the pier, on his feet now and looking ready to jump in. Hamish hoped he wouldn't.

Hamish heard a splash and the sounds of dripping as something emerged from the water behind him, followed by a deep, chesty laugh.

"I'm just playing," a low, resonant voice said from close behind Hamish.

Hamish held very still and took a few seconds to let himself breathe. "Then let go of me."

To Hamish's surprise, he was instantly released. He turned and found himself face to face with a man with long, straggly black hair and mottled grey and orange skin that seemed to shift its shade as Hamish watched. A long tentacle reached up out of the water and patted Hamish on the cheek.

"Hello," the man said in a voice so deep it touched Hamish's cock. Oh, wait, no, that was a tentacle. A tentacle was groping him.

"Hello," Hamish said, sending an uncertain glance in the direction of Duran who was still waiting anxiously on the pier.

The man aimed a smile in Duran's direction and patted the surface of the water with one of his tentacles. "Join us."

"I'm good," Duran said, his eyes locking with Hamish's. "Are you good?"

Hamish glanced down beneath the water to where the tentacle was making good friends with his cock. "I think so."

Another tentacle wound its way up Hamish's leg. He half expected another drowning attempt but, oop, no, this one was more interesting in groping his ass.

Hamish squirmed as another tentacle felt its way up his chest. "Why am I so horny for death?"

"I'm not going to kill you," the man said, the tentacle that had been touching his chest reaching up to brush across his throat. "Does knowing I could turn you on?"

"Little bit," Hamish admitted, sending another glance in Duran's direction. Duran had sat back down, watching the situation carefully, and a tentacle was gently probing his foot where it dangled in the water. "But it doesn't turn my friend there on. At all. So... boundaries, okay? Do we understand one another?"