Casey didn’t care if they were talking about him or about life in New Glacia. Seeing his mate this way, all domesticated with frosting drips on their wet-hemmed dress, made Casey want to both melt into a puddle and yank them back through the portal to their bed at the same time.
“I like you like this,” Natasha said quietly. Casey turned to see her observing him as intently as he’d been watching the precious scene in the kitchen. “All in love and shit. It was tiring having to keep up with all your flings.”
“I rarely talked about that shit with you.”
“Yeah, because if you had, I would’ve had to keep a journal to remember their names.” She waggled her brows before lowering her voice. “But seriously, I can’t wait to see your new home. Are you guys still trying for, you know. . .?”
A sly smile slipped out, and Casey bit his lip to hide his excitement, lest his mom choose that moment to glance their way and get all nosy. Natasha was the only one Casey’d told about the tidbit of information Dr. Billings had shared that day, ages ago, when she fixed the portal.
“We were waiting until the nursery was ready. Finished it yesterday. Apparently, I’m going to be useless while I’m. . .” Hetrailed off, glancing at Mom who was still deep in conversation with his mate.
Natasha leaned into Casey’s space, smirking, brows high and accusatory. “Pregnant. While you’re pregnant, Casey.”
“Shh!”
Natasha laughed, drawing everyone’s attention. Tsunis’ gaze met Casey’s, and they shared a knowing look.
When they’d eaten their fill of cupcakes and roast, they visited Sophie’s to discuss the logistics of their upcoming tour. While South of Misery hadn’t won the contest at The Social Scene, Tsunis had introduced them to a prolific producer from their youth, and the band was growing popular in New Glacis. Sophie was the first to visit their new home, and it was safe to say she knew she was an important person in Casey’s life, trusted and loved. Mission accomplished.
After an impromptu jam session, they returned to the brook where it all began. Casey ran his fingers along the boulder and smiled, recalling that one time he’d accidentally formed a blood contract with a malevolent water spirit. “Remember when I was just your pupil?”
“Tonight,” Tsunis declared. “It’s time. I cannot wait any longer.”
Casey’s smile turned feral. He wrapped a hand around Tsunis’ neck, letting his thumb skate over the bottom of their fin. “Me either. I want your eggs, Tsunis.”
Tsunis growled, and in the next moment, they were below water, flying toward the portal home.
Casey clung to Tsunis’ velvet-scaled neck, kissing and nipping at them the whole way, even as they navigated the bustling tunnels of New Glacis to their castle-slash-cave of a home. The lower two levels were full of water and opened into a ‘yard’ large enough for their little one to swim and play in.
When they breached the surface to the upper half of the home, Casey barely perceived the nerves underneath the lust. Too horny to wait, he scooped Tsunis up the moment they shifted forms, both hands cupping perfectly sculpted ass cheeks.
Their lips never left each other as Casey took the stairs two at a time, barging into the bedroom hard enough for the door to crash against the wall.
Darkness laced Tsunis’ chuckle. Casey threw them on the bed and started to climb above them, but Tsunis, being the Glacisian warrior they were, chopped Casey’s leg out from under him and shoved his chest at the same time, effectively reversing their roles.
Fucking damn, it was so hot when they tossed him around like he wasn’t a decently bulky dude twice their size. Being back in their homeland, a retired warrior with a mate and no daily duties, allowed their soft side to thrive in the garden and their sexy, rough side to make more appearances than ever.
Casey loved all of it. All of them. His life was perfect. After tonight, it would be even more perfect.
“You’re so eager to be bred, Casimir. Do not worry. I’ll give you all that you need.”
“I’m not the only one who’s eager,” Casey growled, leaning up for a kiss only to be pinned down by the throat.
“Oh, sweet mate, I’ve longed for this moment well before our first kiss.”
Their thumb caressed the spot that bore pinpricks on his neck. The mark had turned a shade of blue that matched Tsunis’ eyes as soon as they first passed through the portal. Something about the properties in the water here, mate marks, mate bonds…all the romantic shit Sophie had warned Casey about. Oh, and fucking gills.
“I remember,” Casey chuckled throatily. “You got carried away and made me yours after one little kiss.”
Tsunis hummed and leaned down, licking from Casey’s clavicle to his jaw, pausing to nip his earlobe.
“I regret nothing. And my kissing skills have much improved.”
“Have they, now?” Casey rasped. “Prove it.”
Their lips met in an embrace that contradicted the hand grasping Casey’s throat. Soft, velvety scales dragged over his thighs, which he widened to allow his smaller mate to fit between them.
Slick and ready tentacles caressed Casey’s rim, mimicking the way Tsunis’ tongue tangled with his, swallowing down his moans.
