Chapter 6

Chapter

Six

JAY

I ’ve faced Olympic competitions with less nerves than I’m feeling right now.

“Babe, stop fidgeting. You’ll wrinkle your suit,” Zora scolds, swatting my hand away from my collar.

I grunt, resisting the urge to let my tentacles out. They’re itching under my skin, not used to being confined for so long. “Remind me why we’re doing this again?”

Zora rolls her eyes, but there’s a smile tugging at her sexy lips. “Because you’re Jay Lafayette, celebrity kraken-shifter, and apparently that means fancy galas and shit.”

I pull her close, burying my nose in her hair and inhaling deeply. Her scent - jasmine and vanilla with a hint of something that’s uniquely Zora - calms me instantly. “You know I’d rather be in the ocean with you, right?”

She laughs, the sound sending fucking butterflies through my chest. Fucking whipped. “You’ve mentioned it once or twice. Usually when you’re trying to get me naked.”

I grin, letting my hands wander down her curves. The dress she’s wearing is fucking sinful, clinging to every dip and swell of her body. “Can you blame me? Look at you. Fuck,” I mumble against her skin, nipping at her jaw. I have to resist the urge to follow with my tongue.

“Behave,” she warns, but her scent spikes with need. “We don’t have time for that now,” she says through a moan.

I growl playfully, nipping at her ear. “We could make time.”

She pushes me away, laughing. “Save it for after the gala.”

I sigh dramatically, flopping on the bed.

She giggles, going back to the mirror to retouch her makeup. I watch her, amazed at how much my life has changed in just a month.

Before Zora, galas like this were a necessary evil. I’d show up, flash my medal-winning smile, maybe flirt a bit if my manager insisted, then escape as soon as possible. Now? Now I’m actually looking forward to it. Because I get to show off my mate to the world.

My mate. The thought still sends a thrill through me. And I know it always will.

I remember the moment I first scented her in that hotel lobby. It was like being hit by a fucking tsunami - overwhelming, all-consuming. Everything in me screamed ‘mine’. And when I tasted her juices on my suckers? It was fucking game over.

The week that followed was a blur of stolen moments and mind-blowing sex. But it was more than that. It was conversations that lasted till dawn, learning every little thing about her. Watching her stand up to those reporters, fierce and beautiful. Realizing I’d found not just a mate, but a partner.

Zora’s voice pulls me from my thoughts. “You okay there, big guy?”

I blink, focusing on her beautiful face. “Yeah, just thinking.”

“Don’t hurt yourself,” she teases.

I grab her hand, pulling her onto the bed with me. She yelps, then dissolves into giggles as I start kissing her again all over.

“Jay! My makeup!”

I pause, hovering over her. Her eyes are bright with laughter. She’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.

“I love you,” I blurt out.

Zora’s eyes widen, then soften. “I love you too, alpha.”

I lean in for a kiss, slow and deep. I pour everything I’m feeling into it - my love, my gratitude for changing her entire life to build a new one with me, my promise to always be there for her.

When we part, we’re both breathing heavily. Zora’s lipstick is smeared, and I’m sure I’m wearing half of it.

“We’re gonna be late,” she purrs, but makes no move to get up.

I shrug, already working on the zipper of her dress. “So we’ll be fashionably late. I’m Jay Lafayette, remember? I can do whatever the fuck I want.”

Zora laughs, the sound turning into a moan as I trail kisses between her tits.