Chapter Five

Nina yawned through dinner and kept apologizing. Kimo rubbed her back and said, “After travel and a rough night with Tono snoring a few doors down, plus today’s fun and games, you have a right to be sleepy.”

“I thought it was Drake snoring out of tune.” She nodded her head and then jerked upright.

Kimo sighed and pulled her onto his lap again. He pressed her head to his chest and woke her up for dessert. A chocolate éclair was held to her mouth, and she forced herself awake. “Can I get coffee?”

“Nope. You are going to get a full night’s sleep, and tomorrow, I show you the property.”

“Oh. Yay. Do you think your brother found Violet okay?”

“He hasn’t sent any messages, but I can send a query to him.”

“Is he normally chatty?”

“No.”

She frowned. “Where is my phone?”

“Why?”

“I want to ask Violet if she has seen him.”

“I think he is volatile enough to need to work this through on his own.”

She looked up at him. “Are you twins, right?”

“Fraternal, but yes.”

“Huh. You have pictures?”

He snorted and opened his phone. He brought up images and showed her. “This is Keanu, that is Ayan, that’s me, my mother and father.”

She nodded. “Okay, so similar but not the same.”

“Did the éclair perk you up?”

“No, I just remembered about your brother and Violet.”

“Oh, I see. Nervous?”

“You say he is moody, and Violet doesn’t deserve moody.”

“Something thinks she does, or the mark wouldn’t have appeared.”

“You are probably right. I am just worried for her.”

Kimo shrugged. “If you think you have a right to be, you do.”

“Can you send me the picture?”

“Why?”

“For reference purposes.”

He nodded, and she saw him forward it to her. She looked up at him. “Now, where did my phone end up?”

“I think it is on the counter over there.”

She tried to flail her way away from Kimo, but he laughed. Drake snorted and went to grab her phone. “She doesn’t deal well with no .”

She grabbed her phone and gasped as she saw the pretty image of Keanu and Violet taking a selfie together. She exhaled and smiled. “Well, that’s promising.”

She read down further and blinked. “Not good. Not good.”

She frowned. “He decided to keep a distance between them for whatever reason, so she left Wonder and headed to a family event.”

“Keanu has always been worried about being sought for his money. Maybe it was that.”

She showed him the image of Violet. “You see this face?”

“Yeah.”

Nina sighed and pulled up images from a press conference. “She’s CEO of a tech corporation. She pulls in seven figures a year and is in the islands on vacation, culminating in her parents’ thirtieth anniversary.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah. She just doesn’t think that money is good for anything but being comfortable, so she donates what she doesn’t need to live.”

She looked at Tono. “Yes, if you are into gold-digging, she’s single.”

Tono shook his head. “No, I am set.”

Kimo sighed. “And this is why Ayan should have been with him. He does marketing online for tech companies and would probably have recognized her. Shit.”

“Yeah. Well, I am heading up to go to bed. This is too much angst for one day.” She squirmed off Kimo’s lap and smiled at him. “Tour tomorrow?”

He narrowed his eyes and put his hand out to her. She put her hand in his, and he pulled her in for a kiss. She wanted nothing more than to crawl onto his lap and cuddle up with him, but she backed away from him and headed to the second floor of the enormous house.

Her pack was in the grey bedroom, and she got the tank top that she slept in and got ready for bed.

She settled in to sleep and hoped that everything was okay with Violet.

* * * *

Kimo spoke to his brother at length, and then he called Ayan to let him know what was happening. Hopefully, those two would get their shit together.

The whale watchers headed back to base for the night with the knowledge that the storm was coming and keeping their equipment with him would keep it safe.

He made sure that the chickens were in the pen with plenty of food and water, collected the eggs, and closed the pen. He went back inside and put the eggs on the counter, washed his hands, and then headed up the steps. He was about to open his room when he caught the thread of her scent. He smiled and went to the grey room, seeing her on her stomach, one leg up against her chest and the sheet pushed to her hips.

He watched her and then heard, “Not even a hug?”

She was leaning up on her arms and looking at him with a sleepy expression that relocated his blood volume fairly efficiently. The drape of her shirt gave him a direct view to her breasts, and he immediately wanted to burn all of those bras. She was magnificent.

He walked up to her, scooped her up, and carried her to his bedroom. She leaned her head on his shoulder, and his protective instincts fought with lust. It wasn’t a situation he had been in before.

Kimo tucked her into the far side of the bed, away from the door and got himself ready for bed.

He flipped the sheet back and curled up next to her, pulling her back against him. Her soft curves against him were perfect. She fit against him, and as he eased her against him, she wiggled to get situated. The wiggling nearly undid him.

“Nymph, can you settle without wiggling?”

He heard a chuckle and knew that she had done it on purpose.

He rolled her to her back and looked down at her. “How sleepy are you?”

“Too tired to enjoy sex but not anything else.” She ran a hand down his arm. She paused. “Too flirty?”

“Direct and just flirty enough.”

She sighed and smiled up at him, and he was lost.

* * * *

Nina looked at the soft expression that crossed his features, and he leaned down to kiss her. Light streamed in from a bright moon, and while his features were cast in a harsh light, she had never felt safer.

His kiss was scorching, and she twisted toward him, seeking contact. Kimo put a thigh over hers, and she made a happy sound.

He rubbed against her slowly as they kissed, and her body responded to the sensation of him. The waves crashed steadily against her back, and it kept her slowly swaying into him.

He rolled to his back and pulled her over him. His hands slid up the shirt she was sleeping in, and the cool air told her what parts of her were exposed. His fingers learned the expanse of her thighs and the curve of her ass.

She shivered when his palm spanned her back and reached up to her shoulder blades.

The shirt was huge, so it was easy for him to move his hands around. When he eased his hands between them to stroke her breasts one at a time, she shuddered.

The whole time, his lips plucked and teased hers. She was startled when he pulled his lips from hers, and he lifted her to position her breasts near his mouth.

Soft whines came from her throat as he licked and sucked slowly and with purpose. Her toes curled, and she got slick as she tried to brace herself while he held her. She ended up gripping his wrists, which felt like a strange encouragement.

A deep throbbing started inside her, and she started a soft sobbing in time to the sucking.

He lifted her and pulled her upward, settling her thighs on either side of his head. She squeaked at the suddenness of it, but his hands moved to grip her thighs and hold her in position as his tongue lapped at the slippery mess he had encouraged.

She gasped and moaned, shuddering as he sucked softly on her clit before delving back into her with thick strokes of his tongue.

It took less than a minute before she shrieked as her orgasm struck, causing a delightfully slow spasm deep inside her.

His hands gripped her hips as he helped her ride through it. When his tongue went from pleasure to a burn on her clit, she whined and tried to jerk away from him.

He gave her one last slow lick and then lifted her away from him. He draped her over him and nuzzled at her neck. “That was lovely, nymph.”

She shivered at the satisfaction in his tone. “Well, you had a better view than I did.”

He laughed and squeezed her tight. “I certainly did.”

She didn’t tell him that her body wanted more. More would lead to sex, and that would be too fast by beta standards. She wasn’t going to get any sleep, especially not with him next to her.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I am just way too alert now.”

He stroked his hand down her spine. “I am sorry, not sorry.”

Nina sighed. “It’s fine. I will get tired and nap. Probably.”

“Is there anything I can do?”

She thought of a thousand things and muttered, “Yes, but my parents would disown me.”

“It’s a good thing that they aren’t here. What will help?”

“Is it past midnight?”

“In two minutes.”

“I will tell you in two minutes.”

He threaded a hand in her hair and tugged her head back. “What will help?”

“More.”

He frowned and then said, “More?”

“More, more.”

Understanding lit his eyes. “Why does two minutes make a difference?”

“Because then it is the morning and not the night. If you don’t want to, that’s fine, but I am trying to work around my own stupid beta rules. Give me a break.”

“I deeply appreciate the effort. Let me demonstrate.”

She blushed. “I don’t want to put you on the spot.”

“I have a naked nymph in my arms. The only spot I want to be in is you.”

She giggled. “I am not naked.”

His hands moved up and off, taking the shirt with them. He saw that it was Drake’s jersey and snorted. “You need a better brand of sleepwear.”

“It has served me well.”

“There was plenty of room in it.” She felt like chattering now that she wasn’t wearing anything. Running her mouth came easy. Being rolled under an alpha was a different situation.

“I will find something of mine that will fit your needs.” He kissed her softly, and she tasted the sea on his tongue, blushing when she figured out that it was her.

When their mouths parted, she muttered, “Fit is the key term.”

He smiled and shifted to slide his hand between her thighs. His fingers parted her folds, and the rush of slick made her gasp. Kimo didn’t laugh, but there was a smile as the kiss continued.

His fingers slid inside, and her hips moved to take them in. He growled, and a surge against his hand greeted the sound.

She felt her face turn crimson in mortification. He smiled. “This is the start of decades. I hope to cause this response thousands of times by then.”

“I think I will be a dehydrated husk by then.”

He laughed and moved his hand slowly and carefully. He must have known what he was feeling for because as he withdrew his hand, he rolled to the side, got rid of the shorts he had on, and rolled back into place between her thighs.

Nina settled into a hot daze when he sucked on her breasts and tongued her nipples. She mewled and rocked against him, and Kimo gripped her hands and eased them up and over her head as he pressed into her with slow thrusts and retreats.

She closed her eyes as the feel of him edging deeper became all-consuming.

“Nerina, look at me.”

She opened her eyes and stared into his face, the irises of his eyes consumed by ocean waves. “Oh, my.” The waves on her back moved in the same rhythm.

He smiled and bent his head to kiss her. “Now for the fun part.”

She whispered, “I have been having fun.”

He grinned and started moving, and the ocean waves picked her up and didn’t let her go until she was covered in sweat, exhausted, and his knot wedged into her.

Kimo was breathing heavily, and his forehead touched hers. She opened her eyes and said, “So, that was fun.”

His shoulders shook, which caused him to tug at her sex. “It still is.”

She sucked in a breath that caused her to tighten around him, and they groaned in unison.

“Are we stuck like this?” The thought escaped her before she could rein it in.

He tutted and stroked her cheek. “So, concerned? No, you will be free shortly. There might be some aches and pains, but they will heal quickly enough, and then we can try it again.”

“I think this feels like a semi-annual thing.”

He laughed. “Do you want kids?”

She paused and said, “I think so, but I definitely want to check out your family first. If they don’t want grandkids, I kind of need to know before this happens again.”

He smiled. “I am more than ready to have kids, and my family will be on board. Trust me on that. Mom keeps trying to set me up with friends of the family. This will shut her up.”

She blinked. “Oh. So, is there anyone you have been seeing?”

“Out here? No. I haven’t had a date or liaison in six months.”

“Is that why you are stuck?”

He shook his head. “I am stuck because as soon as I start to recede, your body flutters around me, and I am back to full alert.”

Nina swallowed. “So, lie back and think of England?”

“Maybe think of squid.”

“Okay, no sea cucumber.”

Kimo snorted, and she tried to close her eyes and slow the soft fluttering around him. She breathed shallowly and didn’t flinch when he started moving. He slowly slid out of her, and then she felt a rush. “What the fuck?”

Kimo laughed. “Oh, the look on your face.”

She looked at his amused features. She mumbled, “I wasn’t expecting that.”

“Obviously. My body has never pulled that particular move before. I wasn’t going to knot you at all, but it was out of my control.”

“Delightful. It feels like it’s stopping. Is it stopping?” She would look herself, but he was in the way.

He put a hand on her belly and slowly massaged it. She clenched, and another surge came out of her. “Damn it.”

He nodded and lifted her. “Let’s get you rinsed off, and I will change the sheets.”

“Oh, you do laundry, too? Cool.” She stood up when he set her on her feet and held onto her.

He smiled and turned the shower heads on, hitting her from all angles. Kimo stroked a finger against her sex, and she gripped him in reflex.

“What a clever and snug beta you are.”

She sighed. “Complimenting involuntary muscle and tissue reactions isn’t the flex you think it is.”

“I am just astonished. This is the kind of reflex that is associated with omegas.”

“Yeah, I know. It arrived with the tattoo. That was a weird week.”

Kimo continued stroking her soft skin.

“You are going to wear it out.”

He chuckled. “I don’t think I am.”

“You never know. Better safe than sorry.”

“I am very good with oysters and pearls.”

She paused and then started laughing. “I have seen your collection. You definitely are.”

“That’s just one cove on this island.”

Nina went up on her toes and shivered as she had a small climax.

“You look so surprised when you cum.”

“You look like you want to bite me when you do.” She stared up at him.

“Oh, I do, but that is for a different coupling. The difference between sex and mating. I need a few things delivered before mating.”

“There’s shopping involved?”

“Just a few things. A date night isn’t particularly optional, so I think I want a romantic night with you that requires more formalwear than we have at our disposal.”

“Formalwear?”

“Yes. For you, mainly. And some craft supplies.”

“Okay, now you have me curious.”

He finished tidying her up and held her with one hand while he rinsed himself, and then, the shower was off, and she was wrapped in a dry towel and set on a chair in the corner of the bedroom.

He moved quickly, got the bed stripped, and disappeared for a few minutes. When he returned, he smiled. “I wanted to get them in the wash. If the guys stay over tomorrow night through the storm, I don’t want them running into the sheets in that state.”

“Yeah, knowing that I have started a sex life will be traumatic for my poor brother.”

Kimo got fresh sheets from a cupboard and made the bed. Nina tried to get up, but her legs wobbled. He was a wide dude, and her body felt it.

“The towel gets hung up behind you.”

“Okay.” She unwrapped the towel, glanced down, and made a high-pitched sound of surprise. She had dozens of small red marks all over her. “Are you part octopus?”

“No, but you are very tasty.”

“I am really glad that no one is seeing me in a swimsuit tomorrow.”

He chuckled. “Excellent. We can swim naked.”

She snorted. “I might be a little sore for that.”

“Aw, come here, nymph.” He helped her up and walked with her to the bed. He slid her onto the bed, pulled the sheet over her, and patted her hip. “I will join you in a few minutes.”

She nodded and settled in bed. The sheets were soft, and Nina appreciated it. Her skin was hypersensitive, and she was pleasantly exhausted.

The lights in the room couldn’t keep her awake. She dozed and didn’t know how much time had passed when he slid into bed next to her and wrapped himself around her. She hummed and wiggled back against him.

He chuckled and kissed her jaw. “See you in the morning, nymph.”

“Mff.” Sleep rushed up on her, and she was out.

* * * *

Kimo checked his phone and smiled at Keanu’s comment. He was going to Emerald to undo what he had done, and Ayan was meeting him there.

He wanted to expound on the wonderfulness of finding a mate, but he didn’t want to rub it in. Giddy with endorphins, he had also made a date to meet with their parents and his nymph’s grandparents and aunt.

A few more days and he would be able to go through the formalities before he marked her. He hoped he could wait that long. Her family deserved to meet him before he claimed her.

After that, he was going to need a few days alone with his mate.