“Yours then. In case anyone sees us, they won’t think it’s weird that you’re hanging out on the crew’s floor.”
He nods as we enter the elevator and presses the button for the top floor, having to swipe his card in order for it to work since not everyone is allowed on that floor.
Moments pass like hours, until finally the doors open to a hallway that looks similar to mine—only shorter. The rooms up here are suites, so there are less of them because they take up more space. I follow him to the right, and he stops in front of the last door, swiping his card again.
This is surreal. I’ve thought of this happening too many times since I’ve met him. I don’t know what it is about him and why I’m so attracted to him. Not only his looks but his raw talent which is somehow even more attractive now that I know he’s self-taught. I’m also a little jealous because I wish I could be that good at something without years of practice. I’ve been playing most of my life, and I’m not half as good as he is. I’m not resentful, though. I’m happy for him. He deserves this. It seems his life wasn’t great with the kraken, so I’m glad he has this now—something good.
I follow Aliko inside, entering a spacious kitchen and dining room combo. Across the room are floor-to-ceiling windows, overlooking Indianapolis. The lights are a contrast against the dark sky. I don’t even know what time it is—nor do I care.
Farther in is a sitting room with a half-circle cream-colored couch that could fit twenty people easily. Brown and white throw pillows are placed along it in a way that’s supposed to look random but isn’t. A large screen TV hangs on the wall. There’s a bar in the corner with a few bottles of alcohol along the top, and opposite that is a spiral staircase that leads to the loft bedroom.
“Wow, this is fucking nice,” I say as I spin in a circle and look around.
“It’s a hotel room,” he says with no amount of emotion.
“Do you own a home here?” I ask, suddenly wondering how he lives here as a monster from the ocean.
Humans have IDs, Social Security Numbers, and a ton of other things the government makes us have to prove who we are. I think it’s similar for monsters, but for one who has never been here before? He must have figured out something if he’s here and making money, but I’m realizing more and more that I know nothing about how Aliko, or other monsters, live. Makes me feel kind of shitty.
He shakes his head. “No, not yet.”
“But you plan to?”
He shrugs but doesn’t look at me. Something about the expression on his face tells me he doesn’t want to talk about it.
“Don’t really know what’s going to happen back home yet,” he says quietly.
“You plan on going back?”
He turns to face me. “I don’t really want to talk about my home right now,” he says. Not angrily, but almost as if he’s tired of talking about it.
“Right.” I rub the back of my neck. “Sorry, I guess I’m just nervous.”
“Me too.”
“What do you have to be nervous about?”
“I’ve never done this,” he says casually.
“Oh… like… never?”
He shoves his hands into his pockets and avoids looking at me again, his gaze on the ground.
“I’m not in this form often…”
“But even in your other form?” I ask, taking a tentative step closer.
He smirks. “If you’re asking if I fuck groupies, the answer is no. They’re usually women, and even if they weren’t, that’s not really my thing.”
“I wasn’t… that’s not….” I blow out a breath. “Sorry. I didn’t mean it like that.”
“I know. I’m just putting it out there.”
“Okay, so… you’ve never done this before. What do youwantto do?” I ask carefully.
“Anything that gets my hands on you,” he says, holding my gaze. The air around us heats up instantly. His tongue darts out to lick his lips, and it takes everything in me not to ravage him right here, right now.
“Fuck,” I mutter under my breath. “You want to touch me?”
