AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yes! Totally. Thank you.” Romeo opened the closest one and then dug through until he found a vegetarian meal, one claiming to be tortellini. He didn’t bother trying to use the weird green plastic bag to heat it up, instead choosing to open it up and eat it cold.
In that moment, breathing and happy to be alive, it was the best thing he’d ever tasted.
Row made a face at how eagerly Romeo ate, noting, “I suppose that’s… good? For men?”
“Right now, it’s awesome.” Romeo grinned. “Not a fan, huh?”
“I’ve tried a few.” Row wrinkled his nose. “There is a red fruit paste that’s all right, but the rest is not very enjoyable.”
“Red fruit paste… Maybe jelly? Some kind of syrup? Not really sure what all is in these damn things.”
Row hung up Romeo’s wet clothes over the back of the recliner. He slithered over and then stretched out across one of the beanbags, his tentacles sticking to the sides as he sat. “Well, when you’re ready, I can take you home and you can get some man food.”
“This is great, seriously.” Romeo sat on the beanbag across from him. “Definitely not trying to sound ungrateful at all. You saved my life and then some.”
“What happened to you?”
“My boss is insane and thought I was sleeping with his wife despite me telling him many, many times that I like dick.”
“Oh!” Row blinked in surprise, and then he frowned. “I’m very sorry that happened to you. You’re safe here. No one will try to hurt you.”
“Thank you, that’s sweet.” Romeo sighed. “Not sure how I’m going to explain turning up alive again.”
“You’re welcome to stay here as long as you’d like.”
“Thanks.” Romeo took a final bite of the pasta. He didn’t have any idea if Row had a trash can, so he tucked the garbage back into the package for now. “So, uh, you just hang out here, rescue hot guys?”
“Sometimes,” Row replied coyly, teasing Romeo’s leg with a tentacle. “Though they’re usually not as attractive as you are.”
“Why, thank you. I’ve never been rescued before, but I can definitely say you’re the hottest octo-man I’ve ever seen.”
“I’m probably the only one you’ve ever seen.”
“You’re still smokin’ hot.” Romeo smiled, reaching down so he could squeeze Row’s tentacle. “Thank you again. Really. You didn’t have to save me, but you did.”
“Of course I did.” Row seemed confused. “My people protect all lost creatures of the sea. That includes men.”
“Oh. Well. Still.” Romeo smiled sadly. “My people are assholes, the kind that throw each other overboard over imaginary affairs.”
“Not all of them.” Row’s tentacle squeezed Romeo’s hand. “You seem nice.”
“Heh, I have my moments.”
“You’re one of the first men I’ve rescued who hasn’t screamed at me or tried to hurt me.”
“Am I the first one to try and sleep with you?” Romeo teased.
“No.”
“Oh.” Romeo hadn’t been expecting that, and he felt a weird pang of jealousy he quickly stamped out. He raised Row’s tentacle to his lips, giving it a kiss. “Well, maybe I can be the last one for a little while.”
Row raised his brow in surprise. “Is that so?”
“I’m in no hurry to leave. Not really looking forward to figuring out how to leave town before my boss discovers I’m alive because he’s definitely crazy enough to try again. I should call the cops, but heh, I would have to explain how I survived and I really don’t think they’re going to believe me.”
“Probably not.”
“Yeah, no.”
