6 comments/ 15386 views/ 61 favorites My Atlantean By: MonicaLynn Shauna snatched her rum and coke from the cocktail table and took a quick drink before standing. She wavered for a moment, then pointed a slender finger at Robert's chest and breathed, "Fuck you." Before he could reply, she shouldered her way past him, slipped through the salon entrance, and headed towards the bow of the yacht. Her flip flops snapped a steady cadence that echoed her rapid heartbeat. Robert gave chase, barking a slew of curses and yelling for her to stop. All she'd asked was to be left alone. "Just pretend like I'm not even here," she'd practically begged. But apparently her unwillingness to participate in the sex-a-pa-loo-za taking place on the yacht was a poor reflection on her husband, which was completely unfair considering she hadn't even wanted to go out on the boat that day. "Godammit, I said stop you stupid bitch!" Shauna ground her teeth and shook her head as she neared the stern, having nearly completed a full circuit of the deck. She was embarrassed, hurt and-above all else-furious at Robert for speaking to her so horribly, especially when she'd done nothing wrong. She answered his directive with a quick smirk over her shoulder and a sharply executed one-finger salute. Then something inside her snapped like a dry twig, bringing her hasty flight to an abrupt halt. Enough of this shit! Struggling to put a leash on her roiling emotions, she tossed back her drink. She focused on the cool heat of the alcohol, cradled it on her tongue until it ignited her taste buds and escalated from a mild, tingling sensation to a near painful burn. She took a protracted breath and let it out slowly before swallowing. Brimming with indignation, Shauna turned and barely managed to stifle a yelp as Robert drew to a stop within arm's length. But she quickly regained her composure, affecting a well-practiced air of impertinence while she wondered what the hell was wrong with her husband, besides the fact he was a fucking prick who'd long ago stopped caring about her. "What's your problem?" Robert barked. "Wha-? Are you serious?" "Keep your voice down." Shauna arched her eyebrows. "Excuse me? I'm not the one who's yelling." Robert sighed. "Look, I just want to know why you're being so difficult." It took every ounce of self-control Shauna could muster to keep from screaming in frustration. "Maybe," she grated, "I'm being so difficult because I don't want to be here." She closed her eyes and took some deep breaths, not opening them until she felt Robert's bare chest brush against the thin material of her bikini top. He flashed one of his sexy grins when her nipples pebbled. "But I want you here. It wouldn't be the same without you by my side." He raised a hand and stroked Shauna's cheek with the backs of his fingers. "Now, come on, it's time to play." Then he rolled his hips under, pushing his generous erection into her belly. "You do want to play, don't you?" Shauna tried to block out the feel of muscled chest and thick, mouthwatering cock; desperately clung to the anger that was slipping away by degrees. Though even if she could, she couldn't dismiss the naked bodies writhing not fifteen feet away. The wet, smacking sounds of furious sex made her pussy clench, her womb spasm. Before her carnal desires could get the best of her, she growled, "No, Robert, not this time," and shoved her husband. Though he only stumbled back a step, it was enough for her to regain her focus. Shocked by his wife's sudden aggression, Robert huffed, "Jesus Christ! What is wrong with you?" Shauna balled her fists. "What do you think is wrong? And for that matter, why do you care? You stopped doing that a long time ago." She turned to walk away, not wanting Robert to see the tears welling at the corners of her eyes, but he quickly closed the narrow gap between them and placed his hands upon her shoulders. "Hey, c'mon, Shauna. Why would you say that, huh? I care about you. Always and forever, you know that." He leaned down and brushed his lips against hers. Shauna couldn't help being touched by the sudden tenderness and warmth that lit his dark brown eyes. It'd been so long since he'd shown her any real affection. She also couldn't help but consider that maybe, just maybe, not all hope was lost. "It's only . . . well, you haven't exactly shown me you cared in a while. We hardly ever speak anymore and you seem to stay away from home as much as possible." She stared at her manicured toenails. "I thought you'd finally grown tired of me." Robert lifted her chin and kissed her. "That's not true. I've been busy, you know, distracted. But I'll make it up to you," he promised, his voice a whisky rasp that sent her heart rate soaring. He took her hand, flashed another sexy grin. "Now let's go join in the fun, and we'll talk about this more tonight." Shauna grinned but it was hesitant, fragile. "Or we can clear out one of the cabins," she countered tentatively, hoping she wasn't about to be seriously disappointed, "and you can spend the afternoon showing me how much you still care." "That sounds good. It, it really does. But why don't we join in the fun? Then tonight it can be just you and me." Shauna felt a painful squeeze around her heart. "You can't do it, can you; can't be with me-just me-when there's so much pussy around?" She threw her hands up. "What was I thinking? I knew that whatever love you felt for me was long gone but still I was hoping." She shook her head. "I just wish to hell it hadn't taken me so long to admit it to myself." Robert released her and stepped back. His large hands closed into pale fists; his face shaded to dark red. "Bitch, don't you dare get all high and mighty with me. We're the same, you and I, and you damn well know it." He chuckled mirthlessly. "Shit, I'll bet together we couldn't count the number of cocks you've had; pussies, too. You didn't complain any of those times, did you? Never said no to any of it?" A lone tear rolled down Shauna's cheek as she finally accepted what her heart had been trying to tell her for quite some time. That the love and passion Robert had once lavished upon her was truly gone, lost to the winds, and there wasn't anything she could do about it. Shauna stared into her husband's eyes, refusing to back down. After a few tense moments he grunted a breath of palpable disgust, turned and sauntered towards four women and men sprawled across a cushioned bench. The women were on their hands and knees, facing one another, while the men frantically pistoned into their pussies from behind. He shucked his swim trunks and sat between the two women who greedily fell upon his raging erection and tightly drawn sack. He cast his wife a final smile that dripped self-satisfaction before resting his head against the back of the bench. Shauna stepped into the salon and grabbed a bottle of rum from the cocktail table; she exited the room just as quickly. I am so fucking done. I'm leaving that bastard. He can fuck off and die for all I care! She stopped near the bow of the yacht and finished the dregs of her drink. With a fierce growl, she reared back and heaved the rock glass into the dark, rippling water. Turning around, she rested her ass against the railing and mumbled, "No-good-motherfucker. Never cared about me at all. Just his fucking cock." She unscrewed the cap from the bottle of rum, raised it high and took a long, hard pull, spilling a copious amount down the front of her feverish body. She wanted to sob, but the mere thought of shedding any more tears made her feel weak and full of self-loathing. Robert was the problem, the one incapable of love, of loving her. She gazed at the distant horizon, trying to tamp down the flurry of emotions raging throughout her body. A seagull banked low across the bow, squawking as it turned. "Fuck you, too," she muttered before taking another slug of rum. Shauna squeezed her temples. Her head had begun throbbing in time with the pounding of her heart and seemed to be concentrated behind her eyes. A sudden compulsion to do something, hit something or someone, overcame her. With a vicious snarl she kicked out at the cabin roof, feeling a twinge of glee as she imagined her foot connecting with Robert's smug face. But she'd failed to notice the puddle of water under her feet, made worse by the rum she'd been absently spilling each time she'd taken a drink. Her long sable hair flew wildly when she flipped backwards over the railing. She screamed until her head struck something solid. Salt water stung her eyes; filled her lungs. She was sinking, both literally and figuratively, into a deep abyss. Still she fought, flailing her arms and kicking her legs until the surge of adrenaline coursing through her veins finally ran dry. She closed her eyes and with a strange calm accepted the cold death that awaited her. # Shauna was awake despite her desire to remain within the blissful confines of sleep. Her entire body felt weak, deflated, like she'd pushed too hard during one of her cardio sessions. She groaned and bit her lower lip, stretched and flexed her legs and feet, her arms and hands. Oh, God. What the hell happened to me? She was stuck smack dab in the middle of the mother of all hangovers; at least that's how she felt. Her head was banging like a base drum and her mouth felt like the Sahara. Try as she might, she couldn't recall having ever felt so terrible. "Damn," she groaned, "must've really tied one on." She remembered going out on the yacht with Robert and his piece-of-shit friends. They'd argued and she'd stormed off with a bottle of rum while those two skanks sucked his cock. After that . . . nothing. Shauna scoured her memories for a hint of what had transpired after the argument until she absently curled her fingers. "Ow, shit!" She rubbed each fingernail against the pads of her thumbs. "What the fuck?" She'd broken at least two nails on each hand. In a blinding instant she realized the back of her body was pressed against a rough, uneven, porous surface. She cringed as a myriad of scenarios ran through her head, each one unpleasant and ending with her not lying atop silk sheets in her big, beautiful, ornately-carved Victorian bed. She inhaled a deep breath and wrinkled her nose at the smell and taste of musty, stale air. It reminded her of an old room that'd been closeted from any hint of a cleansing breeze. She opened her eyes. Between her lack of night vision and the pounding pain in her head, it took a few moments for them to focus. Wherever she was, it was dark, except for the glowing green light emanating from the ceiling. What the-? Shauna shot up to a sitting position and turned just before emptying the liquid contents of her stomach. She coughed and hacked and dry-heaved until she lowered herself back to the hard surface. Gasping for breath, she tentatively opened her eyes but remained on her back this time. She stared up at the distant ceiling and its randomly-spaced green-glowing spots; in her peripheral vision she saw the walls were similarly bedazzled. She turned her head and cried out as a spear of pain pierced the side of her skull. She touched the affected area, just above her left ear, wincing when her fingers grazed a golf-ball-sized goose egg. "Jesus Christ," she growled. "What the hell happened-?" . . . her foot slipping out from under her. One moment she'd been looking at the cabin wall, imagining a small spot of it was Robert's face as she kicked. She'd seen the sky, dark water, the hull of the boat, then nothing. She remembered a bone-chilling cold crawling across her flesh, saltwater flooding her mouth and nose, stinging her eyes . . . Shauna was suddenly struggling for breath. Her eyes bulged as her vision started to tunnel. She grunted and strained, clenched every muscle in her body and screamed; a breathless screech that sounded more aviary than human. Then, just as quickly as it had come upon her, the terrifying memory-sensation ended. But before she could process it's meaning, another played in her mind: strong, powerful arms wrapping around her; firm yet soft lips closing over her own; a series of steady, even breaths. Despite the comforting if not pleasant feeling of the second recollection, Shauna couldn't stop the tears. "Oh, Christ. What the fuck's going on?" she groaned between racking sobs, each violent shudder igniting jolts of pain that assaulted her body. Her heart-rending cries echoed off the cavern walls until, finally, exhaustion claimed her. # She awoke sometime later, mildly disoriented, in pain and utterly distraught. She wasn't dead-was she? She was breathing, her stomach was rumbling and she'd never wanted a drink of water so bad in her life. Surely she wouldn't feel all these things if she were dead. The faint green glow from the ceiling and walls grew brighter behind her eyelids. Someone, or something, cleared its throat. Shauna's eyes shot open and she screamed. The green lights had grown much brighter, enough to illuminate the entire chamber. And there, standing in front of a cleft in the wall, was a man; a very tall, well-muscled man with a sharply-angled face. He was naked except for a loin cloth wrapped around his narrow waist; the bottom edge of the thin fabric brushed the tops of his knees. He was well over six feet tall with shoulders that would make fitting through most doorways a difficult task. Jet-black hair swept back from his high forehead, wavy and luxuriously thick. It captured and reflected the very essence of the eerie green light emanating from the walls and ceiling. Though she couldn't be sure, his eyes appeared to be the same brilliant shade. He looked like some forgotten noble, dashing and distinguished with a slight but unmistakable air of superiority. When she finally stopped screaming, he asked in a disconcertingly matter-of-fact tone: "Are you finished?" Shauna's first attempt at speech ended in a weak croak. She cleared her parched throat and rasped, "Yes" as she struggled to a sitting position. Though her head spun for a few seconds, she managed to remain upright. A sudden wave of nausea crashed over her, made worse when a nasty belch popped in her mouth, but she knew the queasiness would pass if she stayed calm. It's not like there was anything left in her stomach. She cast a disgusted look at the remains of her earlier sickness before scooting away from it. She recoiled when the stranger moved towards her. His brow furrowed before he retreated a few steps and leaned against the wall. He crossed his arms over his barreled chest, making his biceps bulge with power. "I will not hurt you," he said, his voice deep and melodious. "I only want to make sure you are alright." He nodded for emphasis. "You took a hard bump on your head." Shauna raised her hand to feel the throbbing knot but stopped short of contact. She tried to sound brave. "Who are you? And where am I?" Suddenly aware of her nakedness, she crossed her legs and threw an arm over her heaving breasts. Her modesty seemed to irritate the stranger. "Why do you cover yourself? Your figure is exquisite." He shrugged. "Besides, I have already seen it." Shauna blushed despite herself. Of course lots of men and women had complimented her figure, though they were usually base and crude comments; but no one had ever said it was exquisite. It sounded like the stranger was describing a work of art, not simply flesh and bones. Again she asked, "Who are you? And where am I?" The stranger sighed. "My name is Kadeon and you are in an underwater cave." Shauna blinked. "No, really." One corner of the handsome stranger's mouth lifted into a half-grin, a sexy quirk that wasn't lost on her. "It is a fairly popular name amongst my people. In fact, it has been the name of some of our greatest leaders." "I wasn't knocking you name-" Shauna felt her face heat at the stranger's teasing. "I was questioning your claim that we're in an underwater cave." "There was no other-may I please step closer? I tire of speaking from such a distance." She was scared witless of the man. He was practically a giant; a giant who could probably tear her limb from limb. And he kept looking her over like she was a meal. She let her gaze slip down to his waist. Ho-ly shit. He was aroused-seriously aroused. And, from the look of things, his erection was very large. Just as Shauna's eyes snapped back to his, Kadeon looked down at the tented wrap. "What?" "Huh? Oh, nothing." Shauna tried to suppress the nervous tremor in her voice but couldn't. "Uh, um . . . come closer? Yeah, okay, sure." Kadeon uncrossed his arms and swaggered to within five feet of her. The green glow that suffused the cave grew brighter with each step he took. He sat down with an unnatural grace, stretched out his long, toned legs. Shauna blew out a breath when his wrap rode high. "Does my manhood bother you?" "Your man-are you kidding me? I don't even know you, for one thing, and I have no idea where I'm at or what's happened to me. For all I know you could be some kidnapper . . . or rapist . . . or murderer!" Kadeon wrinkled his nose. "I can assure you that I am none of those things. And I already said you are in an underwater cave. Do you not remember anything? You fell off your boat and hit your head." He sighed. "I barely reached you in time." Leaning forward, Shauna asked, "That was you? The whole lips thing? I mean you-" She tried to remember. "You gave me mouth-to-mouth or something." "I breathed for you, if that is what you mean. A few more seconds and you would have died." "Robert," Shauna gasped. "Shit! He must be worried sick. I have to get back to the boat." "No!" Shauna jumped at Kadeon's outburst. "What in the hell is wrong with you?" "They are looking for you now; your Robert," he practically spat, "and the others. Some are diving while the rest scan the surface. There is no way you would make it back to them without my help. But I cannot risk them seeing me." "Why?" Kadeon raised his eyebrows. "You must have hit your head harder than I thought." Shauna folded her arms and cocked her head. Kadeon paused for a few moments as if weighing a difficult decision. Then, with a shake of his head, he lifted the hair away from the side of his neck. Shauna leaned forward and stared openly at what appeared to be four slits just beneath his ear, each approximately two inches in length. They were covered by thin fleshy membranes that drew in and flexed out in time with his breaths. He turned his head and revealed four matching slits beneath his other ear. Shauna scrambled back on her hands and heels until her shoulders knocked into a wall. Her chest heaving, she demanded, "What the fuck are those?" As if trying to explain the obvious to a child, Kadeon answered, "You would call them gills." Her mind reeled, and the cave began to spin. Okay. Obviously, I'm dreaming. Yes, that must be it. Just got to wake myself up. She bit the inside of her cheek-shit!-until she tasted blood. Or, she changed course, I've been kidnapped and this guy has gotten real elaborate with the whole fucking-with-my-head thing. Her vision grew dim by degrees. She felt herself sliding sideways and closed her eyes in anticipation of her head impacting the hard ground. Then two strong hands caught her and gently returned her to a sitting position. She opened her eyes and bit back a yelp at the sight of Kadeon straddling her. He was holding her upper arms and looked very concerned. She stared up at him, trying not to notice the scarcely covered bulge hovering mere inches from her mouth. My Atlantean He gave her a light squeeze. "Are you alright?" "Uh, yes, I believe so." "You nearly feinted." "Yep," she chirped nervously. "But I think I'm okay now. Thanks." Kadeon took the hint. He released her but didn't return to his previous position. Instead, he sat alongside her with his legs stretched next to her own. Much to her embarrassment, she had a difficult time keeping her eyes on his face. After a few moments, she said, "Okay, I'll bite. What are you?" "I am a member of a different species. The ocean is our home." Shauna shook her head and chuckled. "Yeah, sure. So you're-what-an Atlantean?" "That is one of the names your people have for us." "You can't possibly expect me to believe that." Kadeon cocked his head thoughtfully. "Why not? You saw my gills. Have you ever met anyone with gills before?" "Not that I wasn't about to eat." Shauna winced as soon as the words left her lips. She was normally a very sensitive, empathetic person, but there was no way this man was some mythical ocean-dwelling being. Still . . . "Sorry about that." Kadeon shrugged. "I would think you more than anyone would believe my words. Are you not an expert in Ancient Myth and Lore?" He was correct. Shauna was an expert in the often scoffed field. She taught classes at a university and had given lectures at many institutions of higher learning around the world. "Well, yes, but how do you know that?" "I saw a lecture you gave on Atlanteans in the spring at your university. It was very informative. You even got many things right about us." Shauna smirked at his last statement, but she did remember the event. She'd spoken to a crowd of maybe one hundred; a veritable Woodstock for someone in her field. The focus of her lecture had been the accuracy of Plato's account. Where she had agreed with him on many points, she'd been adamant in her disagreement that the utopian civilization had ever been an invading force. "So, you're a member of an ancient species that lives in the ocean, right?" Shauna tried but couldn't keep the humor from her voice. "Yet you saw one of my lectures . . . on land?" If her mocking tone irritated Kadeon, he offered no indication. "Yes." Shauna smirked. "'Yes.' That's all you have to say?" Kadeon thought for a moment then nodded resolutely. "Yes." "And just how is that possible? I seriously doubt a man of your stature, dressed in nothing more than a loin cloth, would go unnoticed," she huffed. Kadeon shook his head, obviously frustrated by Shauna's continuing doubt, and stood. But somewhere between pushing himself up and reaching his full height, his thin wrap was replaced by a dark, stylishly cut three-piece suit and cream-colored shirt; the first three buttons of the shirt were undone, rakishly exposing a wedge of smooth, well-defined chest. Shauna managed a cry of surprise before the air left her lungs. She felt her eyes bulge, painfully, as if trying to flee the impossibility they'd just witnessed. With a conscious effort, she squeezed them shut and shook her head briskly thinking, Oh, no. No, no. Unh-unh, absolutely not. Then, with greater effort, she blinked them open, but nothing had changed. Kadeon still towered over her, dressed to the nines, a sexy, devilishly handsome creature that looked as though he'd been plucked from a page of GQ magazine. With a huff he rolled his eyes and-just like that-was once again wearing the thin wrap, though, as before, Shauna couldn't recall seeing the transformation. "Please," he intoned, "calm yourself." Shauna realized she was back-pedaling her feet, apparently trying to push her way through the wall at her back. She stopped and winced as pain flooded her raw heels. "Are you serious? You just magically changed clothes and I'm supposed to calm myself?" "I really think someone with your education and chosen field should have an easier time with this." "Well excuse the fuck out of me, buddy! It's not every day a gal gets to meet someone from a different species." She let out a ragged breath as she squeezed her temples. "Or, I've gone crazy, which," she laughed a bit hysterically, "would be my luck." Instead of responding to her statement about going crazy, Kadeon fixed her with a stare that left the hairs at the nape of her neck standing on end. Before she could reconsider her action, she peered deep into his intense green eyes and gasped at what she saw: . . . thousands of people milling about an enormous, sea-side city hewn from the finest marble. Men, women and children, all of them vibrant and beautiful, dressed in wraps like Kadeon, the only difference being the females wore similar material around their chests. There were shops and open air markets; places where people congregated for dining; temples and an immense palace and plaza in the center of the city. Merry conversation and the heart-warming laughter of children drifted through the streets . . . A lone tear trailed from Shauna's eye when Kadeon broke their gaze. She inhaled a mouthful of air, unaware she'd been holding her breath. "My God," she whispered. "It's true." Kadeon's full lips curled into a smile. "You doubted me?" "I'd always hoped such a thing was possible, but over the years I got older, wiser-or so I thought-and started looking at my field from a purely academic perspective." She shrugged. "I guess I stopped believing." "Ah, but not completely." Shauna nodded. "I suppose not." Her brow bunched. "So how is your English so good? It can't be your native tongue." "No, it is not. But we have been around humans long enough to master many languages." "So you have lived among us?" "Yes, many, many centuries ago. It was before my time, but my people share collective memories, so I am well-versed in the history." Kadeon paused and looked at her gravely, raising an index finger for emphasis. "And there is one point your academics have always gotten wrong: we were born of the ocean, not land." Shauna wanted to ask a million questions after that declaration, but held her tongue and nodded like an attentive student as Kadeon continued. "My people co-existed with various nascent cultures around the world. With open hearts and pure intentions, they shared their knowledge of engineering, agriculture and metallurgy. They taught the budding humans how to construct sturdier homes; effective methods to plant and harvest their crops; how to craft tools out of bronze." "You-" Shauna interrupted, her eyes wide and full of disbelief. "Are you telling me your people introduced the Bronze Age?" Kadeon curtly responded, "In one part of the world, yes. May I go on?" Shauna blushed. "Sorry." She made a motion to zip her lips and throw away the key. "As I was saying, my people helped craft more useful, stronger tools-out of bronze," he added for effect. "Their only motivation was a sincere desire to help the people move beyond their struggle for the basic necessities to survive. With those things taken care of, the hope was that they would evolve more quickly into a civilized society." He shook his head. "But it did not take long for them to start using the tools as weapons to fight and kill one another, as they had always done, I suppose. Of course my people could not abide this and, when they refused to help them further, many turned against them." Kadeon's jaw muscles clenched and released rhythmically. "The king decreed that all subjects were to leave the land. Many wanted to stay and fight, but he forbade it. So they returned to the ocean, never to live among humans again." Shauna sat quietly, staring intently at Kadeon while he struggled to maintain control of his emotions. She'd never felt so conflicted in her life. She'd seen something wonderful and magical when she'd gazed into his beautiful, timeless eyes. Yet still a part of her couldn't help but refuse to believe the truth of his words; couldn't comprehend that the stories she'd fallen in love with as a child had been at least partially true. But, she reasoned, wasn't most myth and legend based on some modicum of truth? Kadeon turned and began pacing about the cave. His sculptured body seemed to have grown larger, more powerful. Shauna felt sorry for him as he was obviously distressed by what he'd told her. She also felt an undeniable attraction to him. He was the embodiment of physical perfection and-she couldn't deny-radiating a raw sexual energy that was pounding against her senses like a battering ram. Suddenly aware of her aching breasts and moist sex, Shauna blurted out questions in an effort to re-direct her thoughts. "So, um, how old is your race? And how old are you for that matter? And how is your English so good-?" Kadeon stopped pacing and faced her, ending her line of questions with a dark scowl. His mouth opened but no words escaped his lips. After a few calming moments he let out a ragged breath; his bunched shoulders visibly relaxed. "I am sorry. Please forgive me. My anger is not directed at you," he reassured. Obviously embarrassed that he'd let his emotions get the better of him, Kadeon nervously raked long fingers through his hair. With a slight blush to his angular cheeks, he flashed a sheepish grin. The effect of that simple expression was palpable. Shauna barely stifled a shudder when delicious flashes of heat danced lightly along her bare skin. Je-sus. No man should look that sexy while doing so little. His emotions once again under control, Kadeon said, "I will answer all of your questions to the best of my ability. But allow me to continue." Shauna offered a nod of encouragement. "Many of my people had a difficult time not being around humans. They missed them, I suppose, and found them worthy despite their obvious short comings." He paused, searching for the right words. "They had seen humans at their worst, but also at their best: kind and caring; brave, noble and true; full of passion and unlimited potential. Some began walking among them for short periods. The penalty for such action was very harsh but, over time, the king softened a bit and turned a blind eye so long as the curious ones were careful. "Now, to answer your questions." He frowned. "Ah, yes, my fluency in English. Well, it is one of the languages studied in school, though we are only required to achieve the most rudimentary skills. But I found it fascinating with its complexities and nuances and wanted to learn more. My teacher, a kindly elder with a gentle heart and sharp mind, appreciated my interest in advanced study and provided a great deal of additional instruction. As for the age of our race-" Kadeon flashed a mischievous grin, "ancient." He started to turn away then stopped. "And I am a little over two thousand years old." Shauna chuckled at the obvious joke. When Kadeon offered no indication that he was teasing her or being deceptive, she put her head in her hands and moaned miserably. "I know it is a lot to take in." "You think? I mean-Jesus. I nearly drown, wake up here," she wildly indicated the cave, "and find out that you, Kadeon, exist. You're real, not just some fairy tale. But you can't be real, right? You're just a dream and I'm going to wake up soon with an awful hangover, faced with nothing more extraordinary than cleaning and laundry and preparing for next week's lectures." Kadeon moved towards her; his powerful legs flexed with each step. She tried not to stare at them, or wonder what it would feel like to run her hands up and down the long, smooth muscles. Really, she did. She winced when her nipples stiffened, then silently cursed her body's response: Traitor. Kadeon offered his hand. "Come." Shauna fixed her eyes on his hand, noticing for the first time the delicate webbing between his fingers; a quick glance confirmed similar skin between his toes. Then, with a nod, she allowed him to help her up. His hand was big, completely engulfing hers, and very warm. "Whoa," she breathed as heat, sensual and tantalizing, seeped into her. It worked its way up her arm and down across the rest of her body like liquid silk. She felt a release of cream between her legs. O-K. Well, that was odd. I wonder what the hell- Her pussy spasmed. Oh, sweet Jesus. Kadeon tightened his grip and cupped her elbow with his other hand, but made no move to steady her with any other part of his body. "I am sorry." "For-for what?" Shauna still felt the sexy heat, but her head seemed clearer. "You are feeling the effects of my zah'jani." "Huh?" "Certain males of my species emit an attractant. It is transmitted through touch and causes an intense chemical reaction in the recipient." "Again, huh?" "What you felt-what you are feeling-is akin to a large release of pheromones. Meant to attract females, or at least make them more amenable to my taking them. This innate ability, plus my physical traits and favorable genetics, is why I was chosen to be a breeder amongst my people." Shauna swayed again, but only for a moment. "What the hell are you talking about? And did you say you're a breeder?" Kadeon nodded. "Almost one hundred years ago our population diminished to the point that our very existence was threatened. We had unknowingly fallen victim to rare water-borne bacteria, of all things, though our kind rarely died from anything short of extreme physical harm. Many were lost before we discovered what was causing the sickness and relocated to another part of the world. Our leaders enacted a plan to repopulate via an aggressive breeding program." He shrugged nonchalantly. "I was one of those chosen." Shauna couldn't help but ask, "So, what's that like?" "Being a breeder?" "Yes." Kadeon appeared uncomfortable with her question, but he answered. "It is simply something necessary; the most logical way to ensure our survival. Eventually, when our numbers are high enough, the program will end." The thought of all those females who'd had the opportunity to lie beneath this breathtaking male intensified the heat still affecting her body. To her embarrassment, and confusion, she also felt a twinge of jealousy. Kadeon added, "I am also an academic." He nodded thoughtfully. "I suppose I may become a teacher when I am no longer needed as a breeder." "You mentioned one of your teachers and being in school, but you have actual classrooms, with a system of instruction?" "Of course," he huffed. "We all must learn mathematics, science, history, literature, philosophy. We are not animals." "No, no, I wasn't implying that." Great, let's offend the gorgeous hunk who rescued you. "Come," Kadeon said, still holding her hand. "I want to show you something." She allowed him to lead her through the cleft in the wall. He had to turn sideways to fit, as she'd imagined he would. They stepped into a dark tunnel that looked much like the cave, including the same odd green lights embedded in the walls and ceiling. "What are those lights?" Kadeon guided her to one of the walls. As they neared, the lights flared with brilliance. "They are gems. We call them biostra which simply means life. They are the nexus of our existence. They selflessly give their energy to us and we return it in various ways; through physical exertion, mostly, like swimming, manual labor, sex. Over the centuries, we have lived in all the oceans of Earth. And whenever we moved from one to another, we have always been drawn to an area with a high concentration of the gems." "Oh, like the Heart of Atlantis crystal." Kadeon tilted his head. "It's from a Disney movie," Shauna explained. "The Heart of Atlantis was a crystal that gave the Atlanteans their power and longer lives." She chuckled at her presumption. "Movies are-" "I know what movies are, though I have never seen one. But, yes, I would say the biostra are similar to this crystal." Kadeon raised his eyebrows. "Hmm, interesting." "But what if you lived somewhere without them?" "I do not know. We have never tried it, to be honest." "But what about when your people lived on land?" "They used the gems for decoration in most everything they built, particularly the temples and palace." Kadeon gently pulled her away from the wall. "But whenever I walk amongst your kind for extended periods, or anytime I venture far from my home, I feel as though a part of me begins to slip away." "How so?" "The strength in my body starts to leave me. My mind grows dull. My appetite plummets. My sexual drive drops." What a shame. "So it's like you get depressed or something?" Kadeon nodded thoughtfully. "In a way, yes. I do not lose my will to live; nothing that dramatic. It is more like I do not care as much about the things which are important to me. Things which give me purpose . . . and pleasure." Shauna's heart quickened at the way Kadeon purred pleasure. She looked down and saw his erection had returned with a vengeance. Then again she couldn't deny her dripping sex or the way her nipples ached to be touched. "Kadeon, what happened to my clothes? My bikini and the cover-up I was wearing?" "What is that?" His tone was neutral, but Shauna noticed his face redden a bit when she'd asked the questions. "My clothes, Kadeon. What I was wearing when I fell into the water." "Hmm. I do not recall you wearing anything when I reached you." He pursed his lips and shook his head. "Uh-huh." Kadeon cleared his throat, "Ah, here we are." Shauna grinned at the obvious relief in his voice. Naughty Atlantean. At the end of the tunnel, he nodded toward a pool of water approximately fifteen feet in diameter. "This is where we entered the cave system." Trembling, Shauna stopped. Unbidden memories flooded her mind as she stared at the dark pool: salt water burning her eyes, filling her lungs; her vision going from dim to black; a searing cold. Kadeon turned to her. He frowned before his face softened. He moved a little to the side, blocking her view of the water. Then, gently, he placed his hands on her shoulders with a tenderness that moved her despite her escalating panic, and kissed her. Shauna went rigid but didn't pull away. After a brief moment her body relaxed by degrees, as though coils of tension were being unwound from her one strand at a time. She opened her mouth and accepted Kadeon's probing tongue, melted as it brushed against her own in delicious tiny licks. She leaned into him and gasped when his shaft pressed against her belly. She laid her arms across his shoulders and twined her fingers through his long, thick hair as he moved his hands to her hips and pulled her more firmly against him. She whimpered when he broke their kiss; her eyelids fluttered before opening fully. He was staring at her, worry still etched across his handsome face. She matched his gaze for a moment then looked away when she saw something else flash within the brilliant green pools of his eyes. She swallowed nervously when she felt his hot, thick flesh pulse against her belly. "Better?" he breathed. Oh, yes. Much better. "Yes, thank you. I'm okay. It's just"-Shauna started to look past him towards the water, then thought better of it-"the water. It all came back to me." Until his lips saved her again. "Do not worry, tahshani. You are safe with me." "But I'll have to get back in the water eventually." Vivid dream or not, the thought of dipping so much as one toe into the inky surface made her blood run cold. "Wait, what did you call me?" "I called you tahshani. It is a term of affection that means beautiful." Her face suddenly warm, she started to turn away. But before she could, Kadeon cupped her chin with his thumb and forefinger. She stared into his mesmerizing eyes and contemplated how easy it would be to get lost in them. My Atlantean For a very, very long time. "Do not worry about the water. I can make you sleep through the trip to the surface and breathe for you as I did before." Yes, please. His wonderful lips pressed firmly against hers. She absently wondered if he could kiss her while she was unconscious. "Make me sleep? You mean like magic?" "You would call it that, yes." Kadeon offered his arm. "Let us return to the cave. Then I shall swim to the surface to see if the area has cleared." Before she could open her mouth to protest, he added, "And I will bring back food and drink." Though not happy at the prospect of Kadeon leaving her alone in the cave, Shauna couldn't deny that she was positively famished and horribly dehydrated. Reluctantly, she curled her small hand around his bicep and together they walked back to the cave. # "Here you go," Kadeon announced as he sidled through the cleft in the cave wall. In one hand he carried a pouch that exuded the powerful aroma of cooked fish. Shauna sat up at the sound of his voice and watched with admiration as he strode to the center of the cave. She swiped a bit of saliva from the corner of her mouth, grinning at the knowledge that it wasn't merely the prospect of eating that had caused her mouth to suddenly start watering. She allowed her eyes to drift to Kadeon's wrap which, once again, was bulging proudly. She wasn't sure if she should be impressed or terrified. He knelt next to her, untied the pouch and used the material as a makeshift picnic blanket. Inside was skein of water and another smaller pouch. He pulled the top off the skein and offered it to her. "Take a drink." She looked at it and then him. If he thought she was going to drink saltwater, he was nuts. But she didn't smell any salt. "Go ahead," he coaxed with a smile. "Trust me." She tentatively raised the skein to her lips, took a sip, paused, then took another. "Oh, dear God, that's good." The cool, delicious water burned and soothed as it slid down her parched throat. She tipped the skein and drank deeply. "Easy, easy," Kadeon said, gently pulling at her wrist. "That is amazing." With a prideful look, he replied, "I am glad you like it." "But where did you get it?" "There is a place just inland, approximately ten miles from here, which has a spring-fed well." Shauna nearly choked. "Ten miles." She chuckled. "Yeah, right." Kadeon stared at her with unblinking eyes. "You're serious?" More unblinking eyes. "Ten miles? You were only gone 45 minutes; an hour at the most." "I am a very fast swimmer." Shauna opened her mouth to protest but sighed instead. "And," Kadeon said as he unwrapped the other pouch, "a little something to eat." Shauna stared at what appeared to be a golden fillet of fish. As if reading her mind, Kadeon said, "Sea Trout." She picked it up. "You cooked it?" "Yes. I built a small fire and cooked it upon a flat rock. But I am afraid it did not heat evenly." He had time to swim ten miles for spring water and catch and cook a fish. Riiight. "Well, it looks and smells delicious." She took a small bite off one end and closed her eyes. Oh, sweet heaven. She didn't think she'd ever tasted anything so divine, but not just because she was so hungry. It was cooked perfectly, despite Kadeon's apology. The tasty meat flaked off at a mere touch and the fire it'd been cooked over gave it a hint of smokiness. "It's really good," she said between bites. "Really, really good." Kadeon stuck out his chest a little further; his chin lifted a bit more. He looked like the brave hunter who'd brought his woman a feast. Shauna sighed at what she deemed the perfect vision of masculinity. About half way through the meal, she realized she hadn't asked about the status of the search. "Hey, what'd you see on the surface?" "Ah, yes." Kadeon's brow furrowed; a slight grimace tugged at the corners of his mouth. "Three Coast Guard vessels are involved in the search. I was able to get close enough to one of the ships to overhear a conversation. By morning, there should be only one left. I can take you to the surface at that time." "Oh," Shauna said between bites. That's-that's good." But the tone of her voice sounded less than convincing. She wondered about that and the near pained look on Kadeon's face when he'd mentioned her leaving in the morning. She should've been happy at the prospect of getting out of the cave and back to her life, her world. Not that she was in any hurry to get back to Robert, the jerk-face piece-of-shit. Shauna asked, "So, Robert is gone?" though she figured Kadeon would've mentioned him if he'd still been in the area. "Yes. Though I do not know when he left." "Big surprise there." Shauna sighed and shook her head. But she wasn't sad that her husband had abandoned the search. It was the fact that she'd wasted the last ten years with him. That'd she hadn't given up on him when he'd so clearly given up on her. "Why are you with him?" Kadeon asked. "You are obviously unhappy." Shauna chuckled. "How much time have you got?" He gave her a puzzled look. "I have no place to be right now." "It was a rhetor-never mind." Shauna raked her fingers through her hair as she gathered her courage. "We met and started dating when I was working on my PhD and Robert was fresh out of law school. It was really great, you know. He was smart and handsome and kind. He treated me like a queen, too, doted on me, I suppose. But he-um. Well, he . . ." "You do not have to tell me." "No, it's okay. He, uh, well, he enjoyed having sex with different people . . . and with more than one person at a time. He was really nervous about revealing this to me, but he didn't want there to be any secrets between us. So he told me. I'd only been involved in traditional, monogamous relationships but I was okay with his lifestyle, as strange as that sounds. To be honest, I'd always found the open-relationship concept intriguing, as well as group sex. Well, he couldn't believe it. He said he'd hoped to find someone to commit to, emotionally, but doubted it would ever happen. He took a chance and asked if I wanted to try a three-way with him and one of his female friends. I did and we, well, did it, that next weekend." Shauna couldn't suppress a blush. "And I, uh, liked it, to say the least. And from that point on, we've engaged in partner-swapping and group sex." Shauna paused and chanced a look at Kadeon. His expression was unreadable, which unnerved her more than if he'd been clearly disgusted with her. She wondered if she should stop, but figured she might as well tell him all of it. "We'd been together for a year when he asked me to marry him. I agreed, convinced I'd found the man for me, and it was really great for a while. I got hired at a local university, and Robert was already on the fast-track to making partner at his law firm. We were practically inseparable outside of work; we went to parties, ate at the best restaurants, took fabulous vacations. Then a few years ago he started spending more and more time at the office, or with his friends. I tried to rationalize his behavior, but it was obvious he was avoiding me. I didn't know what was happening, and he sidestepped the topic anytime I brought it up." Shauna shrugged. "He just stopped loving me, I guess." Kadeon continued to stare at her. His face was still unreadable, for the most part, but Shauna detected a hint of sadness in his eyes. She felt a sudden rush of anger. "I don't need your pity." "I do not pity you. But I am sorry this has caused you so much grief." Shauna chuckled and smiled ruefully. "Me, too." After a few moments of awkward silence, she asked, "Sooo, you're not disgusted that I'm a swinger?" It took him a moment to translate what swinger meant before he replied. "My people engage in much the same activities. Some forego the pleasures of multiple partners, committing themselves to one another both physically and emotionally, but many do not. Neither lifestyle is looked upon as good or bad. Both are equally accepted." "Really? Huh. In my society, anything but monogamy is looked down upon, at least by the majority. Many think you can't commit yourself to another and still have other sex partners." "Perhaps that will change as your kind continues to evolve." "I wouldn't hold my breath." Kadeon nodded at the remnants of the fish. "Finish your meal. It will help make you stronger." Shauna nodded and ate the last few bites. Then she said, "I'm sorry I got mad before. I had no right, but I thought you felt sorry for me and I couldn't stand that." "I only wish you to be happy, Shauna. You are young, beautiful and positively effervescent. He paused then sheepishly admitted: "It brought me great pleasure to bring you food and drink. The look of surprise on your face when you tasted the fish, well, it brought me great joy. You have looked so sad every other time, so burdened with your thoughts-" Kadeon abruptly stopped talking and seemed to inwardly curse himself. He hastily collected the pouches he'd used to transport the fish and skein of water. Shauna reached forward and stopped him with a hand upon his arm; he tensed under her touch. "What do you mean you've only seen me look sad? Other times? Burdened with my thoughts?" Kadeon leaned back. He stared at one of the cave walls for a few moments before meeting her questioning gaze. "I have seen you before, other than at the lecture I attended," he admitted. "I was quite taken with you, then. You spoke so intelligently and passionately." He stared at his knees for a moment before fixing her with a gaze that made her breath catch. "And you were stunningly beautiful. I followed you home, pleasantly surprised that you lived on the water. The next night I swam close to the pier and saw you sitting there in a chair. You were wrapped in a blanket and drinking a glass of wine. I could tell from your eyes that you had been crying and I could not help but wonder why and what could make you so distraught." He shook his head. "I was intrigued, I suppose. A creature as lovely as you should only know happiness and pleasure . . ." he trailed off. "Anyways, I began swimming by your home on a regular basis; mostly at night, but sometimes during the day." Shauna couldn't believe what she was hearing. She should've been furious at Kadeon's spying, but she wasn't. In fact she was touched that he'd been concerned for her, that he'd risked being seen to return time and time again. Then a disturbing thought settled deep in the pit of her stomach. She wanted to ignore it, push it away, but couldn't. "We have pool parties sometimes. Well, sex parties," Shauna admitted. "Did you ever come by during one of those?" Kadeon turned as his face flushed. Shauna looked down at her feet and hesitantly asked, "So, um, you saw me having sex?" "Yes." Kadeon swallowed. "Yes I did." "And, uh, what'd you think?" "I thought you were the most stunning creature I had ever seen. I gave myself relief numerous times while watching." Shauna glanced at Kadeon's heated face. His lips, so soft and strong, seemed fuller. His green eyes flared like the gems all around them. She glimpsed the bulge in his wrap-dear God-which was visibly pulsing. Moisture flooded her aching pussy; her nipples stood fully erect. Kadeon licked his lips as he stared at the large nubs. His gaze slid down. She spread her legs a little. Kadeon's eyes flickered at the sight of her glistening mound. She thought she'd imagined it, the way they seemed to strobe from vibrant to glowing green. When it happened again, she gasped, shaken by an overwhelming need that shook her to the core. And from the hungry look in his mysterious eyes, she knew he felt it, too. She spread her legs further and asked in a husky voice, "Do you desire me?" Yes, a rhetorical question, but she wanted to hear him express his need. His eyes glowed brighter, though such a thing didn't seem possible. The gems embedded in the walls and ceiling matched their intensity. "Yes," he rasped. "I am in physical pain from wanting you." Shauna gazed at his straining erection and moaned at the wet spot blossoming at its tip. "We can't have that," she purred, moving to her hands and knees. She leaned forward and brushed her lips against his. Kadeon returned the gesture before opening his mouth. She accepted his thick tongue and sucked it rhythmically. She gasped when she felt his hands on her breasts, moaned as he kneaded them and gently squeezed her nipples. Their kisses grew desperate, feverish. Shauna nearly cried when Kadeon pulled back and told her to lie down. Her body was on fire. Her breasts ached and her pussy throbbed in time with her pounding heart. She lied down and stared, wide-eyed, as Kadeon crawled between her spread legs, his shoulder blades rising and falling with each movement. Shauna began panting as he positioned himself atop her. His skin, so smooth and flawless, covered the firmest muscles she'd ever felt. She reached up and ran her hands over his shoulders, down his broad back and over his rock-hard, heavenly ass. Her pussy clenched when he leaned down and licked the crease of her lips. She parted them and moaned when he covered them with his own. Kadeon's kiss was soft at first, gentle. Their tongues twined for a few heartbeats before their mouths fell into a rhythm. He tasted so good, fresh and masculine at the same time. She couldn't get enough of it. Their kisses grew in intensity until they were practically attacking each other, alternating between kissing and nipping and suckling each other's lips. It was as though they'd both finally found something they'd been denied for far too long. Shauna groaned when Kadeon pulled back. "I must taste the rest of you," he ground out between ragged breaths. "God yes." Kissing and licking with tiny flicks along her sensitive flesh, he started at her neck. When he reached her breasts, he palmed them both. He stared at her as he massaged them, occasionally flicking the ripe berries with a broad finger. When Shauna could take no more of his teasing, she begged, "Please, Kadeon. Suck them. Please." He leaned down and took one of the distended nubs into his mouth. He drew on it, evoking a mixture of pleasure and pain that threatened to take Shauna over the edge. "Oh! Oh, Kadeon, harder." He greedily sucked and nibbled on the engorged nipple before tending to its twin. Shauna thought she was dying. She couldn't believe the sensations, the pleasures, racing through her body. She felt dizzy from the intensity. Many had pleasured her with their tongues, but nothing had ever felt this good, or this right. And Kadeon was a true oral master, alternating between licking and sucking and nibbling with varied pressures. Shauna actually felt like she was about to come. And she knew it would only get better when he took her aching pussy with his mouth, when he put his hard cock deep inside her. Once Shauna's breasts were swollen and red from his attentions, Kadeon moved lower, tracing a wet trail down her soft flesh. When he reached the glistening folds, he stared at them for a moment, a look of profound appreciation causing his normally intense face to go slack, which made her want him even more. No one had ever looked at any part of her like that. Her past boyfriends, Robert, the men and women she'd fucked-not a one had shown raw, honest desire like Kadeon. Where they'd felt only lust, he felt need, burning, aching need. "Oh, God!" Shauna screamed at a quick flick to her clit. She gasped over and over again as Kadeon continued to tease it. She was about to beg him for more when he slid his tongue between her slick folds, drawing it upwards in a long, sensuous stroke. With great thoroughness, he licked and sucked her pussy before returning to her swollen clit. But this time he didn't flick the sensitive flesh with his tongue. Rather he placed his lips around it and drew heavily upon the little pearl. Shauna's cry of ecstasy seized in her throat as two thick fingers entered her tight channel and began stroking the ultra-sensitive bundle of nerves against the forward wall. Unable to breath, she squeezed her breasts and pinched her nipples. The pleasure-pain, coupled with the way Kadeon was tending her clit and the wicked ministrations of his fingers, proved too much. With a cry of ecstasy, she bucked her hips and exploded in an earth-shattering orgasm that coated her lover's mouth and checks with her juices. Oh, God. Oh, fuck. Never, never before. Shauna struggled to calm herself in the wake of the most powerful orgasm she'd ever experienced, but her heart was pounding and her lungs ached from lack of oxygen. She needed to take control lest she burn to ash, utterly destroyed by the unadulterated pleasure racing along every nerve in her body. She gently pushed Kadeon to his back and straddled his chest. "My turn," she breathed. His eyelids grew heavy, but his brilliant eyes flared anew. She leaned forward and licked his beautiful lips before suckling them one at a time. When she began drawing on his tongue, she undulated her body, brushing her breasts and mound against his chest and abdomen. Fists curled into tight balls, Kadeon groaned at each teasing touch. When she was satisfied that she'd thoroughly kissed him into a stupor, Shauna slid down his body. They'd both started sweating, making their skin hot and slippery. She whimpered at the feel of sliding against each other; the way his powerfully-ridged abdomen rasped against her clit and nipples. She kissed around the band of his wrap. His bulging cock slid across her cheek, chin, then her other cheek. She moaned when she felt the heat of it on her skin. She grasped the knot of material at his left hip and slowly untied it while she continued to deliver soft kisses to his rippling abs. Shauna absently wondered what other parts of him-besides his gills and webbed hands and feet-weren't completely human. Then she gasped loudly when the knot came undone and the wrap slide free. Definitely human. It was so thick she knew she couldn't get her fingers all the way around it. A few blood-gorged veins stood out against the silky flesh; his smooth sack was heavy but drawn tight. She wondered how she could possibly take his massive member. She'd had big before, though this wasn't big-it was HUGE. But Shauna was wetter than she'd ever been before. Surely her juices, and putting forth effort to relax her muscles, would be enough. Taking the immense shaft in her hand, she lowered her head and blew across the swollen crown. Kadeon shuddered and a pearly bead breached the tiny slit. Shauna used her thumb to smear the droplet of come around and over the head. Then she bent down and took a lick. "Mmm . . . you taste good." She took another lick, this time swirling her tongue around. "So, so good." She continued licking and sucking the large crown before running her tongue along the length of the shaft a few times. Each lick rewarded her with another pearly bead, which she hungrily accepted. She absently wished she had a bigger mouth-or could unhinge her jaw like a snake-because the thick pole of flesh was so large. She could barely get her mouth past the head. To ensure every inch was properly attended, she alternated between sucks of the broad head and licks of the stout shaft. Then she took one of his tightly drawn balls into her mouth. Kadeon arched his back and hissed loudly when she drew on it. She tended to it and its twin as she pumped her hand up and down his throbbing erection. Kadeon was moaning with pleasure from her skilled attentions; corded muscles strained in his arms, legs and powerful torso; sweat beaded along his brow and upper lip. Shauna was amazed-and a little slighted-that he was able to keep from coming despite her ardent ministrations. She'd never been with a man, or woman, who could keep from having an orgasm when she was giving it her oral-all. Then again she'd never been with anyone as sexually imposing as Kadeon; no one who emitted such raw energy with every movement of their body, every word that passed their delicious lips. She put both hands on his shaft, one atop the other, and marveled at how much flesh was still exposed. She gulped, wondering again how he could possibly fit inside her. My Atlantean Hesitantly, Shauna moved to straddle him. Cock in hand, she lowered herself and slowly slid the engorged head through the folds of her dripping sex. "Oh, God," she whispered. It felt like every nerve ending in her pussy ignited at the same time. The simple touch took her to the edge of orgasm. Sweat rolled down Kadeon's face, which was twisted in concentration. Shauna knew he was fighting the urge to thrust upward, impaling her on his cock. She lowered herself more, until the head completely disappeared, stretching her swollen lips painfully wide. Oh, God. It's too much, too much . . . The despairing thoughts evaporated as pain was supplanted by tingling pleasure. She looked down and saw that Kadeon was moving the pad of his thumb in gentle circles over her clit. He raised his head off the ground and stared at her, panting with need but obviously concerned for her comfort. Shauna pushed aside any lingering doubt and focused on her throbbing clit and relaxing her wire-tight body. The pain was still there, but it was diluted by the increasing pleasure of her throbbing little bud. With a determined growl, she began lowering her hips a little at a time, gasping when her pussy suddenly released a generous amount of cream. Down, down she went until, finally, her slick folds gripped the root of Kadeon's cock. Shauna paused and took a few calming breaths. Her legs shaking from the effort, she continued to relax until the pain had all but disappeared. Now the pleasure of her clit being massaged was matched by the intense fullness in her pussy. Tentatively, she lifted a few inches before sliding back down. Oh, God. Again-a little higher this time, then down. She continued like this until she was sliding up and down the entire length of Kadeon's shaft. Shauna rode him with a steady rhythm, milking his cock, until she could take no more. She threw her head back and screamed as an intense orgasm ripped through her. "Ahh, ahh, ahh. . .!" Her tight sheath squeezed Kadeon's cock, clamping it like a vice. The orgasm released a flood of juice, making it even easier for her to ride the stout wedge of flesh. She dug her nails into Kadeon's chest and began rocking her hips furiously, not stopping until another toe-curling release left her feeling light-headed. Bracing herself with arms that felt like wet noodles, she lifted herself off Kadeon and laid back. He caught the hint and moved between her spread legs, taking her mouth passionately as he slid inside her, slowly, until he was buried to the hilt. "Gods, Shauna," he rasped. "I have never felt such pleasure before. Nothing like this. Ever." He began pumping his cock rhythmically as he licked and sucked her sensitive breasts. Shauna felt the pressure building in her pussy and womb, as if the two were tethered together, each feeding the other unbelievable jolts of ecstasy. She couldn't believe how quickly her orgasms were coming. Kadeon moved to his knees and grabbed her ankles, spreading her legs wide. Before she could catch her breath, he delivered a series of rapid thrusts that sent her careening into yet another release. "Yes! Yes! God, Kadeon! Fuck me, fuck me, fuck me hard!" she growled, arching her back as she came over and over. When Shauna was able to think again, she realized Kadeon was saying something to her. "Wha-what?" she stammered. Holding her legs across his shoulders, Kadeon slowed to a smooth pace. "Pleasure yourself for me, tahshani. Please." The whites of his eyes had completely disappeared; all Shauna could see were two brilliant orbs of green light. Without hesitation, she lowered a hand to her pussy and started massaging her clit. She screamed his name and bucked her hips, meeting each of his delicious thrusts perfectly. Every-so-often he would pause, holding them like that for a few heartbeats before resuming the long, measured pumps of his cock. As Shauna succumbed to a final orgasm, Kadeon delivered a brutal thrust before throwing his head back and roaring like a lion. In response, every biostra in the cave grew brighter until the entire area was awash with the green light. Shauna's vision tunneling, she closed her eyes. The last thing she felt was stream after stream of hot come releasing into her pussy. Sometime later, she woke with a start, afraid it had all been a dream. But the rough stone she laid upon told her differently, along with the powerful arms wrapped around her. She smiled and pulled them tight. Kadeon was snuggled up behind her, his immense body cradling her petite frame. She'd never felt so at peace and safe in her life. She smiled and sighed languidly. Soon her breaths matched his and she fell back into deep slumber. # "Shauna, Shauna." Someone was gently shaking her shoulders. She opened her eyes and couldn't help but grin at the beautiful man knelling over her. "Hello, handsome," she breathed. Kadeon smiled but couldn't maintain the expression. Shauna wondered at the sadness that dimmed his eyes, pulled at the corners of his beautiful mouth. "It is time to go." Shauna noticed water dripping off his body; his hair hung in wet strands along the sides of his face. "Oh," she responded. "So soon?" "We slept for quite some time. I just returned from the surface. The last Coast Guard vessel is about to depart. We have to get you to the surface before they leave." Shauna felt light-headed and nauseous. The mere thought of being without Kadeon pained her to her very core. No wonder after last night. He'd been so intent on pleasing her and, oh, did he please her. She couldn't recall anyone being so focused on her needs, not even during the early years with Robert. The thoughts made her want to cry. "Ah, tahshani," Kadeon crooned as he cupped her face. "It will be alright." Shauna wanted to ask him how it would be alright. This was it for them. One night-one perfect night and a handful of hours-was all they'd had. Once she'd gotten over the initial shock of her situation, she'd thoroughly enjoyed the short time they'd spent together. Their conversations had been wonderful, if a bit bizarre. And she couldn't help but smile when she recalled the look of utter male pride on Kadeon's face when he'd brought her the water and fish. She closed her eyes when Kadeon's warm, firm lips covered her own; he tasted salty from his swim. She moaned and parted her lips, allowing him to take her tongue. Every muscle in her body seemed to liquefy as he drew on it gently. She welcomed the heat of his kiss; the way it chased away the cold ache of loss that had threatened her just moments before. She nearly cried when he pulled back. She looked into his eyes. So, so beautiful. And so full of the same pain she was feeling. "Could I stay with you?" she asked. Kadeon shook his head. "No, Shauna. Even if you could survive underwater, my people would not accept you. Though much time has passed, they still do not trust humans. The only option would be this"-he gestured at the cave-"and as much as I would love to keep you, that would be no life for a woman such as yourself." She wanted to argue but knew he was right. She had a life on land; a career she enjoyed, friends, family. And she couldn't ask him to stay with her for those same reasons. It was so fucking unfair. Kadeon stood and offered his hand. "We must go." Shauna released a pitiful moan and stood. Hand-in-hand, they left the cave and walked towards the pool. The glowing biostra didn't brighten as they passed. Shauna wondered at this until she looked at Kadeon. His face was a heartbreaking mask of stoic misery. She quickly looked away when twin tears slid down her cheeks. When they rounded the last bend in the tunnel, the pool came into view. Shauna stopped walking when an icy, squirming fear blossomed in her stomach. It quickly grew and spread like cracking ice across a frozen pond. Her heart started hammering; her mouth went dry; her breaths grew shallow. Kadeon stepped in front of her. He placed his big, strong hands on her shoulders and said with extreme gravity: "No harm will come to you. I vow it." While the sheer panic threatening to overwhelm her didn't disappear altogether, it did fade to a manageable level. She knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that Kadeon's words were true. He would get her safely to the surface. "I'm okay," she said shakily. "I trust you." Kadeon smiled. "I am honored." They lowered themselves into the pool. The water was cool, but the heat from Kadeon's body made it bearable. He pulled her to him. She moaned at the feel of his body against hers. It was so firm; rock solid and reassuring, just like his character. Kadeon kissed her gently, pulled back and grinned before leveling her with another. Shauna felt the nervous energy leave her body, replaced by a languid ease from head to toe. Soon she felt his mouth open wide and a series of powerful breaths entered her lungs. Then she was floating through the water; the same water that nearly ended her only a short time ago. But this time, she was unafraid. # Shauna's eye's fluttered against harsh, yellow light. She threw her arm across her face. Shit, she thought, that's bright. Then she jumped when a shadow fell over her. "Whoa, whoa. Easy, easy. It's okay, ma'am. I'm here to help." Shauna vaguely remembered moving through the water, cradled against Kadeon's strong body. His lips had covered hers; his breaths had sustained her. Then he'd released her and dove down, held her upright so just her head broke the surface. But before that he'd kissed her cheek and spoken to her with his thoughts. And though the words were completely foreign to her, she'd known she echoed their sentiment. Then a pair of hands had grabbed under her arms and she was lifted free of the water. She'd been laid down on a cushion and covered with a blanket. Two men had argued. The one who stood over her now had been one of them; she remembered his voice. They'd argued about how she could've been floating right next to the boat. And how without something buoyant to hold her up, there's no way she could've been treading water all this time. Not to mention the number of boats they'd had searching for her. After that, she'd fallen into a deep sleep. "Ma'am, you okay?" Shauna groaned and pointed at the bright lights. "Oh, hey, sorry about that. The man walked away and when he returned the lights had been dimmed. Shauna opened her eyes and looked around the room. It appeared to be a break area with small circular tables and chairs spread throughout. Against one wall was a rectangular table with a coffee urn and cups spread along its length. The man introduced himself as Lieutenant Junior Grade George Thompson. To Shauna, he looked about sixteen years old. He told her she was aboard the US Coast Guard Cutter McAllister. Then the questioning began: "How did you survive? Where you close to us this whole time? What do you remember?" She avoided his questions, telling him she couldn't remember anything after falling off the yacht. Though he was obviously concerned for her well-being, Shauna could see a hint of suspicion etched across his boyish face. Finally, he gave up the questions and asked if there was anything he could get her. She asked for some clothes. He blushed at this, obviously embarrassed that he'd seen her naked. She wondered if he or any of the others had noticed the kiss marks covering her breasts and-she felt her face turn crimson-pubic region. How could they not have? But her own embarrassment disintegrated when she recalled the feel of Kadeon's mouth exploring every inch of her; such wickedly skillful lips and that long, rough tongue. She shivered at the thought of the thorough attentions he'd given her. Lieutenant Thompson brought her clothes then left her alone to change. They were standard issue Coast Guard duds, minus the nametag. They hung loose from her shoulders and hips, but at least they covered her. After dressing, she asked if she could sit outside. He took her to a bench seat at the back of the boat. Along the way, they passed many crewmen. Most offered simple but polite nods of acknowledgement. A few greeted her with a smile and quick "Ma'am," which normally would've offended her youthful sensibilities. But after her time with Kadeon, Shauna couldn't have mustered an ounce of anger even if she'd wanted to. She stopped a moment to meet and talk to the ship's skipper, Captain Thaddeus Armstrong. The old sailor was definitely a little rough around the edges, and he too seemed suspicious of her memory lapse. But more than that, he seemed genuinely concerned for her. He looked at her like a father thankful to finally see their child safe-and-sound. He'd even offered a weather-worn smile and patted her shoulder gently before returning to his duties. The sun rose towards its pinnacle as they neared the coast. Shauna relished the breeze ruffling her hair and the warm cup of coffee the Lieutenant had graciously delivered to her. It was hot and rich, with only a hint of bitterness. She'd been staring out beyond the wake of the boat since she sat down, looking for something she knew wouldn't be there. Ah, well, she thought sadly. At least we had- Shauna gasped when something briefly breached the surface of the water. No, it can't be- Again, whatever was out there broke the surface, this time closer. She looked around nervously, wondering if there were sentries posted around the ship. She turned back and nearly leapt out of her seat. The object had surfaced even closer, enough for her to discern a sharply angled face, long black hair . . . and glowing green eyes. She settled back in her seat and watched Kadeon keep pace with the boat. He's coming for me. She had no idea how such a relationship would pan out, but, at the moment, she couldn't have cared less. When she returned home, she knew Robert would give her the third degree. He'd be happy to see her, but only because he would've been a suspect if she'd never returned. True, the authorities wouldn't have been able to pin her disappearance on him, but he would've had to deal with the uncomfortable fall-out; the potential scandal. Poor Robert. What would such a thing have done to your wonderful career? And what about all those women? Maybe they would've started avoiding you, with you being a murder suspect and all. Shauna almost wished she could've stayed away just for the pain it would've caused him socially, if not emotionally. She stared at Kadeon's beautiful face. Her body grew feverish at the sight. She imagined his powerful muscles undulating beneath the water; undulating atop her. Later tonight, after a long, luxurious bath, she'd go to the pier with a glass of wine and soft blanket. She'd sip the dry, delicious liquid as she waited for him. She imagined seeing him swimming towards her, moonlight illuminating his face and sculptured body. She'd walk down to the beach, spread the blanket. Then she'd remove her clothes and lay back as he covered her with his massive frame. They'd spend the entire night making love. And if he'd enjoyed their all-too-brief interlude in the cave, he was in for a wicked surprise. She'd surrender everything to him this time-her mouth, her pussy, even her tight little rosette. Though such a thought didn't seem physically possible given the size of his cock, she knew she would do it. She felt an immutable, burning need to give herself to Kadeon . . . completely. She watched him with yearning, and smiled as he kept pace behind the boat's frothy wake.