Love at First Clutch : A Gay Tentacle Romance Read online

  “Oh, you’re finally awake.” A voice sounded from not too far off. Footsteps got closer.

  “Who, wha…” Gideon grimaced and leaned back on the cushions. “Who are you? Am I home?”

  Cool hands massaged Gideon’s forehead. He sighed in relief, feeling the discomfort dissipate.

  “You are, Doctor. I’m the alien you met before you blacked out.”

  “Al…” Gideon’s eyes fluttered open. The face in front of him hadn’t come into focus.

  “Yes, an alien. My name is Kiernan, remember?”

  “No.” Gideon said simply. Nothing was making sense. At that moment, he envisioned leaving the hospital then getting into his car.

  “Yes, after you got in, you hit me with your vehicle. You tried taking me to the emergency room, but I was fine because I’m an alien.” The man called Kiernan said calmly.

  “I hit you?” Gideon leaned back, getting accustomed to the man’s seemingly magic touch. He closed his eyes again to block out the light.

  “Oh, that light must be bothering you.” Kiernan walked away from Gideon. In a matter of seconds, the lamp’s shine dimmed. “Better?”

  “Yeah.” Gideon opened his eyes again, peering at the self-proclaimed alien. When his face came into view, his smile nearly blinded Gideon.

  And then there was that smell again. Although he couldn’t place it, he wanted to know more.

  The flowery aroma that resembled something from a rose garden.

  “You’d be correct. When we haven’t mated we give off certain aromas. These natural scents smell like plants or things you’d find in a forest.”

  “How…you…” Gideon was confused. Why was this man who appeared human say he was an alien?

  “As much as I like my other self, I don’t want to change again, soo, um.” Kiernan placed his hand on Gideon’s head again. “Maybe I can bring those memories back for you. You seem to be suffering from amnesia.” Kiernan lowered his lids, continuing to rub Gideon’s temples.

  The more Kiernan touched Gideon his body warred with itself. Confusion, arousal, and…

  Fear?

  Right then, Gideon saw himself running Kiernan over, then they talked about going to the hospital, but Kiernan refused. Not too much longer after that, the gorgeous man changed into an overgrown blue tentacled monster with eight arms and an oval shaped head. As the memories came roaring back, Gideon shuddered and tried pulling away.

  “Don’t be afraid. I won’t hurt you. I’ve already had my host, so I won’t need to consume anything for a few days.”

  “What?” Gideon froze. His first instinct was to get the hell away from this crazy man and call the police, but nothing in his body worked.

  At least his head didn’t hurt anymore.

  Kiernan knelt next to Gideon without removing his hand. “I’m trying to keep you stationary. My transmitter told me you should rest for fear of a concussion. I could heal that too, but I’d rather you not run away screaming. I don’t wish to be found by anyone.”

  “Okay.” What else could Gideon say? As long as the guy promised not to hurt him, he’d play along until he saw the right opportunity to call someone. “So, how did you find out where I lived?”

  “I read your mind. Haven’t you noticed I’ve been doing that this whole time?”

  “You can do that?”

  “Yes. Think of a number.” Kiernan sounded like a child asking that.

  Gideon moistened his lips, then eyed Kiernan again.

  “Number eight.”

  “What? How did you…”

  “Easy.” Kiernan grinned and took away his hand. “Us Necetune are naturals when it comes to mind reading, control, and memory. It’s how I learned where you lived and how to work your automobile. Without that and the help of my transmitter, we’d still be in the lot.”

  “Transmitter?”

  “Yes. This thing.” Kiernan raised his arm, showing Gideon something that looked like a wristwatch. “Our technology is far superior to yours, but I must say, your innovation has impressed me.”

  Gideon let his head fall back and pinched his nose. He had to snicker at this because everything was getting weirder by the second.

  Have I gone crazy?

  Gideon was starting to think so. Perhaps overworking had driven him insane.

  “You’re not crazy. All of this is real. If you hadn’t run me over with your vehicle we probably wouldn’t have met, but again, I’m very happy we did. You’re charming, smart, and very handsome. My host would’ve been quite fond of you.”

  Gideon lifted his head up slightly to meet Kiernan’s gaze. “Host? What does that mean?”

  “The body I took over to live.”

  Gideon gasped and sat up. No matter how crazy this all sounded, he couldn’t help but be fascinated. “What? How did you do that?”

  “We use our tentacles to create a passage for us to get into. Most of the time it’s the nose or mouth area. Then we make ourselves small enough to crawl in.”

  Gideon’s mouth dropped open. This entire story sounded like something from a bad rated B movie. “So, you basically killed someone.”

  Kiernan shrugged. “Yes, but now, I’m carrying on the human’s life. With some minor modifications, of course. Although he was much like me in sexual attitude, he wasn’t as intelligent.”

  Gideon shook his head. “Maybe, but you murdered someone.”

  “I did him a favor. Anyway, that’s neither here nor there. I can’t bring him back even if I wanted to.”

  “But why kill him? Couldn’t you just walk about our planet… well… maybe not… I just hate that someone had to die.”

  “I understand how you feel but being in my other form would’ve killed me. I’ll still die, but…” Kiernan dropped his head, appearing as if he was upset.

  “Die? I mean, you’re here so…” Gideon couldn’t believe he was buying into this. If the man was truly a creature from another planet, he should be taking him to the nearest laboratory.

  “No, no. Don’t do that. Like I said, I can’t be discovered, or my planet will be in danger.”

  “What planet is that?”

  “Necetune. It’s so far underneath your waters, humans can’t get to it.”

  “Really? How long has it been there?”

  “Several thousands of years. After the destruction of Atlantis, Necetune was born. Because of our short lifespan, our ancestors haven’t experienced the technological advances. However, some residents have found life on other planets. Most of them come here, taking hosts, finding mates, and living until they find the next one. Many of your greatest people are Necetune.”

  “Like who?”

  “Oh, don’t make me namedrop.” Kiernan smiled smugly, then chuckled. “Alright fine. I’ll show you.”

  Gideon eyed Kiernan’s screen and squinted. “Wait, I need my glasses.” He plucked them from his pocket and slid them on. “Nooo way. Not…”

  “Uh huh.” Kiernan laughed and lowered his wrists.

  “You’re joking me about Michael Jordan and Beyonce, right?”

  “Not at all. I told you, some of the greatest. Do you really think people so awesome would be fully human?”

  Gideon had to think about that. MJ had inhuman strength and well, Beyonce… “Okay, okay, maybe you’re right. I…” Gideon removed his specs. “I’m floored.”

  “I know it’s hard to believe, but we’ve been coming to your planet for decades.”

  “And you’ve never wanted to invade?”

  “Too risky. Besides, I’m the current ruler and as much as I admire some things about Earth, I don’t want to take it over. It would be too dangerous for our kind. Not only that. I don’t trust humans.”

  “You’ve got no reason to.” Gideon agreed with him. “We can barely trust each other.”

  “Well, I’m glad you see that. Anyway, now that you believe me…”

  “As crazy as it sounds, I do. I better keep this under wraps, or they’ll have me committed.”


  “Yes, and I might have to kill you to safeguard my people.” Kiernan said casually.

  Gideon glared at Kiernan. “You say that as if it’s not a big deal.”

  “It’s not, but… I happen to like you a lot, and that’s not just my mating instincts talking either.” Kiernan nudged Gideon’s shoulder.

  Gideon’s cheeks flushed. Admittedly he liked Kiernan’s flirts. “Um…”

  “As I mentioned earlier, we give off scents until we have children. I don’t want any, so I’ll smell like this until I die.”

  “But why would you want that? I mean, you’ve already killed a human for selfish gain. Why not do what you can to live?”

  Kiernan released a ragged breath. “I just had this same conversation with my former lover.”

  “And who is that?” Though it wasn’t really Gideon’s business he was generally curious.

  “His name is Elijah. He recently mated with a human and had his babies.”

  “He had?”

  “Yes. We Necetune are genderless so we procreate. We only say him or her when we take a host.”

  Gideon couldn’t help but be amazed. “Wow, I… this is incredible.” Everything Kiernan said was truly fascinating. An underwater planet, genderless people who could have babies? What other interesting facts were there about the Necetune?

  “Plenty. We could talk about it over food if you’d like. For you, not me, even though I’d like to try. I sense that you’re hungry?”

  “You’d sense right. I had some leftover sushi, but…”

  “Hmm, that sounds delectable. I think you might’ve left your package in the lot though.”

  “Darn. Well, I can always order more if you’d like a sample.”

  “Oh, I would very much, yes.” Kiernan practically bounced on his feet. Admittedly Gideon thought that was cute.

  Gideon grinned and slowly got up from the sofa. “Wow, whatever you did to make me feel better is a miracle.”

  “Healing hands. Us Necetune can assist with ailments before we get pregnant. Unfortunately, the older we get without procreating, the more our special gifts disappear.”

  “Wow. You’ll have to tell me more. Perhaps you can help me with my patient. I swear I won’t tell a soul where I got the information from.”

  “Good, because again—”

  “Yes, yes, I know you’ll have to kill me.” Gideon had gotten used to the threats now. He shouldn’t be, but it was almost comical. “I’ll order sushi then go shower.”

  Kiernan gripped his bicep, stopping Gideon. “Oh, must you?” Kiernan ran his fingers through his own locks and grinned. “I enjoy your scent the way it is. It’s quite pleasing.” He winked.

  Gideon cocked an eyebrow. Nothing was pleasant about his smell, especially after a sixteen hour workday.

  “You’d be surprised at what appeals to us, Doctor. Plus, I still smell your cologne. It’s a nice mix with your natural aroma.”

  Gideon snorted. “Yeah, well, the aroma is bothering me. If you want my shirt…”

  “That will do until you return, yes.” Kiernan interrupted Gideon.

  “Ooohkayy.” Gideon shook his head and pulled his shirt off. He handed it to Kiernan who looked like a kid in a candy store.

  “Thank you.” Kiernan put it to his nose and plopped on the couch, looking content.

  “Gosh you’re weird.” Gideon said as he headed to the small stair way.

  “Alien remember?” Kiernan interjected.

  Gideon hadn’t. Alien or not, this was a stranger he’d allowed to take over his house.

  Still, this wasn’t any man, this was someone who had plenty of stories and knowledge. If anything, their strange meeting would be the benefit Gideon needed to get answers about his patient’s illness.

  Gideon was floored.

  An underwater planet with so many technological and scientific advances, but the residents didn’t think of anything to save themselves. He couldn’t get why more of them wouldn’t want to come to Earth to live longer and experience a fuller life.

  Despite the sad truth, Kiernan seemed to be resigned to his fate.

  After Kiernan gave Gideon an overview of a Necetune’s body makeup, they’d started chatting about the planet and how it was impossible for humans to live there. Gideon felt it good that was the case, because as Kiernan had said, nothing good would come out of humans infiltrating a world so foreign to them.

  “This has been eye-opening. If I didn’t have you here as proof, I wouldn’t have believed anything you’ve told me in a million years.”

  “Which is why we stay undetected. And Gideon, as much as I’d like to help you with your patient, I beg of you to allow me to do so tomorrow.”

  “Oh, for sure. We’ve talked a lot. You’ve gotta be tired after everything you’ve told me.” Gideon lifted the last piece of Sushi into his mouth.

  “I am. We don’t need much sleep, but it’s nice to take a rest.” Kiernan sipped his drink.

  “Of course. I’ve got an extra bedroom you can take too.”

  “While I appreciate the offer, I’d love to rest by your side.” Kiernan waggled his eyebrows.

  Gideon snickered and leaned back on the sofa. “You’re quite the flirt.”

  “I suppose my host was that, which is why I react that way. However, I, as Necetune, find you very pleasing to my mind and body, so it should come as no surprise.”

  Again, heat rose in Gideon’s cheeks. He was attracted to Kiernan but wasn’t sure about being intimate when they’d just met. More importantly he was an alien. Gideon wasn’t sure if he wanted to wake up to the eight tentacled monster again.

  “Oh, cut that out. Yes, I am an alien, but I promise I won’t shift in front of you.”

  Gideon breathed a sigh of relief. “Okay, I appreciate that, but again…”

  “Don’t be so modest. You know everything about me.” Kiernan complained.

  “I know about your people, not you. Other than being the planet’s ruler, and chasing your ex-boyfriend here —”

  “I didn’t chase him.” Kiernan cut him off, sounding gruff. “I wanted to see what Earth was like.”

  “But nothing moved you to do so until he left.”

  “It is true.” Kiernan dropped his gaze and toyed with his fingers. “I’ll never fall for another like I did for Elijah.”

  “But I thought Necetune didn’t fall in love?”

  “We don’t, but… he’s the closest there will be to such an emotion. I know he thinks I wanted him as a means of control, which is how we Necetune live and mate. But with Elijah it would’ve been different. He’s very strong minded, like I am. Many Necetune seem to be resigned to their fate but he wasn’t.”

  “And it looks like you are too. Why won’t you stay here and make a life?”

  “Because I’d be betraying my people. I already am to a certain extent, but I might as well have fun before I become senescent.”

  “I just don’t get it. You have so much you can offer Earth with your expertise. Not only that, you could have those feelings for someone else if you gave it a try.”

  Kiernan snorted. “I doubt that. It was enough to tell you of my real self. I don’t wish to repeat the act again.”

  “If you cared for someone, I’m sure you’d find the courage to do it. If Elijah could, so can you.”

  “Ah, Elijah’s was a special case. Although I don’t doubt my former man’s abilities, his mate isn’t a person I would label ideal. Beyond the beauty, he wasn’t anything to, as humans say, write home about.”

  Gideon laughed at Kiernan’s humor. “Well, obviously he did enough to lure Elijah in.”

  “Elijah was desperate to live. I, on the other hand, only wish to have fun before I bid farewell to the universe. And really…” Kiernan got up from the chair and sat next to Kiernan on the couch. “I’d love for you to be that person who teaches me about fun.” He curled his arm around Gideon’s shoulder.

  “Me? I’m the last person to do that. Ask anyone who knows me, an
d they’ll tell you I’m part of the NFL.”

  “NFL?”

  “No fun league,” Gideon said, looking away from Kiernan.

  “Well, Doctor, that’s got to change. You’re a handsome man with wealth and a lovely career. Unlike Jaxon, you’re quite the catch.”

  Despite being a tad uncomfortable with Kiernan being so close, Gideon couldn’t force himself to pull away.

  Is it the pheromones or am I naturally attracted to this guy?

  Honestly, Gideon could probably say a mixture of both, but he was too exhausted to figure it out.

  “Who is Jaxon?”

  “Elijah’s mate. Anyway, perhaps we can help each other. We only have a couple of days, but maybe we can pack some things in. How about we watch a movie before bed?”

  “That sounds great. I’ve got plenty here that I’ve yet to look at because by the time I get home, I’m too tired to do anything else.”

  “Alright. I saw many in your collection I’d love to view. By the way, what was the last film you saw?”

  “Black Panther.” Gideon said, almost embarrassed.

  Kiernan made a face. “Doctor, I’m from another planet and have seen more current movies. It came out over two Earthly years ago.”

  “I know, I know, but, like I said, I never have time.”

  “Well that’s going to change this evening. We’ll pick out a film together, then afterwards we’ll make plans for tomorrow.”

  “Okay. You do that while I clean up.” Gideon slid out of Kiernan’s hold and started picking up the empty containers and cans.

  With Kiernan’s desire to enjoy himself, Gideon hoped the conversation about sleeping in the same bed was finished for now.

  * * * *

  “Well that was an interesting movie.” Gideon tossed another piece of popcorn into his mouth.

  “I’m afraid interesting doesn’t cut it.” Kiernan shook his head, wondering why the movie had won so many awards. It was more of a train wreck than a classic, but what did he know?

  Gideon chuckled and sat up straight. “It definitely wore me out. We should just turn in for the night.”

  “No, no.” Kiernan held out his hands. “Not until we make plans first. Tell me, what do you usually do on your limited days off?”