Love at First Clutch : A Gay Tentacle Romance Read online

  “Yes. I’m scared, Doc. Being over forty, I’m a high risk.”

  “While that’s true, plenty of women have had babies at that age. Besides that, you’re a tough cookie. You and the baby will be fine.”

  “I hope you’re right. Anyway, what did you do on your day off?”

  “Oh um… just…” Gideon stopped short and sighed.

  “Doc?”

  Gideon thought about his words. He couldn’t go into depth about how he and Kiernan met, but perhaps hearing from Janet was just what he needed to feel better. “I spent part of it with a guy.”

  “Ooh? Do tell. Something told me to call you.” She sounded excited.

  “Well, our meeting was… a fluke.” Gideon snickered at his choice of words. It was truly an accident, but he wouldn’t go further than that. “We hit it off, or at least I thought we did, but after we spent the night together, he left.”

  “Oh damn, Doc, I’m so sorry. Did he say why?”

  “He just.” Gideon exhaled and closed his eyes. “He said it was for the best.”

  “What? Man, let me at this guy. No one has the right to hurt my friend!” Janet’s tone had changed to angry.

  “Now, now, don’t make your blood pressure go up. You’ve got a baby on the way.”

  “Yeah, but I worry about you, Gideon. I don’t know how anyone in their right mind wouldn’t want to be with you. You’re too kind for that.”

  “Thanks. I suppose he wasn’t ready for anything else.” Gideon understood that, but he wished Kiernan hadn’t left without giving it some thought.

  “Well, he should’ve made that clear beforehand.”

  He did.

  Gideon didn’t bother saying that aloud. Surely Janet would berate him for sulking.

  “Dammit, Gideon I wish I could come over, but listen, I’ll tell you this much. Don’t let this guy ruin you. There are plenty others out there that’ll sweep you off your feet, you have to be patient. How long had you been seeing this guy?”

  “A couple of… um, weeks.” No way could he tell the truth about their two day stint.

  “And you didn’t tell me?”

  “I didn’t think it was serious. I wouldn’t want you to get all excited when I wasn’t sure what would come out of it.”

  “But you liked this guy.”

  “Yeah.”

  “And were you looking for more with him?”

  “Kind of, but in the back of my mind I knew he might leave. He talked about not being into relationships and I was okay with that at first. Then I started developing feelings for him. Maybe that turned him off.”

  “Ugh. I hate people like that! You’ve gotta move on, Gideon. Obviously, a relationship wasn’t meant to be with this guy.”

  “That’s what I’m figuring out, but I still like him. I’m hoping he’ll come around.”

  “Well, I wouldn’t waste that much time waiting. Rosalda and I didn’t start out right either. Just saying, don’t let it stop you from living. If he comes along later, great, but if he doesn’t that’s fine too. You’re too good of a guy to be alone. Someday you’ll find your prince charming. Just have a little more patience.”

  Listening to his friend comforted Gideon. She was right about not relying on Kiernan to return. And why should he sulk over the guy? When he left, Kiernan made his stance clear. Gideon couldn’t spend his life getting wrapped up in someone who didn’t want to be with him. “I will, Janet. Thanks for the peptalk.”

  “Anytime. And if this guy does weasel his way back in, don’t accept him so soon. Make sure you guys are on the same page about your relationship before you go further.”

  “Yes ma’am.” Although Gideon agreed with her advice, he knew he’d welcome Kiernan with open arms no matter what.

  * * * *

  “Kiernan? Do you need my help?” Elijah’s voice sounded through the door.

  “No. I’m fine. Just finished.” Kiernan dried his face and hung up the towel on a nearby rack.

  “Can I come in?”

  Kiernan shrugged and unlocked the door. Being that he was in Elijah’s house, he couldn’t lock him out of his own bathroom.

  Elijah gasped, looking at Kiernan’s eggs in the bathtub and in the shower stall. “Holy… uh… how many?”

  “Sixteen hundred thirty-three.” Kiernan pushed his hand through his hair.

  “Did you have difficulty?”

  “No. They just… came out like popcorn. I had no idea I’d have this many.”

  “I’m sure you didn’t. Any idea what you’ll do with them?” Elijah sat on the toilet seat.

  “I don’t know. I thought of raising them here, but… I’d have to find a place near the beach as you did.”

  “You could totally do that. Since Kiernan is a world class model, he made enough money for that kind of purchase. I’m glad you’re going to stay.”

  “I’m not completely sold on it yet. I just…” Kiernan sat on the floor in front of him. “I’m so torn about this. Part of me wants the doctor to know he had a part in creating over sixteen hundred eggs and the other is afraid of his reaction.”

  “Why do you think he wouldn’t accept?”

  “It’s not that, it’s the guilt of getting in his way. He also spoke about being clingy and I’m not sure I want a partner who won’t let go.”

  “Nothing wrong with that. We’ve got eight tentacles, so in a way our behavior is similar.”

  Kiernan snorted. “Not really. Ah, Elijah, most of it is the guilt from leaving Necetune. As badly as I wish to stay, I know I’ll miss home.”

  “So, go back after you get settled. Kiernan, you’ve been making so many excuses against staying, you don’t realize how good you could have it. The wonderful weather, a home near water where you can always go back to Necetune. You’d have your partner, your kids. You’ve ruled Necetune long enough. It’s time to enjoy the rest of your life.”

  Kiernan shrugged and crossed his legs. He put his face in his hands, wishing the pangs of guilt would subside. Gideon was the perfect candidate to be his partner. They could raise all their squids and have a happy ever after once he picked his successor. Now Kiernan had to find the right words to let Gideon know how sorry he was as well as his proposal to further their relationship.

  After Kiernan finished talking with Elijah, he headed over to Gideon’s house. Though Kiernan was sure the eggs wouldn’t hatch, he asked Elijah to keep watch to which he agreed.

  Kiernan had been rehearing a speech in his mind about their copulation that created the eggs and his desire to become mates. Although Kiernan had delivered plenty of talks to his people, nothing would be as difficult as this.

  Kiernan got out of the hired car and approached the gate. He checked the directory for the code, then pressed the corresponding buttons.

  “Can I help you?” Gideon said, sounding annoyed.

  “It’s Kiernan. Can we talk?”

  “Why? I thought you were going to stay at your friend’s house.”

  “I am, but I want to tell you the reason why I left so abruptly.”

  “You could’ve told me over the phone.”

  I suppose I deserve that.

  Kiernan ran his hand through his hair and dropped his head. He understood Gideon’s anger, but hoped he’d at least hear him out.

  “That’s not as effective. Besides, I miss seeing you, Gideon. Forget about what I said before, okay? Just give me a chance to speak.”

  “Fine, but don’t overstay your welcome. I’m exhausted from work. I’ll buzz you in and meet you at the door.”

  Kiernan was pleasantly surprised to hear that Gideon didn’t stay past quitting time. Perhaps he’d influenced the doctor after all.

  When the buzzer sounded, the lock clicked and swung open. Kiernan ambled inside the gate, heading towards Gideon’s house on the right. Once he made the turn, Gideon stood on his front stoop with his arms crossed.

  Kiernan expected him to be grumpy. “Happy to see me?”

  “Get to why you’r
e here, please.”

  Kiernan cleared his throat. “Can we go inside?”

  “No, because I wouldn’t want to make you change your mind.”

  Ouch.

  Kiernan shrugged and inhaled deeply to get his words out. “Alright, I’ll just come out with it. After all, I didn’t hold back details when we met, so why start now?” He grinned, hoping to get the doctor to stop frowning.

  Gideon didn’t change his expression. He shifted weight from one foot to the other.

  “Okay. Well, after our night together, I got pregnant.”

  Gideon cocked an eyebrow. “What?”

  “Remember I talked about how easy Necetune are aroused? Well, since I’m at prime mating age, it didn’t take much to create eggs.”

  “Sooo, you’re carrying my baby?”

  “Not anymore. The eggs are at Elijah’s house. You see, Doctor, our reproductive process is very different from humans. During sexual activity, we make ourselves pregnant. When the suctions on our bodies throb, they prompt us to knot our partners, which releases a mist that makes the eggs develop. Then after one to three days, those eggs pop out of the suctions, then hatch a short time later.”

  “So. I… you’ve had the kids?”

  “Yes. All sixteen hundred thirty-three of them.” Kiernan said proudly.

  “What? Sixteen … Sixteen hundred? And…” Gideon wavered on his feet. “How is…”

  “No doctor, please don’t pass out on me again. It’s a very normal process and I want you to be part of it. I wish to give myself and the babies a chance to live. Don’t you want to help?”

  Gideon grabbed the railing on the side, to stay upright, but he ended up falling backwards.

  Kiernan ran to him and saved the doctor from banging his head on concrete. He checked his pulse. “Transmitter? Are we following the same protocol as before?”

  “We are, oh great one. Carry him inside and lay him down on pillows. We also need to get ice for his head.”

  “All right.” Kiernan slid one of Gideon’s arms around his neck and lifted him over his shoulder. “I knew we should’ve gone inside.” Kiernan gently kicked the door and shut it behind him.

  Chapter Nine

  “What happened?” Gideon tried opening his eyes, but to no avail. His mouth was like sandpaper and his neck hurt. The throbbing in Gideon’s head wasn’t overly painful, but enough where he wouldn’t make any jerky movements.

  When he attempted to slowly raise his head, someone’s hand pushed him down

  “No, Doctor, please rest.”

  That voice.

  Gideon could’ve sworn he was dreaming. How long had he been out? He had no idea but at least Kiernan was beside him. “Kiernan? You came back?”

  “Yes. And like the first time I shifted, you passed out again. You’re going to have to stop that. Too many head injuries aren’t good for humans.”

  “I know. Why did I faint?”

  “I told you about our babies. All sixteen hundred thirty-three of them.” Kiernan sounded proud.

  Gideon nearly choked on his spit.

  Did he just say sixteen hundred thirty-three?

  “Sixteen… hundred? What?”

  “Let me refresh your memory. I can’t do this too often because it zaps my strength. And if I pass out, we’ll both be in trouble. Stay still.”

  Kiernan gently lay his hand on Gideon’s forehead. He rubbed his temples with his thumb and forefinger.

  “Wow, that feels…” Gideon moistened his lips, feeling his body heat and tingle in all the right places.

  “Good, right? Don’t concentrate too hard, okay? There isn’t much to remember, but I’d rather just put the memories of our conversation back in your mind instead of repeating them.”

  Gideon didn’t balk. They must’ve been some wild details, but he should’ve come to expect that from Kiernan.

  “Yes, you should, which is why I don’t understand your propensity to pass out. Nothing should be that shocking.”

  “We’ve only known each other a few days. I’m still getting over the fact you’re not human.” Gideon complained. At that moment, he saw himself talking to Kiernan on the stoop. He’d been angry until Kiernan mentioned the process where they make themselves pregnant.

  Suctions? They popped out of those? And when did he knot me?

  “When we were in bed. I slipped one of my tentacles between your thighs while you’re were in the throes of passion.”

  Gideon’s eyes flickered open. “You changed to an alien?”

  Kiernan inched away, wearing a slight smile. “No. Our tentacles can still protrude even when not fully shifted. I would show you, but —”

  “I wanna see.” Gideon cut him off. He sat up straight, fixing his eyes on Kiernan.

  “All right.” Kiernan closed his eyes. When he reopened them, his irises had turned red with yellow speckles. In a matter of moments, a long blue appendage covered with what looked like bubbles appeared from the center of his chest. It wiggled and touched Gideon’s chin.

  Although part of Gideon wished to move, he stayed still with his mouth agape. He recalled when Kiernan fully changed but seeing the tentacle up close was still overwhelming. “Wow, that’s…”

  “Pretty interesting right? We Necetune are able to do many extraordinary things except for saving ourselves from a lonely death.” Kiernan inhaled and the tentacle retracted into his chest. When he released the breath, his eyes changed back to normal. “There used to be a time where I just accepted our fate. We would’ve never been destined to do anything more than eat, mate, and die. Now I want more. And I could have all that because of you.”

  “I… I didn’t do anything.”

  Kiernan smiled. “Yes, you did. Do you know how much fun I had going places with you? Our trip to the museum, the beach, the amusement park, all great times. And… well.” Kiernan’s skin flushed red and he ran his hand through his hair. “Our night together was incredible. After we both climaxed, I’ve never felt such a burst of energy, or, complete bliss. And it scared me, Doctor. I didn’t think I could ever achieve that much pleasure from interaction with a human. With any being for that matter. After the mating process started, I could barely focus. Everything happened so fast. Initially, I didn’t like what occurred but, after carefully thinking it over and talking with Elijah, I want that. I want to take advantage of that chance to enjoy my existence… with you.”

  Gideon closed his mouth quickly. “I want that too. I… when you left, I couldn’t get over the pain. How is that when we hardly know each other?”

  “Might be a natural pull? And I don’t mean the pheromones I emit. Has to be just…” Kiernan dropped his gaze and put his hands together. “Normal attraction I suppose. We had a wonderful time and felt the sparks between us immediately.”

  “Yeah.” Gideon reached for Kiernan’s hand and pulled it into his lap. He clasped his around Kiernan’s. “You really want that with me? You won’t leave?”

  Kiernan lifted his head, meeting Gideon’s eyes again. “Even if I wanted to, I can’t. One, I don’t wish to be away from you for long periods and two, I’ve got sixteen hundred thirty-three babies to care for. Elijah and Jaxon have their own to worry about.”

  “Sixteen hundred thirty-three? Wow. I still can’t believe you had that many.” Gideon sat closer to Kiernan and curled his arm around Kiernan’s shoulder. “And I can’t wait to see them.”

  “We will…after we spend a little time together. I can’t put into words how much I wanted to continue what we’d shared. I’d never experienced that feeling of ecstasy, of pure euphoria. You did something to me, Gideon. Changed me.”

  Gideon rubbed Kiernan’s bicep and leaned his head against Kiernan’s. Having Kiernan in his arms made Gideon feel alive. “You did the same with me. I haven’t been so into someone so fast where it hurt to see them go. The few dates I’ve had, no one has had that kind of effect on me.” Although Gideon’s first instinct was to lead Kiernan to the bedroom, he enjoyed sitting here a
nd discussing their feelings for each other.

  “I love this too. We were so wrapped up in the physical aspects, and then I ran.”

  “Yeah, but that’s all passed now.” Gideon recalled what Rosalda said about not letting Kiernan back in so easily, but he couldn’t help it. He wanted everything with this man. Didn’t matter that he was an alien from an underwater planet.

  “I’m glad you’re willing to give me a chance. Is it safe to say we have something to build on?” Kiernan toyed with Gideon’s fingers.

  “We do, but I wanna take it slow. Since you’re new to human interaction and I’m so awkward, how about we kind of start over?” A part of Gideon hated that idea, but he wished to safeguard his heart. If Kiernan left him again, he wasn’t sure how he’d recover.

  “I won’t leave, but I understand your concerns. I want to do it the right way, to make this to work between us.”

  “Me too.” Gideon lightly kissed Kiernan’s head, then pulled away to meet his gaze. For the first time other than the night they’d met, Gideon got to appreciate Kiernan’s attractiveness. Yes, they’d had that night together, but being drunk Gideon couldn’t fully take all of Kiernan’s gorgeousness in. As plenty of people who’d passed them had said, Kiernan was stunningly beautiful. Someone God took his or her time with, not skimping on the details.

  Kiernan blushed and lowered his head. “Aw, Doc.”

  Gideon snickered. “I keep forgetting you can read my mind. It kind of takes the fun out it.”

  “How so?”

  “Well, for one, how can I complement you if you already know what I’m going to say?”

  “I suppose you’re right. I’ll try to stop it. Besides, the more I’m around, humans, the more I’ll have to behave like one.”

  “Well, you don’t have to do everything, but yes. Don’t change too much though. Your awkwardness is attractive and addictive.”

  “Doc.” Kiernan snorted and slapped Gideon’s thigh. “You really are a charmer. Some of your lines would’ve caught any man you wanted.”