Away in a Tentacle Lair

8. Kai

Chapter eight

Kai

L eo clings to my waist like he's velcroed to my back. If I were bigger than him, it would be great to have him tucked in behind me, but I’m not. He's bigger and stronger, so when he ducks under branches high above us, he tugs me with him. This is different from driving Millie to work. I will drink over dinner so that we can catch a cab home. I'm not letting him on the back of my bike again.

After dismounting at the restaurant car park, my legs feel like jelly. I had to grip extra tight to hold myself in place against his wriggling body.

“God, that was terrifying,” Leo mutters.

“It's better when you're the one in control.” I did not feel like I was in control, something I quite like when I'm not navigating narrow roads. “We can get a cab back.”

“I don't mind. I could stomach it once more.”

“It's fine. This way, I can have a glass with the meal.”

As we head to the main door, the gravel crunches under our feet, proving my focus isn't where it should be. I'm more worried about my family risking everything to destroy the pumps instead of enjoying my date. I've never eaten here before, but I know Nicholas booked ahead.

“After you.” Leo holds the door like a gentleman, and I slip through ahead of him.

“Mr Briareus,” the waiter greets, glancing down at his seat plan. “If you'd like to follow me.”

“I could get used to this kind of attention,” Leo whispers against the shell of my ear, and my body gives an involuntary shudder.

“I hope this table is to your liking,” the waiter waves us to a secluded table for two overlooking the bay.

“Thank you.” I sit, jumping as Leo stands behind me to tuck me in.

“The ocean looks beautiful, a shimmering carpet of blue.”

I follow his gaze to the window and watch the sun reflecting off the rippling surface like golden sand.

"Pretty neat, huh?" I tease my voice light, though my chest thrums with the thrill of enjoying this place with him.

“It's more than just neat. Does everyone here know who you are?”

“They recognise me as one of the family,” I sigh at my notoriety. At least I have an alibi for the attack rather than my usual place alone in the sea. Maybe that was my family’s true motive for this date. “I doubt they know my name or that I can hold my breath for near record-breaking time.”

“The world record is twenty-four minutes, mate; you're not even close.” Leo laughs at me in a friendly way that makes me laugh, too.

“You know what I mean.” I smile, placing my hand over the wine menu. Sparks fly up my wrist as his hand covers mine. His gaze catches mine as I turn.

“Let's just try the house white,” he suggests, his voice as romantic as any compliment could.

Your eyes are as blue as the sea.

Let's just try the house white.

It's nearly the same thing.

“You're not into expensive wines then, Mr I've got my name on some prestigious research paper ?”

"Never been to a place like this before," he confesses. “This place is a bit posh for a marine biologist hopeful.”

"Me neither," I admit. This luxury setting is different to my usual scene, but seeing Leo's reaction makes every penny spent on the reservation worth it. “I'm just a free diver who's nowhere near the record holder. And I get jitters beyond twelve metres deep.”

“So calling you my Ocean Prince would be a bit of a stretch?”

“Well, I'm working my way up to King of the Waves,” I chuckle. I need a name to call him, but with his feet firmly planted on the side of ocean destruction, nothing I can think of sounds right.

The waiter comes, and I order a bottle of their house white and the prawn cocktail starter.

“Locally sourced?” Leo challenges as he takes his first bite.

“The prawns?” I frown. “Those cold water creatures found in the northern hemisphere?”

“Yes, those are the ones.” At least he sees the funny side of my comment. “They would have been local if I was at home for Christmas.”

“So you've turned your back on your family for this job you're hoping for?”

“Maybe not. I didn't miss them until I came here.”

“Absence makes the heart grow stronger.” I shrug, but it's not until his finger starts rubbing across my knuckles that I realise it's more about not being alone than wanting his family.

“You're making my heart grow stronger.”

“Leo, I'm not sure where we stand. My family And the marine centre don't see eye to eye. You're technically the enemy.”

“Maybe you just need to be whisked off your feet and be convinced in less traditional means.”

“Less traditional?”

“I'm guessing letting interviewees ravish your naked body isn't a tradition you partake in?”

“Not at all.” But it suddenly sounds far more appetising than the main course. “But I'm willing to start.”

Our empty starter bowls are cleared away, and they ask if we're ready for our main meal. I resist saying I'm ready for the bill and just nod.

The main course is delicious, and the company is great. I just can't wait to have his company in a more secluded location. I twirl my fork absentmindedly, watching the flickering sun on the waves. This would be so different if the moon danced over the waves. I’ll never have that experience; the family curfew is strict for a reason. I may not like it, but I can only live half a life so long as the research centre exists.

"Kai, what would you pick as the one marine creature that fascinates you most?"

"Ah," I start, not needing to think about this. "The octopus, without a doubt. It's a master of disguise, blending into its environment with an almost... otherworldly grace. And their intelligence is unparalleled. They're the enigmatic poets of the sea, weaving stories we can barely grasp."

"Poets of the sea, huh?" He smiles, a soft chuckle escaping him. "That's quite the image. It suits you, though—mysterious and deep."

A blush creeps up my neck, but I shrug it off with a laugh. "Well, now it's your turn.”

“Seahorse. The females depend on the males in a way no other species does. It’s a complete symbiosis.”

I smile, staring into his eyes for longer than socially acceptable.

"Maybe we could... continue this conversation somewhere more private?" I suggest.

“We could try a different kind of dessert,” he replies, a devilish grin spreading across his face that has me questioning my sanity. Sanity, logic, and personal safety can go to hell. I want to be this guy’s dessert. "My hotel room, perhaps?"

"Okay," I agree, surprising myself with the eagerness that bubbles up alongside my nervousness. I stand, feeling a little unsteady, as if I've finished far more than a single glass of wine.