The Luna Choosing Game

Chapter 0516 "As we had swallowed down each other's pleasure, there wasn’t much need for clean up, other than returning into our swimsuits and checking ourselves in the mirror. As our hair was already wild in the water, no one would notice if Nicks and mine had been tugged and pulled.

I did have a few new love bites on my thighs, but hopefully no one would think to look there. Besides, it wasn’t terribly obvious what they were. I could have just been breaking out from too long under water or something. That was believable right? It would have to be because, since makeup didn’t work down here, and I didn’t happen to have any anyway, I had accept that I couldn’t do anything about it.

When we were dressed and as presentable as we ever were going to be, Nicholas

I gripped my shoulders, brought me close, and kissed me sweetly on the mouth.

I smiled against his lips, my heart-and body warmed from his physical and emotional affections.

“I'll leave first,” he said. “What five minutes, then follow me.” Those words cracked my facade somewhat. I understood the need of them. If we left together, we could be caught on camera and then who knew what would happen.

But it hurt my soul to know that we had to continue to play this game. I wished I could be with Nicholas for real, though I knew all the legitimate reasons I couldn’t.

To want more was being selfish.

I wanted Nicholas however I could have him, and this was the only way I could have him.

I So I kissed him again, a touch more desperate this time. He wrapped his arms I around me, holding me close.

Then he released me. He turned and he left me alone in the room. I closed the door and locked it behind him.

i I waited for five minutes, counting each second to keep my mind from wandering and wallowing in my sudden aloneness.

Then, when my three hundred seconds were done, I opened the door and slipped out of the small room myself.

anyone noticed my absence, I was not immediately aware. The dancers were still dancing. The kids were still

of the cameras. Julian was showing off his swimming prowess for Veronica,

had stopped at a congregation of crowned merfolk royals. If

extreme ) importance. I slowly swam toward

some of their conversation, and I felt foolish for thinking their discussion could ever be over something as trivial as a hookup in a

first son or an advisor of the utmost importance. “But you must understand our limitations if things continue to progress with your conflict in the north.” That made sense, I supposed, as the border with the bear nation to the north was

and their abilities were I severally compromised. gp “Any intelligence would be beneficial " enough,” Nicholas said. “We trust you to keep your ear to the ground.” “We will do all we can,” replied

Nothing more.” The merfolk man seemed troubled, his brow furrowing, creasing the rose-gold scales there. “Though they are concerning, none the less.” “Any particulars you can warn me of?”

replied the merfolk. “Keep a protective eye on

been attempting to remain inconspicuous. But he looked at meas if he had known I was there for

looked too. Yet when he saw me, he didn’t look angry that I had been eavesdropping,

he said, “Thank you, sir. I will take these words to heart.” Then he began to swim his way over to me. Before he could reach me however, another pair of warms went around me, sweeping

it might be a stranger, or worse, Ronan, but instead a deep, mischievous laughter helped me realize it was only Julian. gp I

He released I me and rubbed at the spot I'd hit him, \ though it couldn’t possibly

I wished he had done so without scaring me. Even now, my heart felt like it

tilted his head. “I really scare you that bad?” “Yes!” I said, though I was mostly teasing now. It was easy to relax around Julian, in a

up to you with a dance,” Julian said. He nodded toward the dancefloor, where the merfolk were jubilantly flitting around each other. It wasn’t a sensual

attempting

“They’re making good efforts,”

one at least had a solid; steady beat that

it. Together, we made our