You're Kraken Me Up: Kraken's Cult, #2

By Kaye Draper

Gender-bending half fae, half kraken shifter Ioliani Lionheart has been handed a perfect excuse to stay in Florida with her new flame, but it turns out her demon godfather may have other reasons for keeping her where she is.

 

A new goddess overlord has arrived in Florida, and Io has been tasked with helping her settle in. Old flames and interesting new friends are drawing Io in, and for once she feels like she might have a chance at happiness. Until the sweetest man she knows goes missing....

 

Author's Notes

*Kraken's Cult books are longer novellas to shorter novels (40,000-50,000+) words. They may or may not include cliff-hangers. Typically, one plot thread will be resolved or "resolved for now," while others may continue to build throughout the series. There's none of that "book that ends abruptly in the middle and I'm gonna call it a novella" stuff.

*Includes mentions of past trauma, including but not limited to: implied threat of sexual abuse as a minor, bullying, violence, emotional trauma.

*So much swearing. Seriously.

*Explicit sex with varying levels of heat and kink possible.

*Series contains M/F, F/F, M/M, MMMMFF romance.

*Characters with gender fluidity, non-binary/intersex characters, gender bending/gender swap, gray ace, and any other orientation you can think of may appear in this series.

*Let's face it, you're thinking about reading a book with a kraken main character. There may be tentacles put to use in ways that make some people uncomfortable. It's just to be expected.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kaye Draper
• Release date: Sep 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201497576

Kaye Draper

Tired of toxic alpha males and weak-willed women in romance? I write outside the box, inclusive, trope-smashing, paranormal romance, usually involving poly relationships (because #whychoose) and with actual character development. LGBTQIA+ included. You can read everything I write before it's published, get access to audiobooks, Q&A, live chat, and more over on my Patreon page (it's where my coolest Creatures gather)! https://www.patreon.com/kayedraper Or you can find me here: Sign up for my mailing list to GET FREE short stories and updates on new releases: https://www.kayedraper.com/?page_id=10 Join me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kaye-Draper/350823845037547 Find me on instagram as KayeDraperAuthor On Twitter as @KayeDraperWrite Or on my website, KayeDraper.com

Book preview

Chapter 1

Cora

My breath left me in a surprised laugh as my back hit the top of the sumptuous hotel bed. Oh, gods this was really happening. The short time I’d known Io had been like breathing in new air, like remembering that life was supposed to be lived . And now this. Our weekend together had been perfect, and I found myself completely swept off my feet. I’d never been pampered before.

Back when I lived with my mom and my horrible stepdad, I’d been an inconvenience, and any kindness was just to keep me quiet. Brier, and Zuberi, and the people I’d met at the coffee shop and around town because of them—they all spoiled me in ways that most people wouldn’t even notice. But to me things like having a safe place to be, with people who’d reach something off the top shelf for you without making you feel like a freak for being so small, or who’d handle an annoying customer just to make your day better...that was being pampered. Not having to wonder if you’d live off the street your whole life or end up hooking for food. That was being pampered.

But this...this was a whole new experience for me, and it both terrified me and made me crave more. Expensive food. Exotic drinks. Swimming in the ocean with a goddess at my side, sharing laughter and stupid humor while we rambled around St. Augustine like a couple of tourists who weren’t yet jaded to all of the old-world splendor and hokey showmanship the place had to offer. All with Io looking at me like that, as if I was her whole world. It was magical, like something from a fairy story or a dream that I really didn’t want to wake up from.

Io, I gasped, threading my hands through the woman’s thick, glossy black hair to drag her head up from where Io was currently blowing into my belly button.

Deep green eyes sparkled up at me, wicked and full of every bit of fae mischief in the world. Cora.

Even Io’s voice was beautiful, husky and rich, full of promise, but mystery as well—as if you may or may not want to know just what that promise was. I ran my fingers over one of Io’s slightly pointed ears. Are you sure this is okay? Like this? I don’t want you to feel...I don’t know...unwanted? Uncomfortable?

Io huffed a laugh and bent her head again, this time pressing a more serious kiss to the exposed skin just below my midriff-baring shirt. It’s fine, she insisted. Then she looked up again, bracing her arms over my hips and tilting her head to smolder in a way that just wasn’t freaking fair. "I want you to be comfortable, she said with a soft smile. And honestly, sex feels just as nice no matter which body I’m in at the time. She winked. Besides, I wore my best bra and I expect so many compliments. Don’t ruin that for me."

I snorted, running my fingers through Io’s hair again, watching the inky strands with their lighter streaks of brown spill over my own pale fingers like water. I’m sure you’d still manage to look hot, even as a guy wearing a bra, I said gravely.

Io lifted her chin a notch, somehow still managing to look haughty, even while lying on her stomach. Well, of course, she said with a sniff. Then she heaved herself up and stood looking down at me, her eyes full of something I couldn’t quite identify. It was playful, but sharp at the same time, almost sad—yearning, maybe? It sparked along my aura like a touch against my skin. Stay right there, the bossy kraken instructed.

Then Io turned in a swirl of her flowing Hawaiian-print skirt and disappeared toward the bathroom at the other end of her over-the-top suite of rooms.

I huffed a laugh to myself and sat up. Too fast. I was sure other people would say this was all moving too fast. I’d only known Iolani for a few weeks, only been this close to her for even less time. But my heart raced when the other woman was nearby. And something inside me just knew it was right. It was time to get over all my old fears and start living my life like an adult.

And...I’d seen the little hints of pain that snuck in around the edges when Io thought no one was looking, felt it in the unthinking comments Io made sometimes.... Io might seem to just ooze perfection and confidence, but there was a sadness there that didn’t match up with that face she showed the world. A sadness I wanted to chase away by any means possible.

Or you’re just trying to make this into something more than it is. Get a grip, Cora.

I sat back against the fluffy, cloud-like pillows and tried to control my breathing. But that was a lost cause when Io came striding back into the room—prowling, really—dressed in nothing but a shiny black satin bra and underwear set, carrying a tray of strawberries and a bottle of champaign. Oh gods.

At my stuttered breath, Io’s smug, playful expression melted into concern. She set the tray and bottle aside on the nightstand and came to kneel beside the bed, taking my hands in her own. What is it? Did I do something wrong? She scowled down at her own hands, where they gripped mine. Too much, right? Damn it. I just wanted to impress you, but I’ve fucked it up again, haven’t I?

I let out a sigh and swung my legs off the bed, pinning Io between my knees, giving the other woman’s hands a squeeze. I tried to beat back my own insecurities—Io was used to being with people as sexy, and rich, and powerful as she was. I was a nobody. And now my awkwardness was throwing Io off. But I knew Io wouldn’t get that. The woman was just convinced that she was going to set off my stupid trauma response.

"You didn’t do anything wrong, Io. Geesh, I breathed. Haven’t we talked about this about a billion times the last couple days? I’m fine. You’re not going to intimidate me or scare me off." Well, not because of that anyway. I tilted my head and gave the kraken a wry look. I’m inexperienced, Io. Not dead. If you do something that makes me really, truly freak out, I’ll tell you, okay? But if not, just assume.... I let my eyes trail down over what I could see of Io’s perfect, curvy body while Io continued to kneel on the floor. "Can you just assume I’m having trouble breathing or forming words simply because you’re so amazing I forgot how to breathe and not because you scare me?"

Io’s shoulders dropped. "I’m sorry. Honestly. I swear to all the gods, I’m usually really smooth at all this seduction stuff, when I’m not the one being seduced. Scout’s honor. She held up her fingers in a ridiculous salute, but those dark green eyes were pleading. You just do things to my insides. It makes me lose my equilibrium."

I blinked at her. "Me?"

Io lifted my hands and pressed a couple of lingering kisses to my fingertips, making me melt. "Yes, you. I’m sick of one-night stands and playing fucking games all the time, sick of waiting to find out what new thing people are using me for now. She lifted those sharp, gem-bright eyes to meet mine again and...there it was...that heartache I glimpsed from time-to-time but couldn’t really explain. I know I said we could keep things casual. A fling, right? But I have to confess something to you."

I smothered a smile and asked, And what’s that?

Io swallowed hard and sat back on her haunches, still keeping hold of one of my hands. "I’m an easy mark. That’s why I fall for it every single damned time. I’m absolutely terrible at flings. I can’t do casual. I just pretend I can, and then it’s me who ends up hurting in the end. Because who wants to put up with this twenty-four-seven unless they’re getting something in return?" She gestured at her voluptuous body like there was some kind of horrible mess there.

I sure couldn’t see an issue. I licked my lips. I’m not seeing the problem here, I admitted, letting the grin finally show. "Oh, no! Not a real relationship! Not someone who doesn’t want to just sleep with me and move on because my weird emotional baggage is too much to tackle. Oh, no," I deadpanned.

Io rolled her eyes. Okay, point taken.

I laughed. "And? Can we get back to the part where you seduce me now? I was really looking forward to that. I’ve never been seduced before. Sounds awesome."

Io laughed, low and deep. Gods you’re amazing, nymph. Then she sat up straighter and put her game face on. Now, be serious. I need to rock your world. She waggled her dark brows comically as she crawled on hands and knees over to the nightstand.

I couldn’t stop laughing at the sight of the hottest woman I’d ever seen—like put cover models to shame, made angels weep levels of beautiful—crawling around with her ass in the air, waggling her eyebrows like a demented old man.

Are you sure you’re doing this right? I managed between gasps of air, holding the stich in my side. I don’t have much to go on here, but I don’t think you’re doing this right.

Somehow, Io kept a straight face as she levered herself up in the most awkward, clumsy, non-sexy manner she could possibly have come up with, all knees and elbows and butt jutting out at weird angles.

I laughed so hard I cried.

Io just stood there, arms crossed over her perfect breasts, smiling down at me. Laughter suits you much better than fear, she said softly. Then she was just...there...those perfect lips meeting mine, graceful hands stroking up my sides, as she slowly, gently asked permission to absolutely ruin me for anyone else.

Of course, I was happy to grant that permission, leaning into the touch, reveling in Io’s taste of magic and life. Io trailed her hungry mouth over every exposed piece of skin, caressing every inch of my suddenly overheated body as she peeled me out of my top and my jean shorts, leaving me in my underwear.

Then Io pulled back, holding herself up with her hands on the headboard as she straddled my outstretched legs. Anything you want me to know? she said, that low, rich voice even more sinful than usual. Preferences? Things I should avoid? Penetration? Oral?

I shook my head from side to side, my overwrought brain frantically thinking all of that with enthusiastic abandon. But I made herself do that whole Be an adult thing. Um. No. I mean. Maybe don’t like, talk down to me or tie me up and start whipping me or something. But otherwise, I think I’m good.

Io smiled fondly and pressed a lingering kiss along my jaw, her breath whispering over sensitive skin. Mmm...I’ll save the whipping for another time then. I felt Io’s lips curve against my neck as she grinned. We are going to have so much fun together, little nymph. I promise. Then she sat back and dragged her eyes over my body. You’re so cute. I could eat you up. She winked.

I rolled my eyes. Krakens. Then I blushed and gestured at the perfection before me. "I mean look at you. You look like someone I can’t afford a night with. And I.... I gestured at my own pathetic pastel cotton ensemble and lacking curves next to Io’s black satin and sin. I look like a little kid."

Stop that right now! Io shook her head, and her voice took on a stern note that I thought really shouldn’t be putting ideas into my head about domination, since I was about one step removed from a virgin here. Io trailed a finger down from my collar bones to my little bit of cleavage, then lower, down across my soft belly and to the little pink bow on my panties. You are perfect just the way you are.

Then the devil woman leaned back and ran her own hands over her satin-clad breasts, pressing them upward so they practically spilled out of the push-up bra she wore. But I wouldn’t object to buying you lingerie, if you let me. If that makes you feel sexy.

Seeing my eyes lock on her movements, Io smiled, slow and sultry, then dragged her hand lower, red-painted nails trailing over her sooth belly to the top of her underwear. Panties on or off? she asked, making my brain short-circuit.

I blinked at her. Well...I mean...off, right? Won’t they get in the way? Geesh. So smooth, Cora.

Io unhooked her own bra and dropped it aside, freeing her pendulous breasts. Then she leaned forward to kiss me again, her warm skin brushing mine as her hands came down to cup my breasts, thumbs stroking my nipples through the soft fabric, teasing. Your choice, Io breathed against her skin. "I want you to feel comfortable. If it makes you feel exposed to be completely naked right now, that’s okay. I understand. I can work around