Tentacles & Triathlons (Leviathan Fitness)

Tentacles & Triathlons (Leviathan Fitness)

REVISED AND EXPANDED EDITION When a grumpy park ranger meets a charming kraken, love might be worth the swim upstream in this sexy monster romance. There is only one thing holding back Briar Glenn Parks Department supervisor Reece Rollins from success in his upcoming triathlon—his subpar swimming skills. At the urging of his sister’s wolven mate, Reece joins Leviathan Fitness to train in the gym’s Olympic-size pool. There he meets Cyrus, a charming kraken with unparalleled skill in the pool, and many, many tentacles that both intimidate and intrigue Reece. When Cyrus offers to coach Reece for his race, he happily accepts the help. For the past few months, Cyrus has been floating through life without his usual spark. He’s even hit a creative block with his painting and hasn’t been able to produce a new piece of artwork in a while. But the opportunity to train this handsome human grump gives Cyrus something real to smile about. New and unexpected feelings begin to arise from the depths as Reece and Cyrus start to spend time together in and out of the water. But can both men let down their guards enough to be swept away by love? Ashley Bennett is a small-town paranormal and monster romance author from Baltimore, Maryland. She writes stories that are equal parts spice and swoon. When she's not writing, you can find her reading webtoons, playing cozy video games, and taking care of her houseful of rescue animals. One Cyrus I blinked at the bright white canvas in front of me, willing something, anything, to inspire me to paint. My art dealer, Eduardo, had been ringing me nonstop about new pieces, but over the last few months, I'd been at a creative standstill. Everything in my life had become boring. Repetitive. Bland, even. Being one of the oldest monsters around, and potentially the last of your kind, could do that to you. My tentacle clenched the paintbrush tighter, almost as if commanding it to move, but it was no use. "Bollocks," I cursed, and whipped the brush at the canvas, coating it with a splatter of yellow paint. The door to the studio cracked open, and my roommate, Fallon, peeked his head inside. "Everything okay in here?" "Fine," I huffed and collected the brush from the floor. Fallon's beady eyes followed my movements before focusing on the smeared canvas. "Still nothing?" "Not a damn thing." He stepped through the doorway, padded across the wood floor on his paws, and gave me a sympathetic look. Well, as sympathetic as someone with a beak and a feathered face could look. "Cyrus, are you going to be able to handle tonight? I can find another ride and we can always say-" "I'll be fine," I said in a clipped tone. "This is important to Atlas and Tegan. As one of his oldest friends, I should be there to show my support." Atlas had always been there for me when I needed him. Through my most recent college experience, my move to Briar Glenn, and now in my current existential crisis. After everything he went through with Jade, he deserved happiness, and tonight I'd be there to celebrate his and Tegan's engagement. Fallon dipped his head in a slow nod, his tail flicking back and forth behind him. I could tell there was more he wanted to say, but for once he didn't press the issue. "Okay, then. Well, I should probably start getting ready." With that, he headed down the hall to his room, leaving me alone in my studio. I tilted my head from side to side, rolled my shoulders, and let out a deep breath. My frustration and anxiety were getting the better of me, leaving my body feeling sluggish and drained. There wouldn't be enough time to make it to the gym for a swim, so a soak in the tub would have to suffice. I shuffled across the hall to my bedroom and into the adjoining en suite. Popping sounds filled the space as the suction cups of my tentacles stuck to the tile floor with my movements. The sticky buggers could be a nuisance, but they had their advantages. I never had to worry about slipping in the shower. While the tub filled, I stared at myself in the mirror, the fluorescent lighting reflecting off my skin. I admired the perfect turquoise shade, decorated with deep blue-green stripes and splotches that allowed me to blend into the water. In terms of my appearance, they were probably my favorite attribute. Unlike humans, I didn't wear clothes. My muscular chest was always uncovered, tapering down into a narrow waist that flared to my tentacles. I had eight in total, but preferred to use six of them for movement, keeping the other two-my mating tentacles-wrapped around my arms. They were quite helpful, serving as extra hands for painting or cooking or whatever task I was undertaking. Some days I truly enjoyed being a kraken, but others, I felt like a total abomination. Even by monster standards, I was quite odd. I shut off the tap and used my tentacle to open the jar of raw sea salt I kept on the edge of the tub. I sprinkled a generous amount into the bath and used the strength