Chapter 1: Testing the Waters

I never imagined I'd fall in love with a shark. They're often outgoing and adventurous - kind of my exact opposite. But sometimes, love is found where and when you least expect it.

When I met Liana, the love of my life, it was mid-October and the countryside had been painted shades of orange, crimson and gold. This fateful meeting happened at the local gym, a place I frequented almost daily. Though it was after operating hours, premium members (such as myself) had a keycard to the place for use at any time. Like usual, I came in after work for a session and when I was finished roughly an hour later, the place had emptied out completely. Exhausted and tense, I figured it was the perfect time to go for a swim. So as usual, I visited the locker room, changed into my swimming trunks (a gold and black Hawaiian-style design) and ventured out into the large, indoor swimming pool.

But this time, I was accompanied by someone else. They were swimming so fast I could only make out... a silvery torpedo as it raced around the pool. But judging by their general shape and that prominent dorsal fin, it was clearly a shark - female too, given their silhouette, proportions and, um... assets. She was seemingly unaware of my presence.

I sat on the pool's concrete edge, made sure the shark was far away and slipped into the lukewarm water. Closing the distance in record time, she approached me and emerged to groom her slick hair - long, straight curtains of dark red. Shoulders on the edge, she turned and smiled politely, flashing a very toothy grin.

"Hey," she started, "what's up?" "Hey, there. Just cooling off after a workout. Never seen you around before. Name's Zaeryn." I returned a smile. "Cool. Mine's, um... Well, mine's Liana - Lia, for short." "Huh. Cool name." She grimaced. "Yeah.~ My parents are Hawaiian, so that's where it came from. Honestly, it sounds a little too, I don't know... pretty and girly to me." "Ha, I get ya." Well, even at first glance, she was pretty and girly, but... she might not appreciate that observation, at least not so soon.

"So, what about yours?," she asked, pointing, "Z-Zae... Zaeryn, right?" "Mhm. Well, my parents are Irish, though my name is just generally... Celtic." "Huh. What's that mean?" "Oh, that's just a catch-all word for the Irish, Scottish, Gaelic and Welsh languages." "Ah, that's cool. Were you born there?" "Nope. Made in the USA." "Ha. Same here, man."

In that pool room, there was an overhead loudspeaker churning out some music. It wasn't particularly loud, but the room acoustics helped it carry. A 90's pop-techno tune played, causing Liana to groan. "Aaaugh, somebody shove an ice pick into my ears already!" "Heh, tell me about it," I grumbled, "Guess you're not a fan of Bass Ace, huh? What kinda music do you like, then?" "Metal," she stated, "anything loud and heavy!" "Nice! Nothin' better for workout music." "Damn straight! I usually put on some tough guy stuff, like Hate Breeders, or edgy techno like, um... Combocrust?" "Heheh. Good taste," I replied. "What about you?" "Metal - especially anything of the stoner style - Down-tuned, bluesy acid rock from Hell. Ever heard of Goatserpent? They're kinda my favorite." "Can't say I have. Sounds sweet, though. Is it kind like Black Labbath?" "Oh, yeah! But even slower, heavier." "Heh. Well, I know what to look for on Dotify tonight."

Liana and I continued to chat for a few hours, lazing around the pool, splashing around, taking dives and every once in a while, actually swimming. Surprising no one, whenever we raced, she smoked me every time.

It was hard not to stare at Liana, given the girl's natural beauty. The way the light reflected off her skin made it look smooth and slick, further accentuating the girl's musculature. Fortunately, her numerous tattoos made the perfect excuse to stare. Asking about them also revealed her long-term fascinations - horror movies, heavy metal, games, the ocean and... botany? Indeed, several patches featured poisonous or rare plants. Even her name was taken from one - a climbing vine found in many jungles. Naturally, we also revealed our favorites from each category. The more I learned about her, the more I knew we had in common. We also traded jokes; She had edgy quips, while I had an endless supply of dad jokes. Whether they resulted in a chuckle or groan, as long as they got a reaction, I considered them a success.

Liana was a lot of fun to be around, just to talk to and swim with. I just had to get to know her better. It was getting late when I finally gathered enough courage to act on that need. "Ah, what time is it?," I asked, consulting my invisible wristwatch, "Must be getting late. But hey, Liana?" "Huh?" "Got anything planned for tomorrow?" It would be a Saturday, after all. She smirked slyly. "Noo.~ Why do ya ask?" "Well... Wanna hang out, play some vidja games?" "Heh. If you're that eager for me to kick your ass, then sure. But yeah, it's a date." "Sweet," I replied, trying to conceal my excitement, "Well, we'll catch up later." We exchanged numbers and finally parted ways. As I walked across the poolside and toward the locker rooms, Liana tried to make it less obvious that she was checking me out. Not that I minded, as that made us about even.

That night, I couldn't help but reminisce about the good times we shared and wonder about what was yet to come. We'd been in that pool for so long that, as I drifted off to sleep, it felt as if I were still floating.

Chapter 2: Whirlpool of Emotions

I called up Liana mid-afternoon to ask her over. "Hey, is this Liana? It's Zaeryn. Remember me at the gym last night?" "Of course! What's up?" "Wanna hang out?" "Sure!," she answered, "Just let me shower and change and I'll be right over. ...Oh, and I'll need your address." "Yeah, that might help. But alriiight,~" I replied with feigned suspicion, "just don't stalk me, mmk?" "Heh. Hey, no promises. Anyway, see ya soon!" "See y-" *Click.* Well, I texted her my address and gulped. I felt... all kinds of weird: Light-headed, kind of drunk, anxious, excited, afraid.

Hmm. One shower and she'd be right over? I couldn't help but try to picture her without any clo- *Smack!* I gave myself a good slap and shook myself awake. "Calm down, man," I thought aloud, "Take it easy. Don't wanna rush into things, right?" She seemed like such a cool person and, well... out of my league, to be honest. I didn't want to scare her off by acting like a horny teenager, unable to control myself.

Still, my mind was a revolving door of worry. How touchy-feely should I be, then? Would a hug be too far, or not enough? What if she thinks I'm weird, or not into her at all? What if she finds out my quirks and doesn't like me? How do I even know if she's into me in that way? "Fuck. No need to get worked up, Zae; You barely even know this girl! But... why would she agree to visit if she didn't at least like me? What if it's just as a friend, though?"

I had to calm down, so I distracted myself with busywork. While I waited for Liana, I brewed a pot of coffee, put on some music and hurriedly tidied-up the place. It was perfect timing because, right when I tried to think of something else, the doorbell rang.

When I opened the door, I saw a girl straight out of a metal fanzine - Clad in a dusty, worn leather jacket, a faded band t-shirt and ripped jeans. This time, her dark red hair was tied up into a ponytail, with sharp bangs forming an arch around her forehead. The bondage collar around her neck was a nice touch. "...Uh, Zae?," she asked. Oops, I was staring. "Oh, right! Was just admiring your, uh... your jacket. Anyway, come on in." "Heh, thanks. Had this ever since I was a teen. Good memories."

She stepped inside, I closed the door and attempted a friendly welcome. "Well, you know what they say: Mi casa es no muy grande, or something." That got a chuckle. (Hey, if I could make a girl laugh, that was a good sign.) "Oh, Lia!," I exclaimed, "speaking of jackets, I gotta show you something. Be right back! ...Er, feel free to make yourself at home."

With that, I dashed off to my bedroom, leaving her alone. Moments later, I reappeared to find Lia splayed across my sofa, waiting expectantly. "Well, what ya think?," I asked, showing off my own jacket. "Whoa!," she beamed, sitting at attention, "Let me see that!" My leather jacket was equally worn and covered in clusters of spikes, studs, badges, hand-painted logos and patches, all of some obscure metal band. The back was the most prominent, featuring the painted logo of Goatserpent.

Lia stood wide-eyed and smiling as she examined the garment inch by inch. "Aww, that's so cool! I'd love to wear something like this. ...Dude, is this all DiY?" "Mmhmm," I replied with pride. "Damn. How long did that take?" "A while, heh. Had to do it all piece by piece, of course."

"Anyway," I deflected, "I'm getting thirsty. Ya like coffee?" "Hell yes! I'll take mine strong and black, just how I like my me- ... Well, you know." "Heheh, nice. Hey, I take my coffee just the way I like my women - with big tits." I groped my own invisible knockers for emphasis. "Haha!," she laughed, covering her mouth, "D-don't make me punch you, Zae!"

"I'll try. Anyway, be right back with the drinks." I slinked off into the kitchen, plucked two mugs out of a cabinet and poured the hot, oily beverage into them. They swirled into the mug, sending the aroma of coffee, pecans and hazelnuts wafting through the air. In the silence, I wondered, Hmm. Was that joke too far? I was only matching her sense of humor ...I think. She did laugh, so that's good? Well, best not linger on it.

Upon returning to the room, her friendly expression erased my worry. I handed her a cup and, almost in unison, we closed our eyes and took a long sip from our mugs. The fluid - savory and warm, tasting rich and slightly sweet - felt so soothing sliding down my throat. I was snapped out of it when she chuckled, as I immediately got self-conscious. When I opened my eyes, I discovered why: the lenses of my thick-framed glasses were fogged-up with steam. That was funny, huh? Closing my eyes, I puffed air into the swirling oil to get those lenses really steamy. There was another chuckle. "Heheh!," she laughed, "Damn, you're cute-er- Eheh, hey, don't feel bad, though; If I'm not careful, the same thing happens to my lids."

The girl brushed off her own comment about my cuteness. Damn, maybe she was into me. "Here," she insisted, "let me demonstrate." She copied my gesture and exhaled into the coffee, fogging up those nictitating membranes. "Whoa!,~" I exclaimed, "now that's cool! You kinda look like a zombie when ya do that." "Oh, really?" She mimicked the classic zombie stance, rolled her eyes back, draped her tongue out and groaned, "Braaiinss! Meeeaaat!~" "Pfft. Bite me, I dare ya." "Nah. You first," she replied with a wink. Curiously, there was a sudden tightness in my pants. This girl was getting pretty flirty, not that I minded. But before I could reply in an equally flirty way, she added, "Hey! Speaking of zombies, wanna shoot some?" "Hell, yes!"

We spent a good few hours playing Left 2 Die, a first-person zombie shooter. She confessed she didn't play many shooters, so I was prepared to help her through all the game's challenges, but... she actually held her own quite well; Better than me, actually. Hell, and I thought I was the expert.

By the time we were finished and the credits rolled, our mugs were emptied and our joints were stiff from just sitting around, so I suggested some exercise. "Hey, Lia. I know it's dark out, but wanna go for a walk? Just around the block, I mean." She looked thoughtful, as if it was an idea she'd never considered. "Sure, man. Need to stretch these legs anyway."

Clad in our jackets, we stepped out and began our stroll through the suburban neighborhood where I lived. Our path, my usual route alongside the back roads, was lit only by the glow of street lights and the occasional passing car. We walked side-by-side, hands in our pockets. From my perspective, Lia seemed kinda small; Her face was just level with my chest. She actually wasn't short for her species, nor was I particularly tall for mine, but... the difference was obvious nonetheless. "Ya know," Lia sighed, "This is nice. I usually don't go walking at night. Wish I could, but... kinda dangerous... y'know, for someone like me." "Really? But... if you don't mind me saying, heh, you're pretty stacked, Lia. Who'd be dumb enough to hassle you?" "Heh, thanks! Oh, and I got this." From her jacket's front pocket she produced a sleek switchblade, whose implement slithered out in an instant and lit up the night with the moon's reflected glow.

"Still though," she continued, putting it away, "I don't know. Don't matter how fit I am if there's more than one guy." "Oh. Damn, that sucks." "It does. Guess you've never had to worry about that," she added, "I mean, you're a tall, broad-shouldered, pretty buff guy covered in spikes and dressed like that. Who'd mess with you?" "Heh, not many. Not in a long time, at least." By this point, she was walking quite close to me. "Well, I... feel safer with you around, Zae, that's for sure."

That was a pretty clear hint; Now was the time to act. Casually, I wrapped a leathery arm around her waist and rested my wrist against her jacket's pocket, thumb inside. To my relief, she instantly melted, relaxed as she leaned against me, a drunken smile on her face. For the remainder of the walk, we said very little. Perhaps she, like me, was afraid of taking things too far too fast. We soon arrived back outside my apartment and reluctantly parted. "Well, man," she sighed wistfully, "tonight was nice." "Uh-oh." I thought, "Now she's going to say "but I think we should stay friends." But no. Instead, she said, "Hey, there's something I gotta do in the morning, but... I'm free the rest of the day, so..." She waited, smiling expectantly. "...Uh. Oh! Well then, give me a call when you're done and... we'll figure out something." "Heheh. Then it's a date. Well, I'll see ya soon, man." She opened the door of her sedan, crawled inside and I watched her drive away. My head was again swimming with thoughts. This time though, they were overwhelmingly positive. That crucial first step had been made.

Chapter 3: Movie Night

The next day after lunch, Liana rang me up and greeted me warmly. "Hey, Zae! So, what are we gonna do today?" "Boy, you don't beat around the bush, do ya?," I asked. "Not unless y-*Cough cough!*" She cleared her throat, cutting off her innuendo. "So, yeah," she added, "What are we doing?" I ignored her slip-up. "Hmm. Well, do ya like horror movies?" "Pfft. Do I look like the kind of person who enjoys that sleazy trash? ...Because you're damn right I do." "Hah! You had me worried for a second. Anyway, there's a theater a few blocks away and they're having a double feature this weekend: Cannibal Doomsday and Zombie City. How's that sound?" "Sounds good to me! Can ya come get me, though?" "No problem! What's your address?" "Gimme a sec and I'll text it. Just... don't stalk me, okay?" "Pfft! I do what I want. You're not my real dad." "Hahah! B-but son, I-I have the DNA tests to prove it! Anyway, see ya soon, green giant!" "See y-" *Click.* Hm. Guess she noticed our height difference too.

When I arrived at Lia's apartment, she was waiting outside. "Hey! Nice car, man!," she complimented. It was a top-of-the-line automobile... in the 80's. Gold-colored, long and boxy, it looked like something grandpa would drive out pimping. The extra-large trunk and bulletproof windows lent credence to the rumor that it was actually used in organized crime. ...Or maybe the guy who sold it to me was just trying to get a better price. Whatever. The thing roared like a beast, too; You could tell when it was approaching from a block away.

We drove through the sleepy suburbs and minutes later, arrived at the theater, a dingy little place that hadn't been renovated since the eighties. It matched my car, I guess. I bought our tickets and we huddled into a dark theater, its "coming soon" ads already playing. Once in front of the large screen, I peered up across the rows and noticed not another soul in the room; It seemed we had the place all to ourselves that night. We took our seats at the center-middle row and before Lia could even notice, I flipped the dividing armrest up to give us more... closeness.

While waiting for the feature to start, an ad about some vampire-related show popped up on-screen. Liana visibly cringed. "Heh, what?," I asked innocently, "Not a fan of vampires?" "No, it's not that," she groaned, "In fact, I... um, well..." She shook her head and whispered, "You're gonna laugh at me when I tell ya." "So what?," I retorted, giving her shoulder a friendly pat, "I'll just tell you an embarrassing story of my own then." She eyed me curiously for a moment. "Hmm... Well, that is a hard offer to refuse." She shrugged. "Whatever. Ok so, back when I was a cringey teenager, I, uh... kinda really had a thing for vampires. You remember that book series, Nocturne?" I feigned gagging. "How could I forget?" "I know, I know. Well, I was mad into it - read the books, watched the movies, put posters on my walls, wrote smutty fanfiction, the whole package, man. But hey, at least I grew out of it. -Oh!" The room went dark, signalling the start of the feature.

The first film, Cannibal Doomsday, was an infamous piece of cinema, filled with grisly violence and nudity. Its effects were so convincing that the director went to court just to prove he didn't actually murder his actors. The music, serene and beautiful, only made the violent moments more impactful. The second, Zombie City, was a classic zombie flick. What little plot there was existed just to string together a sequence of gratuitous violence and undead carnage, not that we minded. The soundtrack was quintessentially eighties, very synth-driven and melodramatic. Both films starred Italian actors, but they'd been dubbed over in English with less-than-stellar performances, which meant we couldn't take them too seriously.

Early on, I pulled that cliched move of pretending to yawn, then draping my arm around her shoulder. Like a kitten, the girl leaned against me and settled in, twisting her hips. Over the first movie's roughly ninety-minute duration, we became more physically affectionate with one another. When she first sat down, Liana had draped her thick tail over an armrest and coiled it up in an adjacent seat (a common practice for tailed females), mimicking the appearance of a grey python. But eventually, she slipped it behind herself and draped the remaining length along my thighs. That tail fin, right in front of me, looked so big and squishy. I fought the urge to play with it. "Ya don't mind, do ya?," she asked sweetly, "I just don't want my tail on this nasty-ass floor." "Heh, nah. G-go right ahead."

She also clasped my hand around her waist, squeezing it affectionately each time something scary or nasty happened on screen. She never seemed genuinely bothered, though; In fact, we were both exchanging giggles and snarky commentary throughout the second feature; It wasn't a particularly convincing one, but it was good fun nonetheless. By the time it was over, my right arm felt numb from being constantly secured around Eve's waist, but that didn't matter; I loved that feeling of closeness and didn't want it to end.

She must have been relaxed as well, judging by her closed eyes, peaceful smile and calm, steady breathing. Hell, I probably could've just slept right then and there, but fate had other plans. I could hear the same preview ads from before playing and, right on cue, an avian entered the room, walked over to our row and waved. "Hey, guys. Sorry to bother, but the movies are over. If you wanna stay, that'll cost another pair of tickets." "Hrrm, yeah?" I began sleepily, "A-alright, we're leaving." The attendant walked away and stood patiently by the door, playing with his phone.

I ran my fingers gently along one of the girl's pointy, black-tipped ears. "Lia?," I asked softly. "Hmm?" It sounded almost like the coo of a small bird. "Movies are over. We gotta go." I sat up and started rising, but she quickly wrapped both arms around my waist, pulling me back down and nuzzled my chest, returning a pouty whine. "No, don't go.~" "Heheh, aww. You're an affectionate one, aren't you?," I asked rhetorically. "Mhm. Glad you noticed." Gods, she was cute. Almost instinctively, I brushed aside her bangs and kissed her smooth forehead. That got her attention, as she emitted a faint squeak and looked up at me, a flush of pink rapidly appearing beneath her jeweled eyes. We were again interrupted by the attendant. "Hey, guys!," he shouted, "Can't wait around all night." "Be right there!," I called back.

Finally, I arose from my seat and stood tall, towering above the rows. Taking a brief stretch, I extended my arms wide, circled my shoulders and neck. I then felt a soft, small hand clasp around mine and saw Lia peer up at me sweetly. I didn't protest. We shuffled out of that theater right as the opening credits started rolling and I gave a polite nod to the attendant as we passed.

We were soon back on the road and this time, I didn't even bother turning on the stereo; Instead, I rolled my window down and listened to the chirp of crickets, the whoosh of passing cars and the steady whisper of wind. Her hand had found its way onto my thigh, though she pretended not to notice. My car eventually came to a stop and we got out to loiter on the stoop of her apartment door.

She played nervously with her scarlet locks and looked away, a sign of anxiety. "Gods," she sighed, "I'm so tempted to- ...to ask you inside, f-for a drink, I mean. But it's getting late and I have work tomorrow. Only half a day, though, so I get off at one! So, when do you, um... get off?" Okay, this girl was definitely teasing me. Hey, that was my fuckin job! "Well..." I replied with a smirk, scratching my scaly goatee, "I don't even have work tomorrow, so... after you get off, maybe we both can." She giggled with girlish excitement, that flush of pink quickly resurfacing above her sweet smile.

"But yeah," I added, getting back on track, "Want to hang out after work?" She nodded. "I'd love to, Zae." "Great. I'll see you then." Before I could turn away, she tugged at the tail of my shirt and said, "Wait. So, are we... officially like, boyfriend and girlfriend now?" Stroking my chin again, I replied, "Only if you want to be. Of course, I'd... I'd really like that, Liana." She smiled shyly and nodded. "I'd really like that too, Zaeryn." "Sweet. Then it's official," I announced with a warm smile.

"Well," I added, "just call me up when you're free and we'll meet up, girl. G'night, Lia." With a casual wave, I turned around, then froze in place. "Oh! Shit, almost forgot something." "Huh? What's-" "Since I'm officially your boyfriend, suppose I owe you this." Catching her off-guard, I slipped my arms around Liana - one around her waist and the other, her back (my arm rested perfectly beneath her dorsal fin) - and bent her back like we were ballroom dancers, then planted an affectionate kiss on her incredibly soft, silky lips. She emitted a pleading whimper of surprise. For just a second, I felt her entire body go limp, as if she'd fainted. Oh, right! The tonic immobility thing! Fortunately, I was there to support her.

"You alright, Eve?," I asked, studying her expression. "O-oh yeah, it's nothing! Just got a little... excited is all. K-kind of exhausted, too; I feel just about ready to collapse onto my bed." The girl's cheeks were positively rosy. "Aww. Now, are you sure you're alright?," I asked with the exaggerated concern of a doting mother, "Oh, my!~ You look so pale, dear!" That elicited a hearty chuckle from her. "Hah, Zaer-ryn!~ Don't make me punch you." "Heheh. Anyway, I'll let you get some well-deserved rest. Good night and sweet dreams, Liana." "Aww. Well, if they involve you, they will be. Good night, Zaeryn."

We parted ways and as I drove home, I listened to the greatest hits of Panthera, one of her favorite bands. It reminded me of many a foggy morning, riding the school bus, escaping to the sounds of such bands. That night, as I slipped away into slumber, I fantasized about what it would've been like if we'd known each other during high school. I bet we would've been the best of friends, if not more. ...Well, if I'd had the courage to talk to her at all; I was extremely shy then. Now though, it seemed so easy and natural to talk to her, like... we'd known each other all our lives. I wondered: "Is this love? A soul-mate in the making? Just a crush?" These thoughts were quieted only by the weary onset of sleep.

Chapter 4: On the Beach

The next day, I wasn't needed at work, so I got to chill at home, chat and game with friends. It gave me plenty of time to daydream about Liana, and where we'd go on our next date. Hmm. Well, she is a shark. Something water-related, maybe? Is that just a stereotype? My thoughts kept returning to Mallard Point, a little strip of seaside with tan, sandy beaches and clear tide pools. Now, you may be wondering why we'd visit a beach during October. Well, lately the weather had been agreeable - just warm enough during the day to be sweat-inducing, though after sundown, things got comfortably cool. Nonetheless, by the time Lia and I could meet up, I knew we'd have a few hours to soak up some rays.

Right on time, she called me after she got off work. When I proposed going to Mallard Point, she sounded giddy with excitement, so I knew that was a good idea after all. But she wanted a shower and a change of clothes first, which was no problem. As for me, I simply threw on a tank top and my swimming trunks.

When my car pulled up to her door stoop, she stepped right out and stunned me once more with her beauty. She wore a simple sundress - electric blue and form-fitting. Her right wrist was cuffed with a cluster of black, rubber bracelets. Her arms and legs were otherwise bare, so that she could proudly display that flawless grey skin which subtly reflected the afternoon sun. She greeted me with a smile and stepped into my car, resting her tail over her thighs.

"Hey there, Zae. Going for the casual look today?" I looked down at my simple attire. "Oh, I... I guess. Well, you know guys; We don't have that much of a fashion sense." "Heheh. Well, I wouldn't put it like that." "Anyway," I snuck in a compliment, "you look gorgeous, as always, Lia." "Aww, you're so sweet. You're not exactly... hard on the eyes yourself," she winked, "But anyway, shouldn't we get going? I can't wait to soak up some rays." "Of course."

I gripped the wheel, released the brake, stepped on the pedal and we were off. Along the way, we listened to some random surf music off Dotify - reverb-soaked, twangy and energetic - like thrash metal for the beach bum. Lia seemed to enjoy it as well, judging by the steady bobbing of her muzzle. "Y'know, this ain't my usual choice of music," she commented, "but it ain't bad! Who's this?" "Oh, that's Rick Hale. If you've ever seen a Tarentella film, his music's probably in there."

We arrived at the beach and left the confines of that steel carriage. Once my scaly feet touched the warm, tarry pavement below, I emitted a little groan of pleasure. In this situation, more, um... fleshy animals would've pranced around with discomfort. For Lia and I, having thick hides and cold blood actually made it pleasant. (No wonder the dinos ended up in tar pits.)

We walked across the parking lot and at last, stepped onto the light-tan sands of the beach. Without warning (or rational thought), I took off and jogged toward the ocean, lifted off my top and fell forward into the soft, warm embrace of that beach. With my hands, I scooped together a big lump of it and hugged it like a body pillow, growling softly. Fortunately, the few other beach-goers were far enough away that no one seemed to notice.

I could hear Liana's raucous laughter as she trotted up behind me. She was so stricken that she wasn't even able to stay standing and so collapsed onto her knees. I rolled over to face her, turned my arms into a pillow and crossed my legs, attempting to look casual. "H-hey, what's so funny?," I asked, half-coated in sand.

"Haha, Zaer-ryn!~ You treat that sand like... like a big comfy bed! Huhaha!" She wheezed, catching her breath. "I kn-know you're cold-blooded, so it must feel nice, but still. I-it's just so funny to see such a... tough-looking, masculine dragon wallowing around like a hatchling." "Oh, so you've never tried it?," I inquired, a mischievous grin on my muzzle. "Of course, heh! Just not like that! Here, l-let me show you."

Show me? I jolted upright to observe her, cross-legged with my chin resting against my palms, like an attentive student. Lia grasped the silky skirt of her sundress and started to lift it. The process must have taken mere seconds, but for me, time seemed to slow as her heavenly form was gradually unveiled. Hell, I couldn't stop picturing how she looked on the night we met, clad only in that skimpy bikini, but she was partially obscured by water then. I was about to see a similar sight, only better. Undressing, the first thing Lia revealed was a black bikini bottom which arched over her perfectly-shaped thighs, hugged her firm rear around the back and cradled her womanhood underneath, showing only the slightest hint of labial folds in its silky fabric. Her thick-rooted tail, sprouting from the base of her spine, was embraced by an elastic ring in the fabric, holding the garment secure.

Her dress continued its slow-motion rise and next revealed a set of six mounds of pale muscle on her belly, indented vertically along their center, mimicking a navel. (Biologists theorized that non-mammalian species evolved such traits to appear more sexually desirable in our multi-species society.) Above that were the wide arches forming her ribcage. Hanging comfortably from her chest were two generous, perfectly-shaped mammaries (C-cup size), cradled and suspended by a matching dark bikini top. (These, too, were thought to be an evolution for the purpose of societal cohesion.) Further up, she possessed an outlined pair of collarbones which indicated the base of her graceful neck. At last, Lia hoisted the dress up over her head and tossed it onto the sand, next to my own top. She just stood there for a moment, smiling nervously, arms crossed and legs together. "U-uh, Zaeryn... You're staring."

"Oh! Sorry about that," I replied, "I was just... a-admiring your form. Heh. Damn, girl, you are pretty ripped." "Heheh! Why, thank you," she giggled, "I do work hard to maintain this... girlish figure of mine." With that pause, the girl raised her arms and flexed those biceps, making them swell into firm curves of muscle. *Sproing!* The sight of her Amazonian figure, shimmering under the afternoon sun made me, um... instantly hard. Why that is I'm not sure, but... if a girl looks capable of kicking my ass, I find that so hot. Anyway, all I could do to conceal my arousal was cross my hands over my growing bulge. "Of course," she continued, "You don't look like you've missed many trips to the gym, either.~" "Heheh. Thanks for noticing, babe." With a theatrical flair, I too caressed my abdominal silhouette like a swimsuit model. With a pronounced lisp, I added, "I work hard to maintain my girly figure, too." She rolled her eyes with amusement.

Finally, I fell back onto the soft sand with a muted *PAFF* and stretched out my torso and arms, proudly displaying my own figure. "Hnnngh-mmm-mmmfh!~ Man, it sure is comfortable down here. Join me, Lia," I offered, extending a hand. "Well, that does look comfortable," she replied, shrugging. Taking my hand, she stepped up to my side and knelt down. But to my surprise, the shark sprawled out not just across the sand, but me as well. Her right arm slipped under my shoulder blades, her left hand rested on my firm gut and her muzzle settled into the crook right under my chin. She also raised her left thigh, just enough to slip it between my own two.

With Liana so close to me, for the first time, I caught her full aroma. Unsurprisingly, she possessed the smell of wetness, like soil before a summer rain, or the banks of a woodland lake. But there was something else, too - Whether a product of her soap or shampoo, I couldn't say - But it reminded me of comforting things from memory; Cloves, honeysuckle, mint leaves. With my first hint of it, I couldn't help but flick out my tongue and further sample it. She smelled simply heavenly, so that the butterflies in my throat flitted about with excitement. Either she didn't notice or simply didn't care.

"Mmh.~ You were right, Zaeryn," she purred, "This is comfortable. Of course, if you don't mind me saying...you're more comfortable than any bed or furniture... or the sand even, hmhmf." A tingling warmth spread across my entire form. Gods, she was adorable. I'm comfy, huh? "...W-wait, are you calling me fat?," I asked jokingly. "Wha?! Don't be ridiculous!" She slapped my gut playfully, causing me to kick reflexively. "Gah!"

"You know," she changed the subject, "I used to come here often, just to relax, do some reading and soak up some rays. I, uh... must confess I enjoyed the positive attention I got from the guys, but... I rarely had anyone to go with, and seeing all those other couples fawning over each other, well... it got to me sometimes; Made me jealous and... lonely." "Well," I replied gently, "now you've got someone to go with, and I'd be happy to fawn over you, Lia."

"Aww!,~" she giggled girlishly, "all over me?" "You're damn right," I insisted, "In fact, the night I met you, there was something about you that just... lit my fire. You're smart, funny, kind, mysterious, into all kinds of neat and geeky stuff we can share. Not to mention... you're the most beautiful sight I've ever seen. "Oh, Zae,~" she mewled, sniffling, "D-don't make me... fuckin' cry."

Lia pushed herself up to lean on an elbow, so that we could talk face-to-face. With a gentle hand, she caressed my cheek and whispered. "Well, you're not the only one, Zae. You may think it's silly, but from the moment I saw you, I had this, I don't know... feeling that I can't even put into words. I was just... nervous as Hell that I'd slip up and make a bad impression." "But you made one Hell of a positive impression, Lia. Ever since, I haven't been able to get you out of my head."

For a moment, we both just stared deeply into each other's eyes. Our lids closed, our muzzles drew closer and, like magnets, once they came close enough they joined as if by magic. Our hands found each other's cheeks and our muzzles rotated, interlocking like two pieces of a puzzle. Again and again, I kissed, caressed and suckled her lips like candy, filling the breezy air with the sounds of our smooching and muffled moans. At one point, the girl gnawed my lower lip, causing a sudden tingling and stiffness in my trunks. In response, I extended my reptilian tongue into her maw and dragged it across her own. "Nnh, fuck," she moaned, "you wanna play like that, huh?" I nodded. "Give me your best."

Thus we set to work in a full-on French kiss, our tongues wrestling for dominance in the arena of our mouths. Like a broad strip of bubblegum, her oral muscle was soft, fleshy and slick. All I could do to control it was to twirl mine around it. Having a similarly dominant attitude, Lia didn't just sit and take it, she fought back any way she could - by coiling around mine, nipping it, pinning it down. Whenever I broke away to catch my breath, she insisted on kissing my neck instead.

"Oh, Zaeryn," she swooned, shivering with passion, "I-I... I th-think I..." "Hmm? You don't have to be afraid, Lia. If you're about to say what I think you are, the feeling is mutual anyway." "R-really? Then I... Zaeryn, I love you." "Mmh.~ I love you too, Liana. C'mere." I fully embraced the shark and squeezed her with warm affection. "Mmf-mmh!," I groaned happily, "Who would've thought a shark could be so affectionate?" "H-hey, I could say the same about dragons!" "Fair enough."

She sighed wistfully. "Hmm. Also, did you know that we haven't even set foot in the ocean at all today? Haha! Well, who cares?" "Haha! No complaints here, either. This sand is just so comfy ...and so are you, Lily."

"Uh! Don't call me that, Zae!" "Why not?" "Cutesy names like that are... embarrassing to me." "Well, you are cute." "No, I'm not!" "Yes you are. Would you prefer... Leelee?" "Nnoo!~," she whined, weakly punching my arm. "Haha, alright."

Now that we were joined, neither of us wanted to separate. I was like a giant remora, permanently attached to that lovely shark. Eventually though, we did change positions so that I could spoon her and, lying like that, we watched the sunset. As that golden orb sank lazily over the waves, we exchanged cringey memories from when we were just kids - silly mistakes, embarrassing words and so on. By the time it had fully vanished, the temperature had dropped significantly, making it uncomfortable for us. So, reluctantly, I declared that we should part ways.

Even as I stood, Lia clinged to me and pouted. "Nnoo!~" "Hmhm. Now I know why your parents named you 'Liana'; You're climbing me just like a vine." "Ssh, shush!" Instead of trying to pry her off, I just swept Liana up into my arms. She was surprisingly light; That cartilaginous skeleton probably helped. My gesture must've been embarrassing because she nuzzled into my neck, trying to conceal her blushing cheeks. She didn't protest, though. "Want me to put you down?," I asked. "No, no," she whispered, "I-I just, I'm... I'm not used to being treated like this, Zae. It's actually... kinda nice." "Aww. Well, it's about time you're treated like the goddess you really are, Lia." "Ssh! Don't say such sweet things! You're gonna make me cry." "Ah, sorry." So, I carried her bridal style to my car.

During the ride home, Liana was even more clingy. The bench-style seats of my car meant she could lean against me, arm around my waist and hand stroking my thigh. "Gods," she sighed, "I just wanna spend more time with you, Zae. But I've got work tomorrow." "Me too, girl. What about tomorrow night? Or should we wait until the weekend?" "Shit. I can't wait, Zae; I gotta see you soon." "Well, you and I leave work about the same time, right?" "Mhm. Hell, I can drive right to your place after. Would... that be ok?" "Sounds great, Lia."

When we pulled up to her apartment, I gave Liana one last kiss for the night. "I swear," she grumbled, "I'd ask you inside tonight if... I didn't have a roommate." "Hey, I understand," I assured her, squeezing her shoulder, "But don't worry; Tomorrow night, it's just you and me."

Chapter 5: Sleeping With the Fish

The following night after work, Liana came right over for a visit. She'd expressed wanting to watch a new anime that night, but... I hadn't even switched my TV over to NetFox when things escalated; Maybe that was just an excuse to tell her roommate. Anyway, one thing led to another and we found ourselves gazing into one another's eyes. Neither one of us could wipe off those big, dazed smiles. "Liana," I whispered, "You are so beautiful." She smiled warmly. "Aww, Zae," she replied, caressing my cheek, "so are you. I've thought so ever since I first saw you that night. Why ya think I decided to swim over and say 'Hi'? Maybe I just wanted a closer look at the handsome, sculpted visitor in my pool." "Heh. Ya know, I used your tattoos as an excuse to stare at you." "Ha yeah, I know."

No further words were necessary. I simply plucked the glasses off my snout and placed them on the side table. Then, closing my lids, I extended my neck and she answered the same. Our lips drew together and when they embraced, sparks flew. Waves of comfort, warmth and peace washed over me, prickling my skin and kicking the butterflies in my stomach. It felt like I was falling, felt exhilarating and even a little frightening. Gently, we caressed each other's cheeks and pecked those warm, pink folds, tilting our muzzles to accommodate the other. My ears filled with the duelling sounds of pecking and gentle moaning. "Nnh, love you so much, Liana," I sighed, "you're everything I've ever dreamed about in one perfect package." "Oh, Zae," she whimpered, "I feel exactly the same. You're the man of my dreams, emerald scales." To illustrate, she nuzzled alongside my chin so that the smooth, mesh-like surface of my scales tickled her. In this way, she reminded me of a cat.

Next, I slipped down to kiss and purse the girl's chin, making her twitch and whimper. Pulling away momentarily, I made an observation. "Oh, that's right! From what I've heard, you guys... are pretty sensitive there. How's this feel?" Using the thorny tips of my fingers, I scratched and rubbed the underside of her muzzle, as if she were my pet. Liana, unable to contain herself, smiled wide, unfurled her tongue and moaned. "Nn-no, Zae, d-d-don' do thah.~ It'th tho embawathing! Ahn!~" "Heheh, alright. Then I'll just use my teeth." I tilted my muzzle and, though it was quite awkward, I was able to tickle her jawline with the ivory points of my fangs. "Hh-aah, fuck! Why doeth it feer tho good?" The poor girl was limp and totally powerless in my grasp. It was cute as fuck, but I decided to move on anyway. "That's just your, um... Amplifier of Linguini, my love." "Pfft! You're such a goofball, Z." "Hmm," I murmured, "I'll have to remember this. But right now, I want something else."

My pursed lips followed an uneven line from her chin and sank slowly, driving the girl to whimper needily, until I reached her throat. There, I began to kiss and lick her flesh like a grooming cat, whispering sweet nothings. "You're so beautiful, Liana. I need you. Gotta have you." "Mmh.~ Then take me, Zae," she mewled, grinding her pelvis against mine, "I'm all yours." This girl was an enigma; Despite her strong personality and intimidating appearance, she was actually quite the opposite in bed. She liked to act tough and in control, but I suspected she loved to get dominated by someone stronger.

"You're mine, huh?", I inquired with a mischievous smirk, "Then let me get a good taste of that cute, pink tongue of yours." I curled some fingers under the metal ring of her collar and pulled. Tilting my muzzle, I inserted my tongue deep into her mouth and dragged it across hers. The girl let out a muffled moan, intense and almost angry-sounding, and her thighs trembled. Matching my intensity, she took a firm fistful of my shirt collar, pushed me back against the couch's rear and used her own tongue with equal aggression. Thus began our session of tongue-wrestling, constantly tilting our heads and forcing each other backward, our oral muscles writhing and flexing with noisy resolve, pinning and curling in a game of one-upmanship. While my mouth was occupied, one of my hands seized and massaged her plump breast and, even covered by the cotton of her t-shirt, it felt so soft, warm, buoyant, pleasant. In the midst, I helped her worm out of her leather jacket, dusty and scratched from use. Every few minutes, I had to break away just to catch my breath, leaving strings of saliva between us. She had no such problem, and would playfully push me with an eager muzzle. "Mmm, you taste so good, Zae," she groaned, "I want more.~"

For a moment, we just sat there, eyeing each other hungrily before in unison, our mouths came together and collided once more. This time was even more intense, as if we were fighting to out-dominate each other. Claws dug into flesh, hair was pulled, clothes were jerked, lips were gnawed on and we each received a sloppy, passionate groping. My dick was utterly throbbing with need, aching to be set free from its cotton pouch. "F-fuck," she gasped, "I'm so turned on." "Me too, baby. Wanna feel?" Without a word, she reached out and gave my bulge a good grope. "Good gods," she gasped, "is that an eggplant in there or what?" "Well, you're gonna find out, little shark."

"But first," I continued, "Now, let me see if this pretty coloration of yours continues all the way down." I slipped my fingers beneath the hem of her t-shirt and lifted it, gradually revealing the form underneath - her hourglass waist, a broad line of milky white bordered in grey. In their center was six mounds of muscle, firm yet fleshy to the touch. That fine, long indent divided her belly and above that was an incomplete arch where her ribcage was. Above those was a pair of perfectly round mammaries, pearly-white and accentuated with fading pink tips. (She wasn't even wearing a bra.) I lifted the remainder of her garment up and over her toned, inked arms before tossing it carelessly away.

"Now," I whispered, "let's give these some attention." Hands splayed wide, I encased them around Liana's healthy, white breasts. They must've been about the size of basketballs, as they fit just as perfectly into my large hands. I began to lift and drop them, to massage and knead them like fresh dough. Without their cottony covering, they felt even nicer - soft, bouncy, warm and full of life. Their leathery coating made them feel even more like basketballs, just not quite as firm.

While I played with them, my lips naturally found their way to the curve of her neck and there I was, face-to-face with her five gill slits, fluttering with excitement. I wondered: If I touched them, would it be painful or... "Fuck it," I decided, "Let's just find out." So at first, I gently pressed my lips to one of the flaps and kissed. Lia gasped. "Z-zae, that feels so weird." "Does it hurt?," I asked. "Well, no? But mostly, it just tingles and... I-I don't even know how to describe it." That's all I needed. In quick succession, I gave each one a soft kiss and by the end, she'd fallen completely limp. She was like putty in my hands. "Nnh-nnh, aah! Z-zae," she panted, "you make me feel s-so... l-like no one else ever has." "Heheh. Well, I hope that's a good thing 'cause I want to explore you inch by inch, my little work of art. Speaking of..."

My curious mouth followed a trail down Lia's torso, planting little kisses along the way. Still massaging her tits, I closed my scaly lips around one of those pink-tipped peaks. There, I began to kiss and lick its silky ring, to suckle its fleshy tip like a hatchling, as if she could actually produce milk. But no, I was after the girl's other fluids. She nonetheless enjoyed the attention, if her soothing moans and encouraging caresses were any indication. When one breast had been sufficiently coated with saliva and turned rosy from the stimulation, I moved over to its twin. But this time, in addition, I gently gnawed her, generating tingly little points of pressure. While one hand continued to grope the shark's other leathery breast, my other explored the valley along her spine, tracing and squeezing the symmetrical curves of her muscles. Gods damn, she was perfect. Naturally, I also massaged her large dorsal fin between my thumb and fingers. I finally got to try that. Although it was always naturally erect, it was surprisingly easy to bend. Between mouthfuls of her fatty flesh, I whispered compliments. "Mmf, Liana... you're-mmf, m-my goddess, so I'll worship you as one. Nrrm-none more beautiful in all the world - land, sea and air." "Mmfh-hrrmf!,~" she whined, "D-don't make me cry, Zae. Besides, if you wanna worship my body," she cooed, trailing a finger along one of my horns, "why don't you see all of it, mmm?" "Good idea." With a final kiss to each, I released her breasts and arose.

Next were her bottoms - pants and panties at once, which she wriggled out of as I tugged them impatiently down. This was the point at which she most resembled a fish. Once they were around her ankles, she kicked them away, barely missing a tabletop lamp. "Oops." Lying before me, naked and confident, was the figure of a truly gorgeous creature. I had to have her.

"Now, come on," she urged playfully, drawing the sole of her foot against my groin, "Hurry up and show me what you've got under there, Zae." Given the opportunity, I massaged the hard, cartilaginous soles of her feet. "Heheh. Well, that was the plan, my little morsel. I was just taking my time to... admire you, ya know?" "Well, I wanna admire you too!,~" she pouted. I gave a knowing smirk and quickly undressed myself, while the girl watched studiously, posing sideways like an underwear model. She eyed me from head to toe, a devious grin never leaving her face. "Wellp," I proclaimed, "time to whip out the eggplant." Pants around my ankles, I peeled down my scarlet underwear, setting free my nine-inch dragonhood, which sprang forth proudly, making her twitch. "Gah! O-oh, Zae,~" she swooned, "you d-didn't tell me you were s-so... gifted." Stroking it coyly at first, she added, "Aww, it looks so swollen and needy. Why don't you let me take care of that?" "Oh, you will," I cooed, scratching her chin, "But first..."

Tastes Like Fish

Taking control, I pushed Liana onto her back - onto the plush seat of my large sofa - and dropped to my knees. Little-known fact: Certain sharks (Liana included), when flipped upside down, are relatively weak and submissive. "H-hey!," she protested, turning pink in the cheeks, "D-don't do that, Zae! It's s-so embarrassing!~" Her mouth said "No", but I knew her better than that. Ignoring her protest, I parted my jaws and extended my neck so that they cradled the natural curve of her sex. Even there, I could feel the heat emanating from it; She must've been quite excited. There, I extended my blue reptilian tongue and exhaled a warm breath onto Liana, making her shudder. "Ah, f-fuck. You're g-gonna drive me crazy, Zae. Please, p-please taste me!" All of her anxiety had vanished instantly in that surging wave of lust. "Aww. Well, since you asked so nicely." With strength and thirst, I dragged my oral muscle up from the valley of her vulva, slowly all the way to the arch between her labia, where sat a glistening pink pearl. *Slrrrsh.*

The girl shuddered and squeaked as her thighs twitched. Her sex, hot and savory, left my tongue coated in a viscous feminine lubricant. I liked her reaction so much that I did it again and again, each time making her noises more shrill, making her spine arch with more intensity. "F-f-fuck, Zae!," she cried, "K-keep that u-up and you're g-... g-gonna... Ah-AAH!~" Without warning, I inserted my tongue deep into her vaginal opening. The girl's thighs seized my head like a vice, driving it even deeper. "Aah-ngah, mmf! F-fuckin'... aah, gods!" Unable to do much more, I worked my tongue like a second dick, thrusting it in and out at a moderate tempo. Her pelvis rocked eagerly against my muzzle as I worked, while her thighs continued to twitch at random. Her mouth was agape, tongue extended and eyes shut in a display of overwhelming pleasure.

Even down there, I could tell her breathing was intensifying, so I gave her tract all the steady speed and precision I could manage. In addition, I set to work massaging her clit with my middle finger. This combination quickly drove Liana over the edge, making her thighs quake and pelvis undulate as she let out a gasping cry of ecstasy. "Ah, ah, AH, AH, AAH, AAH, AAHN!~" I soon felt a warm, thin liquid coat my tongue in waves. Its taste, though subtle, was (as cliche as it sounds) aquatic, savory, metallic... with a hint of sweetness and spice, like an exotic incense.

By this point, Lia's thighs had fallen limp, allowing me to pull away from the soaked, pink flower between her thighs. I licked my chops and, with a smug smirk, remarked, "Hmm. Tastes like fish."

Sampling Dragonfruit

Surprising me, Lia jolted upright and pushed me over onto the thick carpet. "H-how did y-" "My turn, Zae! Now you get to just lie there helplessly while I... try out my new toy." "H-hey, you could've fought back any time," I snarked back, "You just don't wanna admit that I turned you into an obedient... little... pet." By this point, she had already knelt down to inspect my instrument up close. Teasing her wasn't a great idea.

Curiously, she sank, leaned forward and let the underside of my member slide along her muzzle, until her snout collided with my pelvis. My knot right over her eyes, Lia squeezed my rump and took a deep breath, inhaling my scent. "Mmmh.~ Gods, you smell so fucking virile and manly. It's driving me crazy." "Hmhmph," I chuckled, rubbing my length along her face, "What a perverted, dirty little shark you are."

"Grrr. Shut up and gimme that!," she growled. "Huh-waaha!" The girl seized the knot at the root of my member. Before I could protest, Lia had already parted her jaws. With none of the apprehension shown before, she dragged her broad tongue along the outline of my urethra, making my shaft bob. Licking her lips, she commented, "Mmm.~ Tastes like dragon." "Mhm," I replied flatly, "very fun-naah!~"

With her delicate hands, she massaged my eggs like I did her tits, with playful fascination. She'd raise them just to watch them fall and bounce against my pelvis, roll them around in her fingers, give them gentle squeezes. "Aww," she cooed, "Do these feel neglected, Zae? Why, they look so plump and succulent. Pink and shiny, they almost look like candy. Mmm.~" Without asking, the shark pursed her lips and spread them gently around my testes. Coyly, she licked and suckled on them just like hard sweets, making them tingle and subtly ache from the stimulation.

The girl worked gradually up and along my nine inch shaft, tending to every curve, leaving no centimeter unclean. It was like she was making out with my member, using every technique she knew to worship the implement between my legs. Her delicate fingers painlessly stroked, tugged and squeezed each area like an expert masseuse and in minutes, I was about ready to burst. She could tell, if the ever-increasing pace was any indication. Her head bobbed steadily up and down my entire shaft, so deep that its tip regularly grinded against the back of her throat. The inside of her mouth was incredibly smooth, slick, fleshy and semi-firm, similar to those foam boards they use in swimming pools. If I looked inside that maw, I could see straight through her gill slits to the outside. And with those strong jaws and multiple rows of teeth, thank gods she knew how to work them carefully.

Given all the stimulation, it didn't take long for me to reach climax. I felt that familiar pressure deep in my loins, threw my head back and let out a bone-rattling, flame-spewing growl, expelling puffs of grey smoke. Pure ecstasy surged through my shaft and expelled from the end with audible squirts, my thighs quaking wildly. Now, you may not know this, but a dragon's seed is uncomfortably hot. So when Lia started gasping, a shocked expression on her face, it wasn't surprising. But the girl, wanting not to show any weakness, swallowed it anyway in greedy gulps. Not a drop was wasted and whatever trailed down my shaft was swiftly lapped up by the girl, eager to please.

Releasing my cock with an audible *plop*, she wiped her mouth and said, "Damn, man. Saving up for a while?" "Heh. N-not really," I replied with a nervous scratch of my neck, "Guess you just coaxed it all out." With an encouraging head pat, I added, "Anyway, you were perfect, baby. Hope you're ready for more, though." "Y-you mean you're n-not satisfied yet?" "Uh-uh," I shook my head. For once, the shark was openly nervous. "You mean you're g-gonna...," she gulped, "stick that thing in me? All of it?" "Well, yeah. That was my plan." I smiled warmly and gazed into those expressive amber eyes as I caressed her cheek. "Lia," I asked, is this your first time?" She returned an anxious grin. "Well... not really. I-is that bad?" "Nah," I replied flippantly, "It's not mine, either. So just trust me, baby; I know what I'm doing. I won't hurt you. You can handle it." "I-I... think I can, too. I... I trust you, Zae. Just... take it slow at first, okay?" "No problem, sweetie." I kissed her forehead and set to work.

Fish Taco

Using just the rotation of my hips, I slipped my stiff, slick member forward, sandwiching its underside between the warm, fatty folds of her labia. Lia squeaked cutely as I drew its bumpy urethral pipe back and forth across her naked sex, getting it completely slick with our intermixed natural lubricants. "Mmf. You're such a tease," she whispered, massaging my shoulders, "Why you gotta- Nnh!" The fleshy, tapered tip of my dick grinded against her clitoris, a sensitive pink pearl at the roof of her pussy.

"Mmmrm," I mewled, "you feel so great I could just finish like this." I gently combed my fingers through her silky scarlet hair. "Would you like that? Hmm? For me to cum all over that firm tummy of yours? To mark you as my property?" The shark moaned. "F-fuck, that's hot. Could you talk dirty to me, Zae?" "You like that, huh? I'm not surprised, you insatiable little slut. You wanna get fucked by a real apex predator, don't ya?" "Mmhm!~" "Well, understand this..." I held her chin firm, then continued. "You're mine, Liana - body and soul. Your needs are of no concern to me. You're a mere object, a slave, whose only purpose is to satisfy me, your master." "Mmh, yes! Yes, my master!" By this point, she was eagerly rocking against my dick while kissing my neck.

"C-can't stand it anymore. Please stick it in me, Zae. Break me in, okay?" "Feheh. As you wish, Lia." Thumb against the root of my member, I pushed it down and crawled forward, stuffing it into that warm, ribbed tunnel. It was a tight fit but inch by inch, with the help of my bucking hips, I pushed my length inside, until my knot collided with her pelvis. "How's it feel, Lia? Mmn!" I circled my hips so that inside, I could feel her from every angle, get her accustomed to my girth. "F-f-fuck-ah!," she gasped, "i-it's s-so big. A-oww.~" "Ssh, ssh.~," I replied, "just hold on, baby. I'm sure it'll feel better once I start moving." "I-I know. I love you, Zae." "Love you too, angel."

Like a piston engine, I gradually started moving, driving back and forth, spreading the incredibly tight tunnel of her feminine center. "Ah, f-fuck-ah!", she gasped, "I f-feel so f-full! Ah, ahn.~" Her whole body shifted with my every thrust. Joined as one, I could feel her tighten with every inhalation, feel her heartbeat thump through her breast.

Gradually, pain was subsumed by ecstasy and her discomforted moans became pleasured. "There's a good girl", I whispered, "How's it feel now, mm?" "Ah. I feel s-so full. Gods, it's like heaven. Oh, Zae..." To her mewling mouth I pressed my own lips. "Mmf!" Her delicate, slender hands spread an invisible lotion around my back as I kept rocking my hips, probing her deeply, fully. With my own hands free, I could put them to use caressing the graceful curves of her stomach - the mounds of muscle, the indent at their center, the hard arches of her ribcage and the buoyant fruits of her chest. "Lia, Lia," I cooed, "you're so incredibly beautiful." With these words, I gently squeezed her for emphasis. "You're perfect - every... last... inch." "Z-Zae, you're gonna make me cry... i-if you don't make me cum first." She returned the gesture, scratching the washboard of my stomach and added, "You're so handsome, masculine and strong. I've always fantasized about a guy like you. You're the guy of my dreams, Zae." "Aww. I feel the same way about you, my little sea lotus." "F-fuck," she protested, covering her face, "don't call me such cute, pretty things." "Well, you are cute and pretty." "Ssh-ssh!" Lia held my snout shut. "Shut up and exhaust me, baby." I smirked. Well, she asked for it.

Starting from then, every so often, I'd shift gears and hump her rapidly like a feral animal, but this would last only a minute or so before I slowed down again; I wanted to pace myself, save up my fuel for when she was ready.

With each successive pattern, her vocalizations grew more intense. After a few, I noticed her breathing peaking, so just kept knocking her pelvis harder. "Ah, ah, ah! Fuck! Yes!" "Mm, yeah. That's it. How's it feel?" "I'm so c-c-close, ah! Mm, gods, don't stop!" "Me too, baby. Want me to impregnate you, slut? Gonna pump you full of eggs. Gonna have little shark-dragon hybrids. Gonna make you a mom! You want it, Lia?" " "Aa-aaahn!, ye-esss, aah!~" An incredible pressure welled up in my knot, swelling those eggs until I could no longer contain it. I let go. "Li-... ana-. Ah! Aah! Hh-aah!~ Nnh! AAaaah!" Her passage tightened rhythmically around my probing dick, milking me with determination. In response, waves of pure pleasure shot rapidly through my shaft and expelled from the tip like a geyser. In the throes of our shared orgasm, Lia hugged me so tight it was painful. The shark cried out in intense ecstasy. "Ah-... Ah! Aah! Yeah! F-fuck! Nnh!" Surge after surge, I filled her with my hot, pearly syrup, so deep that it flooded her cervix. A warm, viscous fluid, thinner than my own, seeped from her tunnel in waves, coating my member with that feminine honey, adding to the tempo of squishing juices. Lia pecked my neck as I stuffed her, moaning out sweet nothings. "Oh, baby. Zae.~ Ah, fuck, it's so hot." "You're so hot." "No, you. Heheh-ah!"

Both our engines had slowed as we fought to regain our breaths. "Ah- ... ah- ... ah- ... haa- ..." I let out a rumbling growl. "HrrrMm. That feel good, baby?" "Gods, yes." "Mmm. Hope you're ready for more, my love." She looked stunned. "You're... you're serious? I thought when guys cum, they're done for the night." "Well, I'm not like most guys. I want seconds, maybe even more. Is that okay?" "I-... it's more than okay, Zae. You make me feel like no one else has, ever. I'm ready for whatever you got."

Blood Dragon

I went right back to work. "Hah... Zae," she panted, "H-harder, please." That's exactly what I was thinking; Perhaps she was even ready for the whole package. So, I braced myself and pushed my pelvis forward, gradually spreading that tight, pink ring of hers. She gasped and whined from the intensity. "Hah, Zae! Aa-aah! Oh f-fuck, is that- it's so big! You're gonna- Haa-aah..." "Hah, it's okay," I panted, caressing her face, "Trust me; I won't hurt you, baby. Just t-try to relax, okay?" It took a few minutes of bucking and pushing but eventually, her passage opened enough to swallow my bulbous knot. Gods damn, it was so tight that my eggs ached, making it even more essential that I find release.

Eyes shut tight in ecstasy, Liana repeatedly raked her claws around my neck. "Oh, gods... I've n-never felt so close to someone, Zae. Right now, it... feels like you and I are just one person. Now I know... what those religious texts... were talking about." I smiled warmly. "You've read those too, huh?" "S-sure. In school, when I should've been doing other things." "Naughty girl." Slowly but surely, I resumed probing the shark's incredibly tight sex. With my gentle touch and encouraging words, she relaxed enough to permit a moderate pace.

Lost in the moment, I parted my jaws and began to gnaw on her neck like a canine with a tough scrap of meat, something I found strangely natural; Whenever I got horny, I got... hungry, and vice versa. From the teething, Liana's whole body stiffened and she gasped. "Huh! Wha-what are you doing now, Zae?" "Shh," I consoled her, "Just having a little love nibble. Want me to stop?" "N-no, it's just... I wanna tell you something but... you'll think I'm a freak." The girl covered her face and groaned, trying to hide the pink patches on her cheeks.

With a comforting caress of her face I replied, "I do think you're a freak, Lia. So am I, and I'd have it no other way. Normal is boring." "Aww. That's sweet, Zae, but it's a little... extreme?" I gave her a soft kiss. "What's there to be afraid of, baby? I like learning about you. I promise not to judge, mmk?" She gulped and then confessed.

"Well, remember our convo about vampires?" "Mhm. What about it?" "I grew out of my Nocturne obsession, but... ever since, I've... kinda had a kink about being a vampire's meal? I've just never found anyone who's willing to try it. I wouldn't force you, of currf-." Paying her back, I held her snout shut. "Shh, say no more. Let me just take care of that."

Wide as possible, I opened my jaws and embraced her throat with my dental bear trap. Now, as a shark, I knew she had thick skin, so I had to be rough. So steadily, I closed them tight as a vice around the curve of her neck, careful to avoid piercing the vital areas. The resulting sound was like sinking your teeth into a thick steak, flesh and sinew straining and tearing. Her sounds were something different entirely - an intense sequence of moans, gasps, whimpers and swears, muffled by seizure of her throat. "A-aah, fuck! Yes, yeah-ah! Hnnh-aah! Oh, yes! Oh, yes! Gggh, aah aahn!~" Lia seemed to enjoy the treatment; She was actually pushing further into my maw, like a cat pleading for attention.

Why was feeding such a turn-on for me? Perhaps it was my deep-seated instinct as a predator? Too many vampire movies? At any rate, the idea of my partner putting themselves in such a vulnerable position, just to share with me their vital wine, their literal lifesblood, was incredibly sexy to me.

Given enough pressure, my fangs at last pierced her grey flesh. Almost immediately, I felt the warm presence of blood on my tongue and along with it, an explosion of flavor - metallic like copper, rusty and savory. At the taste of it, my dick hardened like a diamond and I resumed fucking Lia rapidly, forcefully. Like a feral beast in heat, I was knocking into her, pounding out a rhythmic *PAP-PAP-PAP* on her pelvis.

Soothingly sliding down my throat, her blood reminded me of warm coffee. I made out with her neck, suckled from it like juice from a fresh fruit and used my long, flexible tongue to lap up all the sanguine nectar she produced. Mouth around her throat, I could feel her every vital pulse and with each came another flow. At this pace, it didn't take long for either of us to reach climax. Good thing too because I didn't want the poor girl to pass out. By this point, even her grey skin had turned pale, so I loosened my jaws and carefully released her neck. Swiftly thereafter, I splayed my large hand across the wounded area and applied pressure, in order to slow the bleeding.

...

We continued to make love all night long. By early morning, we were drenched in sweat and my gut ached from the repetitive motion. The air was permeated with the scent of sexual fluids - savory, wet and metallic. Not sure why, but after sex, I feel so damn affectionate and warm. That night was no different; Still joined at the genitals, I rolled us over, onto our sides, then gave Liana an affectionate squeeze. "Hmhm. Affectionate, aren't we?," she giggled, "Well, I love you too, Zae. That was... fuckin' solid. Haven't had it so good in... well, ever." "Mm. Glad to hear it, baby. You were perfect." "Nnh. You were too, but damn, I'm sore now. My whole body is - and weak, like I've just had a serious workout. ...Heheh. Well, guess I have."

Afterglow

For a moment, we just lay there silently and gazed into each other's eyes, ever-so-gently caressing our faces. I couldn't stop smiling. Liana was the first to speak. "S-so, are you gonna... stay inside me all night, big guy? Not that I mind." I smiled nervously. "Oh. Well, not all night, but... Well, I do have a knot." "Hmhm, I noticed," she chuckled. "Well, you may not know that, as long as I'm aroused, I can't easily just... pull it out. That would hurt us both." "Oh! No, I was totally unaware of that, cause I've never, um... N-never been with a guy that has one. But... how will y-" "Shh. Don't worry, baby; Just give us a couple more minutes and it'll soften up enough for me to slip out." She giggled. "Aww, poor boy. Does it hurt?" "Mm. No, not at all," I replied, gazing wistfully at her, "In fact, it feels- your body feels like heaven - absolute perfection." To illustrate, I traced the hourglass silhouette of her abdomen. "Mmmh.~ I really feel like a goddess when I'm with you, Zae. You treat me so well." "Glad to hear it because you are my goddess, Liana."

"In fact," I added, "you're the love of my life. You complete me, my silver torpedo, my angel fish, my sea pearl." "Oh, Zaeryn.~ You complete me, too, my king, my jade masterpiece, my knight in scaly armor. I love you. I want you. I need you. You light up my life, my dearest... emerald scales." I felt the itch of tears welling up in my ducts. "*Sniff* F-fuck. Don't you make me cry, now."

"Nothing wrong with that. I love you," she whispered. "I love you," I replied, caressing her cheek. We went back and forth like that for a while, making a game of it, saying it with different inflections. "This," I whispered, "is where you belong, my love: Right here in my arms." She sighed dreamily. "And what strong arms they are."

By that point, my member had softened up enough to slip out of Liana, leaving a pool of pearly slime atop the sheets. Ha-well, shit," I grumbled with a chuckle, "guess these sheets need to be washed again." "Nnoo!~," she pouted playfully, "It's mine." "Heheh. Well, I guess it is; Just like everything else of mine." "Oh, really? I own you? Then get down there and lick me clean, slave." "Heh-wha, really?" "Haha, no!; I'm already pretty well-spent, Z. Maybe later, my dearest. Right now, I just... want to... rest."

The feminine shark scooted down to embrace my waist and used my pecs as a pillow. "Mmn. Even the sound of your heartbeat is beautiful." With a sigh, she added, "Gods, I'm so in love with you, Zae." I replied with an affectionate squeeze and slid my scaly palms around her backside. "Aww.~ You know I'm in love with you too, Lia. I'm crazy about you. Love you more every day, princess. You're my love, my life, my everything."

She yawned. "Nngaaah.~ Damn, I'm tired." "Me too, angel," I agreed, pulling my large, electric blanket over us, "Let's get some rest, then. Good night, my dearest." "Aww. Good night, mmm, man of my dreams." Completely satisfied and at peace, we at last submitted to the allure of sleep. Liana went first and for just a few minutes, I listened to the rhythmic, peaceful sound of her breathing, before the veil of slumber fell over me as well.

Liana was the first thing I saw when I awoke and the last thing before I went to sleep. It was strangely comforting to feel the warm, living presence of a loved one in my arms. To me, this was paradise. We lived happily ever after.