Getting Wet by Zenina Masters

tucked her into the car with a wink. “Oh, yes you do.”
     
    Three bags of groceries and a short trip later, they were unpacking the food quickly because the lake was calling again.
    It was almost hypnotic, the way the waves beat on the shoreline and the rushes bent and twisted. The scent of metal and rust did not contaminate the smells around the lake today. There were no traces of humans in the vicinity, and she stripped off her shirt, shoes and jeans without looking at Randal. The call of the water was urgent. Her otter was clawing at her insides.
    “I have to go in.”
    Randal’s voice was calm. “I know. The local fae call this a focus zone. The water pulls shifters in and it generates magic.”
    She shucked out of her panties and bra. “How does it generate magic?”
    He took her hand and walked with her to the water. “Oh, we do that together.”
    They entered the water with no ripple or splash. Together, they swam into the water, and Randal held her as it deepened.
    With slow movements, he pulled her to him, sliding two fingers into her and coaxing her wet heat to respond to his attentions. When she was moaning and twisting against him, he pulled her to him again. He wedged himself inside her, stroking her breasts as he let the water take her weight.
    She felt the magic of the lake close around them, and as they moved together, it got stronger.
    The moonlight cast Randal’s face into spectral relief as he surged into her. He stroked her clit with his thumb, and the heat against the cool of the water started her body bucking in short, sharp jerks. She moaned, and he ground his hips against hers as he fought to find his own release.
    She felt the hot spurts inside her an instant before she heard his groan. Augusta looked up, and instead of Randal’s handsome features, his beast was bleeding through.
    She grabbed his shoulders with hands turned to webbed paws and held tight as her shift was forced on her, pushing her away from her mate for a moment.
    He changed completely into a beaver, and Augusta climbed on his back while he took her for a tour of his home. When he made a bobbing motion, she clung tightly and held her breath.
    He was taking her to his secret place, and knowing Randal, it was even more magical than his home above.

Chapter Nine
     
     
    They plunged down into the cool depths and finally began to head upward through a narrow tunnel. It led to a wet entrance. Randal boosted them out of the water, and together, they shook themselves dry.
    He lumbered into the cavern, pawing something against the wall. A tumble of light cascaded from one rolling ball to another on the walls.
    Randal shifted back to human, and she followed suit.
    Carvings covered every inch of the underwater structure. Beavers, humans, mermaids, otters, dolphins, if it swam, it was somewhere in the relief that covered the walls.
    “What is this?”
    “Every beaver has a dam. I didn’t want to dam up common water, so I built this.” He took her hand and pulled her deeper into the carved wonderland.
    “What did you use?”
    “My hands with my claws. I cut down and fitted the logs here into a smooth canvas. I replanted of course.”
    “Of course.” She smiled. It was astonishing. “How long were you working on this?”
    “Ten years, since I bought the property. My mind is full of images, and I want to create them. I brought you here to study you and to place you in a place of honour.”
    She blinked. “Where do you want me?”
    He grinned. “With me, all the time.”
    She settled against the wall, reclining as he studied her. There was a blank chunk of wood in front of him, and as she watched, the chips started to fly away. He looked at her, scowled and returned to his carving. He worked for hours until finally he sat up straight.
    “Done.”
    She yawned and sat up. “Really? Can I see?”
    “Of course. I hope you like it.”
    She looked and tried not to thud backward. “It’s me.”
    “That was the idea.”
    “But