Page 84 of Changing Tides

And I laugh as I watch her waddling in front of us, trying to keep ahold of the child-sized toy as we make our way back to Sebastian’s Bronco.

We don’t even make it back on the highway before the sticky, exhausted child is fast asleep, clinging to the prize her Bastian won for her.

I reach over and lace my fingers with his.

“Thank you for tonight. She’ll remember it forever,” I say.

He slides his eyes to mine and raises our joined hands, placing a kiss on my wrist. “You’re welcome.”

When we arrive at the cottage, I reach and tug the mermaid from her arms and exit.

I unlock the door while Sebastian picks Leia up and carries her inside.

Leading him down the hallway, I quickly turn her bed down, and he gently lays her on her pillow.

She doesn’t stir.

“Wow, she’s out,” he whispers as I tuck her in and place the mermaid on the pillow beside her.

“A sugar crash,” I say as I kiss her forehead.

He follows me back to the living room.

“Nightcap?” I ask.

He shakes his head. “I’d better go. If I stay, neither of us is going to get any sleep,” he says as he pulls me into his arms.

I melt into the warmth of his chest and moan as he takes my mouth in a heated kiss.

“Fuck, you make it hard to walk out the door,” he says into my ear before nipping at my earlobe.

I shudder.

He places one last kiss on my pulse point before releasing me and backing out of the door.

“Sweet dreams,” he says. Then, he’s gone, closing the door behind him.

Oh, I’m sure they will be.

Avie

Iwatch as Amiya drags two large suitcases and a duffel bag up the steps and through the front door.

“Are you moving in?” I ask.

“I’m going to be here for two weeks,” she says as she plunks down on the sofa.

“I know, but you’re on an island. You need a couple of sundresses and a couple of bathing suits, max,” I say.

“Whatever. You know I need options.”

Leia bounces out of her room, dragging her new best friend behind her.

“Hey, kid. Where are my hugs?” Amiya calls.

Leia hoists the mermaid onto the couch beside Amiya and then turns so her auntie can squeeze her.

She releases her and looks at me. “What’s on the agenda for the day?”

---