Page 96 of Changing Tides

The two of them do actually pitch in, rolling up their sleeves and mopping the areas we’ve already rough- and screen-sanded to prepare for the stain.

“This place is cool as shit, Sebastian,” Amiya says as she cleans the hallway. “It’s definitely a panty-dropper.”

Anson chuckles. “Yep, he’ll be pulling in all kinds of tail once it’s finished.”

I lift my goggle-covered eyes to Avie, and she turns away quickly.

I pick up a bottle cap from the floor and chuck it at Anson. He presses his lips together in an apologetic smile.

Avie’s leaving, and whatever this is between us is on borrowed time.

I know it, and she knows it.

That doesn’t mean he has to be a dick and say inconsiderate shit in front of her while she is here.

Just before ten, Avie looks at her phone.

“We need to get going. I told Sabel we’d be back by ten,” she says.

I stand. “I’ll get my keys.”

“No, you’re working. We’ll take ourselves back,” Avie insists.

“You’re not driving the golf cart back to the cove until I’ve had a chance to check it out and make sure it’s okay.”

“God, I’m so sorry. You’re trying to work, and here you are, having to drive us all over the island.”

I lead them out onto the deck and down the steps to the driveway.

“That’s okay. You’re going to find a way to pay me back, remember?”

She quirks an eyebrow at me. “I thought cleaning for you tonight was me paying you back.”

“Come on, Doc. I know you can do better than that,” I murmur as I open the passenger door and she slides in.

“You two should go rub one out in the outdoor shower before we leave, or I swear the tension is going to blow the windows out of this thing,” Amiya says from the back seat.

Avie turns and sticks her tongue out at her.

“What am I going to tell Sabel about the golf cart?” Avie asks as we walk across the street to retrieve Leia.

“Nothing. I’ll have it patched up and back in the garage before she knows it’s missing.”

“I can’t do that. I have to tell her.”

“I’ll tell her I did it,” I offer.

“Why would you do that?”

“Because I’m her grandson, who she loves more than life itself. She is incapable of being angry with me. Besides, do you really want to tell her you flipped it while Amiya had her pants down, wiggling her ass at a bunch of strangers?”

“I guess I’ll owe you double.”

I grab her elbow and stop her before we round the house into Nana’s backyard.

I back her against the house. Bringing my hand up to clutch her jaw, I rub my thumb over her bottom lip. “I like you being indebted to me, Doc.”

She moans as I slide the tip of my thumb into her mouth. She sucks it, and my balls tighten.

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