Page 55 of Changing Tides

“Are you sure?” Avie asks her.

Amiya gives her a mischievous smile. “Positive. You two enjoy your adult film,” she coos as she leads Anson to the front door.

Once the door shuts behind them, her eyes come to me.

“Netflix?”

I bite my lip to keep from making a joke about chilling.

“Sure,” I say instead.

She picks a remote up from the coffee table and tosses it at me. “I’m going to go change into my pajamas. You choose a movie.”

I move from the chair to the couch and flip through the recommended options on her account, and I’m pleased to find the firstAquamanon the list.

I click play and settle back into the cushions when she appears in a silky blue shorts set. I slide over to make room for her beside me, and she joins me, pulling a blanket from the back of the couch and covering us both.

After a few moments, she relaxes against me.

When the end credits run, I look down at Avie, who is now sprawled out with her head resting on my lap.

“How’s your back feel?” I ask as I run my fingers through her hair.

“Fine,” she says as she closes her eyes.

“Let me see.”

She sighs and rolls over, grabs the hem of her shirt, and raises it so I can inspect her skin. The welt has gone down, but in its place is an angry-looking purple mark.

I trace it with the tip of my finger.

Then, I lean over and press a gentle kiss to the injury.

She purrs at my touch, and the sound causes my body to come to life. She notices immediately and lifts herself off of me.

I catch her by the waist.

“Leia’s asleep down the hall,” she mutters.

I look up at the hallway. Then, I stand, taking her with me. I set her on her feet and grab her hand.

“Come here,” I instruct as I tug her toward her bedroom.

“Wait,” she starts to protest but follows me anyway.

Once we’re in her room, I lead us into the walk-in closet, closing the door behind us.

“Sebastian,” she gasps as we are encased in darkness. The only light coming from the gap at the bottom of the door.

She presses on a light under one of the shelves holding an insane amount of shoes as I push her up against it.

“Say it again,” I demand as the soft glow from the light illuminates her.

Her eyes go soft as her back meets the wood. She wraps her arms around my neck and bears up on the tip of her toes.

“Sebastian,” she whispers against my lips.

I groan as her teeth rake over my bottom lip.

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