Page 97 of Changing Tides

“I’d love for this mouth to be sucking something else right now,” I whisper as her tongue wraps around it.

Fuck me.

She cocks her head back, and my hand falls. She grins.

“At least, now, I know how to pay one of my debts next time we’re alone,” she whispers.

I crash my mouth to hers and kiss her breathless as she clings to me. When I break away, her lips are wet and swollen, just like I imagine she is elsewhere.

“We have to go in, or I’m going to fuck you right here, up against my nana’s house,” I tell her.

“Sebastian,” she whimpers.

I take a step back. “Go on. I’ll be right behind you. I need a minute.”

She does as I commanded and slips past me and into the gate.

Once I’ve regained my composure, I follow suit and find her coming down the steps with a sleeping Leia in her arms.

“Want me to get her?” I ask.

She shakes her head. “I’ve got her. Thank you again for the rescue tonight.”

I hold the gate open so she can carry Leia home, and then I join Nana, who is seated on the deck.

“I didn’t realize you and Avie were out together tonight,” she says as I plop down on the rocker beside her.

“We weren’t. She called me because she and Amiya hydroplaned in the golf cart and rolled it over into a ditch on West Beach.”

She gasps. “Was anyone hurt?”

I shake my head. “Nah, they were fine, and the cart only suffered a dent or two. The only damage was to Avie’s pride. She was scared to tell you and Gramps about it, so I told her I’d take the blame.”

“How chivalrous,” she praises.

“I have my moments.”

“She’s been good for you,” Nana says.

I slide my eyes to her. “I have enjoyed having her around,” I admit.

“It’s a shame they’ll be leaving in a couple of months.”

“Yeah, but they have no reason to stay around here, Nana. Sandcastle Cove was just a dot on the map for her. A layover. A transfer. A place to hide and lick her wounds from her divorce. She has a life to get back to.”

She reaches up and pats my cheek. “Then, maybe it’s time you go give her a reason and a life to stay for.”

I shake my head. “I don’t know if I have one good enough to keep her here.”

“Oh, baby boy, you are more than good enough.”

Avie

“You’re in over your head,” Amiya says as I emerge from Leia’s room.

“I know.”

“It’s only going to get harder, the longer you let it go on,” she says.

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