Page 48 of Whispering Waves

They moved together until they had both found satisfaction. Kimo pressed his head to hers, and she sighed softly. They cleaned up, tidied their clothes, kissed softly, and headed downstairs.

It set the pattern for the day.

During dinner, with the vat of pulled pork on the table and all the fresh and cooked side dishes arranged, Drake murmured to her, “So, you and Kimo are getting along.”

She glanced at him as she shook hot sauce onto the pork taco she had created. “Yeah.”

“I am surprised you can walk.”

“So am I. How is life as a whale porn photographer?”

Drake paused. “Fair point.”

“Yeah, if we keep this up and you remain stationed there, you might be an uncle one day.”

Drake paused again. “Really?”

“That is the reason for the drive, after all.” She took her plate to the living room, where Reg and Tono were already sitting.

The storm howled outside, but the eye had passed earlier.

Reg smiled. “So, you are staying.”

“Um. Once the paperwork gets worked out, yes.”

“Paperwork?”

“Yeah. I am still a tourist.”

Tono lifted his head and said, “What I did on my summer vacation.”

Drake came in. “More like who I did on my summer vacation.”

Nina put her food down. “Just say it.”

“Say what? That you have attached yourself to the wealthiest man in the islands?” Drake threw the words out casually, but they hurt.

Kimo came in and cuddled next to Nina. “What did you say to her?”

Drake cleared his throat. “I congratulated her on finding a good match.”

“No, you didn’t. You sounded just like Dad.”

He winced and paled. “I... he talked to you like that?”

“I was lying in hospital with masks and tubes running everything for me, and he said that if I hadn’t been whoring around your alpha friends, I wouldn’t be in that situation. I did it to myself.”

“You did it for me. You welcomed us into your home so that it looked like I had family. There was no way of knowing that he had gotten twisted.”

“Oh, I sought it out. That is the line that Mother and Father hold to until today. Nice to know you inherited something from them.” She looked at Kimo. “I am going to get a new plate. My food is cold.”

She got up, headed back to the kitchen, and put her food in the microwave.

She took a deep breath when the food came out and focused on eating slowly. Her stomach was an icy knot.

Kimo walked up behind her and rubbed her arms. “He’s upset at himself.”

“I am so glad he felt good enough to tell you that.”

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