Page 6 of Whispering Waves

The guys laughed, and Kimo chuckled.

Drake sighed and got up. She knew what he needed, so she stepped into his arms, and he hugged her. She held him and hugged him back. He murmured, “Where did the water come from?”

“My back. It was saltwater.”

He blinked and looked over her shoulder. “What is your mark, Nina?”

“Crashing waves,” she mumbled against his chest.

“So, I know an alpha who has that kind of mark.”

“If it’s Tono, just kill me now.”

A soft voice from behind her said, “It isn’t Tono.”

Drake released his grip and made a formal introduction, “Nina, I would like to introduce you to Kimo, ocean alpha.”

She swallowed and turned to face what would be her mate. “I know.”

His smile was gentle, and he held out his hand. She slipped her fingers along his before gripping his wrist. His steady pulse sped slightly. “Hello, my beta.”

She blushed and looked around. “If nobody finishes dinner, there isn’t going to be any dessert. That goes double for Kimo.”

He chuckled and released her to sit down again, and Drake took a seat. He slowly smiled. “Well, Nina, it looks like you will be here longer than six weeks.”

She threw a steamed potato at his head.

Chapter Two

Nina felt the mark on her back warming and cooling in waves. The cooling made her shiver, and she knew it was trying to move her close to Kimo.

“Why don’t you give in to it?”

“Body is one thing; brain is another. Trust is difficult.”

“You are here now, so trust will come.” He placed his hand, palm up, on the table between them.

Nina slid her fingers against his and winced at the size discrepancy. From talking to others in the book club, she knew that her body would take care of the sizing issue with flex and a ton of slick. His fingers carefully wove through hers. His hand was careful and warm.

Kimo cocked his head. “You know, I thought I would have to travel to the city to find you.”

“Um. There are a few of us who were drawn to the islands. I came so that I could get a rest from the news. Folks still want to know what the geyser was, and I still don’t have an answer.” Comforting heat radiated from their connected hands.

He smiled. “I will tell you about it later.”

“You know?”

“Of course. I was there.”

Drake asked, “Are you going to finish your steak?”

“Nope. Have at it.”

He grinned as he hauled her plate over, and Reg asked, “Why do you get it?”

“Because she’s my sister. So, I can ask, and it’s cute; when you try, it is pervy.”

She started to stand, but Kimo didn’t let her go. “I have to get dessert.”

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