Page 39 of King of Tides

All I needed to do was get dressed and brush my hair into a ponytail after the mess he made of it during our session. Thank God for the supernatural healing thing.

If I weren’t supernatural, I’m sure I wouldn’t be walking for another three weeks. Man, Ardan is hung like a motherfucker. If I had seen what I saw in that shower before we had sex, I would have run.

“Taylor and I are heading up for the night. It was nice meeting you, Billy. I look forward to getting to know more about you,” Bradan, Ardan’s twin, says.

“It was nice meeting you too. Taylor, I can’t wait to hang out when I have some time,” I say and smile at my sister.

“Me too. I have work and school tomorrow, but I hope to get some free time to spend with both of you,” Taylor says to me and Ray.

She seems a bit shy, but I like her. She’s much smaller than Ray and me. I’ve been wondering what our birth order is. I don’t know why Ray feels like the oldest. Taylor and I seem to be a toss-up for the youngest.

“Don’t drown her on the first night,” Bradan teases Ardan.

I look up into his eyes as he stands and tucks Taylor into his side. I search his face, wondering how much of that is a joke. He winks back at me with a playful smile on his lips.

I recognize him as the other biker from the warehouse that day. If not for the hair and the eyes, they would look just alike. Both of my sisters look so happy here.

I guess Ardan was telling me the truth about everything. I’m still trying to wrap my head around it. I have so much to digest.

“I think we’re going to call it a night as well,” Kendrick says as he stands and helps Ray get up from her seat.

“Can I have one more hug?” Ray says to me with a hopeful smile.

I stand and pull her into me, hugging her as tightly as her baby bump will allow. She squeezes me back. Oddly enough, it feels like a hug I’ve needed for a long time. Not being a hugger, there’s this connection I wasn’t expecting to find.

“I look forward to spending time with you. I’m so happy to finally have met you. I’ve always wanted siblings. Now I have three,” Ray says happily.

“You’ll be tired of me in a week,” I tease.

“Doubt it,” she says and kisses my cheek.

Yup, the older sister. I chide myself for feeling like I’m about to burst into tears. When Ray pulls away and looks into my eyes, I see the tears building up in hers.

I give her a nod as I fight back my own. It’s been a long day. I’m sure she’s just as overwhelmed as I am. Then there’s the baby.

Releasing her, I take a step back, only to have Ardan tug me back into his lap. Ray smiles and places a hand on her belly. I shake my head as I think of the fact that she’s pregnant with a baby from the past.

I feel like I’ve been dropped into the twilight zone. None of this should be real. My thoughts go back to the brothers’ earlier conversation.

Reilly mentioned something about iron. I want to know more about that and what it all means. I’ll have to remember to ask Ardan about it later.

“Or you could ask me now.”

I jump as Ardan’s voice plays in my head, clear as day. However, I know he didn’t speak because his lips were on my neck, and I had those thoughts to myself. I know I didn’t speak them out loud.

“How did?—”

“I’ve been waiting for your thoughts to become clear to me. Your mind is as stubborn as you are.”

“What the fuck? I’m losing my damn mind. I know you’re not in my head,”I scold.

“Oh, but baby, I am.”

“Oh no, you’re not. Ardan, I didn’t sign up for this. I’m a damn detective. I don’t need or want you in my thoughts. I’m not even supposed to talk to you about my work.

“Are you telling me you’ll be able to see the details of the cases I’m working on? This is crazy. Make it stop. Now.”

“You have the ability to block me out. I don’t like it, but because of the nature of your job, I understand. I hope someday you will be comfortable with our bond and you will choose to let me in,” he says aloud.

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