Page 67 of Surge

I didn't know how I had gotten so lucky to have a friend like her. I just hoped I didn't lose her by the time everything was over.

The sound of a motorcycle coming to park next to us made me pull away. Morgan sat on his bike, looking over at the car with his helmet still in place. I could practically feel his eyes boring into me through his tinted visor.

"I thought you told Bernardo you didn't want him as a partner." Ivy sat back in her seat with a huff. "It's like they want to make you miserable but can't do it from afar."

I considered confiding in her about the knife and the strong possibility that I was some kind of distant relative of sirens. It would be so much easier if she knew.

There was a reason the Tritons acted fearful of the knife. I would never be able to use it on a person, but its possibilities were constantly on my mind. Not that I'd ever go on a jewel heist or rob a bank.

I flung open my door and stepped out. I gave a quick wave to Ivy as she pulled away. She had volleyball practice, but Bernardo already said he'd give me a ride home since he didn't have a lesson after mine.

I ignored Morgan and walked into the studio. The tightness in my chest instantly decreased as the familiar smell of suede hit my nose.

Bernardo came from around the front desk and pulled me into a hug as soon as he looked up from the computer screen. "Go get changed and let's dance it all away."

He knew it was my last lesson for a while. The owners were still going to let me come to dance classes and practice parties, but it wouldn't be the same as learning in a one-on-one format.

I said hello to another student and instructor on my way to the bathroom. I set my bag on the bench in the bathroom and pulled my shirt over my head. Just as it was completely off, the door opened and I turned my back.

"Sorry, I've gotten too comfortable around here." I laughed and pulled a thinner, more practice-worthy shirt over my head.

"Do you always just change out in the open like this?"

My body froze and my face turned fifty shades of pink. I was lucky I hadn't had my pants off. "It has a picture of Ginger Rogers and the word women right on the door. Most men don't just walk into a women's restroom."

I turned to face him and had to stop myself from having a reaction to the way he looked. He was leaning with his shoulder against the door, his legs crossed. His hair fell onto his forehead and he brushed it back with his free hand.

That wasn't the most drool worthy part about him. He was dressed head to toe in leather that hugged him in all the right places. I resisted the urge to look south of his waist.

"Do you like what you see?" He pushed off the door and put his helmet down on the bench before shrugging out of his leather jacket. Underneath, he wore a skin-tight black shirt and my mouth opened a bit.

My body didn't seem to get the message that he was the enemy.

"Bernardo said he had some clothes for me to change into since apparently leather isn't that easy to move in. I tried to explain to him that in the bedroom I move just fine in leather."

My eyes went wide and I grabbed my skirt. "He probably took that as a come on."

He moved to block my path into the one and only stall. "Going somewhere, vixen?"

"To change." My eyes deceived me and slipped down past his waist. The leather sat snug against his muscular quadriceps, and it was clear he was happy about something. "If you're looking for men's clothing to change into, it's across the hall. Unless you want to wear my skirt."

He hooked his fingers in my belt loops and pulled me against him. "I haven't seen you in a few days. I missed you."

"What are you even doing here?" I backed away from him and stepped into my skirt, taking my jeans off under it. "Shouldn't you be brushing your mermaid hair with a fork?"

I turned to put my pants in my bag, but he pushed me against the wall, his mouth coming to my ear. "Do I need to tell you not to say shit like that out loud?"

"Let me go."

"Not until you tell me you understand." His lips were right against the shell of my ear, and I shuddered. "Does this excite you? Me pressed up against you like this?"

I couldn't find my voice as he moved his hips closer and I felt his excitement against my ass. He let out a confused laugh when I didn't respond. "I guess I'll go find those clothes to change into."

I had to sit down on the bench for a few minutes before going back into the studio. I hadn't wanted to believe that I was a siren, but damn it if I didn't feel like doing stupid shit when they were near.

It didn't explain why it was only around them, but I also had a knife that could cut through metal and marble without much effort on my part. Maybe I was dreaming and would wake up.

I splashed water on my face and looked in the mirror. My face was splotchy from crying and there were circles under my eyes. I needed a weekend where I didn't have to worry about where my mom was or what I was going to do when the money ran out.

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