Page 18 of Heron's Flame

“Nope. Surprise me.”

So that was what she wanted. Spontaneity. A wild ride. The wind in her hair and all her cares left behind. I could do that. Plus, I wanted her to see that I could show her a good time apart from life at The Roost and the parties.

I started my bike and eased away from the curb, slowly leaving the parking lot to merge onto the road. It was hot as hell out today, and I thought of something she might enjoy. Rebel looked too pretty to watch her melt in the heat. When I glanced at her nails, I saw a shark on one of them. It gave me an idea.

I’d have her experiencing a whole new world in only twenty minutes.

Rebel didn’t say anything during our ride. She squeezed my leg when we turned, riding into the parking lot of The Mandalay Bay. If she knew where I was taking her, she didn’t say. I found a parking spot close to the front and turned my bike into the empty space.

She stood when I shut off the engine, ripping off the helmet with a squeal. “Are we going to see the sharks?”

Yep. “Destination Shark Reef Aquarium,” I confirmed.

“Heron! I’ve always wanted to see it!”

So she hadn’t been here before now. Score one for me.

I flashed her a grin, stowing her helmet before I led her by the hand inside.

She barely registered the decor, which reminded me a bit of an Indiana Jones movie. I knew inside and beyond the ticketing area a hidden temple, exotic plants, thousands of creatures, and, of course, the sharks awaited. I’d been here a couple of times before but refused to dwell on who I came with. Cerys was my past, not my present or future. That title belonged to Rebel.

She hopped from foot to foot in excitement as we waited in line and purchased tickets. As soon as we had them, she tugged me toward the exhibit and into that underwater world I knew she adored. No girl who painted a shark on her fingernail did so unless she loved them.

I laughed as she pulled me from one area into another, only pausing to stare at fish and other aquatic life a few seconds at a time. Her impatience was fucking adorable. We stopped first inside the tunnel and stood beneath the glass enclosure. Sharks, fish, stingrays, and other creatures swam by and over us.

“It’s like we’re in the middle of the ocean.”

“Yeah, but it’s good we’re not,” I joked.

“I wouldn’t mind it. Not if we had a boat.”

Someday, I’d take her on a trip like that.

Once we arrived at the shipwreck exhibit with the sunken ship and dozens of sharks, she approached the glass. A look of wonder crossed her features, and a little sparkle twinkled in her azure eyes.

“Aren’t they beautiful?”

I supposed they were, but she entranced me, not the marine life that swam around us. “Not half as beautiful as you,” I murmured, sliding my arms around her waist from behind and dropping my chin on her shoulder. “How many species do you see?”

“Oh, Gosh! So many. Sand tiger, sandbar, and white tip reef. Look! There’s a sawfish!”

“I see it.”

“Oh, wow! A hammerhead!”

“Badass,” I agreed.

We didn’t move for nearly an hour. Rebel watched that tank until she finally turned around, wrapping her arms around my waist.

“Thank you, Heron.”

“Anytime, Spark.”

She lifted her head, and I thought I saw tears. It was too damn dark in here to be sure.

“You okay?”

“Better than okay. This is the best first date ever.”

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