Page 52 of Echo and the Homicidal Sea Panda

“I was hoping to spend time with you tonight,” Echo whispered.

Mael traced his thumb over Echo’s lower lip. “I can catch the last ferry to the mainland. As long as I’m allowed to spend the night. There won’t be another one until morning.”

Echo grinned. The idea of spending all night in Mael’s arms was a thrill. “Of course you can stay.”

“Goodanswer,” Mael said, his smile bright. He leaned in for a kiss.

Echo rose on his tiptoes, hungry for more than just a kiss. Mael’s lips firmed on his, clearly wanting more, too. They broke apart. Mael rested his forehead on Echo’s.

“I could kiss you all day.”

Echo smiled to himself at Mael’s admission.

“Me, too—but the sooner I leave, the sooner you can come home to me.”

Come home to me.

Echo’s chest tightened. Their bond seemed to tighten every second they were together. His house suddenly seemed empty imagining Mael not in it.

Mael seemed to have felt the unconscious underlying meaning in those words, too. He lifted his head and stared down into Echo’s eyes. The emotion he saw in Mael’s dark eyes left him breathless. And overwhelmed. He took a half step back, dragging in a breath. Mael grabbed his hand and lifted it to his lips for a gentle kiss.

“I didn’t meanhome… that’s not your home,” Echo babbled. “I know it’s not your home.”

“I know what you meant,” Mael said, his voice low and seemingly deep with emotion. “And…you’remy home now, Echo. Wherever you are is where I belong.”

Echo watched Mael kiss the back of his hand again, mesmerized by his handsome, charming predator. He didn’t notice which one of them closed the gap. Maybe it had been both of them, their bodies attracted like magnets to one another. Regardless of how, he ended up back in Mael’s arms.

Wherehebelonged.

Mael stole another soft kiss. “You are right, though. I can come home to you sooner if you leave now.”

Echo attempted to pull away—but Mael’s grip was too tight. “You have to let go.”

Mael groaned but finally released him.

Echo rose on his toes, lips upturned. Mael swooped down for one last kiss before they saw one another again.

He turned to see where Diego was and found Havoc and Tempest watching them. Echo smiled, his face warming. He’d been so focused on Mael, he’d almost forgot they weren’t alone. Looking past them, Echo noticed Diego was back on his boat, sitting in the captain’s chair with his back to everyone. “Diego looks ready to go.” Echo squeezed Mael’s hand. “I’ll see you later.”

Echo struggled to walk away, but he forced himself to. After collecting a few pieces of the gear he’d used to hand over to Havoc, Mael took it from him.

“I’ve got this. Go home and get ready for me.”

“I need to take off the wetsuit.”

“He has plenty.” Mael eyed his brother. “Echo can hold on to this for next weekend, right?”

Havoc nodded.

“You don’t need this for your students?”

“We’re pool training next weekend,” Havoc yelled, gaze trained on some rope knots he was untangling. “You’re good.”

“Thanks,” Echo said. He turned to Mael. “Want me to make us some dinner?”

“Canyou cook?” Mael asked. “I saw bag after bag of takeout on your boat.”

“I didn’t want to waste time before getting out on the water,” Echo argued. “Yes, I can cook. A little.” He chuckled. “You’ll live.”

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