Page 17 of Riding the Tide

Kannon elbowed Nisha. “Right. The mate you said you never wanted. Wasn’t that you? Weren’t you the one who said he was never getting mated? Never.”

Marcus glared at Kannon. “Shut up.”

Kannon flashed Marcus an evil smile and hummed the wedding march under his breath.

“Can you do something with him?” Marcus pleaded to Nisha.

“I’ve already been threatened with the couch once in this conversation.” Nisha shrugged. “You’re on your own.”

“Will you please stop that infernal sound?” Marcus ordered.

Kannon hooted. “Oh, that’s funny considering some of the sounds I’ve heard coming out of you guys.”

“I’m ignoring you.” Marcus informed Kannon before turning his attention to Nisha. “Anyway, Blair’s my mate. And… I might’ve asked him out on a date for tonight.”

Both Nisha and Kannon blinked. Finally, Nisha spoke. “O-okay. Not sure why you seem so hesitant. Where are you taking him?”

“Sandals. It just so happens Blair is staying at Brett’s resort.”

“That’s good,” Kannon said. “I’ll get in contact with Brett and get you guys a nice table in an out-of-the-way spot for tonight. Well, I would if I wasn’t being ignored.”

Marcus relented and finally looked at Kannon. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

“Oh yeah.” Kannon smiled. “You better believe it.”

Marcus released the most put upon sigh he could muster. “Fine! I’m not ignoring you. There. Happy?”

“Hmm, could’ve used a little bit more of abject misery in that, but fine. I’ll call Brett,” Kannon said.

“Thank you. I appreciate that. But that still isn’t why I’m here,” Marcus said.

“Stop dragging it out and tell us already,” Nisha said.

“I don’t… I need something to wear tonight.” Marcus wrinkled his nose. “Something appropriate.”

Kannon snickered. “Hmm, is now a good time to point out if you had an aboveground dwelling—”

“I’m never having an aboveground dwelling.”

“Un-huh, keep telling yourself that. For right now let’s focus on your clothing, or the lack thereof.” Kannon scratched his head. “What do you do when you go trolling?”

“Huh?”

“Oh, good grief.”

“What?”

“When you’re out looking to dip your wick. Wanting to bump uglies. You know… do the horizontal hula? Playing on all fours. Sinking the sausage. Bedroom rodeo.”

“Are you even speaking English?” asked Marcus asked, bewildered.

“Jesus. When you’re looking for someone to fuck. Is that plain enough for you?” Kannon demanded.

“You’re a very strange individual, do you know that?” Marcus asked.

“Me? Oh that’s funny.”

“I’m never going to spend much time on land, but if I’m looking for a hookup I normally wear shorts, a T-shirt, and sandals. It’s not as if I’m going to be in my clothes for long. But this is different. I’d like to look a bit nicer than usual.”

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