Page 35 of The Tides Between Us

I tilted my head to the side.“Because I didn’t drive here, remember?”

Nico drove Harper and I and dropped us off, just like Malakai did with Winter. The boys were at the local Topgolf and left us with the promise of picking us up whenever we were ready to go home.

“Declan took me surfing the other day… Well, he tried to show me the best he could since he’s not supposed to be surfing right now because of his shoulder.”I paused again. Shit. I was going to tell them. I had to. I was still trying to process everything between the two of us.“I went back to his place after… and didn’t go home until the next morning.”

“Oh my god, G!” Harper clapped her hands together in excitement. “Yes. This is perfect. This is absolutely amazing. How was it?”

Winter cut her eyes at her. “Don’t put her on the spot like that. It’s kind of rude, especially if she doesn’t want to talk about it.”

Oh, Winter. She was always the sweetest and if there was one person who never wanted anyone to feel uncomfortable, it was her. She was my best friend since we were kids. Even though some years had passed that we weren’t as close when she was in Vermont, she would still always have my back.

“It’s fine,”I assured her with a smile. Malakai’s protectiveness must have really rubbed off on her, even if she and Harper were friends too.“It was like nothing else I had ever experienced before… and I experienced it a few different times with him while I was at his house. It was mind-blowing.”

My phone went off once again and I checked my newest message from Declan. My heart began to race in my chest and I couldn’t fight the stupid grin that was permanently situated on my lips.

Declan

I’ll come get you, princess. Let me know when you’re ready to leave and I’ll be there.

“Girl, you better tell that man to come get you,” Harper told me with a look of encouragement. “And I’m sorry if what I said came off as rude. I’m just excited for you because you deserve to be with someone who will treat you like a queen, and let’s be real—the damn guy is learning sign language for you.”

I looked to Winter who nodded. “She’s right. Maybe things are moving fast, but maybe they’re moving the way they should be. Life is short, after all, and look at the time Malakai and I lost that we’ll never get back.”

“You’re right,”I signed back to the two of them before typing out my response to Declan.

Giana

Come now. We’re at The Lounge.

Declan

I’m on my way, princess.

CHAPTERSEVENTEEN

DECLAN

Holding the door open for Giana, she stepped inside my brother’s house, looking exactly like she belonged there with me. It wasn’t my actual home, but it felt like it was in a sense. There was a part of me that wished we were in California. So I could take her to my own place, to show her my life there. I wanted her in every piece of it.

Stepping up to her, I slid my hand into hers, our fingers intertwining with one another’s. She looked up at me, a softness dancing in her eyes with the fire that was burning deeply inside. I watched, entirely mesmerized as she pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and bit down. Her cheeks had a rosy tint from the alcohol and she swayed slightly. If you weren’t watching her the way I was, it was a movement that could have easily been missed.

She wasn’t drunk, thank God, but she was tipsy. I would have brought her back with me whether she was drunk or not, but I had plans for her and I wanted her coherent. Taking advantage of her was one thing I would never ever do.

I wanted her sober. I wanted her to wake up in the morning and remember every inch of me that was inside of her. I wanted her to remember every kiss placed on her tender skin.

I wanted her to rememberme.

Leading her through the house, we didn’t stop until we were walking into my bedroom. I flicked on the small bedside lamp so we weren’t completely in the dark. My brother was gone for the next few nights, out of town for some medical conference. I was glad to have the house to myself. There wouldn’t be any interruptions in my time with Giana.

She walked over to my bed, spinning to face me before she dropped down onto the mattress. Reaching for me with her other hand, she grabbed ahold of me and pulled me down with her. Her dress hiked up her thighs as she scooted up toward the pillows. I followed after her, crawling onto the bed with her.

Hovering over her, her eyes met mine. She quickly glanced at the still open door and back to me.“Is your brother home?”

I shook my head at her, my face dipping down to hers as I nipped at her lips. I pulled back so she could read them. “He’s gone for a few days. We have the house to ourselves.”

She lifted her hands to my chest, gently pushing me away. I sat up and she slid out from under me. Her feet touched the floor and suddenly she was walking back to the bedroom door. I rolled onto my back, staring at her with my eyebrows pinched together.

Giana turned back to me with a smile.“I’m going to get a drink really quick, if that’s okay?”

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