We can find other times and places to wrap ourselves around each other.
“Cool. It’s a plan,” Niko announces, holding up his beer. “You’ll get some selkie training and join the Jack-o Alliance.”
“I didn’t agree to that name,” the werewolf grumbles.
“Well, it’s better than the Nack Alliance. And now, we can be the Jack-olia Alliance.” Niko slips his phone out of his pocket and offers it to Ophelia. “Let me get your number. For strategy meetings.”
This could be a sneaky hit-on-Ophelia tactic, but I only get friendly vibes from the kappa. Plus, when I watch her eagerly add her number to the man’s phone, I remember how few contacts she has in hers.
As much as I want all of her time to myself, what’s best for Ophelia is to establish a group of friends in Folk Haven. And what better group to start with than the one we’re in now?
“Why don’t you get everyone’s numbers,” I say, “while we’re all here?”
She blinks up at me, lips slightly parted in surprise.
“Come on.” I squeeze her shoulder. “Where’s your phone?”
After handing Niko’s his back, Ophelia reaches into a pocket on her jean shorts and pulls out the device. When she swipes it open, the picture of the owl makes me smile. Then, I hand it off to Mor.
“Everyone, put your number in Ophelia’s phone.”
“Good idea.” Ame smiles at us from her spot in Jack’s lap. “That way, we don’t need to go through Broderick to talk to you. We can make sneaky plans behind his back.”
“I regret this immediately,” I grumble, but without true heat because Ophelia is laughing.
Talking trails off as Owen navigates to a more open section of the lake and increases the speed, filling the air with the roar of the engine. The clouds take on a magenta shade against a periwinkle sky as the sun sets behind the trees. With the growing darkness, our captain points us back toward the library.
We dock smoothly, temporarily tying the boat up long enough for everyone to unload. Owen accepts our thanks with a dramatic bow.
I wish the ride could have gone on longer. That I had an excuse to hold Ophelia for endless hours.
Now, I have to say goodbye.
But when I turn for my farewell, the firebird is right behind me.
“Could you drive me home?” Ophelia asks.
“Abandoning me?” Owen shakes his head with a mock frown.
Meanwhile, I grin. “Of course.”
After we untie the pontoon and watch Owen cruise off, the two of us walk hand in hand toward the house. Everyone else has already disappeared, either going inside or heading home. We’re alone in the twilight.
A hoot sounds overhead, and a beautiful barn owl glides past. The bird has a watchful quality, as if it’s guarding the two of us.
“That’s my friend.” Ophelia points to the owl. “Always joining me on walks.”
I make a note to ask Ame and Anthony about their familiars. How did they know the animal was their magical partner? Because I feel a calm connection with Ophelia’s feathered friend, and I wonder if maybe I’ve discovered mine.
When we reach my car, I try to be a gentleman by heading to the passenger side to open Ophelia’s door for her.
But the firebird seems uninterested in chivalry when she presses me back against the car and claims my mouth in a searing kiss that tastes like the spices from the cider she was drinking on the boat. I groan and spread my legs to both lower myself closer to her height and to make room for her between them.
The hot press of her body against my hardening cock is a beautiful kind of torture.
Ophelia peels her mouth from mine. “Maybe we could walk for a bit.” Her words are breathy and full of promise. “Before you drive me home.”
“Walk.” I nod repeatedly, trying to force my brain to function. “Yes. I know how to do that.”
