I grab a sleeping Danger and his lead, throw on a light green cardigan, and pad down the stairs.
Devon shifts, looking nervous.
“What’s wrong?”
I stop in front of him, my mind tripping over all the things that could be upsetting him.
“I have something for you. I bought it years ago, and I carry it everywhere with me, but it was always meant for you.”
He lifts his fist, and a tiny dolphin drops out on the most delicate silver chain. I reach up and touch it.
“Devon, it’s beautiful.”
“Do you remember that day we saw the dolphins? When they came right into the beach, the day we all went swimming for Felix’s eighteenth birthday?”
“Yeah,” I say softly. “You were having fun with Sebastian, but he decided to leave, and you and I stayed when everyone else went home.”
“And the dolphins came, and you were so excited.”
“It was amazing.”
“I couldn’t take my eyes off you. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone so joyfully happy. When I think about happiness, I think about your face on that day and how much I wanted to be a part of your life.”
He steps closer.
“May I?”
I turn, and he carefully puts the chain around my neck, laying the dolphin against my collarbone. My stomach flutters, and the protests and walls I’d built up vanish. He barely touches me, but I shiver with every brush of his fingertips.
“Thank you, Alpha.”
He exhales roughly, the hot heat bathing my neck, making my skin prickle. My body turns to liquid heat, and all I want to do is take his hand, lead him up to my bedroom, and lick every inch of him.
“Come on, lunch.”
I clear my throat. “Okay. Yep. Let’s go.”
He smirks but puts a hand on my lower back, guiding me out. I never understood why anyone would like to be guided, but it’s his touch on me, more intimate than holding my hand, slightly possessive, comforting, strengthening. Like he’s saying to everyone, ‘I am here. We are together.’
Danger bounces along beside, warbling and letting us know all about how happy he is as well. I catch movement out of the corner of my eye, just a flash of white, but it’s there and gone. I dismiss it as we walk down Main Street.
“Where do you want to eat?”
Danger pulls on the lead. He jumps up at Devon, barking. He kneels down and picks up Danger, cuddling him close. I watch how sweet my alpha is with my dog and, again, my brain short-circuits.
“So, food?”
“Um, we could get hot chips and sit on the beach, just the five of us. Talk.” Because I have to tell you. I can’t keep it in anymore. No more excuses, no more distractions.
“Sure.”
As we get closer, I see Mack and Elijah waiting near the ramp to the beach.
“Do you three have ESP?”
He laughs. “Nah, I was just sure we’d end up here if I was successful in luring you out.”
“Oh, is that right?” I say, chortling at his confidence, but I can’t take my eyes off Mack and Elijah.
