“Yes.” She punched Nolen’s shoulder. “You’re probably the dead body. Sorry, Nol.”
“My luck,” Nolen said, grinning. He rolled his own window down and stuck his head out. “Damn, I can already smell the ocean.”
By the time they reached the hotel, the sun was setting, and Fernando needed some time away from his two friends before he murdered them to rid the world of their perkiness.
The hotel was right on the beach, and he had to admit the sunset over the waves was beautiful. He hurried through checking in and left Gigi and Nolen at the front desk. His room was simple, but it had a balcony overlooking the ocean.
He dumped his suitcase on the bed and went outside, leaning over the rails. He looked to the right and smiled at the dog grinning at him from the balcony next to his own. His room was on the pet-friendly floor of the sixteen-story hotel.
He propped his chin on his fist and contemplated the darkening sky.What if change never came?He wondered. The thought of being stuck in the same rut forever terrified him. Still, he hoped Gigi was right, and a change really was on the horizon.
It didn’t take long for one of his friends to start banging on his door. “Fernando,” Nolen yelled. “They’re having a bonfire on the beach and serving drinks. Come on, buddy. No designated driver needed.”
Fernando quickly changed clothes. He had hoped to relax before facing another night out, but luck wasn’t on his side.
He pulled on a pair of light-blue, plaid linen shorts and a teal long-sleeved shirt. There was a time he would have made more effort, but what was the point anymore? A quick fuck wouldn’t solve anything, and no one who knew him would want anything else.
Nolen gave him a stupid grin when he opened the door. “Ready?”
“Let’s get this over with,” Fernando said, scowling.
Chapter 2
Walker Jones strolled behind his buddies as they headed down to the beach. They laughed with an almost manic energy that Walker felt thrumming in his own veins. Tomorrow afternoon, they were all due back on base to check in for their next deployment.
This would be Walker’s third deployment. He loved being a marine, but he had started to hate the days leading up to leaving. Some of his buddies were married and spent that time with their families. Some were close to their parents and siblings, and saying goodbye to them was always hard.
Walker had no one. It should have made things easier, but knowing that there was literally no family to notify if he died gutted him.
“Jones, hurry up,” Pug yelled over his shoulder. Walker’s friend was at the front of the group. He was a good guy, even if he was a manwhore.
The men reached the beach, and Walker took a minute to enjoy the sunset over the waves. The spring night air cooled rapidly, and people gathered at the large bonfire like moths to a flame.
One man in a teal shirt stood alone toward the back of the group, drawing Walker’s attention. He moved closer, and the cool breeze carried the whiff of omega. The man was short with black hair and dusky skin.
Dark eyes met his, and Walker froze in place, energy buzzing through him. Those eyes fuckingsawhim.
“Jones,” Pug yelled, dragging a giggling man and woman toward him. “Look, twins! One for me and one for you.”
The omega rolled his eyes and moved further into the group.
Walker glared at his friend. “Damn it, Pug.”
Pug shrugged. “What did I do?”
“You exist,” Walker said, scowling at his friend before following the omega.
He was partially aware of Pug turning with a shrug to the man and woman. “Oh, well. How do you two feel about a threesome?”
Walker pushed through the crowd, eyes searching for the omega. He did't understand why it mattered so much or what exactly was drawing him in, but something about the man's eyes felt magnetic—like they offered a connection he didn’t realize he was yearning for. A bright stripe of teal caught his eye, guiding him forward.e.
The omega tried to move closer to the fire, but a large alpha blocked his way, eyes looking the omega up and down.
“You need an alpha to fill your hole, omega?” The alpha asked.
Walker winced.That is the shittiest pickup line I’ve ever heard.
The omega glared. “No, thanks.”
