“Don’t you trust me, Torres?”
“About as far as I can throw you.”
“You’re pretty strong, so I’ll take that as a yes.”
We reached the end of the dock, where the water slapped restlessly against the pilings and two Jet Skis bobbed in the chop. Tanner stood on one, waving frantically with both arms likehe was flagging down a plane. Another man with dark, curly hair was hunched over the other, working a knot loose, the rope creaking as the current pulled the craft away from the dock.
“That’s Diego. He’s another surfer and a?—”
“Dolphin shifter!” Tanner chimed in. “You know, I really like this town. It’s nice being able to just say it aloud.”
Diego stood and extended a hand to me.
“Saint Diego?” I asked, shaking it.
“One and the same.” He glanced between Chase and me. “I only got two,” Diego said, his face unreadable.
“That’s okay. I’ll ride with Tanner.” I shot a grin at Chase.
“Amphitrite’s tits you will.” Chase locked his fingers around mine and tugged me behind him as he swung a leg over the freed Jet Ski, the whole thing dipping under his weight. He planted a hand on the seat and pulled me down after him.
“See you there, mammals.” He saluted Tanner and Diego.
The engine snarled to life beneath us, kicking a plume of spray off the back, and I barely had time to lock my arms around his waist and press my cheek to the warm muscle of his back before he gunned it, and the dock lights smeared into streaks behind us.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Selena
The nearly fullmoon hung heavy over the ocean as Chase sped us down the coast. The waves and the Jet Ski’s engine made it too loud to talk, so I just held on tight, enjoying the warmth of him against the chill of the sea spray crashing around us.
Within a few minutes, I heard it.
Then we rounded an outcropping and I saw it.
The party was in full swing—music pulsing, bodies swaying, the air electric with magic that had nothing to do with spells and everything to do with being young, alive, and a little bit drunk. Huge neon signs lit the shore, casting their saturated rainbow hues across the dark waves that seemed to dance right along with the deep bass beat.
“Hold on,” Chase shouted over his shoulder, and I clamped my arms around him. He sped up, and we jolted as the bottom of the Jet Ski hit the sand, our momentum carrying us up out of the surf.
He killed the engine, then grabbed my hand again, gently leading me off the seat.
“M’lady.” He bowed low and tipped an imaginary fedora.
“Is this you being a gentleman?” Sand flooded my sandals, and I just kicked them off rather than fight them.
“Obviously.”
Tanner and Diego pulled in behind us, Tanner launching himself off before they’d even stopped moving and running toward the crowd.
Chase didn’t let go of my hand. He pulled me forward, weaving between coolers, dropped towels, and a circle of people passing a bottle. The bass grew louder the closer we got until I could feel it in my sternum, in my teeth, in the soles of my feet.
“Dance with me?” he asked, which surprised me. No cocky demands, just a sheepish grin as he walked backward into the mass of bodies, both my hands in his now.
I leaned forward so he could hear me.
“Depends. Am I dancing with El Tiburón or Chase Perez?”
Was that a blush, or the neon lights?
