EPILOGUE
THE TOURNAMENT
“Another point to the Navy Seals,” the announcer blares across the crackling speakers as the ball smashes into the ground a breath away from Chase’s outstretched arms, spraying sand on the opposite side of the net.
The ocean crashes in the distance, the cries of circling seabirds filling the air, their keen eyes searching for food discarded by bystanders.
“Go, Elliot and Selena!” I yell, bouncing on the balls of my feet from the side of the makeshift court along with the dozen other observers here to watch the final game in the tournament raising money for the sea turtle sanctuary.
“Way to get down on the ground!” Elliot grins at Chase as he catches the ball. “But the goal is to keep it in the air.”
“You know, Tanner, I think he tries harder when he’s scared,” Chase says to his teammate, wiping the sand from his face with the back of his hand before flashing a toothy grin and cracking his knuckles.
“Scared? As if! Are you ready to eat more sand, shark boy?” Elliot taunts Chase, stretching his arms above his head.
“Check the scoreboard, pup. I just didn’t want to hurt your feelings.”
“Hurt my feelings? If this were Monopoly, you’d be Baltic Avenue.” Elliot tosses his head back, laughing as Chase grins lazily.
“At least I have a spot on the board. You’d—”
“We’ve got a game to play. Stop swinging dicks and serve the ball, Elliot.” Selena rolls her eyes and crouches into position.
Elliot turns and flashes me a grin as he catches the ball and moves into position to serve.
I’ll be the first to admit that while I want them to win for the sanctuary’s sake, and because I am now representing Camden Corp, which is a sponsor for the tournament, I’m here out of my own selfish desires.
My mate.
The word feels right in my mind, just as much as I do every night, curled up in Elliot’s arms on the poolside lounge, listening to the ocean and watching the stars above us.
Cheers erupt beside me, pulling me back into the game as Selena jumps, smashing the ball into the sand on the other side of the net. She and Elliot high five, and I can’t help but smile at their comradeship.
My goofy sea lion boyfriend.
My sexy sea lion boyfriend.
The gritty sand clings to his arms and knees, a stark contrast to the sheen of sweat on his moving muscles as he returns to his starting position.
Forcing my eyes upward from the hard planes of his abs, I find his face etched with unyielding determination, his short brown hair tousled by the sea breeze.
I can’t wait to get him home and run my hands over his sculpted muscles, kissing every scrape and bruise.
Not that he’d have many. As much as Chase taunted, Elliot and Selena were breaking out in a sweat from the sweltering sun above more than the effort.
I don’t know much about beach volleyball, or sports in general, but the teams seem well matched and locked in fierce competition.
Only driven harder by the natural shark-versus-sea lion predator undertone of their shifter nature.
I cling to the edge of my floppy sunhat as the ocean breeze picks up again, never taking my eyes off the game.
The late afternoon sun turns the water beyond the court to liquid gold, and every grain of sand seems to glow beneath the players’ feet. A crowd has gathered around the ropes marking the court, cheering and groaning with every point.
“Come on, Chase!” someone calls behind me.
“Watch the line!”
The ball sails high over the net.
Selena springs upward, her dark braids whipping behind her as she reaches for it. Her fingertips barely make contact, redirecting it toward Tanner. He dives forward without hesitation, sand spraying everywhere as he somehow keeps the ball alive.
The crowd erupts.
“Nice save!”
Tanner scrambles back to his feet, laughing breathlessly as Chase bumps the ball into position. Chase launches into the air and spikes it hard.
Across the net, Elliot reacts instantly.
My breath catches.
He’s all effortless athleticism and confidence, moving with a grace that shouldn’t belong to a man his size. The muscles in his shoulders flex as he leaps, blocking the shot at the last second. The ball ricochets upward.
The crowd roars.
“Let’s go, Elliot!”
He lands lightly in the sand, grinning like he’s having the time of his life.
And maybe it’s the sunshine. Maybe it’s the salt air.
Or maybe it’s the fact that he’s shirtless.
Whatever the reason, I can’t stop staring.
A thin sheen of seawater and sweat glistens across his bronzed skin. Every movement draws my attention somewhere new—the strength in his arms, the sharp line of his jaw, the way his dark hair falls into his eyes before he pushes it back.
As though sensing my gaze, Elliot glances toward me.
Our eyes meet, and a slow smile spreads across his face. The kind meant only for me.
Heat blooms in my cheeks.
Immediately distracted, I nearly miss Selena’s next serve.
The ball rockets over the net, but Chase returns it. Tanner bumps. Selena sets. Elliot jumps.
The entire crowd seems to hold its breath as he slams the ball downward.
Point!
The spectators explode into applause. Elliot pumps a fist before pointing directly at me.
Several people nearby let out exaggerated whistles.
“Oh, he’s showing off now,” my aunt says at my side, tightening her grip on Gin’s leash as she barks excitedly with the crowd cheering.
I laugh despite myself.
“He absolutely is.”
The game continues for several more minutes, each rally longer than the last. Players dive through the sand. Spectators scream encouragement. The energy is infectious.
By the final point, everyone is on their feet.
The ball crosses the net one last time.
Chase sets.
Elliot blocks.
The ball drops right between Chase and Tanner.
A whistle shrieks.
“And the Navy Seals win! The prize money goes to the turtle sanctuary!” the announcer blares through the speakers.
The crowd erupts. Cheers echo across the beach.
The four players meet at the net, laughing as they exchange high fives and good-natured shoves. Chase immediately scoops Selena into his arms, carrying her away while she protests through her laughter.
I can’t keep the grin off my face. The entire thing has been ridiculous and perfect.
Before I can gather my thoughts, Elliot breaks away from the group and starts toward me. He’s still breathing hard from the game, his chest rising and falling as he closes the distance between us. Sand clings to his calves, and a few stubborn grains dust his shoulders.
His eyes never leave mine.
The sounds of the crowd fade into the background.
“Elliot—”
I barely get his name out before his arms slide around my waist and, with a laugh, he lifts me completely off the ground.
The world spins. I squeal as he turns me in a circle.
“There she is,” he murmurs, his voice low and warm.
My heart does an embarrassing little somersault as several whistles ring out.
“Get a room!”
“About time!”
I bury my face against his shoulder, laughing. When he finally sets me back on my feet, he keeps one arm wrapped securely around my waist.
He’s so close I can feel the heat radiating from his skin. Close enough to catch the scent of sea salt and sunscreen.
Close enough to notice the way his eyes soften when he looks at me.
The teasing grin fades. Something gentler takes its place, and his hand slides up to cradle my jaw.
For a moment, neither of us says anything.
The cheers around us become distant as Elliot leans in. The kiss is warm and unhurried.
The kind that makes the rest of the world disappear for a few seconds.
He tastes like mint and saltwater and sunshine. Like summer itself.
When we finally pull apart, another round of cheers erupts from the spectators.
I groan and hide my face against his chest. Elliot laughs, the sound vibrating beneath my cheek.
“Let them cheer, little Wren. We won the tournament, and I got the best gift of all.” His arms tighten around me. “You.”
“Are you sure it’s not me who won?”
“Hmm, let’s call it a tie and celebrate either way.”
Elliot opens the car door and scoops me into his arms. I wrap my arms around him, burying my face in the crook of his neck.
“You know I can walk.” I giggle against his salty skin, nipping at his earlobe.
“Not when I’m done with you,” he teases, squeezing my thigh and kicking the passenger door shut.
“Oh,” I gasp, squirming in his hold. He carries me through the house and out the back door.
He lays me down on a lounge chair and kneels by my side, slipping off my sandals and massaging my foot and calf. My eyelids flutter closed as I relax into the lounge pillows and the sensation of his hands inching their way up my legs.
“How should I enjoy my prize first?” He kisses the inside of my knee before tantalizingly slowly dragging up the hem of my summer dress, revealing my new purple bikini bottoms. “You know I almost lost the game because of you.”
“How?” I peek open my eyes, pushing up onto my elbows to peer at him.
“I couldn’t keep my eyes off you, especially every time you jumped and cheered me on with your breasts nearly bouncing out of your top.”
He pulls down my sundress and bikini top in one movement, my exposed nipples hardening in the sea breeze. I moan as he wraps a hand around my breast and arch into his touch, the pad of his thumb brushing over the peak.
“You’re so fucking beautiful, Wren.”
He repositions himself above me as his free hand catches on the edge of the waistband of my bikini bottoms. He teases them down my legs, tossing them aside before his warm hand cups me, his thumb tracing lazy circles over my clit.
A tingling sensation spreads from my core down my legs to my toes as he slides two fingers inside, gently stroking my G-spot with a steady rhythm until I arch my hips and collapse beneath him in release.
“Elliot, more,” I moan, reaching toward his cock straining against his swim trunks.
“I love you, little mate,” he says with reverence as he shifts his weight. He kicks off his trunks and lines up his cock against me. “Is this what you want?”
“Yes, Elliot.”
“What’s the magic word?” I meet his brown eyes, sparkling with golden mirth above me.
“Elliot…” I pout.
He rubs the head of his cock through my core, one hand braced beside my head, the other still rubbing tantalizing circles around my nipple.
Fine. If I have to beg, I’ll beg. I can’t stand one more minute without feeling him inside me. Without feeling whole.
“Pleeeaasee,” I beg, arching into his touch, the sensation nearly sending me over the edge.
“Good girl,” he murmurs into my hair, entering me with one hard, short thrust. My nails dig into his sun-kissed shoulders.
His hand hitches under my thigh, changing the angle of my hips. He drives into me again, coaxing a desperate moan from my throat as wave after wave of pleasure moves through my body, his cock brushing that sensitive spot inside and reaching even deeper.
With every thrust, I let me eyes close, giving in to the rhythm of our bodies moving in unison. Giving in to the feeling of being in his arms, accepted and loved.
“Elliot, I’m… so close,” I whisper against the salty skin of his chest as a crescendo of pleasure begins to vibrate along my skin, like being kissed by a thousand tiny stars.
“Come for me, my beautiful Wren.”
With one last thrust, he sends both of us over the edge. I can barely breathe as waves of pleasure slowly ebb. He pulls me into his arms and, with a gentle heave, rolls onto his back, cradling me close.
We lie there side by side and lift our eyes to the heavens, mesmerized by the radiant full moon and the countless, glittering stars adorning the impossibly clear night sky.
The story doesn’t end here. Turn the page to check out all the books in the Crescent Cove series.