Chapter 28
We’ve been wandering the beach for over an hour. Hunter and I can’t seem to agree on where to start the excavation. He thinks we should avoid the cliffs and stick to the sandy edge of the cove. I think we need to start in the caves.
“It’s too dangerous,” he says for what feels like the hundredth time.
“It’s our best chance at actually finding something.
” I kick sand with my bare toes. We’re all in casual clothes.
Even Hunter, which is taking a little getting used to.
I didn’t expect him to show up at my door in swim trunks and a t-shirt.
I may have swooned just a little. I think I did a pretty good job of hiding it, but Caspian’s definitely on to me.
“Actually,” Caspian cuts in, “our best bet would be to follow the i'xal. If I could get it working.” He turns the stone over in his hand, examining it like he’ll find something different this time.
“Let me see.” Phoenix takes it, rubbing a thumb over the smooth surface.
Nothing’s going to change. As far as we can tell, the compass thingy—the i’xal— is broken. Frustrated, I let out a very unladylike huff that would have my mom rolling her eyes. All three men turn their attention to me with an intensity that’s almost unnerving.
“Let’s take a little break,” Hunter says.
“I could use some lunch.” Phoenix shoves the i'xal in his pocket, then swings his backpack around, dropping it on the ground and pulling out a quilted blanket. “I’ve got sandwiches, water, and…” he lifts out a long bottle, “champagne.” His eyebrows wiggle suggestively.
I can’t help my excited wiggle as I plop down next to him.
“This is a work excursion, not a romantic picnic.” Hunter glares at the narrow-necked bottle.
“Can’t it be both?” Phoenix winks at me as he untwists the wires around the cork.
“You’re my new favorite,” I say to Phoenix, looking over my shoulder at Hunter, whose glare turns into a scowl.
Grumpy old man. Why does that turn me on so much?
I’m probably defective or have daddy issues or something.
Maybe I should do a little research on the appeal of older men when we get back up to my apartment.
Then again, I’ve never been attracted to an older man before Hunter, so maybe it’s just him.
Phoenix pops the cork with ease. Bubbles pour out the top, and he shoves it in his mouth to catch them.
His throat works as he swallows, lips spread to accommodate the bottle, liquid dripping down the side.
It’s surprisingly provocative, and my insides spark with heat as I watch.
Okay, Hunter might not be the only older man I’m attracted to.
Though, Phoenix comes off as being a bit younger than the stodgy professor. Whether he is or isn’t, I’m not sure.
Phoenix finishes and passes the bottle to me with a flourish. “M’lady.”
I giggle. “I love champagne.”
“What is shampain?” Caspian asks.
“I’ve failed as a mate,” I gasp, throwing a hand over my heart. “Here, try it.”
Caspian doesn’t take the bottle from me, he wraps his lips around it while I’m still holding it, and waits for me to tip the liquid into his mouth with his eyes locked on mine.
Seeing his lips spread around the rim is just as provocative as it was with Phoenix.
It has me thinking all kinds of inappropriate thoughts I really shouldn’t be thinking right now.
At this rate, it’ll be a miracle if my scent blockers hold up.
I pour carefully, not wanting him to choke. The muscles in his neck tense as he swallows, and I’m mesmerized once again. I try not to think about the way his lips would look wrapped around a cock. Would my alpha kneel for Hunter or make the older man kneel for him?
Shit, I’ve got to get myself under control.
Caspian finishes and licks his lips. “Delicious.”
The sun suddenly seems unbearably hot. I fan myself with my hand.
“A good way to ruin wine, if you ask me,” Hunter says. He’s the only one who hasn’t sat down yet, and I have to tilt my head all the way back to see him.
“Spoilsport.” I stick my tongue out at him, but rather than the desired effect, his eyes darken, narrowing on my mouth.
“We have something like it in the sea. We call it…” Caspian makes a noise I can’t interpret into any sort of letters. I’m surprised the i’xal contained sounds we could pick out, but I guess if it was used by humans as well as merfolk originally, then it makes sense.
Phoenix regales Caspian with questions about his world, and Hunter eventually takes a seat on the blanket as far away from me as possible.
It shouldn’t sting, but it does. I keep trying to tell myself what happened between us during my heat spike doesn’t matter, but it’s a lie I can’t seem to believe, no matter how many times I repeat it.
Despite the awkwardness with Hunter, our picnic lunch is the most fun I’ve had in a long time.
The champagne mellows everyone just a little, and the conversation flows easily.
Phoenix and Caspian swap stories about various sea life, trying to one up each other with their tales of sharks, killer whales, and other dangerous creatures they’ve encountered. Even Hunter relaxes after a while.
It’s difficult not to relax around Phoenix. He’s fun and has this way about him that instantly sets people at ease.
“How about a swim?” Phoenix asks after we’ve finished off most of the sandwiches he brought. He pulls off his shirt without waiting for a reply and flexes as he stretches his arms over his head.
His skin is burnished with a glowing tan, which proves he spends most of his time outdoors, likely on the water. He isn’t broad, but his arms are toned and you could wash clothes on his stomach. Damn. Am I drooling? I surreptitiously wipe the back of my hand along my mouth, just in case.
“We’re supposed to be deciding on a dig spot.” Hunter throws a grape at his friend. It bounces off Phoenix's firm abs before he catches it and pops it in his mouth.
“It’s hot. We’ll all think better after we cool off.” He reaches for Caspian’s hand. “Come on, squishy, come swim with me. I want to see that pretty tail again.”
Caspian’s fair skin turns a light pink, arousal spiraling through the bond. It takes me by surprise for a moment. Not that I disagree. Hunter’s friend is undeniably hot, but I wasn’t expecting my bonded to feel such an intense attraction toward the man.
Caspian looks at me as if asking permission. Despite being unsure if he’s just asking about the swim or something more, I smile. “Go ahead. I’m gonna stay here.”
Although, if he keeps sending those feelings through the bond, I might be joining them before long.
He kisses my cheek, then takes Phoenix’s offered hand and stands.
He strips off his shirt, and I hear Hunter suck in a breath from behind me.
Phoenix lets his gaze travel over my mate, making no attempt to hide his appreciation.
Caspian looks up and down the empty beach.
I know what he’s about to do a moment before he does it, but it’s not enough time to stop him.
He shucks his bottoms in one quick move, then runs toward the water with Phoenix chasing after him.
“I should probably tell him to wait to strip until he’s in the water.”
“I’m not complaining.” Hunter’s voice is low and quiet. I’m not sure I even heard him right.
I study his face, but his expression is blank as he watches Caspian and Phoenix break past the first crash of waves, splashing and hollering at each other.
We’re silent for a long while, watching the water, listening to the squawk of seagulls.
Our fingers brush as we both reach for the grapes at the same time, his gaze locking with mine.
I clear my throat, take another sip of champagne, then set down the now empty bottle, feeling just the slightest bit of a buzz. Out beyond the breakers, Phoenix drops below the water so suddenly it’s clear Caspian yanked him under. They look like they’re having fun.
“So, how do you and Phoenix know each other?” I ask, trying to fill the silence.
“It’s hard to remember, actually. He’s just always been there.
Like a wart that won’t go away.” The words are grumpy, but there’s a note of humor in them.
“We grew up in the same neighborhood, went to the same schools, then the same college. Even when we drifted apart after he started working expeditions out at sea, he always seemed to come back to me.” There’s a softness to his voice now, something nostalgic in his tone.
He watches as Phoenix pops back up. Caspian flicks water at him with his tail, then Phoenix dives under again.
I watch the expressions change on Hunter’s face, and it’s almost like I can see the memories flickering through his mind. So much history. I don’t have anyone in my life I’ve known that long, apart from family.
“He’s quite the character,” I whisper, turning my attention back to the waves.
Hunter chuckles. “You don’t know the half of it.
Those stories he was telling at lunch are just the surface.
” He moves a little closer, leaning in. “When we were younger, he was always having some sort of adventure and getting into trouble. The man could never sit still or stay home. He spent most nights sneaking out. I can’t tell you how many times I had to cover for him because he was fucking his way through half the town. ”
My head swings toward him at the bitterness in his tone. “You love him.”
He laughs and shakes his head. “Even if I did, it wouldn’t matter. Phoenix isn’t the settling down type.” He grabs the bottle of champagne, like he’s forgotten he doesn’t like it, and tries to take a swig before he realizes it’s empty.
I didn’t mean to make him uncomfortable with my questions, but it’s clear I did.
“So… um, I still think we should start in the caves,” I say, attempting to steer the conversation away from Phoenix.
Hunter sighs, leaning back on his hands, but his lips turn up ever so slightly, like he appreciates the change in topic. He doesn’t look at me. “It’s too dangerous, Madi.”
Madi. My heart flutters a little faster. I pick up the last grape and spin it in my fingers just to give my hands something to do.
“It’ll be harder to excavate surrounded by rock,” Hunter continues.
I eat the fruit, then shift positions, sticking my legs out to bury my feet in the sand. “A lot of the caves have sandy bottoms that could be hiding all kinds of things. You know I’m right.”
“What if the tide comes in too quickly?”
“We can bring scuba gear.”
“What about…” He looks away, expression hard. “Chipping away at rock like that could cause a cave-in.”
Like with Aunt April. She was searching for Ocearus just like I am, only she thought it was farther down the coast. The team had set up in a cove, not so different from this one, but instead of cliffs on all sides, one side had a steep rockface.
There was a grassy area on the other side of the beach.
That’s where they were digging, but one morning, Aunt April went off on her own to the cliffs.
No one knows exactly what happened, but there was a cave-in. They didn’t find her for two days.
“Were you there?” I whisper. I want to touch him, to offer some comfort, but resting my hand right next to his on the sand is the bravest I get.
He nods once, but doesn’t answer, staring blankly out to sea.
“Did you…” I don’t want to ask, but curiosity drives me forward even as my gut twists and spins. “Did you care about her?”
“Of course,” he answers immediately.
My stomach drops through the sand, a jealous flush heating my cheeks.
Of course, this older, distinguished man was interested in my aunt.
She was smart and funny and adventurous.
Not to mention closer to his age, just a little older than him.
He probably prefers older women. That would be just my luck.
I feel his eyes on me, but I can’t look at him. I shift sand through my toes and stare at my feet.
“She was a mentor and friend, Madi. That’s all.” He cuffs the back of my neck and uses the pressure to turn my head so I’m looking at him. Electricity shoots down my spine at his touch. His eyes blaze with heat. “I never felt about her the way I—”
“Madi, Hunter,” Phoenix yells from the water. “Get out here.” The urgency in his voice makes it clear he’s not just inviting us to join in their fun. “It’s working.”
Hunter and I share a look before gathering everything up and running to meet Caspian and Phoenix at the edge of the water.