Passing Ships (Sandcastle Cove #3)

Chapter One

Amiya

“I take credit for that, you know,” I say, swallowing back tears as I watch Sebastian Harraway slide a ring onto my best friend, Avie’s, finger.

He had us all gather here tonight under the ruse of a housewarming party, but unbeknownst to Avie, his plan had been to surprise her with a proposal all along.

“Is that right?”

I glance over at Lennon, Sebastian’s older brother. The naval officer and a fine specimen of a man. He’s huge. Tall with lean muscles. Dark hair, dimples, and stormy-blue eyes. But my favorite part of him is his hands. They’re double the size of mine, and I just know they could do damage if they had to.

I bet they can be gentle too.

“Yep, this too,” Eden says, pointing between herself and Wade.

Eden is a new local on Sandcastle Cove—the island my best friend and her daughter now call home—and the paramour of Lennon’s childhood friend, Wade Lusk.

His eyes follow her motion and then come back to me, and he smirks, his dimples on sexy display.

“I’m sure you’re quite proud.”

I raise my face to his as I step closer.

“You stick around long enough, Rambo, and I’ll find you a woman too,” I whisper.

He quirks a brow, and the corner of his mouth lifts.

“I don’t need help in that department,” he states before pushing past me, one of his hands sliding across my lower back, and making his way over to congratulate his brother.

I watch as he hooks an arm around Sebastian’s neck and shakes his brother, then pulls Avie into an embrace and kisses her cheek. Leia, Avie and Sebastian’s daughter, tugs at his pants leg, and he reaches down and plucks her off her feet.

“I bet you don’t,” I mumble under my breath.

“What was that?” Eden asks as she sidles up to my side.

Wade has wandered off and entered a conversation with Lennon and Sebastian’s grandfather.

My eyes slide to her. “Nothing.”

“Uh-huh. I saw the way you were looking at Lennon,” she quips.

“And what way was that?”

She grins. “Like he’s a tree you want to climb.”

My gaze slips back to the mountain of a man, who is effortlessly tossing his niece in the air as she giggles.

“It’s been a while since I’ve climbed any trees, but if I had a mind to …”

Her eyes peer across the room. “Yep, I’d say he’s definitely the most impressive tree in the forest,” she agrees, “apart from Wade, of course.”

“Without saying,” I agree.

She laughs.

Avie skips her way over to us, waving her left hand in our faces, and the three of us squeal and bounce on our toes as we fuss over the dazzling ring on her finger. It’s a beautiful oval diamond. Simple. Elegant. Just like her.

Sabel—Sebastian’s grandmother and matriarch of the family—starts popping bottles and passing out flutes of champagne.

I take one in hand and tilt it toward my girl. “I’m so thrilled for you. No one deserves to be happy more than you.”

She sniffles, and I shake my head.

“No. None of that. If you start crying, I’ll start crying, and we are celebrating, dammit,” I declare.

I tip the glass back and swallow the contents in one shot before snatching another from the kitchen island. Avie grins and does the same as someone turns up the music.

“Let’s dance,” Eden shouts as she grabs our free hands and tugs us toward the living room.

And we do. We dance and drink and laugh and celebrate.

“You’re drunk,” I say as Avie steps on my foot again.

We’re leaning on each other as we sway to the music.

“You’re both drunk,” Sebastian interjects as he pulls us apart.

Avie releases me and folds herself into his arms.

“I’m not drunk. I’m tipsy,” she slurs.

“Come on, my tipsy fiancée. I’ve tucked Leia in, and now, it’s time for me to tuck you in,” he whispers into her hair.

The party started dying down hours ago with only a few of the happy couple’s friends lingering.

“That’s our cue to vacate the premises,” Wade says as he takes Eden by the hand. “You ready, Lennon?”

Lennon, who is seated on the couch, stands and joins us.

“Yep.” He looks at his brother. “I’ll swing by tomorrow and help you guys clean up this mess.”

“Thanks, man.”

Sebastian leads Avie down the hallway. We gather our things from the entryway closet and make our way out onto the deck.

The cabana is on the ocean, and I stumble my way over to the railing as I inhale the salty air.

“Amiya, you’re staying at the cottage, right?” Eden asks.

“Yep, and I think I’m gonna need a ride,” I reply.

The cottage is a quaint little home tucked on the intracoastal side of the island. It’s across the street from and owned by Lennon and Sebastian’s grandparents. Avie and Leia have called it home since moving to the island, but Sebastian has spent the past few months renovating this seaside haven for his new family.

“We got you. We have to drop Lennon off at Sebby and Sabel’s anyway,” Wade says.

“Thanks. I’ll just leave my key fob so Sebastian and Avie can bring me my car in the morning,” I say as I fish around in my purse.

“If Lennon’s sober enough, why doesn’t he just drive your car? That way, they don’t have to,” Eden suggests.

I glance over at her, and she is wearing a mischievous smile as she turns her attention to Lennon.

“Sure, makes sense,” he says as he walks to me.

My eyes crawl up his looming frame.

“Trust me?”

I nod as I drop my purse to my side and place my key fob into his open palm.

He offers me his elbow, and I take it so he can lead me down the steps. When we reach the driveway, he stops us at my Mercedes. He clicks the button to unlock the doors and opens the passenger side for me.

“Buckle up,” he commands before turning to Wade to discuss their plans to get Lennon to the airport tomorrow.

Eden steps to my window and leans down.

“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do tonight,” she whispers.

“And what would you do?” I ask.

She glances over her shoulder and then back at me. “I’d go tiptoeing through the forest.”

Wade calls her name, and she winks at me before she stands and follows him.

The little minx. She’s a far cry from the shy girl we met only a few short months ago.

We have properly corrupted her.

Lennon slides behind the wheel, adjusts the seat and mirrors, and fastens his seat belt.

“Ready?” he asks as he pushes the switch and the car hums to life.

“Yes, sir,” I purr.

His eyes cut to me, and I swear heat flares behind them as he shifts the car into drive.

Oh, he likes that.

Well, game on. I can be a good little submissive girl when I want to be.