knows me as well as she does.”
• • •
Something was different with Lotus.
Since the day she started working at Chill, I saw it in her expression, which was lighter. I heard it in her laughter, which was more frequent and unrestrained. The thought that maybe she’d made some sort of determination about me made me feel hopeful. Something I only ever felt when I was with her.
“You take that one,” I told Cork from my board, pointing with my chin toward the developing wave.
“It looks like a good one,” he said. “You sure you don’t want it?”
“Yeah, positive. I have the best spot in the world, right here.” I grabbed the rails of Lotus’s board and pulled her toward me.
“All right.” Cork’s voice was light, and so was his mood since we got out in the surf. It had been a while.
Things were intense with the band. Saber rode herd on us relentlessly. We gelled well together and were tight. A unit, not individuals anymore. And we all felt the pressure of the upcoming concert. It was important for the band, but also for me and Lotus.
As Cork paddled away, I placed my hand on Lotus’s thigh. Her gaze dropped to it.
“I missed you while I was working today,” I said.
“I missed you too.” Lotus covered my hand with hers, pressing my fingers deeper into her thigh. When she lifted her gaze, her eyes were darker.
I was sure mine were too. Anytime I touched her, I only wanted to touch her more, take things further, until I had my cock buried deep inside her.
“Glad the new job pays so well.” I swept my thumb in an arc over her, wishing the wet suit was her soft skin instead. “But I hate that you have to wear that skimpy uniform.”
“It’s not my favorite thing to wear.” She tilted her head, and her long wet braid slid to her back. “How was your day?”
“Too many fucking hours away from you.”
Her lips curved. I felt the brilliance of her pleasure blast warmth deep inside my heart. “I’m sure you enjoyed some of it. How’d rehearsal go?”
“Good. We have most of the kinks ironed out for the concert. Saber was his usual pain in the royal ass.”
“So, you’re ready for Surf Fest?” she asked.
“Definitely.” We were ready. I was ready, even my song.
Her smile widened. “That’s awesome.”
“Ash thinks so. He’s set up some nationally televised interviews at the venue.” He was going to make a major announcement that the Dirt Dogs and OB Hardy were going out on tour together. I gave her a firm look. “I want you to be there. Think you could swing a day off from work?”
“If you want me there, I’ll make it happen.”
“Good. I have something special planned for you.”
“You don’t have to do anything special.” Her lovely features softened. “Just seeing you do what you love, you and my brother, will make it special enough.”
“I love a lot more than just making music, babe.” My voice rumbled with the seismic truth of that statement.
“Yeah, like what?” she asked, her tone teasing.
Even though I hadn’t said the words like her yet, I think she knew.
“I’m not telling you yet. I don’t want to ruin the surprise.”
“Not sure I’m a fan of surprises.” Her eyes pinched at the edges, revealing her trepidation.
“You’ll be a fan of this one.” I nodded knowingly. “Trust me, and it’s not the only one I have planned for you.”
“I just want you,” she said, her voice husky. “Days like we’ve had together. Times in the water like this with you. Nights like our last few.”
“I agree, except for that one night when we were interrupted by Graham Hardy,” I said, making a face.
“Even with that. How is Ivy?” Lotus asked, watching me closely as if she knew what a big deal it was for me personally, my mother leaving the man I’d thought was my father. “Has Saber mentioned how she’s doing?”
“She’s good,” I said. “She dropped by the studio the other day. She likes seeing Cork, and she mentioned wanting to see you.”
Mom wanted to see me with Lotus. Cork wasn’t the only Irving she wanted in the family.
“I guess I didn’t visit a lot when I was with Saber because I never liked being around Graham,” she said. “But now that things are different, I’ll make a point to see her.”
“Good. She’ll like that.” I turned my head, watching her brother pop up and carve the shit out of a righteous wave.