Stripped Love (Guys Next Door #1) - Baylin Crow Page 0,57

been to this one countless times and never missed a visit when there was a new exhibit added.

"The Georgia Aquarium?" I asked in surprise.

He parked the car and gave me an uncertain look. "I cheated and asked your uncle where you might want to go, but we can go somewhere else if you want. I know you're struggling with your storyline." He shrugged. "I thought it was a good idea. Maybe you could find some inspiration or something. Dumb idea?"

A flutter filled my belly at the thoughtful gesture. "No, this is absolutely perfect. I just hadn't told you I loved them, so… thank you, Phoenix."

He reached behind my neck, tugging me across the console. The first press of his lips to mine was a drug. Addiction at its finest. When I attempted to deepen the kiss, he chuckled and pulled away. "Play time later. It's time to get to work."

He popped his door open, grabbed a green backpack from the cramped backseat and stepped out.

With excitement pumping through my veins, I hopped out and met him in front of the car. We put both our phones and wallets in the pack. He wove his fingers through mine and walked by my side as we headed toward the double glass doors at the entrance.

"Have you been here before?" I asked and glanced at him.

While adjusting the straps over his shoulders, he shook his head. "Nope, I'm planning on you being my tour guide."

After grabbing our tickets, I refused the map. Having visited multiple times, I knew exactly where I wanted to start. He laughed when I grabbed his hand, walking faster than usual as we wound around people and the smaller exhibits.

"Where are we headed?" Phoenix asked from behind me.

I flashed him a grin over my shoulder. "You'll see."

Even someone who didn't typically enjoy the aquatic experience could appreciate our destination.

I paused at the entrance to the tunnel. "This place is unbelievable. It's my absolute favorite part."

"Then lead the way." He grinned and squeezed my hand.

We stepped into the clear acrylic tunnel buried at the bottom of the massive tank. The temperature dropped, and the view surrounding us from all sides was pure beauty. It was like entering the middle of the sea, submerged beneath the waves where you could appreciate the wonders hidden below from every angle.

I glanced at Phoenix who was lit with a light blue glow, like everyone else in the tunnel, to gauge his reaction as a twenty-five foot whale shark lazily swam overhead. His mouth dropped. "Holy shit."

"Right? I love it here." I hummed in contentment when he wrapped an arm around my waist from behind as we claimed a free space by the glass. My attention bounced from the schools of smaller fish to the large and small manta rays. Sharks of various types and a giant grouper, among so many other sea creatures, swam in the expansive enclosure, creating a colorful, dizzying blend of pure magic.

Phoenix jerked back when another whale shark swam close to the tunnel. Had the wall not been between us, we'd have been able to almost touch his spotted skin.

I gripped Phoenix's arm banded around my waist and he leaned into me, propping his chin on top of my shoulder. "This is fucking amazing. I can see why you like it so much."

"It doesn't matter how many times I visit. It never gets old," I admitted as I bathed in the comfort of his steady breathing pressed against my back.

A huge sea turtle lazily swam by and checked us out.

"You think these guys think we are the exhibits?" Phoenix asked.

I shrugged and dragged him to a newly vacated spot where there was a better view. "Maybe they think we are just lowly air breathers. I'm starting to feel judged."

His chest vibrated against my back as he chuckled.

We stopped to study the ocean life for another fifteen minutes from several vantage points as we made our way through the tunnel.

Once we reached the end, I led him around the vast building. From seahorses and alligators to sea otters and penguins, I drank in the sights. A warm glow bloomed in my chest when I peeked at Phoenix at each stop. He appeared thoroughly entranced, slowing us down to read each plaque.

"How did I not know male seahorses carry the babies?" he wondered aloud.

"They also eat them," I tacked on in case he didn’t know that either.

He scowled in disgust. "That's morbid as hell. What the fuck, Arch? And here I was