Page 77 of Echo and the Homicidal Sea Panda

Echo’s gaze was drawn to Mael’s Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed the next bite. He had such a sexy neck. So nibblable. His gaze lowered, noticing the tiny droplets of water on his shoulders. They caught a shaft of sunlight peeking in through a gap in the canopy and made Mael glow like a god.

My mate is so fucking hot.

Echo’s entire body tingled imagining himself straddling Mael’s lap and tasting his mate from head to toe—regardless of who was watching.

“We could go downstairs and take a nap if you’re not interested in eating,” Mael whispered near his ear, the sound sultry enough to send a tremor down Echo’s spine. From his mate’s tone, sleep wasn’t the thing he truly wanted to do. The idea of riding Mael’s cocks for the rest of the day took on newfound interest.

But the tunnel…

He dragged his gaze away. “No napping or anything else you were conspiring to do to me down there.”

“Spoil sport,” Mael said. He nudged another sandwich closer. “Eat a little something. Just a few small bites. For me.”

Echo crossed his arms over his chest, forcing himself not to stare at Mael’s gorgeous face. “I’m not chancing it.”

Diego finally made an appearance, yawning, which took Mael’s focus off him not eating. Diego sat on the bench across from them.

“Sleeping Beauty finally wakes up, hmm?” Tempest asked.

“I’m sorry. I’d planned to help. I guess I finally crashed.”

“Do you feel any better?” Echo asked.

Diego shrugged. “A little.” He glanced around at the Marinos. “No Havoc yet?”

“Not yet,” Echo said, fighting a smile as Tempest snickered. “Diego, these are Mael’s other brothers, Ravage,” he pointed at Rav. Then turned to eye the other twin, his stomach knotting. “And Storm.”

Ravage grinned. “How could you tell us apart when we’re wearing the same gear?”

“I’ve figured out your tell,” Echo said, grinning at Rav.

“Oh?”Rav asked, brows rising. “And what’s that?”

“Could be the pitiful look Storm has every time he glances at Echo,” Mael grumbled.

Storm sighed and scrubbed his face. When he lifted his head, he focused on Echo.

“I meant no offense. I’m sorry.” Storm paused, appearing to carefully choose his words. “But we’ve been supposed enemies my entire life. This is something we all have to get accustomed to.”

“I get it. There’s a learning curve,” Echo said, sensing Storm was being sincere. “For all of us. If we’re going to be…” He paused. “We need to give one another grace until we get used to this new normal.”

“If we’re going to be what?” Mael asked him.

Echo flashed Mael a look of warning and shook his head.

Mael lifted Echo’s chin with one finger. “If we’re going to be…” He rubbed his thumb over Echo’s lower lip.“Family?”

Echo’s heart clenched at the word. In just a short time, he’d witnessed the love Mael and his siblings shared. He wanted to be a part of their world and family, but he was afraid to hope for too much only to have his heart crushed in the end.

“It’s too early for us to toss that word about, especially when everyone needs time to adjust,” Echo said, pulling his chin away. His chest ached at what he stood to gain—the siblings he’d never had, almost as if he’d already lost them.

Mael kissed his forehead.

Echo looked around the silent group. He saw what looked like pity in everyone’s stare. No one spoke, and the silence grew ever more awkward. Needing to break it, Echo turned to face Diego.

“We may have found a tunnel.”

Diego’s eyes widened as he sat up straighter.“Really?”

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