Page 79 of Seduced By the Mermen
“Because dinner doesn’t mean I sleep over there.”
“That’s not how things work here. Actually, that’s not how things work in the human dating world either.”
“I can make my own rules.”
“Mom, you snuck into the bedroom where Zion was fake-healing. You ended up in the guest room bed after you had a fit about the glass elevator. So tell me what happened. Why are you here?”
“I really need to stop telling you things.” I hold the teacup up to my lips.
“Yes, you do. But since you haven’t yet, you don’t need to stop today. What happened?”
“Sterling.”
“Oh, the big cranky one.”
“Yes.”
I fill her in on how amazing the observatory was and how I really got to deepen my connections with Forrest, Delmar, and Alexei. Learning little things about them. “Sterling’s dead set against things working out. I don’t think he likes me.” But then, him calling me Little One makes me pause.
“Is it you he doesn’t like, or the idea of a new mate?” Marlee pours herself a cup of tea and takes the stool next to me. “And do you like the rest of them enough to spend the time workingon getting Sterling to either like you or like the idea of having a mate again?”
“How did you get so smart?”
“You... well, you and a whole lot of smutty books.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“Cool, but what are you going to do?” She picks up her mug.
“I don’t know.”
“I’m going to go get ready to go see Kai. It’s really a shame to waste all this quiet, though. Maybe I’ll just stay here.”
“Marlee!”
“Okay, you’re right. I should go out into the world and see things. Or rather, see the Portsmouth-pod-approved things.” Marlee holds her hand up. “And before you say it, I’m good. I know I can leave the city if I want to. But I don’t want to. I’d just like a little bit of alone time. But I have it. Or I almost have it.” She cocks her head at me.
And I laugh. I’ve disappointed my daughter by not sleeping with seven guys. This really is a different world than I’m used to. The shades are open, and two of Annabelle’s sharks swim slowly by the window. They’re keeping an eye on me, and I no longer find it strange. I don’t even find it strange when Annabelle takes me somewhere else and we look out the window and her third shark, Mickey, swims by. Watching the sharks makes me think about last night. Though everything I do today makes me think about last night. Laughing and dancing with the guys in the kitchen.
My block buzzes. It’s nice to have one, even though this morning I accidentally hit a button and switched it over to Dorian. Holter changed it back for me before he left with AD. I look at the name on it and hesitate. But I guess I should answer.
“Hello?”
“Blair, this is Kade. Kade Driftwood.”
Chapter 32
Zion
Ipound on my tablet. I need to work, but I can’t stop thinking about how everything went down tonight. I’d really hoped, when Clark took Blair to the observation area with Sterling, they might have a breakthrough with the blue whale of a male.
“What did that tablet ever do to you?” Clark asks as he sits down next to me.
“Nothing, but it’s better than taking it out on Sterling.” I put my tablet down on the sofa between us because I’m not getting any work done tonight. I should go to sleep and get back into the office tomorrow morning.
“Is he back yet?” Clark asks.
“No.” And yes, I’ve been watching the door since he left. I’m not sure why. I’m not going to get through to him. I haven’t been able to help him since... well, ever. “What are we going to do about him?”
