Page 77 of Seduced By the Mermen
Clark twirls me, and we glide across the kitchen. Well, Clark glides. I more stumble, step, glide. But it’s fun, and I laugh everytime I make a mistake. Clark’s eyes shine back at me, a twinkle in them.
And when the song is over, Alexei holds out his hand. “Come on, Boss. I want a turn.”
Another nickname and another zap of electricity spirals up my body. And I start again. Alexei’s not the same as Clark. My steps follow him. He might call me Boss, but Alexei’s steps are firm and sure. We’re doing it his way. And I kind of like it. When the music swells to a crescendo, he dips me and pulls me back into his arms, giving me a deep kiss.
There’s applause around the kitchen.
“You’re a great dancer,” Forrest says.
“Thanks.” Over Forrest’s shoulder, I see all the dishes are done. “But I wasn’t much help cleaning up.”
“This was almost as much fun as I think I could have in a kitchen,” Clark says.
“This is definitely the most fun I’ve had in a kitchen,” I say.
“Oh, I don’t know. I can think of something else that would be fun.” Clark lifts me onto the counter, and I squeal.
“That’s enough,” Sterling barks from the doorway. “It’s late, and the Portsmouth pod will want their aunt home.”
“Blair’s an adult. She doesn’t have a curfew,” Grayson says. He turns his head to me. “Do you?”
“No. I don’t,” I say, but then I catch Sterling’s glare. He clearly doesn’t want me here. It’s his house. His pod, too. “But I should be going. I don’t want them to worry.”
“They won’t be worried. I’ll message Nico right now,” Forrest pulls his block out of his pocket.
“No, Sterling’s right––”
“Sterling’s rarely right about anything,” Zion says. “You can stay if you want to, Cookie.”
“I know. Thank you. But I should go home.” I slide off the counter into Zion’s arms. I didn’t think that through verywell. Zion gives me a wicked smile, followed by an even more convincing kiss. “Whoa. I need to go, though.” I lay my head on his chest and give Zion a hug.
It takes a... a while as I give each of the guys a kiss goodbye. This isn’t like the last time I left. These aren’t polite, nice to see you again, goodbye kisses on the cheek. After I kiss Delmar, my sixth kiss and what I know will be my final of the evening, my knees are jelly and my skin’s completely on fire.
I have to get out of here now, with as little willpower as I have. “I’m ready.”
“I’m coming too,” Forrest says.
“I’m taking the Gorsca,” Sterling says.
“Oh, Castor has one of those. I don’t ride in it much, as we usually take theomada.” Theomada’sbig and roomy and makes me think of a soccer mom taking the team to practice.
Delmar laughs. “Sterling likes his vehicles.”
I nod. Holter makes fun of Castor too. A Gorsca is like a Mustang. A muscle car. A muscle sub? I’m laughing. “It only has two seats?”
“Yes,” Sterling says. “It’s faster and less identifiable to those around.”
“What Sterling is trying to say is, it has tech.” Delmar takes a towel from the counter and throws it at Sterling. He snags it out of the air and throws it back at Delmar. Delmar’s about to throw it back when Forrest steps in front of him.
“It’s safer if Sterling takes her in his Gorsca. Just don’t do anything stupid.” Forrest glares at Sterling before he turns his attention to me. “Blair, Sterling is... He’s not a bad male. But he thinks he knows more than he does.”
“That goes for you, too, Governor,” Sterling says.
“Indeed.” Forrest pulls me in for another hug. “You could stay.”
“I should go. I’ll...” I’m about to say I’ll see you soon. But I don’t know that.
“The cookies you like so much are a recipe I know how to make. Would you like me to show you?” Clark asks.
