Page 6 of Sailing with a Dolphin

Peter chuckled softly. “No. Can’t hurt.” He reached out and took them, immediately bringing them to his nose to take a sniff. His smile warmed. “They smell wonderful.” With another shy look, Peter admitted, “Never had a guy bring me flowers. Thank you.”

Pisces grinned. “Glad you like them.”

With a nod, Peter stepped back. “Let me just put these in some water. Then we can leave.” He beckoned with his free hand. “I know grandma left behind a couple of vases.”

Stepping into the house, Pisces peered around with interest. “Your grandma?” The home had older furnishings, and it obviously hadn’t been remodeled in a while, but it appeared clean and gave off warm, welcoming vibes.

“Yeah,” Peter confirmed, leading the way down the hallway toward the back. “My grandma left the house to me when she passed.” Reaching the kitchen, Peter glanced over his shoulder, a fond expression on his gorgeous features. “That was over six years ago now.” His gaze swept over the kitchen’s furnishings, pausing on an obviously old and chipped cow cookie jar. “I’m not much for decorating, so other than the master, I kept most everything as is.”

“It’s very homey,” Pisces told him honestly. “I bet you made a lot of fond memories in this place.”

“Yeah.” Peter’s smile turned a little vacant for a few seconds. Then he seemed to shake himself out of whatever thoughts had overtaken him. “So. A vase.”

Chapter Three

As soon as Peter placed the roses in water and gave them one more deep sniff, he thanked Pisces again. Then he led the way out of the house. Peter needed to get the handsome man out of his home before he did something stupid—like beg him to fuck him.

Peter knew Pisces would be more than happy to do it. The hungry expression on the shifter’s features—looks he was giving Peter every time he didn’t think he was looking—was a dead giveaway. Each time Peter turned back to him, Pisces schooled his features into a warm smile.

Pisces was obviously trying to be a gentleman, which Peter appreciated. While Peter understood the whole shifter-mate dynamic, he wasn’t quite ready to just jump in with both feet. He’d watched Colton work hard to win Waylon’s affection, and he wanted a little of that.

To that end, Peter led the way out of the house and stopped on the front porch to pull on his jacket. The evenings weren’t too cold, yet, but Pisces had warned that he drove an open-toppedJeep. Taking in the dark green vehicle, Peter appreciated the warning.

“So, uh, where are we going?” Peter asked curiously.

Pisces took Peter’s hand and began leading him to his ride. His fingers were strong and lightly calloused. He squeezed gently before lifting Peter’s knuckles to his lips and kissing them, causing the hairs on Peter’s arms to stand on end.

“Waylon gave me a couple of ideas,” Pisces told him without truly answering. “But if there’s something you’re in the mood for”—he paused and opened the passenger side door for him—”or not in the mood for, please let me know.”

To Peter’s surprise, Pisces then helped him into the vehicle. The shifter even leaned into theJeepand buckled his belt for him. The move caused a sliver of discomfort to ease through Peter.

“You know I’m not a girl, right?” Peter scowled a little when he saw Pisces’s surprised expression. “I’ve been buckling my own seatbelt for a long time, Pisces.”

Pisces grinned widely, the expression transforming his already handsome features to stunning. His hazel eyes twinkled in the evening light, and his straight white teeth gleamed. After casting a pointed look at Peter’s crotch, Pisces met his gaze again and winked.

“Oh, Peter,” Pisces rumbled, his expression turning heated. “I know you’re not a girl.” He focused pointedly at Peter’s lap once more, and Peter felt his blood heat and his half-hard prick twitch a bit, threatening to fill. Pisces hummed and licked his lips before focusing on Peter’s face again and saying, “Getting your door and taking care of your belt has nothing to do with thinking you’re a girl and everything to do with taking care of you, my mate.” With a shrug, Pisces told him, “It’s a shifter thing, sweetheart. If it bothers you, I’ll try to refrain, though.”

Peter’s blood had begun to burn in response to Pisces’s openly hungry looks, and he had to clear his throat in order to manage a response. “Um, well.” It suddenly occurred to Peter that he’d never had a boyfriend worried about his health and safety before. It was actually kind of nice. “I may be able to get used to it.”

Pisces offered him a winning smile. “Okay.” Then he lightly traced his forefingers along Peter’s jaw before drawing away and closing the door.

Watching Pisces round the front of theJeep, Peter nibbled his bottom lip. That light, gentle touch made Peter’s nipples bead, and he realized he really wanted Pisces to touch him in other places. Peter rubbed his palms on his thighs, trying to get his racing pulse under control.

If this is how Colton made Waylon feel, how did he resist him for so long?

Of course, Waylon had just been getting out of a controlling and manipulative relationship. Colton had understood Peter’s friend’s need to regroup a little before jumping into another relationship.

“So, uh, what places were you thinking?” Peter asked as Pisces climbed behind the wheel.

The shifter hadn’t really said.

“Waylon said you’re a fan of seafood,” Pisces stated while putting the key in the ignition. He didn’t start it, though. Instead, Pisces turned his attention to Peter. “He also said you never say no to Italian, steak, or Mexican. Are you in the mood for something in particular?” Smiling at him, Pisces offered, “Or should I just pick one of my favorites?”

“Well, I had Mexican for lunch,” Peter admitted. He’d stopped at a taco truck with Ryley partway through his shift. “But any of the others would be fine.”

Pisces nodded once. “Got it.” Then he started theJeepand put it into gear. As he peered over his shoulder and backed out of Peter’s driveway, he told him, “If you don’t mind a short wait, there’s an amazing seafood place I know on the pier. Not fancy, but always fresh.” Stopping to shift into drive, Pisces winked at him. “Amazing fried calamari.”

Peter’s mouth began to water. “I love fried calamari.” He suddenly wanted it so bad. “I don’t mind a wait.”

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