Eternal

Which basically meant that Alyssa wasn’t going to get one, at least she probably assumed she wasn’t going to get one, since according to her, it was just going to be the girls, a bottle of wine, and a damn romance movie. But Nat had been going to do something else really special. She’d never told me what because she’d obviously known I’d most likely leak the info to Lyss, but I knew her plan was out.

I wanted to do something amazing.

Something she’d remember forever.

Which is why I’d texted my arch nemesis, or actually, texted my brother to gain said arch nemesis’s phone number and put our plan into action. A plan that I knew, with all of our connections, just may put a smile on Alyssa’s face.

When I parked in front of the aquarium, my cell alert went off.

Twilight: You’re gonna owe me for this.

Me: Suck it.

Twilight: Please don’t invite me to suck things. It makes me uncomfortable. Think before typing, dipshit.

Me: Sorry. Nerves.

“Who’s that?” Lyss tried looking over my shoulder.

“Alec,” I lied then typed back to Gabe.

Me: Thanks. Everything ready after the clambake?

Twilight: We’ll be ready. You sure about this?

I turned and flashed Lyss a smile.

Me: Hell yes.

Twilight: I’ll let everyone know.

“So…” Lyss smacked her lips together while I contemplated kissing the cherry ChapStick right off her and making her start over. “…what are we doing?”

“Well, I had plans to take your virginity in the back seat…” I sighed and received a punch in the shoulder. “Ouch. Careful with those claws, Simba.”

Alyssa’s eyes narrowed suspiciously.

“Seals.” I nodded. “Come with?”

Sighing, she got out of the car.

I jogged around and pulled her into my arms as we walked side-by-side into the aquarium. It was one of her favorite places in the world.

And — by association — mine.

I paid the fee to get in and grabbed the two cups of fish.

“You’re trying to cheer me up.” She tossed a fish into the tank. Kona, one of the newer seals — yes, I actually knew each by name — flapped around and tried splashing us.

“Is it working?” I elbowed her. “I mean, nothing really screams romance more than…” I lifted the fish into the air and dangled it over my mouth.

“Do it.” Her eyes flashed as she laughed out loud, the first laugh I’d heard out of her in two days. “Please?”

“Baby, you kiss this mouth.”

“I know, right?” She pushed against my chest then slid her tongue along the seam of my lips before pressing her mouth against mine. “Think of the places it’s been.”

“Or…” I licked the ChapStick off my lips. “…the places it will go.”

“Cute. You came up with a sexual innuendo with fish in your hands.”

“It’s basically impossible to diminish my game.” I gave a serious nod. “You should know this by now.”

“Eat the fish.”

“Will you kiss me later?”

“Maybe.”

“Lyss...” I chuckled. “…that’s not how these things work, baby. I give a little something — you give a little something.”

“You want a little something?” Her eyebrows shot up.

“Damn straight, I do.” I was thinking a little flash of red bra, maybe some heavy petting against the cement wall, skinny dipping. Damn, I should stop before people assumed seals got me hot and bothered. The media would love that.

Alyssa tilted her head back and gave a soft laugh. Her dark brown hair framed her perfectly angled face. Blue eyes flashing, she backed away slowly and held up her finger.

“Oh, am I supposed to just wait here?”

“You want your prize?” she called over her shoulder. “You’ll wait.” She lifted her shirt just enough to give me a tease of her bare back then sauntered off.

I damn-near had drool running down my chin.

Yeah, getting married really couldn’t happen soon enough.

I glanced back at the seals; each of their beady eyes were focused in on my fish cup with absolute rapture.

“I know that look well, fellas.” I nodded and leaned against the fence. “I wear it every day I can’t strip that woman naked and have my way with her. But I have less than twenty-four hours left, whereas you… are at my mercy.” I dangled the fish over the water and dropped. “Holy shit, I’m talking about my sex life to seals.”

When the mighty fall, they don’t just collapse. Hell no. They freaking jump off a ledge, belly-flop onto cement, then look up and go, “Again!”

I dumped two more fish into the water then glanced up as Alyssa’s footsteps neared.

Nothing looked different.

“What?” I tilted my head. “Chicken out? No striptease? Man, not even any boob. It’s like you’re too afraid to show me—”

She shoved something into my right hand.

Something lacey.

I looked down and almost passed out into the seal tank.

A black lace thong.

Her black lace thong.

Holy shit, it was still warm from her body.

“Ah—” My voice cracked like I was twelve.

“So…” Alyssa wrapped her dainty arms around my neck. “…I gave a little. Eat the damn fish, Demetri. That’s how these things work, don’t they?”