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“You know, I think one day you’re going to find a person who really needs you,” I whispered to Nugget. “Not that I don’t love you to pieces, but I just have a feeling you won’t need Waffles or me anymore once that person appears.”

Nugget did that adorable head tilt dogs do as he listened, only to sneeze loudly at my prediction.

“Scoff all you want, little man, but don’t be surprised if I end up being right,” I warned him, kissing his nose.

“What are you right about?” Lysse asked, sliding in beside me and tossing his arm over my shoulders.

“Oh, nothing, just a secret between Nugget and me,” I said, leaning against him.

He looked between us and shrugged, deciding it wasn’t worth the effort to pull the truth out of me.

Once everyone was on the boat, Mitch released the ties, backed us out of the slip, and gunned it. I squealed in surprise, clamping a hand down on my hat before it flew off. The gentle breeze was no longer with Mitch behind the wheel, looking completely at ease with how fast we were moving across the open water. Ocean mist sprayed around us as we crashed into swells, making me glad I’d chosen the blue dress instead of the white one since I wasn’t wearing a bra.

Mitch didn’t take us to the same dock we used when we first arrived. Instead, it was further up the coast. Warrick pulled up a map on his phone and showed me where the town we planned to check out was. “You see, Care Bear, they want to keep the tourists in one area near the airport. However, if you want to experience the authentic Prio Gria, you go where the locals hang out.”

“Won’t they be mad we’re there?” I asked.

“Nah, we have Mitch with us. He’ll make sure we don’t do something stupid,” Warrick assured me.

We finally started to slow as Mitch headed for a busy dock full of all kinds of boats. Some were private while others clearly transported goods to and from the area. The atmosphere was lively with people coming and going or hawking their wares. Mitch pulled into an open slip, tossing a rope to a young boy who caught it and tied off the line. It was easy to see how comfortable Mitch was on and off the boat as he leaped off to secure the back of the boat.

“All clear, you guys can come ashore,” Mitch called.

Yun-Sun caught me and deposited me on the dock, quickly followed by Waffles, who shook himself from nose to tail with passion.

“Fuss,” I ordered, bringing him to heel and alerting my companion it was time to go to work.

Instantly, Waffles was alert and ready, standing by my side where he would be until I told him differently.

“Wow, that’s one well-trained dog,” Mitch commented, regarding my wooly mammoth with a whole new appreciation.

Smiling, I stroked Waffles’ head. “Yeah, he's the bestest boy who keeps me safe and alive.”

I caught Mitch glance at my scar, but just as quickly, he looked away again. There was nothing I could do about people looking, but what I could control is how it made me feel. The only opinions I cared about were my family’s and the five men who held the pieces of my heart. Mitch was a stranger I probably won’t ever meet again, so there was no reason to invest time worrying.

“So Warrick says you’re our tour guide today?” I asked, changing the topic.

Mitch stuffed his hands into the pockets of his board shorts. “That’s the plan. Figured we’ll get some food, take you to see the sights, and do a little shopping if that interests you?”

“Sounds like an excellent afternoon,” I said, excited to explore this beautiful place.

The small island the resort was on didn’t represent the lush splendor that was Prio Gria. Firstly, it was an island fifty times bigger with mountains and a dormant volcano which made the soil incredibly fertile. Mitch brought us into the dockside town where most people were on motorbikes or ATVs with a few trucks full of supplies driving down the main two-lane street. The stores spilled out onto the streets with vendors selling what was fresh for the day before you even entered the shop.

Warrick bought a small sack full of some crazy-looking fruit that he peeled to reveal the bright pink flesh. “Here, Care Bear, take a bite.”

Leaning in, I bit down, only to have fruit juice start to run down my chin. Quickly, I took my bite and pulled back, laughing as hot pink juice covered my hand as I tried to wipe it off my face. Warrick’s hand shot out, grabbed the back of my neck, fisted my hair, and urged me to look up. My whole body froze as I felt Warrick’s tongue glide up my neck.

“Hmm, so sweet,” he murmured, then continued to clean up the mess I made.

My hands fisted the fabric of my sundress. I tried to remember we were in public, and I couldn’t just fuck him right here on the street, no matter how badly I wanted to.

“There, all clean,” Warrick whispered in my ear, his lips brushing over his mark. My body trembled as my underwear was now drenched from the near climax the touch of his lips brought.

Warrick stepped back grinning like a fool and licked off more pink juice from his thumb. “Want some more?”

Scowling, I decided to get my own version of revenge for that stunt. “Gib laut,” I commanded.

Waffles let out a deep warning bark from behind Warrick, making the Alpha jump and drop the fruit. I gave a triumphant smile. “No, thank you. I think I’ve had all the sweetness I can handle for now.”