Chapter 19 #2
I don’t know what I’d expected in uttering the words. Certainly not a thank you, more likely a terse rebuttal for the sake of doing so. But given my view of her profile, I was able to catch sight of a grateful smile.
A few seconds passed that were even more excruciating than before, but I finally turned away, heading toward the bathroom. Nothing fancy, but there was a towel laid out on the counter. I ran my fingers over the cheap terrycloth, every muscle still tense.
After turning on the water, I stripped off my clothes, unable to get my mind off her.
The thoughts were all over the place and I leaned against the counter, wishing that I could shove aside the raw feelings that had already developed for her.
Caring about her hadn’t been my intent and in truth was highly dangerous.
Just another weakness I couldn’t afford.
We were hunting for Eden after all. Time spent healing before a great battle to begin.
Peter’s words were never far from my mind. They were wise and ones even six months ago I would have shoved aside. But now, I was beginning to believe something magical was happening and would continue. But only if we worked together.
An ache developed, one so powerful I was at a momentary loss.
Her presence was easy to sense, the air in the room suddenly shifting, growing charged with a subtle, magnetic tension. After that, a jolt of electricity rushed down my spine, my pulse quickening with anticipation. I never knew what to expect with her.
There was an inexplicable pull, like gravity that commanded my complete attention, forcing me to turn around.
She hung in the doorway, her head resting on the aged wood, peering at me with a sense of hope in her eyes. Her gaze slowly fell, her breath hitching from finding me naked. “I’m sorry I’m so stubborn.”
“You, stubborn?” I allowed a slight smile, another rarity for me.
“Yeah, I know. Obviously, I have my reasons. I shouldn’t dwell on why I was abandoned, but the dream was difficult. If my mother loved me so much as indicated in the little fantasy, why abandon me?”
Tom’s words surfaced in my mind. “I don’t think she had a choice. I don’t know very much, but I understand your mom was all alone in raising you. Something tragic happened to her.”
Confusion crossed her face. “But my father called for her.”
“It could have been anyone in your dream, including a friend.”
Her sigh was heavy, enough so she puffed out her cheeks. I often forgot just how young she was, barely a woman yet very much a warrior. “What’s your real name, Rage?”
I stiffened from her question. “Memories aren’t any easier for me.”
“I know.” She took a step closer, the room suddenly crowded. “I can understand why, but after what we’ve been through, which seems like we’ve known each other for a long time, I would love to know your real name.”
“And I would love to know yours.”
“The woman in my dream used to call me her little star. I remembered that a long time ago.”
“It was one of the very few words you said before I was forced to let you go.”
“Forced.”
“Yes, forced. I was AWOL from my duties, but I’ve begun to think we didn’t and don’t have a full grip on either of our destinies.”
She nodded. “I do believe you’re right. So what is your name, soldier?”
“Oh, I’ve graduated to being a soldier now.” I placed my hand on my chest, teasing her.
“Don’t get me wrong, you’re very savage, but there is much more to you. I guess I just need to know more about you.”
“So you can trust me.”
“Maybe. I still don’t know who I am, but you do, or at least more than I’ve been made aware.
Peter told me to place my full trust in you and Wrath and Vicious and the others.
Maybe I just need to understand more about why I feel so close to you.
I can’t explain it and at first, the way I felt was absolutely the most annoying thing in the world.
I couldn’t stand the thought of being alone with you, yet my body craved every inch. Every morsel.”
Now she was so close the air was sucked from the room. With a tentative touch, she lifted her arm, taking the time to brush her fingers down my chest.
“Morsel? An unusual term.”
“But very accurate.” She leaned in, her gaze trailing behind her fingers as they dipped dangerously close to my groin.
My cock responded with an obvious twitch, which cause a slight tic to appear in the corner of her mouth.
While the best thing to do was to ignore the chemistry before our actions got out of hand, my body and raging libido had another idea in mind. I slid my arm around her, tenderly fingering every vertebra as I rubbed my hand down her back.
Her sigh was entirely different than before, providing a sensual sound that ignited the very savage inside that she was content to ignore. When I jerked her against me, a tiny but perfect moan slipped past her lips. Very slowly, she lifted her head.
“I do trust you.”
The simple statement meant more than she could understand.
I pulled her onto her toes, dropping my head at the same time.
As soon as I brushed my lips across hers, she rolled her arm over my shoulder.
I’d come to enjoy the feeling of having her in my arms more than I should.
With her breath labored, I captured her mouth.
A rough and unbridled desire settled into my system, making it almost impossible to remain gentle. Somehow, I sensed that’s what she needed. And in truth, what she deserved.
Yet she clawed at my shoulder, finally tangling her long fingers in my hair as she arched her back. The kiss had a powerful hold on me, one with far too many thoughts that had no place at this moment.
That didn’t mean I was willing to stop because at this point, I didn’t believe that was possible.
She clung to me, allowing my control to command the moment. I kissed her as if a dying man needing her oxygen, enjoying the taste of her sweet mouth. She was so warm to the touch, her skin even softer than I remembered. Or maybe I was finally allowing myself to enjoy being with her.
Her actions more tentative than I was used to, she darted her tongue against mine with every moan I captured. She could easily break my defenses, pulling me into something I’d never be able to get enough of.
When she finally pushed me away, her subtle laugh created a wave of sizzling sensations.
“Shane,” she said.
“What?”
“Your name. No, you’re not a Shane. Something more masculine. Thorn. Or Jagger. That suits you.”
Her laugh brought one to my lips. Why the hell the big secret? “Phoenix.”
“Phoenix. A legendary bird that is reborn. A mythical creature of exquisite proportions. That’s perfect for you.” She pulled away, touching her lips. “Do you know your last name?”
“Jeffers.”
The name didn’t register. At least at first.
“Wait.” Star took another step away. “Was your father Theodore Jeffers?”
I nodded only once and her eyes flashed both surprise and anger. Now, as she moved farther away, she fisted both hands. “Hold on. Your father is the reason Peter lost his entire family. Did he not know that?”
“What? What are you talking about?”
She was clearly upset, closing off from me completely.
“Yes. That’s right. Your father controlled the damn lottery and Peter begged to have his family allowed to go with him, to be able to take them to safety, but your father refused.
Oh, my God.” Recoiling, she backed all the way to the door. “What is this?”
“What do you mean?” I had an understanding of the lottery system of course but had no way of knowing how people were selected. That much I hadn’t been told.
“This is all a scam. Who are you really?”
“I just told you, although Phoenix ceased to exist when I signed my life away to the Verndari.”
“Don’t you dare give me that. You lied to me. Your family is the reason we’re in this place. Oh, my God. What is wrong with me? You duped Peter. That’s the only logical answer. Did you drug him?”
“You know better than that. Star. I was a child when the war broke out, a scared little kid. I have no idea what happened, at least not with the lottery, but my father was betrayed.”
“You mean your father betrayed everyone. Isn’t that really what you’re talking about?”
I had no idea how to counter what she was saying. Seeing the horror through her eyes pitched me into another series of unwanted memories. “Star. Let’s talk about this.”
“No. I’m finished talking. I need some time. Do me a favor and just stay the hell away from me until I can figure this out.”
She wasn’t about to give me a choice, walking out but not without shutting down her emotions.
All while she’d awakened mine.