Chapter 37 #2
The fish had made her feel... connected—connected to the old gods—and all that that implied, especially as it applied to the way some of those gods were communicating directly with survivors.
Mal’s people were diving deep into that one, determined to discover the significance of Morrigan and Sekhmet, to find out what other “old gods” were interacting with humans again in the wake of the zompocalypse.
A flash of a memory resurfaced—a dark and fathomless shape, icy skin that scorched her.
But she couldn’t chase that memory. Instead, she let it go and enjoyed her time with Frankie in the sunlight, chatting about nothing in particular.
Frankie looked at her watch. “Yo, Sleeping Beauty. Don’t you turn into a pumpkin in a few minutes?”
Allie sighed. “Walk back with me. I have plans to take Cam up to our room and seduce him—it’s the only thing I can think of that might make him relax a little.”
Frankie chuckled. “Have fun with that.” Then she sighed. “I miss sex.”
Allie gave her a sideways glance as they began heading back to the main tech building. “You seem pretty popular around here.”
“I’ve got a lot of friends, but anyone I get close to like that gets spooked because of my ability. They don’t want to touch me.” Her mouth flattened. “I mean, I’m bi, and we’re in a literal survivor scenario, so”—she threw up a hand in frustration—“shouldn’t it be easier to get laid?”
Allie laughed. “But surely there are a few people you find attractive who like you too. Who aren’t scared.”
“Oh, maybe one or two. It’s just difficult, especially with so much going on.” Frankie glanced at Allie. “It’s nice to have someone to talk to about this.”
“You can’t talk to Liam about it?” The question was a big swing, but Allie hazarded it.
“Ha!” Frankie snorted. “He does not want any part of my sex life on his conscience—he tells me that people have agendas and I should be careful. Very brotherly, very unhelpful.”
So Frankie thought of Liam as a brother? Or did she think Liam thought of her as a sister? The plot thickened.
“Do you trust Liam?”
“With my life.” Frankie nodded. “He’s been through a lot, from what little he’ll tell me. He’s the reason I’m here, and he’s my friend. He’s just... complicated.”
He’s just a weirdly protective and cagey bastard.
I’d give dozens of pot cookies to know what his life was like Before.
Out loud, Allie said, “I suppose I get that. He wants you to be safe and happy. But isn’t it possible the other person’s agenda might be just..
. you know, having sex with a willing partner? ”
Frankie nodded wistfully. “Sex with a willing partner is one of life’s great joys.”
Allie swallowed a laugh. “Preaching to the choir here, babe.”
“Anyway.” Frankie shook her head and made a face. “I’ll go to my room and masturbate before bed. Again.”
“Poor Frankie. I’d lend you Cam, but I think I broke him—he only works for me.”
“Like I’d take your sloppy seconds.” She stuck out her tongue at Allie.
As they returned to the tech buildings, Allie saw people going about their daily tasks, giving one another friendly nods.
Ripper and Ginger were working in one of the small gardens, talking animatedly.
She called out to them and raised her hand, and they waved back.
She knew Gray was inside, working with the folks in the little dispensary.
And Cam, true to his word, looked to have been on the cusp of coming to get her. He was talking to Liam near the entrance as they approached—the two men appearing calm, not agitated. Luckily, no new crisis seemed to be at hand.
Yet.
“Hey, break it up—no loitering!” Frankie called, laughter in her voice.
The two men looked over at them, and after Allie took in Cam’s crooked grin, she zeroed in on how Liam’s mouth settled into something that might have been a frown if not for the moment of unguarded, very unbrotherly yearning in his eyes, all for Frankie.
She might have imagined it, for that naked expression evaporated in a split second, replaced by his customary look of cool assessment.
Sure, Allie could have imagined it.
But she didn’t think so.
Afew hours later, Allie coaxed a clearly horny but also overly solicitous Cam into some very satisfying sex in their new room with its full-size bed—even if he had paused every few seconds at first to check if her pupils were too dilated or to make sure she didn’t feel nauseated.
She lay draped over his chest while her breathing slowed, glorying in the feeling of his pumping heart beneath her cheek.
It was comfortable there. He was sweaty, but so was she.
“See,” she said lazily, “I told you I was fine.”
A chuckle rumbled in his chest, and he ran a hand over her butt. “So very fine.”
She moved enough to flash a grin at him. “For a given value of fine.”
His eyes, heavy-lidded with pleasure, crinkled at the edges with his grin. “I should have known better than to doubt my queen.”
“Let’s remember that for the next time, sir knight,” she said, resting her cheek on him again. She slid her arm around his middle, lean but more substantial than it had been just a week ago.
Far more substantial than it had been the first time they’d touched each other like this, back in the bunker.
“You know,” he said, trailing his fingertips up and down her spine, “I’ve never thanked Morrigan. Not, like, officially.”
“Thanked Her?” She pushed herself up, propping her elbow on the mattress. “Why?”
“For... choosing me, in a way. Bringing me to you.” His eyes, a beautiful slate blue now, looked solemnly into hers. “I was thinking about making an offering. You know. Something like that.” He traced swirls on her back, ones that felt very like the pattern of the triskele.
Yes. Morrigan’s voice hummed with contentment. I do like this one.
Allie barely kept herself from laughing out loud with equal parts humor and horror, praying her facial expression didn’t give away that this conversation had gained a third participant.
I’m so glad. She tried to keep her mental voice steady. We appreciate that. And You. May we please have some privacy now?
When the hum in her head faded away, she slid back down in bed, hugging him close. “That’s lovely,” she murmured. “We’ll talk plans for an offering tomorrow.”
Tomorrow.
What a truly wonderful thought.