Part 2 (1/2)
Was she breaking up with him?
A long moment of silence embodied the cool s.p.a.ce between them, yet unspoken words volleyed back and forth inside his head like tennis b.a.l.l.s on speed.
I love you.
You betrayed me.
I need you.
You cheated on me.
I'm sorry. So sorry...
I'll never forgive you.
Zoe's sigh interrupted his maddening inner dialogue. ”I think it's best if I get my stuff and head back to Queensland today. There's nothing left for me here, and I have a whale to find in Hervey Bay.”
Another gut wrench. Could she twist the knife any harder? ”I'll take you to the airport.”
”No, you go and check on Jack and Whetu. I'll grab a taxi.”
She was breaking up with him.
Certainly wasn't a shock, given the circ.u.mstances. Sentinel circuitry took charge, and a fresh, reasonable breeze of Air directed his words. ”Then promise me you'll keep hidden-in the Dreaming and Realis. The Fyres think you're dead. You have to maintain that illusion.”
”I can hide in the Dreaming, but I won't stop working my day job. I have whales to tag. The Fyres aren't likely to look for me on the ocean anyway. I'll be fine. Don't worry about me.” She smiled and patted his cheek. He fought the urge to recoil. ”Besides, I have plenty of Water to keep me company.”
He couldn't deny that. He only wished it was the warm kind of Water that used to dominate her aura before everything went to s.h.i.+t, rather than this new, cold variety laced with a shot of despair.
Maybe she was right. She needed time and s.p.a.ce. And he needed...s.h.i.+t, he didn't know what he needed. A do-over card would be nice to play right now.
”Can I see you tomorrow?” The words came out in a desperate rush before he could put a leash on them.
Her eyes narrowed, and she took a breath. ”Yeah.”
She paused, then leaned over as if to kiss him. Instinct pulled him away, but then love shoved him forward, just in time to miss his opportunity. The dull ache in his chest flared to a sharp, jabbing point on the tiptoes of their awkward dodge-dance. She looked to the handle where her fingers twitched.
”Be careful. I'll see you later.” She yanked the lever, shouldered the panel open with a squeak, and bustled out.
”I love you,” he said softly. The words crashed into the slammed door and rebounded into him like a slap across the face.
Scarlet lay in bed, giddy.
Off with her head. The b.i.t.c.h is dead. Gavin will keep me fed, she sang to herself.
She giggled and touched the wet folds between her legs. Hot embers of victory flared again. She slid her fingers in and out. Not nearly as filling as Gavin's c.o.c.k, but it would do for now. The memories of him pounding her bareback, followed by Zoe's head cracking against the brick fireplace provided excellent visual stimulation.
Gavin had been a proper beast in bed.
I'm still inside you, Scarlet, she imagined him saying.
She plunged her fingers harder, faster, and closed her eyes to focus on the delicious rhythm. ”You liked f.u.c.king me, didn't you? You liked feeling all of me.”
Your Fire is exquisite.
”Isn't it just?” Her breaths increased as an o.r.g.a.s.m snuck up behind her.
His rich cedar scent lingered in her memory. The silky red sheets added to the sensory overload. She switched hands and licked the sweetness from her index finger, imagining it was Gavin's c.o.c.k slathered with her juices. That was all it took.
Her body ignited, and she screamed in pleasure as flame after flame scorched her. Moments later, she emerged Fire-drunk in a blazing bed. The inferno danced around her like the cage of Gavin's arms. She sucked the energy from the bonfire, drank it down, and stored it in her soul. When the high ebbed and the fire went out, she lay on the scorched remains of her bed. Black scars singed into the carpet. A beautiful, burnt aroma lingered in the air.
It was her third climax of the morning, and by far the best. Imagine how good it would have been with Gavin's flesh burning against hers.
Ah, soon.
She laughed. She'd never get out of the house today if these incessant thoughts of Gavin didn't stop taunting her. Might end up burning the whole place down.
I want you again, Scarlet, Gavin's voice whispered in her head. Zoe's dead, and soon, we'll be together forever. You as Archelemental and me as your mate. We'll steal Eidan's Fire and rule Australia side by side.
”Yes, my love. We will.”
She stood up and stretched, her body languid, though primed for yet another go. She could have wallowed in Fire all day long, but she had things to do. Time to contact her informant on the Sentinel Council to get things moving along. She grabbed her cell phone, wandered out of the bedroom through the thick haze of smoke, and dialed.
”Scarlet,” the voice said. ”What news have you?”
”Zoe Morgan is dead, by Gavin's hand.”
”Interesting.”
Scarlet snorted, then bent over with giggles. ”You should have seen the Fire rolling off him. It won't be long before it pushes him out of Balance. Might even tip him enough to turn Fyre Elemental. The Council will have no choice but to relieve him of duty, and you'll take your rightful place at its head.”
”Excellent. Pressure him with your Fyre minions. I eagerly await his fall from Yileen's precious little perch. Our only remaining task is to prevent the ascension of the whale to Archelemental. Without her, the Waeters have no hope of stopping us. And without Zoe to translate, the Waeters will be forced to promote a weaker Elemental to the position-one who should be easy to dispatch, should the need arise.”
Scarlet twisted a curly red lock around her finger. ”The Fyres are out in force, scouring the ocean from above for the whale. Gavin won't be a problem. I almost turned him after I killed Serena. Zoe's death will break him. If it hasn't already.”
”Contact me when he gets closer. And relieve him of that b.l.o.o.d.y necklace. I need it.”
”I'll be in touch soon.” She ended the call.
Let's go back to bed. What's left of it, her imaginary lover said.
Another o.r.g.a.s.m to round out her morning might be just the motivation she'd need to track Gavin down later.
”If you insist, darling.”