control it the way I should. It got out of hand. Before I
felt it fizzle out completely, I had a complete knowledge of exactly where we
are. Since then, we’ve drifted a bit, so I know the general area but not the
exact coordinates.”
“Then the Coast Guard will tell us how to get home. I’m sure
when we contact them they’ll know what to do.”
“That’s just it. We got here cause of me. Not the boat.
Jonah had to decommission this baby over the winter for repairs. The battery
hasn’t been reinstalled. No calling the Coast Guard. No GPS. No navigation.”
“We can’t start the boat.” Ray paused but the short moment
of frustration lifted. “I’ve circumvented the starter in plenty of cars. I’m
sure this engine can’t be much different.”
“Where exactly will you go if you could start it?” Clarissa
shook her head. “You have never spent time on a boat. You can’t drive this
thing especially if you have no idea which way to point us.”
“Just turn it around, face the way we came.” He sank onto
the bed next to her. His legs tired and his dread built. Somehow he knew she’d
bring more bad news even if her fresh-water scent was welcome in the middle of
all this salt-laden H 2 O.
“We’ve tossed and turned on the waves. I don’t know which
way to head back to Savannah. If my water talent weren’t stifled right now, I
could get us home.” She shrugged and with her hands still tucked beneath her,
frowned at her knees. “If we wait a bit, maybe I’ll regain enough strength to
pinpoint where we are.”
“I should pull Vince back in, then. If we’re going to be
sitting out here for a few hours.” He didn’t move, though. He stayed next to
her. He’d give her his strength if he could. Just open up a vein and pour it
into her. But that was impossible.
“It could be longer than that. Much longer.”
“Let me be sure I got this straight. We’re stranded out here
on this boat you pushed along the water. We’re lost. Can’t call for help. We
have a passed-out, ultra-talented strategist tied to us in a life raft, who,
while his powers have been drained can’t do much, is also in danger along with
us because we can’t call for help. I might be able to spark the engine to life
with my fire, but I won’t know which way to head back toward the coast. I could
take us to Europe if we don’t starve first.”
“Right.” Clarissa nodded almost cheerfully.
“And your power is fritzed. You’re sure?” Ray’s heart
pounded in his chest and he didn’t dare admit the real reason he asked her this
question. He couldn’t face it. Not after so many years of denying his sexual
needs.
Celibate. How had he become this man? A man who hadn’t
touched a woman in fourteen bleak years devoid of the flame of passion? A man
whose fire had been banked for countless hours? A growl rose in his chest but
he gripped it before it escaped.
“I haven’t felt this out of touch with water since before
puberty.” She frowned at her knees again and the anguish in her words broke
something inside him. Barriers fell as if burned to ash and washed away by a
fresh spring rain.
“Clarissa,” he whispered.
Her face turned toward his. Water shimmered amid the blue.
His thumb reached to the corner of her eye to catch any tears, but she didn’t
let them fall. “You’re the strongest woman I know.”
“Not strong enough.” She swallowed hard. The movement was
both elegant as her smooth throat worked, and raw, as she battled the same
intense hunger that flared to life between them.
“For now. Right now. There is no danger in seeing.” Ray let
his palm caress her cheek and slowly fan down her throat and over her shoulder.
Her silky shirt teased him with a hint of the soft flesh beneath. “Seeing how
this thing between us might feel. If your powers are subdued, we won’t flash
out of control. We can’t connect on a partnership level.”
“Are you saying you want to fuck me, Ray Cinder?”
Chapter
felt it fizzle out completely, I had a complete knowledge of exactly where we
are. Since then, we’ve drifted a bit, so I know the general area but not the
exact coordinates.”
“Then the Coast Guard will tell us how to get home. I’m sure
when we contact them they’ll know what to do.”
“That’s just it. We got here cause of me. Not the boat.
Jonah had to decommission this baby over the winter for repairs. The battery
hasn’t been reinstalled. No calling the Coast Guard. No GPS. No navigation.”
“We can’t start the boat.” Ray paused but the short moment
of frustration lifted. “I’ve circumvented the starter in plenty of cars. I’m
sure this engine can’t be much different.”
“Where exactly will you go if you could start it?” Clarissa
shook her head. “You have never spent time on a boat. You can’t drive this
thing especially if you have no idea which way to point us.”
“Just turn it around, face the way we came.” He sank onto
the bed next to her. His legs tired and his dread built. Somehow he knew she’d
bring more bad news even if her fresh-water scent was welcome in the middle of
all this salt-laden H 2 O.
“We’ve tossed and turned on the waves. I don’t know which
way to head back to Savannah. If my water talent weren’t stifled right now, I
could get us home.” She shrugged and with her hands still tucked beneath her,
frowned at her knees. “If we wait a bit, maybe I’ll regain enough strength to
pinpoint where we are.”
“I should pull Vince back in, then. If we’re going to be
sitting out here for a few hours.” He didn’t move, though. He stayed next to
her. He’d give her his strength if he could. Just open up a vein and pour it
into her. But that was impossible.
“It could be longer than that. Much longer.”
“Let me be sure I got this straight. We’re stranded out here
on this boat you pushed along the water. We’re lost. Can’t call for help. We
have a passed-out, ultra-talented strategist tied to us in a life raft, who,
while his powers have been drained can’t do much, is also in danger along with
us because we can’t call for help. I might be able to spark the engine to life
with my fire, but I won’t know which way to head back toward the coast. I could
take us to Europe if we don’t starve first.”
“Right.” Clarissa nodded almost cheerfully.
“And your power is fritzed. You’re sure?” Ray’s heart
pounded in his chest and he didn’t dare admit the real reason he asked her this
question. He couldn’t face it. Not after so many years of denying his sexual
needs.
Celibate. How had he become this man? A man who hadn’t
touched a woman in fourteen bleak years devoid of the flame of passion? A man
whose fire had been banked for countless hours? A growl rose in his chest but
he gripped it before it escaped.
“I haven’t felt this out of touch with water since before
puberty.” She frowned at her knees again and the anguish in her words broke
something inside him. Barriers fell as if burned to ash and washed away by a
fresh spring rain.
“Clarissa,” he whispered.
Her face turned toward his. Water shimmered amid the blue.
His thumb reached to the corner of her eye to catch any tears, but she didn’t
let them fall. “You’re the strongest woman I know.”
“Not strong enough.” She swallowed hard. The movement was
both elegant as her smooth throat worked, and raw, as she battled the same
intense hunger that flared to life between them.
“For now. Right now. There is no danger in seeing.” Ray let
his palm caress her cheek and slowly fan down her throat and over her shoulder.
Her silky shirt teased him with a hint of the soft flesh beneath. “Seeing how
this thing between us might feel. If your powers are subdued, we won’t flash
out of control. We can’t connect on a partnership level.”
“Are you saying you want to fuck me, Ray Cinder?”
Chapter
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