Swimming for Air

by Winnie Winkle

  Hot liquid flowed in her gut. It took all she had to breathe.

  Stepping back, Rafi said to them both, “I cannot vouch for Pirro, he answers to only himself.” His slow smile at her made her quiver, and the smile grew as he turned away, stepping around the corner and vanishing.

  Theo watched Pirro disengage from Tina and head around the same corner, gone in the way of the Djinn. I hope.

  Chapter Six

  Boggus expected it to go sideways, but the little protest went off with no incident. They worked the crowd and talked with most of the protestors. I can’t do much because of my being a cop but damned if I don’t feel they have a point.

  Climbing into their unmarked car, they sat for a few minutes, typing their notes into their laptops. Boggus ran a background on Theo and read it through. He and his little sister grew up in Crystal River. She was seven years younger. He’d graduated, gotten an AA in Criminal Justice, worked a couple years as a corrections officer, gone back and gotten a BS in Criminology. He’d headed west, worked for a county in New Mexico before taking the Sheriff’s job in Magic. Magic, New Mexico. That is one hell of a coincidence. I need to talk to John Mickelson.

  He passed the laptop over to Murph, finger jabbing at the locale. “Huh. Think he’s mixed up in this?”

  “Or cleaning up her mess, maybe. We don’t have a crime, but I’m telling you, Boggus, the two big skids are wicked sheisty. I’d bet a month’s pay.”

  “Not a bet I’d take, Murph.”

  “My grandmother would call them Gean cánach.”

  Boggus raised an eyebrow.

  “Magical creatures, faeries, but men, and they plow through the women.”

  “Magical creatures who don’t show up in photographs and can vanish without a trace? I’m feeling like your Granny there, Murph.”

  THEO LOOKED AT HIS phone, surprised at the local number, and answered.

  “Evening.”

  “This is Detective Boggus, we met earlier today? Wondered if you might drive over to see me. Our reports from the reservoir explosion mirror an incident that happened in your jurisdiction.”

  “Yup, I noticed that too. Not sure how much help I can be though. It was the damndest thing.”

  “I’ll text you the address. Appreciate the professional courtesy, I know you’re on vacation.”

  “What was that about?” Sylvia pulled on her beer as they sat out in lawn chairs in the front yard with MP, taking in the evening breeze. “Thanks, too, for fixing the kitchen window.”

  “You’re at war with yourself; I experienced the same thing. Weird things will happen. When they do, take care of it right away. The less that people, like your landlord or neighbors, know or notice, the better. Some of it will be tough to explain.” Theo finished his beer and stood up. “Your friend the detective wants to see me. He’s dug up the info on that shock wave a Djinn let loose in Magic, and he gets they are the same trick. He’s sharp. I dunno if he’s just asking for my input or if he’s gonna shake me down. I may be a while.”

  “Should I worry?”

  “Nope. My story will not change, and it’s not like if they knew the truth they’d believe or understand it. There are two worlds, Sis, they don’t meet in the middle often. Mom was unusual, to say the least.”

  Theo headed inside, coming out ten minutes later showered and in a clean shirt.

  “No shave?”

  “I’m on vacation, Kid.” He bent down, kissed the top of her head, then swung into the convertible “If I’m not home by 10:00 tomorrow morning, and you can’t reach me, you call Boggus and raise hell. Just remember, you are who you were a week ago, not what you are becoming. Remain disciplined.”

  “I’m a scientist. I breathe discipline. Love you.”

  “I know you do. Love you, too.”

  His car was barely around the curve before Rafi walked into her line of sight. Why, oh, why can’t I maintain with this man? I’m a lust puddle and he’s at least a hundred yards away. She watched his easy, slim-hipped walk. I am frozen in this chair; I can’t look away.

  “You said I couldn’t break in, so I am asking you to invite me,” he said, voice low, taking her hand and pulling her to her feet. “Invite me in, love. It is time.”

  Sylvia’s eyes blazed the blue he’d seen in the doorway, and Rafi felt an unfamiliar sense flow through him, a thread of wondering who was inviting whom, and to where. She nodded, lost in the connection.

  “Come in, Rafi. I cannot stem this tide.”

  The door latched closed and Sylvia said, “Go to bed, Puddles. All is well.”

  As the dog settled in with his toy, Rafi lifted Sylvia until she straddled him, carrying her into her bedroom while kissing her temple, jawline and, as she tipped her head back, he ran his tongue along her throat, enjoying her shiver. Her eyes sought his.

  I am losing myself, I who have never done more than take. My blood quivers for her, living and dying with her every heartbeat.

  Balancing her on his hips, he leaned back, unbuttoning her top with deliberate, lingering intent, sliding it off in slow motion as his hands followed the soft sculpt of her arms, before dropping it to the floor. Her bra fluttered down. Lifting her, he ran his tongue from her belly to her breastbone, letting his stubble rub across her taut nipples, then kissing the scratch away. He punished with teeth, then repaired with firm lips and a vibrato tongue as she squirmed against his hard cock.

  “Do you want me, love?”

  The blue washed over him, sliding his feet from their anchors, flowing him into her sea. “I want you, Rafi,” her soft answer poured across him as he tumbled.

  I have always known every second, orchestrated each moment, fed only myself in each interaction. What is happening?

  Her shorts slid down as he laid her on the bed, his own shirt and jeans shucked and landing beside them. His internal war, both to take and to savor, began; he teased and touched her, lost in the sea of her eyes. Kissing the length of Sylvia’s beautiful back, Rafi flipped her, kissing her inner thighs, while exploring her flower, then penetrating with intention, two fingers driving into her G-spot, creating a rhythm. Her back arched in pleasure, and he felt her tighten and pulse around him.

  His hair spilling over her belly and breasts, he murmured, “That’s one.”

  Her skin glowed with a light sheen of sweat, and to Rafi, she appeared silvery blue, alight with the sparkle of the sea. His fingers traced the sheen, writing his name across her belly and over her heart before turning his attention to her flower once more. Her hands gripped his hair as he massaged her clitoris with his tongue, and he could not shake the sensation of falling into Sylvia’s wetness, as if she herself were the source, the beginning, the bounty of water. He rode her waves of orgasm, drowning in her pleasure.

  Breathing the air her release fed him, he whispered into her wellspring, “That’s two.”

  He pulled himself up next to her and rolled them, feeling her wetness cover him as she slid across him without taking him within.

  “Sylvia, do you want me?”

  The blaze of blue stole his breath, and he lay, airless, feeling joy pulse over him. I have never felt this, this human emotion. I see, no — feel, for the first time — the wonderment of love.

  Sylvia raised her hips, fitting him to her in slow motion, lowering herself to take him all. “I do, Rafi. I want to be one with you.”

  She rode him, lost in the building sensation, her incredible sheen, the eyes that buoyed him in her mounting seas. He gripped her hips and ass and she quickened, heading to a climax, writhing, thriving on his gift to her, tipping and shuddering, then collapsing on his chest, her quivers moving him in both body and mind.

  Bending his upper body to reach her lips, Rafi kissed her, with lingerings softness, back to reality. Sylvia’s little smile caught him, and she whispered, “That’s three.”

  His laugh rumbled from his chest, and he watched, surprised, as she climbed off him and held out her hand. “Come on.”

  “I deny
you nothing,” he murmured, rising.

  Sylvia led the way to her bath, and started the shower, testing the temp, then pulling him in with her. It was a decent-sized shower, but Rafi was a big man. “It’s a snuggly shower,” she teased, exploring his body, her hands slick with soap.

  Rafi leaned back against the tiles, watching the water dance with her back as she washed him, enjoying her unhurried exploration. A slim fingertip slipped into his butt and he jumped as the shower walls bounced her low laughter through the water droplets.

  Sliding down, Sylvia washed his legs and feet. Rising, she rinsed him all over, running her hands over his arms and chest, cupping water to cascade over his abs, then kneeling again to sluice the water off his legs, Looking up, blue eyes locked on his, he watched her take him in her mouth as the water cascaded over her head, across his belly and the base of his cock. Her mouth, warm and wild like a Florida storm, moved all over him, teasing every nerve, driving his mind to the brink.

  He snatched her up against the shower wall and entered her, straining for control and failing, every thrust trying to reach her core, feeling her need. Balls clenched and mind blanking out, Rafi came, the water blessing them as they throbbed, solidified, one.

  Chapter Seven

  The door banged, waking them, the slow smiles of connected lovers punctuating the moment. Theo tapped on her door.

  “You awake?”

  “Be out in a minute, Theo. Can you take Puddles out?”

  He’s out here? Then I know who’s in there. Dammit.

  “Come on, MP. Let’s get your morning started right.”

  Rafi kissed her as he shifted, rippling his smoke over her curves and through the window. Theo eyed his vanishing smoke, whistling for Puddles. She’s close to thirty. It’s her choice and not my business. Damned Djinns.

  Sylvia had coffee and bacon started when he came in, so Theo popped in the toast, grabbed the tomatoes from the fridge, then snitched a cup.

  “It’ll be strong.”

  “I haven’t slept.”

  Sylvia blew out a sigh, faced him square and said, “I haven’t either.”

  Theo gave her a crooked grin. “You happy?”

  Her eyes blew into blue seas, and Theo’s grin filled in. “Hearts are what they are, Sis. When you find a connection, it’s yours and you get to swim in it for as long as you can.”

  Her smile said volumes. “You are the best big brother, Theo. I love you.”

  “I love you too. Want to hear about my night?”

  “Yes!”

  “I met up with Boggus and Murphy, who I’m not a hundred percent sure is a hundred percent human. He’s got a touch of something in his woodpile. I’m sure it helps him be a good cop. Anyway, a guy named John Mickelson was there too. We’d met. Mickelson was part of the team that came out to Magic after the alien incident.”

  “How can you tell about Murphy? Will I be able to do that?”

  “If someone releases you from your spell, the short answer is yes.”

  “And there are aliens?”

  Theo rubbed his forehead. “Hundreds of worlds full. The next time you come to Magic, you’ll meet some. Can I go on now?”

  Holy crap! Sylvia grabbed the pot and refilled their cups. “Yes, please. I know Mickelson. He’s an engineer, specializes in geological abnormalities. My firm worked with him on a couple of projects.”

  “He mentioned that, and he’s read your published work. This was the best possible scenario for both of us. He gave professional credibility to you, making you seem like a helluva lot more than a water activist.” Theo assembled bacon and tomato sandwiches as he spoke, sliding one across the table to Sylvia.

  “WELL, THAT’S TRUE.”

  “Murphy was disappointed,” Theo said between bites. “He was hoping it involved WET, which would have made his life a lot easier. Boggus asked me about the crater and I gave him the same report I filed, and Mickelson concurred. Boggus leans in and says, ‘Let’s go get a beer’. Sylvia, that’s cop talk for let’s go talk off the record. That Max Boggus may not be magic, but he’s seen stuff.”

  “What happened?”

  “Over a bunch of beers, Boggus was pressing on the alien angle, wondering why Pirro’s and Rafi’s faces don’t show up in photographs. Then Murph drops he thinks your Djinns are Gean cánach! I about spit my beer.”

  “Gahn canna,” Sylvia said, trying out the new phrase. “Who are they?”

  “Male fairies, Irish, who are a bunch of Casanovas. Murph already sees Rafi and Pirro as magic, he’s just missing the mark on what type. For human cops, they’re enlightened. Bottom line, WET is off the hook and their line of inquiry will evaporate. They can’t do anything and tomorrow brings another crime.”

  “That’s a relief, but we are still missing all the water. I wish I understood the logic behind the destruction.”

  Ask Romeo, Kid. Theo’s eyes narrowed, but he let it pass. “What’s on the agenda for today?”

  “Let’s go to the beach. We’re both beat, but we can sleep on the sand and eat seafood. I’ll grab my beach gear out, and we can leave in half an hour if you’re game.”

  “Perfect.”

  “MR. MAYOR? JOHN FAUST is here.”

  “Send him in please, Gloria.”

  The men shook hands and took seats. “What’s on your mind, John?”

  “Water, Phil. Folks are calling me. They aren’t happy with the idea of rising water costs. These people are job creators, they push philanthropic money into the city, and they fund campaigns. They want the Tier water policy to pass, Phil.”

  “John, you and I go back, and I respect our friendship, but the failure of the reservoir ties my hands. That was a huge hit to the Tier policy. People were already feeling the pinch on their bills, and that pinch is about to get sharp. Tampa and the surrounding areas will have to address water conservation with a long-term strategy, John. The neighboring areas with a water surplus, such as Marion County, have functioning water conservation policies in play, and they aren’t interested in sending water to any place that doesn’t.”

  “Donations will dry up, Phil. That’s a fact. These folks want a reprieve. There is no middle ground.”

  “Oh, hell, John. It’s politics. There is always a middle ground, it’s just that nobody wants to look like they gave away more than they got. Tier is dead. I’d get killed in the media, and the Governor wants it shelved until after the next election. I don’t see an upside to cheap pool water for a few thousand when a couple hundred thousand will be bitching. The sheer number of pissed-off voters this close to the election cycle will shelve this, and you knew that before you walked in here.”

  “I want an assurance you will prioritize this, post-election.”

  “I’m willing if I see a way to get it through, but I’m not able to promise anything. John, my focus is to keep us away from mandatory water rationing, something our mutual friends would not enjoy.”

  They locked eyes, and Faust leaned back. “That’s on the table?”

  “It’s not off the table.” And we both understand that confirming this was your reason for the meeting.

  “Damn.”

  “Thanks for coming by, John.”

  “Appreciate the time, Mayor. I’ll be in touch.”

  No doubt.

  PIRRO LOOKED ACROSS the Tyler Compton Lake and Preserve from his perch in a southern oak tree. If they lost this body of water, it would cripple this area. These stupid humans with their pools and sprinklers, water parks and caged sea creatures. Their avarice disgusts me. I will see them dry to dust, flee crying over the loss of their little inconsequential castles with their vulgarity and obsession for outdoing each other on display. This pox of defilement? This is the greatest creation? How wrong of God to raise them as his triumph.

  A second osprey landed, and the two Djinns exchanged a glance.

  “You are different,” Pirro said, still watching the water. “What magic is she?”

  “The spell still hides it. P
erhaps a water shifter. She has qualities, but the magic remains blocked, even to her.”

  “I am ready to continue this destruction. If we destroy this place, millions of humans will see their cavalier abuse of the Creator’s water disrupted. They will fight and show their true natures.”

  “This is not a water holding tank, but living water body, Pirro. This destruction will cease the lives of a myriad of creatures. The price, against God, is too high.”

  “God’s price against the Djinn was too high, yet we are still here. The fish will die, but the rest will migrate. It is a reasonable balance, Rafi. Why have you turned from this plan? Is it this woman? There will always be women, there has always been another lump of beautiful flesh to use. I fail to see what makes this one different.”

  Rafi looked at Pirro. “No, I suppose you do not. You’ve never connected in a way that broke you from your perception of the world, or your purpose. Yet, this is what I experienced. I do not understand this, but it was real. It felt like crossing the interdimensional plane and landing in a world that has never known vengeance. In that landing, it stripped away my hatred, showing me an unclouded understanding of myself.”

  PIrro starred at Rafi in disgust. “You are unworthy of the name Djinn. Dally with this woman if you must, but do not present it as some revelation. She is nothing compared to us, and you, in your deepest heart, know this truth. I will remain here, studying this water, and how to best return it into the earth to save it from the pestilence of man. Go get your cock licked until your head comes back to center, Rafi. Stop thinking this is anything more than your own lust fooling you.”

  Chapter Eight

  Sylvia woke with a start. After a relaxing day at the beach and an excellent meal, she and Theo both hit the sheets like worn-out toddlers. Puddles tugged her hand again, and she realized Rafi stood silhouetted in the window.