by Cait Vaughn
“I have a couple guys from my team coming over. We’re going to camp out here and take turns keeping watch. This place is well protected and no one should be able to get in. One of the first things you learn in the supe world is there are exceptions to any rule. I'm not taking any chances.” He rubbed my neck and I shivered in pleasure and I could hear his heart rate spike. I pulled back and looked into his gorgeous eyes, and he heaved a big sigh. Ri took my hand and pulled me up from the table and into a hug. “I'm making a correction. You don't find trouble, you are trouble,” he teased.
He pulled back and kissed me on the forehead, which was so sweet my heart flipped. Ri was so overbearing sometimes I didn't take him for sweet, but it was another thing I could get used too. “Me too,” he said, “OK trouble girl I have work to do so scoot, no more distracting the guard dog.” He walked me to Serenity's door where they were getting ready to watch a movie.
“Goodnight, Trinity.” He gave my hands a squeeze and walked down the stairs. “Goodnight, Orion.” I was a little embarrassed about my voice sounding all dreamy, but he looked over his shoulder with a quirked eyebrow at me using his whole name. I watched him walk away and then floated into Serenity's room.
Her and Jason were on the loveseat, they had brought a chair for me but I felt like I was intruding because they were snuggling and had popcorn. I realized they were both wearing pajamas and that Jason probably lived here with her since they were more than married. “Guys, seriously, popcorn? We just ate.” I said. Serenity giggled, “We eat a lot.” She shrugged, “Are you ready for the movie?” She asked. I faked a yawn. “You know it's been a big day. I think I'm gonna call it a night.” I was sure I saw a look of relief on Jason's face, and in a world of secrets I was starting to appreciate his candidness more and more.
Serenity gave a mock pout. “You’re not intruding-” she started but Jason cut her off, “Speak for yourself,” he said it teasingly. I rolled my eyes because boys were so typical and Serenity play slapped his arm and he started tickling her side. I let myself out to her eruption of giggles.
When I stepped into my room my heart skipped in joy. It was like going home and I was so grateful for this gift of familiarity even my broken bathroom door made me happy now. I changed into a pink cami and my pink silky pajama shorts with blue hearts. I had faked my yawn but I really was tired although more from how overwhelming it all was. When I was done brushing my teeth I climbed into my perfect bed sighing happily as I sank into the covers. Sleep came quickly but I vaguely thought if I could have my room wherever Ri was I would never feel homesick. It should have overwhelmed me how important he was already but I couldn't help it and technically I had known him for months.
Chapter 34
It shouldn't have surprised me but sometime later I found myself dream walking. At least I assumed that's what was happening. I was sitting on the front porch, gently gliding on the swing. It felt so crazy. This was the first time I had done it since I had learned about it. I took stock of my surroundings. In my dream it was dark outside. The partial moon was high in the sky. The breeze was just right, causing the hot night to be comfortable. I was just as alert and awake as if it were real and not a dream. In fact there was basically no indication that it was a dream. The only difference from reality being my clothes. I was wearing my baby blue tank top and matching silk pajama shorts, one of my favorite things to sleep in. I would never wear it out in public but even though I was in the open I didn't feel concerned about anyone seeing me.
There was no one around and somehow I just knew no one would show up without my permission. It was a very freeing kind of feeling, like I was in control. I wanted to test this situation and I got off the porch and began to walk towards the beach not stopping until the waves were lapping at my toes.
As I walked, I soaked in the feelings inside me and I quickly felt this very soft presence inside of me. It just felt like something foreign and different but yet strangely familiar. I was wondering how much control I had over this world and if I could somehow summon Ri. I closed my eyes and I focused on him in my mind. I imagined him in as much detail as I could then I dug deep for that foreign presence. With my eyes still closed I felt Ri kind of materialize behind me. At the same time he let out a soft chuckle I gasped. The proverbial light bulb went off in my mind. I spun around and there he was clear as 4k T.V., which had never happened before I only saw him in shadow. I quickly separated the small space between us and gripped his arms.
“It’s you!”
He laughed. “Of course it’s me. Were you expecting someone else?”
I shook my head frantically. My whole body vibrating with the excitement of my epiphany.
“No, I mean it’s me. I can feel it inside of me. This strange presence. It must be power. It feels like a leaky faucet. It’s drip dripping little bits out and when I'm here this is my world. Ri, I control this world, watch.”
I stood back and focused on Ri he was wearing the same thing he had been wearing when we said goodnight but I was in my pajamas. I wondered what his pajamas were. I bit my lip and blushed and caught his eyes as he gave me an arrogant smirk.
“Can you read my thoughts here?”
He crossed his arms, his smirk growing bigger. He simply nodded his head.
Now I was smirking arrogantly and I shook my head at him to say no. Then I squeezed my eyes shut and I imagined a wall between my mind and his and I reached for the little drip drip of my power and I felt it. It was so incredible. I opened my eyes. He looked confused.
“What am I thinking now?”
He scrunched up his eyebrows concentrating and I knew when he knew what I’d done.
He walked over to me and crushed me in an excited hug. “That’s awesome Trinity, you are so amazing. Actively using your powers when they are bound, that's incredible.”
I pulled back from him. I skipped away jumping, giggling, I felt special.
“It’s more than that,” I said skipping back to him. He grinned as I took his hands in mine. “It’s you Ri, I was testing it and seeing what I could do and when I focused on you in my mind the place inside me where my powers are, it flared. It sparked super bright for just a second, then you were here. This whole time I’ve been doing this to find you, to be with you, I know it’s true. I can feel it. You are why my powers are leaking. Somehow our powers are connected. That spark was like me borrowing your powers or something.”
Ri got a serious look on his face even though he was still grinning it didn't reach his eyes. I rubbed my finger over the place between his eyebrows.
“Stop worrying, you’ll get wrinkles.”
I wrapped my arms around him snuggling into a hug again. As his heart beat strong beneath my cheek and I closed my eyes concentrating again. If I could block him from reading me here then I could do anything here, and I was going to read this infuriating man's mind.
I closed my eyes and concentrated. I imagined what I wanted. The brick wall I made was between us. I didn't know how I could get to his thoughts without sharing mine too. I decided, screw it. I was dying to know what was in his mind even if I had to share my thoughts too. I imagined the brick wall disappearing and then I imagined a door on Ri's head that I flung open. As his thoughts flew at me for the first time I gasped, it felt like a part of him flowing over my skin. I pulled back purposefully keeping my hands on his arms but the calming voodoo didn't exist here.
Chapter 35
Orion
What is she up to? I can't believe she is using her powers on purpose right now that is so next lev. Gah, she's biting her lip. It slays me when she bites her lip, almost as much as when she blushes. I wanna be the one biting that lip...wait she's blushing.
“Trinity, what did you do?” I do a quick hand check, cuz God knows my hands want to wander, constantly, but no, they are secure on her hips. I give her hips a squeeze as I feel a blush rising to my own cheeks.
She didn't, did she?
“Ri, I'm here, can you hear me?”
“You’re listening to me right now?”
I groan in frustration and wipe my hand through my hair like I do and she nods and bites her lip, again, like she does and it’s so ridiculous I have to laugh.
Her eyes sparkle with mischief.
“If it makes you feel better, I want to be the hand stroking through your hair as much as you want to be the one biting my lip.”
Annnnd all thoughts just left my mind because wow, hotness. I pull her body closer to mine, if that's even possible and slam my lips on hers. We haven't even linked yet but I can still feel her feelings as clear as I can read her thoughts and she's all eagerness and excitement.
After a quick press of lips I lick her to tell her to let me in and when she doesn't hesitate we’re both moaning with the connection. Instantly her hands are in my hair tugging and petting haphazardly, distractedly, and I don't even care that I am so not in control right now. I gently bite down on her bottom lip then I soothe it with my tongue. Her heart speeds out of control and her temperature shoots through the roof. We’re still kissing but in her mind she giggles.
“That's, all you babe you’re the one on fire.” She says.
She’s right. I groan and drop my head down into the crook of her neck squeezing her for dear life as I get myself in check.
“Now you know, what it’s like. Our feelings run together and I don't even know who's feeling what just that I want to drown in it.”
“Yeah…..but, it’s awesome. Why wouldn't we drown in it?”
I pull back, look at her, and give a pained laugh.
Chapter 36
Trinity
I throw up my brick wall sensing he is using his most annoying super power called self-control, to put the brakes on our fun times. Half joking I stick my tongue out at him and say, “Fun hater!”
“Trinity, there’s a process. We are not ready. You have to trust me.”
This crazy man. His mouth says one thing but his mind says another. Regardless how I feel what his mouth says I totally understand his pain now. Feeling his wanting me while I wanted him was literally the most consuming mind blowing experience of my whole life and I was pretty sure I wasn't ready for that….yet.
I couldn't help the goofy smile stretching across my face. I felt like a little girl picking flower petals before. ‘He loves me, he loves me not.’ Even though love was a ways off I now knew beyond a doubt he felt the same intense pull I did and the butterflies were totally taking over in my belly.
“That's OK, Ri, because you’re right. Still, that was awesome.” I snuggle into his arms and breathe in his spicy scent and I think no moment could ever be more perfect than this one. The last thing I feel is his lips gently kissing my forehead, and if possible I melted even more.
Chapter 37
The sun filtered into the room and woke me at 7:30. I rolled over with a groan hoping to go back to sleep but then my body started twitching. I moaned in frustration. “Ohhh you have got to be kidding me!” I hopped out of the bed feeling the spike of adrenaline hitting me fully and started jogging in place. This was very frustrating. I was so not a morning person and definitely not a ‘jump up and seize the day’ person. My body was betraying me because of Serenity's healing voodoo.
It occurred to me that I had spent a lot of time with Ri yesterday and didn't notice that the excess energy was not gone yet. Obviously it didn't work from dreamland. I decided to try calling Ri in my head, “Orion, I need your voodoo.” There was a soft knock on the door but before I could sigh in relief Serenity popped her head in barely suppressing a giggle at my expense. She was wearing exercise clothes a comfortable looking tank top and cotton shorts and her sports bra straps were showing. So was her midriff and I had a pang of jealousy at her chiseled body. Casting it away I said “Can you get Ri?” She put on a very serious face which just looked so wrong on her.
“No can do. Ri has been summoned to the council and it wouldn't matter if he were here. He wants you to put the extra energy into a good work out, your training begins now.” At the last word she put her hands on her hips and blew a whistle very loud which made me cringe. Feeling frustration bubbling I opened my mouth to be snarky, but she blew her whistle and cut me off. “None of your mouth Missy get dressed let's go!”
I grumbled to myself as I went to the bathroom. It would be an understatement to say it was difficult to use the toothbrush and get dressed while I was twitching uncontrollably. Somehow I managed and after throwing on my old worn tank top and shorts most of my frustration was taking a back seat to annoyance and I happily jogged behind trinity through the house to the beach. As long as the energy would get used up nothing else mattered right then. When we got to the beach which was mostly empty this early she blew her whistle again and started doing jumping jacks which she motioned I should do too. Over and over we did jumping jacks, sit ups, push ups, until I thought I would throw up. Just because my body had excess energy didn't mean I could handle all the exercise.
Finally the energy lessened and I leaned over bracing my hands on my knees taking big gulping breaths. I said, “I think it’s better now.” Serenity blew her whistle which made me jump and I lunged for her, to rip it off her scrawny little neck. Then I heard male laughter and was being lifted and swung away from Serenity by Jason, “Easy Tiger,” he said. I couldn't help but glance around hoping Ri was here too. Serenity gave me a sympathetic look. “Sorry, Trin, he will be busy a while.” Then the serious expression came back. “Come on we will have a run and then we will take a break and teach you about our history.” She sent an evil grin over her shoulder and her and Jason started jogging away. I grumbled to myself as I followed behind them. I also sent a very upset message to Ri, which put a little pep in my step. 50 gallons of sweat later, I couldn't go on.
I threw myself down on the sand where the waves came up and soaked me and it was heavenly. Jason and Serenity came and leaned over me it made me happy to see they were also out of breath and sweaty but still nowhere near like me. Jason looked at some gadget on his wrist and said, “2.8 miles. Not bad for your first time.” He gave me a boyish grin. I moaned in horror and propped up on my elbows.
“Not bad? How far do you usually run?” I was still completely out of breath. Jason stretched up to his full height and did some twists from side to side and leg shakes to loosen up. He seemed to be completely refreshed and ready to go again. Serenity too stood up stretching and seemed to be composed, while I didn't think I would ever move. Serenity giggled and reached down to me. “Here I can heal-” I jumped up as fast as I could and backed away from the crazy lady.
“No, no, no, as much fun as your healing is not, I think I’ll pass.” I was leaning hands on my knees again. She put her hands on her hips and huffed at me. “Suit yourself,” she said, “But you have 30 minutes to meet me in the kitchen for your history lesson.” With that she shimmered out and Jason right behind her but I could hear him laughing at my pain.
Even though they were gone I flipped him the bird and proceeded to drag my bruised broken body up to the house from the beach. Thankfully we had ran around the perimeter in a circle there's no way I could have walked back to the house 2.8 miles and I made a mental note to never let them lead me out away from the house. I don't know where I found the strength but I made it to my room and as I stripped for my shower I realized I had a painful sunburn covering almost my whole body. I winced at my reflection in the mirror.
Yup, lobster red was not my color. I took a cold shower which actually felt wonderful. A bottle of aloe vera had magically appeared on my bed and I felt a dull ache because I missed Ri and wondered if he put it there. Hopeful to see him I slathered it on. I put on a pair of loose knit pants and loose cotton t-shirt. Vanity was the least of my worries right now. As I dragged myself painfully down to the kitchen I fantasized about a nap. When I entered the kitchen I was sad because Ri wasn't there but my stomach growled happily at the wonderful smells and delicious looking foods.
A glance at the clock showed it wa
s 10:30. I frowned thinking I should still be asleep. Serenity and Jason were showered and changed, of course they looked perfect. Serenity looked like a fashion ad in a gold tank top and white capris with matching gold flip flops. It showed off her tan and her hair was in a perky blonde ponytail. I was starting to think, if I had to hang with these people, I should care more about vanity. There was all kinds of food and who knew how it got there. Pancakes, bacon, eggs, sausage, and what appeared to be fresh squeezed orange juice. Next to that was cantaloupe and watermelon, I was starving. I attacked the food and carried two plates to the table with a little of everything. “So when will Ri be here?” I asked around a mouthful, this food was going in my stomach right now. Serenity giggled, which I was beginning to see she did frequently, and said, “Patience grasshopper, eat and we will reveal all to you.” She wiggled her eyebrows and I glared at her chipperness and we continued to eat in silence.
Chapter 38
