Azure (Drowning In You)

by Thoma, Chrystalla

  “Ask me.”

  “What?” Her hand moved to her breast, the soft mound of flesh over her lacy bra, and his eyes followed the movement.

  He licked his lips. “I’m not good at talking about myself. I’ve been trying to work up the courage but I can’t... Not yet.”

  “Then what are you...?”

  “Ask me questions. To get to know me. I’ll answer those I can.”

  “Like, what ice-cream flavor is your favorite?”

  “Strawberry,” he breathed, his hands clenching on his thighs. The lamplight played on his chest, on his muscled arms. “And yours?”

  “Dark chocolate.” She licked her lips. “Do you have siblings?”

  He exhaled loudly, closed his eyes. “No. You?”

  “No. What’s your favorite food?”

  “Madras curry. Very hot.” He opened one eye. “Like you.”

  She turned to hide a smile. “Favorite color?”

  “Blue.”

  Figured. “Favorite music?”

  He leaned over her again until she lay back, staring into his hooded gaze. “Do you mind if I touch you while you ask me things?”

  “Uh... Okay.” Her thoughts were unraveling. “I don’t...”

  He nuzzled her throat, kissed her collarbone. “Ask me.”

  “Why are you here? Are you running away from something?”

  He stopped, his breath hissing. “No. I told you. I live here.” He stroked her breast with his mouth, placing kisses over the lace, and her next question died on her lips. She couldn’t think. Her mind buzzed, and electric shocks went through her body with every shift of his lips on the lace. Heat rolled in great waves inside her, and she arched her spine, silently pleading for more.

  Panting hard, he undid the button of her shorts and slipped his hand inside. He glanced up, searching her eyes, and smiled. He touched her, then, his fingers sliding under her panties, rough and sure. Oh god, another wave of heat burst inside her, towing her under, and it was light and fire and unbearable pleasure. She drew up her knees and when he pressed down, she cried out, coming undone under his touch.

  He kissed her neck, waiting for her to catch her breath. She felt his lips draw into a grin against her skin. “You liked it,” he said.

  Wasn’t it obvious? She laughed. “Yeah.”

  He rested his forehead on her shoulder, gazing at her, his eyes crinkling with his faint smile. “Not scared of me anymore?”

  She shook her head, floating in the lingering haze of pleasure. Her pulse throbbed deep inside her belly. She reached up and tangled her fingers in his salt-stiffened hair, tugging lightly. He rose up on his elbows, shifting closer, and his belt grazed her leg.

  Pain flared, making her gasp and twist away.

  “What is it?” He scrambled back, frowning.

  “My leg. I hit it on the rocks this morning.” She winced as she sat up to check it. “It’s nothing.”

  “Let me see.” He stood up and brought the lamp closer, placing it on the floor by the bed. He knelt at her feet, his hand gentle on her knee. “I hurt you.”

  “It was your belt. Wasn’t you.” She tried to see where his fingers poked and prodded. “I think it’s mostly bruised. And a little scraped.”

  “Why did you go to that beach?” His head was bowed, so she couldn’t see his face, but his voice was strained. “I told you not to.”

  “I wanted...” She sighed. “Matt said the mermaids go there. I wanted to see.”

  “The mermaids?”

  It sounded so stupid now. “Yeah. I mean, I wanted to see if there was anything there.”

  His grip on her leg tightened. “Why?”

  “Because... I don’t know what happened to you, why the locals treat you like that.” She shook her head, her mouth twisting. “Nobody will tell me what convinced them you’re of the sea, but...” She reached down to touch his hair. He hadn’t moved at all. “I want to know. I want to help.”

  “I put you in danger,” he said, his voice gone so soft she barely heard it.

  “Not your fault.”

  “Yes, it is. Because I haven’t told you about me, and you went looking. I was going to tell you, and I am. I just...” He moved back, sitting on the sandy floor, his hands hanging between his knees. “I needed time, and now...”

  She slid down next to him and put a hand on his leg. “It’s okay.” He was shaking. “Kai?”

  “You were injured.” He reached down, stroking the Band Aid on the sole of her foot. “You don’t know how scared I was this morning. When I saw your bag on the beach but not you, I thought...” He swallowed hard, his breath hitching.

  “Hey.” She touched his face. “Nothing happened.”

  “You don’t understand.” He still stroked her foot.

  “Maybe I do. Maybe that’s why everyone leaves,” she said, desperately trying to break the dark mood. “Your foot fetish.”

  Okay, what a dumb attempt at a joke.

  Kai made a strange sound in the back of his throat, as if he was choking. He let go of her foot and slumped against the bed, dropping his head back.

  “Kai?”

  A snort escaped him, and then his shoulders began to shake.

  He was laughing.

  She reached for his hand, but he jerked back, hitting the side of the cot — still laughing, a harsh, hacking sound.

  “Can’t believe this.” He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and shook his head. “Christ,” he muttered, shot to his feet and strode out of the hut.

  The door slammed behind him.

  “Kai!” She threw the door open to run after him and stopped right outside. Cool wind hit her face and she remembered they were on a cliff over the sea. “Kai, come back.”

  It was dark outside, the moon distant on the sea. The cliffs gleamed dully, like tarnished silver, and the waves crashed down below, angry.

  She shouted his name until her throat was raw. Numb, she stumbled back inside and flopped on his bed. It smelled of him, his salty-musky scent.

  It was too much, all the emotional ups and downs, the fear, the relief, the desire, the confusion. Hugging his pillow, she stared at the shadows dancing on the wall for what seemed like hours.

  He’d run again. It was as if the sound of his own laughter had frightened him. That wasn’t normal, was it?

  Unless it was something that never happened, as Panos had said.

  It was some time before she heard steps outside. The door creaked and Kai entered. He was breathing hard and his legs were scratched as if he’d been running through the thorns and bushes. His eyes were dim and haunted.

  She sat up, covering her mouth with her hand. “Are you all right?”

  “I’ll tell you everything,” he said without preamble, lifting a shaky hand toward her, as if not sure she was real. “Give me one more day. Promise you won’t go to that beach again.” He seemed to be tittering on the edge of a chasm, uncertain and afraid and frustrated. “Promise me.”

  “I promise.” Because what else could she do?

  He nodded, some of the tension leaving his shoulders, and lay down beside her, drawing her close. “I’m beat. Let’s get some sleep.”

  She thought she wouldn’t be able to, with all that had happened and the emotions still swirling inside her, but exhaustion drew her under before she knew it.

  ***

  Early morning light slanted through the open window. A bee buzzed on the sill. Outside, a bird trilled.

  Olivia raised herself on one elbow.

  Kai was stretched on his back, an arm thrown over his eyes, fast asleep. He looked beautiful and peaceful. He also sported a bad case of morning wood.

  She leaned over him, fascinated by his body. Stronger than any other she’d seen, tanned golden. Salt crystals caught on the smooth skin of his chest sparkled in the sunlight.

  He shifted with a soft groan. Those pants looked constricting, stretched over his crotch. She cupped his arousal and he arched a little, his breath catching. His
arm dropped on the pillow, the silken tassels of his hair tumbling on his face.

  So hot. Just looking at him made her want to throw off her clothes and rub herself all over him. Mark her territory.

  She frowned. Did female cats do that, too?

  He murmured something, his fingers clenching on nothing. His dark brows drew together and he puffed a tiny moan. His eyelids fluttered.

  God, he was so beautiful, and with the dawning light, the darkness had dissipated, leaving behind hope.

  And desire.

  She slid over him, straddling his hips, loving how he felt pressed against her.

  “Oh god.” He grunted, opening his eyes and squinting. “Liv?”

  “Morning.” She bent over him, kissing his jaw.

  “I’m in heaven,” he whispered, sliding his hands up her sides, then forward to cup her breasts in their lacy bra. “I must have done something good.”

  “Lots of good,” she agreed, rocking her hips, and was rewarded with a strangled moan and an answering jerk underneath her.

  “Do that again,” he ordered quietly and she did, feeling his reaction through her shorts. “Fucking hell.”

  “I thought it was heaven?”

  “Depends.” He panted. “On the outcome.”

  She grinned and sat up, undoing his belt and buttons. “Let’s see what I can do.”

  “Liv...” He caught her wrist, his eyes clearing. “You don’t have to do this.”

  “Do I look like I’m being forced?” She winked and slipped her hand inside his pants, under his briefs, finding his hardness. “Besides, turnabout is fair play.”

  “You make it sound...like a punishment.” He gasped and a tremor started in his legs. “Liv...”

  She firmed her grip, loving the feel of him in her hand, and stroked him fast and hard. “As you said, it all depends on the outcome.”

  The outcome arrived swiftly and with a bitten-off cry he spent himself, shaking hard.

  “Damn,” he breathed, his chest heaving. “God. You’re amazing. And I haven’t even seen you naked yet.”

  “Is that a request? She chewed on her lip not to laugh at his wide-eyed expression. She was feeling rather proud of herself for putting it there.

  “Yeah. Shit. Not now.” He sat up, wiping himself on a dirty shirt and then grabbing her around the waist. “I have to go to work.”

  “It’s still early.”

  He shook his head, kissing her throat. “I have to swim first.”

  “No, you don’t.” She mock-punched him. “You have to make out with me first.”

  “Ow.” He chuckled, sending shivers down her spine. “You’re really not scared of me, are you?”

  “Why should I be?”

  “The girls here are scared. Their parents tell them I’m dangerous.”

  “And are you?” She’d meant it as a tease, but he frowned.

  He pulled his legs from under her and turned. “I have to go.”

  “Kai, wait.”

  He stopped in the process of getting up. He raked his fingers through his hair, mussing it more. “I’m not a very good guy, Liv. I didn’t drop out of college. I was expelled.”

  “What? Why?”

  “Failed the year, then I showed up drunk and naked at the graduation party. I was trouble. Drank, partied, fucked around and did drugs. I was dangerous then, but this...” He shook his head. “This is different.”

  “You think the sea dragged me in because of you, don’t you.”

  He rubbed his eyes and nodded. “She wants me.”

  “The sea? If it wants you, why is it trying to take me?”

  “I don’t know. I don’t understand it. All I know, this isn’t coming from me, and I can’t control it. It’s goddamn magic and I don’t know how to stop it.” He snorted. “I know it sounds crazy.”

  She thought of the sea pulling her down and she clasped in her hand the cool stone of her pendant.

  He believed it. Hell, she was starting to believe it, too. Which was mad. She didn’t believe in superstitions. Didn’t believe in mermaids. Or magic.

  She’d get to the bottom of this. Somehow she’d help him be free.

  ***

  In the bright morning light, the path down to the beach didn’t look so steep. Or maybe it was Kai’s arm around her, shoring her up, steadying her. He led her to the beach of the hotel and stepped back. He’d changed into his swim trunks and tearing her eyes off him required serious physical effort.

  “You know where to find me,” he said, stroking his thumb over her cheek, looking much calmer than the night before. “Just be careful.”

  She didn’t ask what he meant. No need. The sea whispered below, stretching and curling like a vast blue dragon, snorting in the caves under the rocks and flicking foam all the way up at her feet.

  She shivered when he drew her close and kissed her, his mouth hard and demanding, then softening until his lips barely touched hers.

  “Don’t go,” she said. “Not today. Stay.”

  “She’s calling me.” There was blue in his eyes again. How could there be blue in his dark chocolate eyes?

  Fear tightened her insides. “You hear her voice?”

  He looked away. “I feel her. Like this morning, when I knew she had you.”

  Holy shit. “I thought that guy warned you. Laurence. Now you say you felt it?”

  His mouth flattened, as if he was angry at himself for saying too much. “Gotta go.”

  She watched him skid down the path to the sea, his soft dark hair flying. He’d said everyone left eventually. That they were scared of him. That he knew it sounded crazy.

  Did it?

  He stood on the rocks, outlined against the blue, and she thought she saw dark forms swim in the waves, silvery fins flashing.

  What was she seeing?

  Kai glanced over his shoulder at her — checking if she was still there? Then he dived into the sea and the mysterious forms scattered, vanishing in the depths.

  Her mind awhirl, she trudged to the hotel, hands in her pockets, wondering. Had she really seen that?

  If you looked hard enough, did you see the truth or an illusion?

  The sun was already warm on her arms and legs as she crossed the beach and passed by the bar and pool. Inside the hotel lobby it was shady and cool.

  Panos looked up from a book. A Harlequin novel, Olivia thought, and smiled when she saw she was right.

  He closed the dog-eared paperback and nodded at her, serious. “Good morning.” He put her key on the desk. “Here.”

  Oh crap. He knew she hadn’t been in her room all night. “Thanks.”

  “Something happen yesterday.” He leaned forward, his large hands flat on the desk. “Kai upset. And wet.”

  Oh right. “It was an accident.”

  “Accident.” He shook his shaggy head. “So you say.”

  “I have good news.”

  He gave her a suspicious look. “News?”

  “You owe me one.” She didn’t know why she wanted Panos to like her. Probably because he seemed to be the closest to a family and to a friend Kai had. “I made Kai laugh.”

  “Opa,” Panos said, whatever that meant. “True?”

  “Cross my heart.”

  “Proof?” He lifted a bushy brow.

  “How can I have proof? Come on, pay up.” She grinned. “Where’s my commission?”

  “Raki?” He wagged his brows.

  “Man, it’s still morning time. Can’t get drunk so early.” She tapped her fingers on the desk. “Were you serious when you said he never laughed?” She thought again of Kai’s reaction, how he’d run off in the night.

  “Never laugh. Never cry. Not normal. He is like hermit.” Panos shook his head.

  “Tell me more about him. That will be my payment.” She batted her lashes. “Please, Panos.”

  “Ah.” He sighed and made a face. “Kai interesting, yes?”

  “Yes.”

  “And beautiful.”

  Heat l
icked her cheeks. “He’s cute.”

  “Cute. Bah. Beautiful.” Panos struck a pose. “Good blood. Beautiful family.”

  She snorted. “He says girls here are afraid of him.”

  “Girls. Ha. He live like hermit. Always alone. Never go out. Always swim. Where can he find girls?”

  “He likes being alone,” Olivia said, turning toward the door, beyond which the blue of the sea teased her eyes. “He’s very strong.”

  “Was not always strong, Panos said. “When he came, weak. Lost.” He pursed his lips. “Kai still lost. Have all symptoms.”

  “Symptoms of what?”

  “Of sea people. Need the sea. All the time.”

  “He puts himself in danger. Sounds like an adrenaline junkie to me.”

  “Sea don’t take him.”

  “What if it does one day? What then?”

  He gave her a narrow look. “You care for Kai.”

  God, her face burned. “Yeah. Yeah, I do.”

  “Kai arrived alone. Find house belonging to grandfather, on cliffs. Repair, paint, fix. No talk, no meet anyone. Only me. He sit and listen to the sea. Afraid of the sea. Then angry. Then stopped caring. Just live. Swim. Work. Swim.”

  “Obsessed,” Olivia whispered.

  “A curse,” Panos said, “a curse on the family.”

  “Sounds more like a sickness.”

  Panos closed the visitors’ book with a snap. “When the sea call, you obey. You make sea angry, it take everything from you. Kai knows.”

  Something ominous lurked in his words. “Knows, how? What, exactly?”

  But Panos only pointed at her. “You have magic. Break spell on him. Break sea magic.”

  “What are you talking about? This is madness.”

  He jabbed at her chest. “You find mermaid scale. You make him laugh. You break the spell.”

  “Madness,” she muttered and turned to go.

  ***

  “Are you sure you’re not coming with us today?” Kirsten didn’t look up from her breakfast but she had a smile on her face.

  “Yeah.” Olivia stirred her coffee absently, her other hand wrapped around her pendant. “There are some things I want to do around here.”

  “But why?” Markus wasn’t smiling. He nudged Kirsten. “Why aren’t you trying to convince her? We’ll have fun.”