He turned on his side, trying to get away from her alluring fragrance, but was met by Seth who was on his side facing Traevyn. His mouth gaped open and he was snoring like a troll, or some other hideous beast. He quickly turned back over onto his back and let out a frustrated sigh. He was trapped. His body felt painfully tight and he closed his eyes, trying to relax. It didn’t work. He glanced up at Evie again. She was facing the couch so she didn’t see him. He slowly reached his fingers out to capture a strand of her soft hair. He rubbed it between his fingers, feeling the texture, then brought it to his lips. He frowned, feeling foolish, and covered his face with his hands.
He needed to go to sleep. Maybe he would be able to think clearer in the morning.
Chapter Sixteen
The first thing Traevyn was aware of as he awoke was that things were not where they should be. He felt a strange pressure across his throat and a body was against his back. His eyes fluttered open and he frowned, trying to blink away the sleep and focus. Dark hair obscured his vision. Dark, perfumed hair that had taunted him all night. He brushed it back and realized that Evie was lying on her stomach with one arm flung across his neck. He smiled and lifted her arm, gently setting it aside. Next, he investigated the pressure against his back and almost laughed aloud as he realized that Seth was curled up against him with his arm wrapped around his waist. He deftly moved away from Seth and slipped out of bed, chuckling softly under his breath.
He stretched and made his way into the kitchen where Talis was already dressed and making a cup of coffee.
“Good morning, darling,” Talis teased with a smile.
Traevyn yawned. “Why didn’t you wake me up sooner?” he asked, leaning against the kitchen counter.
“You just looked so comfortable spooning with Seth.”
Traevyn shook his head. “He would never believe us if we told him.”
“I should have snapped a picture,” Talis chuckled as he leaned against the counter next to his brother. “So, what changed?” he queried.
Traevyn frowned. “What do you mean?”
“You’re different. You smile, you laugh. There’s light in your eyes for the first time since Leanna died and Amy left. What happened?”
Traevyn looked down and sighed. “Evie happened.”
Talis gave him a questioning look and took a sip of his coffee.
“Talis, no one has ever seen me like she has. I tried to push her as far away from me as possible and she just saw right through it. She saw through everything right into the core of me. She is the most understanding, loving person I have ever known.”
“You seem very close,” he observed with a smile.
Traevyn sighed. “She’s a good person with such a big heart. I think Evie would befriend the entire world.”
Talis slid his gaze over to his brother, obviously realizing he had avoided the statement. He smirked. “You know, Traevyn. I’m very proud of the strides you have made. You let someone close to you, a stranger. That’s very commendable. Especially when Julian and I thought you would never glance at someone other than your family ever again.”
Traevyn smiled at his brother’s words.
“Just don’t be afraid to open up fully.”
He frowned in confusion. “I don’t follow.”
Talis turned to face him. “You have had to endure more in your lifetime than anyone should have to. Amy was your first love. She hurt you in unspeakable ways.”
Traevyn swallowed and looked away as familiar pain washed over him.
“Being hesitant is understandable,” Talis continued. “But you’re a different person with Evie around. It’s a noticeable change. You can’t tell me you don’t feel it.”
“Of course I do,” Traevyn almost snapped. Not out of anger, but out of frustration at not being able to decipher anything he was feeling lately. He sighed. “Evie is a ray of light, bringing warmth and hope to all around her. She is young and vibrant and—”
“You’re an old, jaded man?” Talis grinned. “Traevyn, come on. Don’t be an idiot.” He patted his brother on the shoulder and headed back down the hallway toward his bedroom.
Traevyn frowned. There were those words again. Don’t be an idiot. Seth. Talis. He felt like everyone on the planet knew something he didn’t. He let out an irritated sound and headed toward his suitcase. After finding something to wear he went to take a long shower. Afterwards, he went to wake Evie, who was still sleeping soundly.
He knelt in front of her and watched her for a second, a small smile touching his lips. She looked so angelic and peaceful. He reached out to brush a strand of hair out of her face. “Evie,” he murmured. “Evie, wake up.”
Her brows drew together in a disapproving frown, and she tried to turn away from the sound of his voice and go back to sleep.
He smiled and ran his hand along her shoulder. “Evie,” he persisted.
“Dude, that won’t work,” Seth yawned suddenly. He sat up and motioned Traevyn out of the way. He grabbed a pillow. “Evie!” he shouted. “Rise and shine!” He flung the pillow down onto her head with a dull, thwacking sound.
Traevyn winced.
Evie sat bolt upright, her hair disheveled and falling in her face. She blinked rapidly, then scowled with ferocity. She picked up her pillow and hurled it back at her brother before turning her fiery glare to Traevyn.
He held his hands up. “Innocent,” he stated.
She grumbled something under her breath and shuffled into the bathroom. Seth looked at Traevyn and gave a triumphant grin. Traevyn chuckled.
* * * *
Seth winced as he pulled a pine needle out of his butt. Then he rubbed at his elbow. “That really kinda hurt,” he muttered.
Evie laughed. “That’s what you get for not letting Draco teach you. You wiped out because of your own arrogance.”
Seth scowled and stood up, retrieving his board from where it had skidded into a bush.
They had headed up to the Grand Canyon that morning, which Evie had found absolutely breathtaking. Traevyn had walked the trail with her while Seth and Ash had taunted a squirrel with potato chips and Talis had gone to the lookout area by the gift shop.
Evie was dizzy standing on the edge, staring down into the chasm that seemed never ending. She almost felt as if she was staring straight into the middle of the Earth. Traevyn had taken her hand protectively, like it was instinctual, and she had welcomed his touch, as well as his care.
“You really need to see it at sunrise,” he had said. “The colors are so beautiful. We’ll come back sometime, just the two of us.”
Evie didn’t know if he actually realized what he’d said, but she wasn’t going to ask him about it. She just liked the invitation.
After they had spent sufficient time marveling at one of the seven wonders of the world, they had all headed back to Flagstaff where they’d met up with Talis’s friends, Draco and Leila. Apparently, they both traveled the renaissance fairs with Talis and Ash. Draco was a leatherworker and a musician. He was tattooed, pierced and Gothic, which made Seth like him almost instantaneously. Leila was a dance instructor who did belly dancing at the fairs. She was petite, blonde and easy-going.
Evie learned a lot about renaissance fairs while they drove up to the mountains and she found the entire lifestyle fascinating. All summer they got to travel like modern day gypsies. It seemed very exciting and free to her.
Once in the mountains, Draco had given them a brief demonstration of how pine needle boarding was done. He made it look so easy that Seth had just plowed ahead and ended up on his back before he knew it, sliding down the mountain.
Traevyn adamantly refused to get anywhere near one of the wheel-less skateboards, and he stood casually by, content to watch everyone else make idiots out of themselves.
“Are you going to try, Evie?” Ash asked her with a wide grin.
She giggled. “I’m not sure yet. I’m going to have to have Draco give me a lesson.”
He smiled. “I can teach you.
I’ve done this with Draco loads of times. Here, come stand on this and try to get your balance.”
Traevyn watched as Ash grasped Evie’s hand to keep her upright while she got a feel for the board. He said something that made her laugh and Traevyn frowned. He folded his arms and started to walk through the trees, down the slope and away from the group. He sighed when he came to a stop a good distance away. He leaned against a tree and looked back up at everyone. Talis and Leila were talking while Draco tried to show Seth how to properly operate the board. Evie was starting to head her way down slowly, listening carefully to Ash’s instructions and giggling the entire time. As she gained more confidence, she picked up speed.
“Great job, Evie!” Ash called. “You’re a natural at this!”
Evie grinned and came to a stop close to where Traevyn was standing. She threw her arms up in the air. “Woo hoo!” she shouted. She laughed. “I’m gonna go again!”
Traevyn watched her run back up to Ash, who gave her a high five and laughed. He sighed again and turned his back on the scene, wondering why seeing her laughing and playing with another man made his heart twinge. He rubbed at his temples, feeling so confused. It was like his heart was trying to tell his mind something that his mind was trying very hard to deny.
“Woo hoo! Go, Evie!” Ash’s voice shouted, followed by Seth and Talis’s laughter.
“Watch out, Traevyn!” Evie called down to him. “I’m gonna getcha!”
Traevyn turned lazily at the sound of Evie’s voice, a small smirk on his lips. She maneuvered the board with finesse down the slope, picking up speed. She grinned, then suddenly lunged forward as the edge of her board hit a protruding rock and came to a complete stop. Her eyes widened as she was propelled through the air.
Traevyn really didn’t have time to react. All he saw was her body catch air as she hurtled toward him. He held his arms out to catch her just as she plowed into him, knocking them both to the ground. Traevyn landed hard on his back, holding Evie on top of him. He grunted as pain worked through his body. He blinked a few times as the dust they had kicked up settled and the pain reduced in intensity. He looked at Evie. “Are you all right?” he croaked.
She raised her head and winced. “Yeah,” she muttered. “You broke my fall.”
“I think I broke my back,” he groaned.
Evie smiled and tried to get up, her chest no doubt hurting from where the wind had been knocked from her on impact. She put her hand on the ground beside Traevyn’s head to stabilize herself as she tried to stand, but the pine needles caused her to slip and she landed on him again, this time pressed intimately close with her face mere inches from his.
Traevyn sucked his breath in at the sudden contact and he looked up into Evie’s eyes. She stared down at him, bewildered. Her eyes… They were so beautiful. So full of life and love, so soft and compassionate. He reached for the hand that had caused her to slip and he slowly pulled it up over his head, stretching her out and pressing her body even closer to his. He relished the feeling. He had felt nothing for so long. Nothing but ice. She was all fire. She melted him and set him ablaze.
Evie’s heart threatened to explode right there. She couldn’t tear her gaze from Traevyn’s. He was looking at her with such intensity. She couldn’t have pulled away if she tried. She drew in a shaky breath as she felt him let go of her hand and run his fingers in a painfully slow course down her arm and her side. Her skin burned where he touched her, and her always active mind filled with about a hundred wanton images she did not need at that particular moment. His hand came to rest on her hip and a small smirk touched his lips before he squeezed her side.
Evie let out a yell, which only encouraged him. He squeezed again, tickling her until she was screaming. He flipped over with a playful snarl, rolling her beneath him. He buried his face in her neck and tickled her there with his nose as he continued to squeeze her sides. She squealed with laughter, writhing beneath him. He grinned and continued his assault, playfully nipping at her neck. This made Evie gasp and stop laughing. Traevyn suddenly went very still, as if overcome by her, by being near her, by the moment in itself. He closed his eyes and gave in. He lowered his lips to her neck, kissing and nuzzling it gently.
Evie’s eyes rolled back into her head and she seriously thought she might die at any given moment. She felt him run his tongue up her neck and nibble on her earlobe and she made a small, incoherent sound in the back of her throat. Her mind continued its brazen assault on her, flooding her with imaginings of Traevyn doing very wicked things to her in that grand bed of his.
She forced herself back to the present, confusion clouding her thoughts. Wait, why was he touching her in such a manner? He had never been this way with her before. She far from minded, but it didn’t make sense. She frowned and reached up to touch his hair. “Traevyn?” she questioned softly.
He raised his head, logic returning to him. He looked down into her confused eyes and knew he should be embarrassed at his forwardness, but he wasn’t. He cupped her cheek in his palm and smiled down at her, feeling warm all over. There were no shadows at the moment. No evil, lurking demons. Just beautiful, blinding rays of light.
Evie’s face lit up at the sight of his smile and her eyes filled with so much warmth that it made his heart stutter for a moment.
“Hey! You guys all right down there?” Talis’s voice called.
Traevyn blinked as sense came tearing back to him and he sat up with a frown. “Yeah!” he called.
Evie sat up also, feeling bereft. She let out a soft sigh and tried to smooth her hair. She glanced at Traevyn, who looked rather puzzled. “Sorry I landed on you,” she remarked.
He slid his eyes over to her and let out a dry chuckle. “I don’t think I minded.”
She blushed.
He looked down with a sudden, shy smile and pointed to Evie’s neck. “You have… You have a—” His face flushed and he touched her neck gently.
Her eyes widened and she covered her neck with her palm. “Did you give me a hickey?” she cried in horror.
His beautiful, always composed face turned an even deeper shade of red. “N—No,” he stammered. “It’s just a…bite mark.”
She sighed in relief. “Oh. Well, I’ll just tell the others I must have scraped myself.”
He rubbed the bridge of his nose, obviously feeling very uncomfortable. “Well, yes, except that it looks undeniably like a…bite mark.”
She bit her bottom lip. “Oh… Well…we were only playing around.” She knew she sounded unconvincing even as she said it.
He gave her a look. “This is my brother,” he said flatly. “And your brother. You really think they’ll buy that?”
She sighed. “Not a chance. I’ll just stay here until it goes away.”
“What are you two doing down there?” Draco shouted.
“We’re just chilling!” Evie called back, grateful the whole previous scene had been out of everyone’s line of sight. “I just totally took out Traevyn! I need to rest! We’ll be up in a bit!”
“Are you hurt?” Ash’s voice came.
Traevyn visibly bristled.
Evie smiled. “No, I’m okay!” She glanced at Traevyn, who now looked awkward. She gave him a bashful smile. “I always knew you were a vampire,” she teased.
He laughed and her words seemed to ease some of his discomfort. He gave her a soft smile.
Suddenly, someone shouted. It was followed by a great tumbling sound. Seth appeared skidding to a stop on his stomach in front of them. Evie arched her eyebrows.
Seth groaned and flipped over, breathing heavily and staring up at the sky. “Aw man,” he grumbled. “I hate this stupid sport.”
Evie giggled.
“I don’t know,” Traevyn remarked. “I find it rather enjoyable.”
Seth frowned and sat up. “What are you talking about? You’ve been sitting down here on your butt the entire time.”
Traevyn and Evie exchanged a glance and she looked down to hide a blush.
Seth rolled his eyes. “Dude, I don’t even want to know.” He stood and dusted himself off, heading back up to the top.
Evie touched her neck and smiled to herself. She could still feel his lips there. She sighed, wishing that was a regular occurrence. His affection was intoxicating and addicting. She looked up as she felt Traevyn’s fingers on her hand. He pulled it to his lips and kissed it, then stood.
“Come on,” he said. “Let’s go before Seth starts spreading rumors.”
She nodded and they both started back up the incline, their minds on anything but pine needle boarding.
Chapter Seventeen
After a nice dinner in Flagstaff, everyone bade farewell to Draco and Leila and made their way back to Sedona where it was unanimously decided that a dip in the pool would be refreshing. It was, after all, well into the triple digits, and after a long day of physical activity out in the sun, everyone was dirty and starting to stink.
Traevyn and Evie had remained relatively quiet with one another since their encounter, and Evie wondered what he was thinking. What had possessed him to do what he had done? Was it genuine desire, or was he just lonely? Had he been overcome by the feeling of a woman pressed against him when he hadn’t been close to someone in so long? It was difficult to tell since Evie had long ago come to the conclusion that Traevyn didn’t really communicate all that well.
Ash continued to be very attentive to Evie all day, drawing her into conversations about all sorts of things. He was very charming; she couldn’t deny that, and it was nice to have someone making advances toward her instead of her typical gazing in adoration from afar.
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