by CJ Ellisson
“It seems to. They rebound in a jiffy.”
Cam regarded his hand. The cut appeared less red. Some of the inflammation seemed to be gone. He flexed his fingers and opened and closed his hand. “Well, look at that. I can bend it with no pain,” he said with a smile. Inwardly, he added, Holy fuck. What the hell did she do? Same as with his friend, Mano, this kind of stuff freaked him the hell out. “I’ll get the rest of the gear out of the shed. We’re going to be heading on that trail, right there.” He indicated the way. “I’m going to show you my playground,” he said with a wink.
“I can’t wait. Want me to help?”
“No, no. You sit tight. I’ll be right back.” He smiled and entered the shed. When he got to the back wall with the small, dirty, dusty window, he held his hand up to the sunlight. His hands began to shake as he studied his palm. Holy Mother of God. That fucking cut is nearly gone. He leaned against the wall, trying to clear his head. Does she have any idea she can do this? And what, exactly, did she do? With a shake of his head, he seized the lifejackets, helmets and paddles, pasted what he hoped looked like a convincing smile on his face, and strode out into the sunlight, ready to show Chérie the world of the here and now, of Earth. He did not wish to dwell on things he could not, would not comprehend or even consider as realities.
Chapter Twenty-three
Chérie sat in her red kayak, a few yards from the shore, waiting for Cam to enter the water in his boat. The sun shone, the water in this little inlet looked like supple, fluid fabric, no clouds darkened the sky - in short, a perfect northwest day. She rested her paddle in front of her, bobbing gently in the clear, cold water.
His surprise pleased her to no end. She loved the wilderness as much as he did. She never had anyone to share it with - at least no-one as sexy as Cam Tyson. She contemplated his body. He aroused her like no other. His body oozed perfection in every way, from his sculpted arms, to his solid abs, to his perfect butt, to his…er…well, it seemed like he rocked substantial heat underneath his boxers. Again, she wondered what it would be like to have him inside her. Usually, she sort of disappeared when a guy entered her. In fact, she rarely climaxed with a guy. A couple times she’d orgasmed with a boy she dated for a while in high school, but nothing more. If she wanted to climax, she whipped out her vibrator.
“How you doing?” Cam called, buckling his helmet under his chin.
“Fine. Great. Better than great. I’m liking the view.” She flashed him a huge smile. She felt bold around him. Not like the wimpy, timid woman she became with the likes of Jeff.
“Happy to hear that.” He grinned at her. “I can say the same.” He eased into his boat and paddled out to her. He seemed to be one with the water, as if the boat and the paddle were extensions of his soul.
“You bring many girls out here?”
“Never any as gorgeous as you.” He pulled up alongside of her, resting his paddle on both boats to keep them steady. “I’ve brought a few friends out with me, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“Were they good paddlers?” She felt a twinge of insecurity.
“A couple. One’s a bronze medalist in freestyle.”
She felt her soaring spirit shrink. “Oh.” Why did I go there?
“Chérie. Why are you tripping on what I’ve done in my past?” He gave her a warm, clear eyed gaze.
It almost melted the ice wall forming inside - almost. “I don’t know. I wish I hadn’t brought it up.”
“It’s all right. I’m here to reassure.”
“You don’t have to…really.”
“I don’t mind. Let me see.” He studied her intently. “Have I had fun with other women out here? I love to paddle. Some of them loved to paddle. We had fun. But I sure don’t see any of those women out here, do you?”
“No,” she said, her face still furrowed in a frown.
“Let’s see, the freestyle champ could be a complete bitch if she lost and I only wanted to share some trade secrets with her about paddle moves. The other gal, also pretty good, I wasn’t interested in at all. She’s a friend of a friend. The last woman I brought out here dated Josiah. That’s my total playbook of women who went paddling with Cam Tyson.” He winked at her. “I’ve never, ever brought a date onto the water. How could I? This is my religion,” he said, lifting his chin at the river. “This is where I feel the freest. I’m looking forward to paddling - a lot, if she likes it as much as I do - with this new gal, Chérie Manhattan. She’s the girl I’m dating, in case you wondered. The only girl I’m dating. The one woman I’m interested in.” His gaze grew serious. “I’m not a God fearing man. Not sure if I even believe. But the wilderness is my church. I’ve never felt the urge to share it with anyone as much as I want to share it with you.”
She bit her lip. All these crazy flutters stirred her insides.
“You know it drives me crazy when you bite your lip, don’t you?”
She grinned. “I’ll make a note.”
“It makes me hard. I can’t help it. But, like I told you, we can take it slow.”
She grinned even wider. “Thank you. Hearing that, I trust you even more.”
“Good. Mission accomplished. Are you back in the moment with me? Let’s leave the past where it belongs, okay?”
“Okay. Deal. Sorry I tripped like that. I…I like you a lot, Cam Tyson, and don’t want to get hurt.”
“And I like you a lot and don’t intend on hurting you. I’d kiss you to prove it if it didn’t make you tip over.”
“We’re only in a couple feet of water.”
“Then, lean in a little, nice and easy.” He licked his lips. “Enjoy the ride,” he said, grinning wickedly.
Her core surged with pleasure. She met him halfway and brushed lips with his. “Mmm.” The boat tipped and swayed, causing water to splash her face. She regained her balance and quickly pulled away. “You knew that would happen, didn’t you?”
He shrugged, still grinning. “All better?”
“Totally. So tell me what to do, and let’s paddle.”
They headed downstream in the gently flowing water. Cam patiently instructed her, showing her how to hold the paddle, how to stroke, how to paddle backward, how to steer.
“You’re a natural at this. You’ll be top-notch in no time,” he said.
“You’re just saying that.”
“I’m not. This looks easy for you. Here - try this. See that water flowing in an eddy up ahead?”
“Yeah.”
“Watch what I do. I’m going to put my blade in the water like so and eddy out. It’s an easy, basic move.”
“Okay.”
“Ready?”
“Yep.”
“Okay, follow me.”
Cam took the lead, paddling ahead of her. When he got to the eddy, he put his blade in and swirled in a 180. When he faced her, he yelled, “Got it?”
“Got it,” she yelled back. She competently did everything he’d done, performing the same half-circle maneuver, pushed by the gentle current. “That was fun!”
“See? I told you, you’re a natural.”
“Let’s try more stuff.”
For the next hour he showed her more beginner moves. It felt like liquid flight. Her spirit soared with fun and excitement. And being with this über-sexy man? Pure bliss. I’ve done this before…with him. The thought whizzed through her head as a fact. But where? And why?
They reached another quiet inlet. Cam said, “It’s hairy up yonder. We’re going to haul out here. There’s a truck that drives this way later this afternoon. They take the kayaks back to the rental place close to Josiah’s. The driver’s a friend of mine. We’ll hitch a ride with him.”
“Good idea. I’m getting kind of hungry, though. What will we do for food?” She looked towards the shore. “Nuts and berries?”
“Hell, no. I’ve got another surprise for you. See that tree house up there?”
She cast her gaze in the direction he pointed. “Oh! Is it yours?”
“No, it’s another
friend’s. He said I could use it today. He rents it to out-of-towners. No one’s rented it until this evening.” Cam grinned, clearly pleased with himself. “He said he’ll stop by later to make sure it’s set for his guests.”
“Thank you. The day gets better and better. You have a lot of friends out here.”
“Yeah, it’s sort of the kayak community. We river rats stick together.”
“Am I a river rat, now, too?”
He cocked his head. “You’re more like a river otter. Sleek and playful.”
“I like being a river otter. I’ll be your river otter if you’ll be mine.” The smile Cam gave her made her melt inside.
“I’m not usually like this.”
“Like what?”
“Mr. Surprise. You…you bring out a different side of me. I had fun planning. After we eat, I’ll show you some of my freestyle moves downriver, if you’d like to see.”
“I’d love that.”
“We’ll have to keep an eye on the time. The truck only rolls by once a day. This is kind of far out. It would be a long hike back to the shed.”
“Let’s go.”
They hauled the boats from the water, and climbed up to the tree house.
“This is beautiful! It would make a great place to stay the night.”
“Maybe we can do that sometime,” Cam asked, moving closer.
“Maybe we can.” She looked up at him. The man, beyond hot, made her melt inside.
“Come here,” he said, reaching for her.
“On my way,” she said. Engaged in by far the best kiss yet, this one held the day’s journey through water and joy. It held the promise of more to come. It fired her up until she felt like climaxing from the kiss alone - something unheard of, in her experience. She wanted him like she’d never wanted anybody. Still, a quiet inner voice kept urging her to take her time. She gently pulled away.
“My, God, woman. Could I be any more aroused?” He glanced at his pants.
She laughed. “I don’t know, we’ll have to see, won’t we?” I hope he won’t hate me for not wanting to move quickly.
“I know you want to move slowly,” Cam said, as if reading her mind. “You call the shots, okay? As hard as it may be,” he said, wiggling his eyebrows, “I’ll go slow for a change, too.”
“Really? Because normally we’d have screwed by now.”
“I don’t want to screw you. I want to enjoy you.”
“That’s the sweetest thing a guy’s ever said to me.”
“My score card’s getting pretty full, now, don’t you think? I have to find a new one.”
“How’s your hand doing?” she asked, changing the subject.
“I nearly forgot about it.” Cam looked at his palm. His face furrowed.
“Is it worse?” Chérie asked. “You got pale all of a sudden.”
“No, it’s not worse. It’s completely healed.” He stared at his hand as if it didn’t belong to him.
“Let me see.” She rushed to him and grabbed his hand. “Wow! You must have superior healing abilities! I’ve never seen such a thing!”
He cocked his head and studied her, making her squirm inside. “What?” she said.
“I think you did this,” he said.
“Don’t be stupid. I’m no mystic healer.”
“How do we explain it, then? I’ve never healed so swiftly in my life. There isn’t even a scar.”
“I don’t know,” Chérie said, backing away from him. “That’s weird. I know it wasn’t me.” Shivers raced along her spine. Her head became hot and heavy. “I’m feeling kind of light headed. Do you mind if I sit?”
“No, here.” Cam rushed to her side and helped her to the small couch. “Let me get you some water. We haven’t hydrated enough.” He raced to the sink and poured her a huge glassful. “Here, drink this.”
She drank it eagerly, gulping it until she drained the glass. “There. That’s better. It must be all the sun we got today.”
It’s not the sun. It’s who you are, wanting to fly free.
“Oh, dear,” she said.
“What?” Cam looked at her expectantly.
“Nothing. It’s nothing.” Stupid voice. She shook her head and smiled at him. “I get dizzy sometimes when I’m hungry.”
“Yeah, that must be it. But how will we explain this?” He showed her his palm.
She smiled. “Some things are better left unexplained.” She took his hand and kissed it. “Or maybe it’s the work of my angel.”
Chapter Twenty-four
Kayden stared anxiously at the image of his beloved, flickering along the back wall. “Too soon? Too much? Healing a simple cut is easy for her. She can perform miracles, if she chooses.”
Alpha sat in a silken chaise lounge, nervously wringing her hands.
“Are you contemplating bread making, my pet?” Kayden shot an arrogant glare in her direction.
“I’m sorry, my lord,” she replied, primly folding her hands in her lap. “I’ve been so unsettled since you told me what’s at stake here.”
“Then I shouldn’t have told you. Either deal with it or go play with the other Galaxy Dancers. Makes no difference to me. What does make a difference is the energy you’re exuding. I don’t like it.”
“I’m sorry, ka. I’ll see if I can shift it.” She brought to mind the images of the beautiful Earth places she viewed in the photography book. “Better?”
“Much. Thank you.” He gave her a regal smile. “So do you think this is going well? It seems to be going well. They seem to really like each other. But just when I think they’re making progress, something happens. She’s quite reluctant to be sexual with him.”
“Has she ever gone to Earth and met him and only been friends? Or even enemies? Does she have to have intercourse with him to remember?”
“You’re joking, right? You seriously think our kind can remember anything if we don’t engage in sacred communion with each other? We’d be like…we’d be like them.” He stared icily at a picture of a milling crowd in the open book Alpha had been reading. “They don’t know the power of sex except as having control over someone. They have no idea. They withhold it, they use it to punish, they treat it like it’s a mere commodity.” He shook his head and his mane of black hair swished to and fro, sparkling like winking stars in the night sky. “But clearly something’s amiss. She should have started remembering by now. All she’s had are inklings. Fragmented memories. What can I do to assist?”
“You’ve done enough, my lord. Let her be. Each time has to be different or she’d take no pride in doing it. You know that. We all sit around when she returns and she regales us with her tales and her follies. On some level, even now, she’s conscious of what she’s doing.”
“I know.” Kayden let out a huge sigh. “I want her to wake up. I don’t want her to be consumed by those wretched creatures while she’s unaware. They’ll destroy her.”
“Was the demon one of the ta-ak’tiyani?”
“No. A close cousin, but no. She did pierce it with her light, though. Even if she doesn’t remember, her skills are still intact.”
“So, then, let her be, my lord. Let this incarnation unfold. Trust. Perhaps you have things to learn while you wait.”
“Moi?” He glared at her, making her cower. “I think not.” He pivoted slowly in a circle, letting golden light pour from his utterly naked golden body. “Do you not see perfection standing before you?”
“Oh, I see it, my lord.” She licked her lips hungrily.
“Then surely you see I have nothing to learn.”
“Oh, you are infinite wisdom and truth, my lord, tis true. But maybe, just maybe, you need to learn to let her find her way. You know, in an independent kind of way? Maybe if you do that, she’ll be better able to inform Earthlings to learn to do the same.”
Kayden gazed at her, imperious and proud. “I concede your point.”
“You do?”
“Yes. I shall let her find her way this time with no int
erference beyond what’s already been given.”
“You are most generous.”
“I am that.” He paused, for effect. “But if that fails….”
“If she fails,” Alpha interrupted. “None of this will matter since we’ll all be extinct, every last one of us.”
“Do not speak of such things,” Kayden roared. “She is the ka, I am the ka, all will be well.”
“Yes, my lord,” Alpha said, casting her eyes downward.
“Do not ever bring this up again.”
“No, my lord,” Alpha said to her lap.
“Good,” Kayden said, brushing his solid abdomen. Because since none of you can read my mind, I shall be the only one to hold concern. I am, after all, your leader.
Chapter Twenty-five
“Oh, I’ve had such a fantastic day!” Chérie said, her voice overflowing with joy. “Thank you for everything. It’s been splendid beyond my wildest dreams.”
“Same here, girl.” He reached for her hand across the console of his Range Rover. “So, how about I cook you up the Cam Tyson special tonight? Spaghetti, French bread? What do you say?”
“Fantastic. Let’s stop at the store and I’ll pick up the salad stuff. Unless you have already have the ingredients?”
“Actually, I think I do. I just bought supplies for the week. I eat a lot of tuna sandwiches with lettuce and tomato. They’re cheap and easy.”
“Salad dressing?”
“I think so. If I don’t, there’s a corner store a block away from where I live.”
“Okay, super.”
“I might need a shower before I start to cook, though.”
Chérie nodded, picturing him naked in the shower.
“You might need one, too. It’s not big, but the water’s hot, and the company is…”
Her head spun to stare at his profile. “With you?”
“It’s your call. I’m just saying.”
Arousal shot up her spine. “I…I might take you up on that. Let me have a word with my inner wisdom,” she joked, half-heartedly. Her head felt far too hot and her pussy felt far too wet, all of a sudden. “Let’s see how it goes, okay?”
