“It’s perfectly harmless,” he assured. “Want to try?”
She nodded hesitantly, and then he fired on her, deliberately sending the laser near her.
Skye sprang backward behind the protection of her shield. She fired her toy gun, and the blue stream passed through her shield but struck his, making the barrier flash. He fired repeatedly at her, with calculated aim, and she soon discovered that her movements were an integral part of the game, that strategy was involved. As he fired, she must move, or part of her shield would drop away where it would have struck her had there been no shield, letting the laser through at that point. He was whittling away at her defenses as she realized this, and then she sprang aside as he fired, avoiding destruction. It wasn’t long, though, before he had her defenseless, and he sent a laser bolt harmlessly into the center of her breast, in triumph of her virtual demise.
He smiled at her mischievously—and a bit angrily. “Do you get it?” he asked.
Skye definitely ‘got it’. He aimed to win at their internal battle, as well. He’d have more of a challenge on this next round ...
Now that she had the concept, she could whittle away at his defenses, as well. He sprang away from where she fired, but she was able to get in a shot, or two. She kept her mind centered on the stealth movements of his gun, avoiding the bolts while she fired on him, to which he would quickly spring away. She was relentless, though, making him dive across the padded floor. She made him work for his victory, and when it came, the blue laser again struck her square in the center of her breast.
He was somewhat breathless as he asked—suspiciously, “Are you sure you’ve never played this before?”
She nodded her head. “I’ve played something similar, though, on my computer tablet.”
Skye wasn’t about to tell him that she knew her way around a gun, having become a very good shot when her father had taught her how to hit a target, for her protection.
“Okay, then,” he said. “On to round three ...”
Skye used her quick reflexes and instincts to get into the flow of the game. He was a formidable foe, making her short of breath and keeping her on her toes. Each round she figured out how to drop a bit more of his shield, sending him into defense, but he still was the victor, every time giving her the same demise. By round ten, however, she put him at a disadvantage, having dropped much of his shield in the left aft of the cage, which he preferred to use as his vantage point. She did get a lucky shot through, and she didn’t really mean to, but her blue laser slipped through his barrier, striking him in his place between his narrow hips.
He laughed shakily, rising up to his feet. “Beginner’s luck,” he uttered. “Congratulations.”
Skye tried not to revel in her victory ...
“Ah, enough of this,” he said, stepping out of the cage. She followed him and gave him her gun, and he returned them to their place.
Nicholas was flustered, unable to believe the girl’s skill. She was full of surprises ... ‘Blades’ was his game, one that he rarely lost. But dammit, she had been distracting him, with her breasts flopping around all over the place ...
He’d try her at a head game. He was always very good at those ...
“Do you like ‘Mind’s Eye’?” he asked her.
She shrugged. “I’ve never played it.”
He moved over to the far side of the hall, choosing a panel. The hologram that sprang up was a single thin and glowing board, about ten feet wide and five feet tall. Within the blue board floated many red images of square cards.
“The trick here is to find matching shapes,” he explained. “When you find a pair, you get a score, and they go off the board until all of the pairs are found.”
He demonstrated on his side of the board, flicking his forefinger on a few cards, bringing to light the red, green and yellow squares and rounds, until he found two of the same. He touched his fingertip on each of them, and they disappeared from the board, giving him the number ‘five’ on the edge of the hologram, the tally board. The other cards he hadn’t matched returned to the color red, and one would have to remember where they were, before the opponent did. The game was further complicated by the colors of the shapes—blue, green and yellow—that would have to be matched accordingly.
“Go ahead—try it,” he urged.
On her side of the board, she touched her fingertip on a few cards and found two blue circles. She locked where the other shapes were into her mind, before they turned back to red. The blue circles disappeared, giving her a score of five.
“Good!” he praised. “You’ve got it! Now, let's play a real game. You'll lose your turn if you don't match a pair right away.”
Skye wasn’t about to tell him that she had played this game before, on her computer tablet. It was but a variation of ‘Concentration’, a game she was very good at. As time went on and the scores were tallied, she discovered that he had an excellent memory also, racking up his points ... but near the end of the program, she began to equal his fervor. With a flick of her finger on two yellow squares, she ended the game—her final score two hundred and fifty-five, against his two hundred and fifty.
He uttered, “That’s not really my game.”
He shut the hologram down and moved on to the next. “How about ‘Haze’?” he asked.
She’d give it a try ...
Nicholas’ frustration grew as she met his every challenge, with an ease that was maddening. He tried her at ‘Maze Five’, at ‘Chaos Shuffle’, but she had a skill that sometimes surpassed his own. He knew these games but she didn’t, and he’d never known such a fast learner. Her instincts were strong—must be from all of those bears chasing her. But, it really wasn’t fair—her beauty was distracting him, making it hard for him to think. And it did miff him a bit that she hadn’t even the common courtesy to let him win—not even once.
Nicholas concluded that this girl was a master at games.
With a sigh, he said, “I think I’ve had enough for one day.”
Skye followed him back into the house, feeling rather guilty about winning. But, she had only been doing her best ...
That night, Nick didn’t even bother getting his ‘Good-night’ at her door, out of ammunition. He said his well wishes at his own door, and he retreated into his room, to nurse his injured pride.
Skye stared at his closed door, disappointed. She really hadn’t wanted the day to end like this. Had she pushed him too far?
She moved to her chambers, finding an ivory satin nightgown, changing and crawling into bed. She lie there, consumed by thoughts of him, how his broad chest had gleamed in the sun by the pool, how he had wanted to touch her ...
Nicholas was in his own bed, tossing and turning in his discontent. Why did she have to be so stubborn and beautiful—and dammit, he wanted her ...
In the dark of night, Skye pretended that her own hands were his, releasing her passion for him ... but she was left with emptiness, a longing within her breast. He was not here to hold her ...
A spirit of wisdom seemed to touch them both at once, urging them toward unity, but still, neither could gracefully yield.
They both had the same thoughts.
This war was getting a bit ridiculous ...
Chapter 11
The sun rose clouded the following morning, casting the amber rays heavily through the massing white billows. Skye walked the beach, unable to sleep. There was coolness in the air, dank and fresh of the salt, and she pulled her ivory satin dressing robe tighter to her, wrapping her arms around her breast, taking in deep breaths. The sand was damp on her bare toes, splashed often with the rising, spraying surf. High above, the last of the sparkling stars were fading, being taken by the brilliant blue, as a mist was forming on the round horizon. She sensed the approaching storm, and she would welcome its passion ...
She could find no clarity in her thoughts while she wandered on, wishing that the sky would open up and give her the answers. She understood that her elusive lover had stolen
her heart, but had he taken her soul, as well ...?
Nicholas finally gave up on his want of sleep, rising from the cold, empty bed. He had made up his mind that he would talk to her and resolve this outrageous, childish feud. He was a man and she was a woman, and they should treat each other as such. They had something special when they touched ...
He slid into his black dressing robe—the one she had worn before he gave to her her wardrobe—almost feeling her essence within it. He went to her door and rapped lightly on it, and heard no sound coming from within. He opened the door, expecting to see her sleeping in the bed, but when he flicked on a light, he saw that the bedding was tidy—and she was not there.
Thinking that she had risen early, he moved to the foyer and saw that no light was coming from there; the faint glow of dawn crept on the shadows, giving a discernable dim. He felt a wave of panic and he turned on the lights, moving quickly through the house, one he was discovering was exorbitantly huge. He called out her name; she didn’t respond. He looked out on the gaming hall, but the building was dark and quiet. He checked the courtyard, but only received the silence. An impending dread began rising within him. Had she left him—had she already slipped away?
He hurried out onto the terrace, the light of the sun coming brighter now but darkened with the threat of approaching storm clouds. His eyes scanned the length of the beach—but she was not there.
In his desperation, he cupped his hands around his mouth and called out her name, over and over, his plea echoing on the wind, across the rising sea ...
Skye thought that she heard her name being called, faint and broken on the wind, within the plaintive cries of the seabirds. She stopped and listened; she did hear Nick’s voice! Exhilaration struck her and she hurried for the sound.
Nicholas was about to give up hope when he saw her approaching, down on his left. His relief rushed through him, but then he was concerned.
A flash of lightning slipped through the blue, off in the distance but too near for comfort. Skye looked up at him, but then turned to experience the storm, her long red-gold hair billowing, her white robes flowing. She wanted to stay there.
“Skye!” he called down. “Come back! It’s too dangerous down there!”
She wouldn’t obey, captivated by nature’s oncoming fury.
He cursed and went down to get her, his bare feet skimming on the steps, down to the tufts of the damp sand.
The sight of her struck him while he neared her. She was like an angelic vision, her ivory robes framing her against the moody clouds, but her face was like that of an enchantress, her full red lips parted, luring him toward his destruction. Her violet-blue eyes—all wide and glowing—mirrored the sea and sky beyond, giving him a promise if he would just come near ... Another flash of lightning came, reflecting off in the violet-blue ...
Nicholas vowed that nothing would stop him from having her now.
Skye held out her arms as he rushed for her, yanking her to his breast and taking her into a brutal kiss, freeing their passion. He nudged her down on the sand, ripping apart her lacy bodice to get at her breasts, starved for her, his large hands and hot tongue devouring their swollen, pink peaks. He quickly worked the sash of his own robe, opening himself to her, and he jerked up her hem, opening her to him. He spread her thighs and he thrust himself within her, giving her all that she desired ...
The rains came, falling heavily and coldly upon them, but they paid it no heed while he kissed her and loved her, sweeping them off into the tempest. The low rumbling of thunder brought their need sharply to them both, sending them into the rapturous fury ...
As their storm subsided, they worked to catch their breath, coming to realize that they were being pelted with cold, driving rain. He rose and lifted her up, grasping her arm and pulling her on behind him while he ran, across the beach and up the steps, her in his tow. When inside the safety of the foyer, he let out a jovial sound and swooped her up into the cradle of his arms, carrying her off to his bed.
Skye laughed breathlessly as he deposited her there, and he struggled out of his soaked black robe and helped her out of her torn and clinging robes, lifting them over her head and arms. He tossed them on the floor, strewing the raindrops everywhere, and with his hand on her breasts he pushed her down, laying her out for him. She saw the mischief in his eyes before he drew her into a ravishing kiss ...
She tangled her hands in his wet blond locks, lightheaded in her euphoria. He drew his lips away from hers and moved them down to nip and growl at her breasts. He was with her again—as freehearted as she—rollicking in their reunion, laughing in their play. He rolled her above him, then below him, and then above him again, her waist on his, her heavy damp tresses in disarray all around them. He urged her up to straddle him, and lifted her up by her underarm and set her down on him, with him within her, impaling her with his desire. His strong hands gently tortured her breasts until she could withstand no more ... and she fell down onto his wide breast, him caressing her slender back while she luxuriated in him, savoring his every essence. She heard her voice breathe out his name when their union came, an easy voyage that rocked her like the waves of the sea ...
She stayed upon him with her eyes closed, marveling of his fingertips that gently stroked her cheek.
After a long while, he huskily said, “You rude wench. Putting me through all of that, making me suffer without you. Well, never again.”
His words overwhelmed her with emotion. He truly was in love with her ...
Their day passed in a passionate mood, as tumultuous as the storm that raged, off and on, beyond the windows. The war was over and the battles were won, awarding the victors with the wisdom of peace. They explored this newfound wisdom well, testing their spirits to find oneness, a gentle touch opening the gateway to the soul. Their new adventure swept them often into the height of the clouds ... falling back down softly within the nurture of the rain.
When she slept that night, on his breast and in his arms, it was with content, knowing that this was where she was meant to be.
***
The next morning Skye woke alone in Nick's bed, seeing that the sun had returned, shining through the windows. She wondered about his absence, but she remembered all of the ecstasy of yesterday and pressed her smiling lips into his pillow, not quite daring to believe that all of that could have been true. She still was dizzy from their lovemaking, the emotion that had been pent up in their feud. But, she felt a new emotion welling ...
She rose from the bed and went to her former room. She slipped into a simple blue dress and went off to find him.
Nick’s message was waiting for her in the foyer.
“Hi, lover,” his bright voice said. “And, oh, what a lover! Umm ... I’ve a few things to take care of today, Skye. I’ll be back soon.”
There was a pause, and then she said it along with him, “This is your secret admirer.”
Skye smiled, but then she grew sober, disturbed by his message. Why hadn’t he told her where he was going? He certainly had a lot of things to take care of, for an adventurer.
She began moving for the kitchen when a new voice came from the message board. She stopped short when hearing that it was a woman’s voice.
“Hey, Nicholas—are you there?” a smooth and refined, very feminine woman said. “It’s me—Audrey. Where the hell are you? I’ve been trying to get a hold of you for weeks—why won’t you answer your comm? You just take off and don’t tell me anything! Now, is that any way to treat your girlfriend? They said that you had docked your ship at home, so I know that you’re around here, somewhere. You’d better give me a call, Nicholas. You’re starting to make me angry.”
In the following silence, Skye stared at the message board in her shock. She became aware that her cheeks were being flooded with her tears.
“What?” she choked. “What?”
She moved slowly to the panel, to replay that last message, certain that she had heard wrong. She listened to it again, finding
that she had heard it right.
She stumbled over to a lounge and fell to sit down on it. She buried her wet face in her palms, just knowing that it couldn’t be true ...
Audrey ... his girlfriend ... He had another who he touched ... He had lied to her ...
The realization dawned on her that he hadn’t truly lied to her. He had never mentioned a girlfriend, but she had never asked. She had known that he was a lusty man who visited brothels, but she had secretly hoped that he would quit that, that he wouldn’t have the need anymore, being with her. What a fool she had been! He had a girlfriend—how many others did he have?
A deep, hot anger began working up from the pit of her belly, making her clench and unclench her fists. She had been his fool—his new amusement, his sordid adventure. And she had been so naive to hope to believe that she was more than that. He simply kept her here, waiting for him until he desired her again—was he with another right now?
The devastating thought brought an overwhelming ache into her breast, sending out a fresh rush of tears.
This is what she had feared ...
He kept her here, waiting for him as if this was his own house and she was his dutiful mistress. He would keep her forever—or until he tired of her—or whatever he desired. It was what he had said he wanted to do—on Myrrh—to put her in a house where she wouldn’t want for a thing. A place like this ...
He’d put her in a house.
Skye was determined to have her answers. She'd had her fleeting suspicions about his elusive ‘friend’ who owned this place, but she hadn’t wanted to dwell on it, fearing what all that would mean. It was simply easier to live in the moment and not delve into anything disturbing. Now, she must face reality and see for herself ...
She pushed away her tears from her cheeks and rose with purpose, and moved up to the bedroom suites, in search of the master bedroom.
She gave herself the right to invade the owner’s privacy—Nick’s girlfriend had given her that right. She knew of the contents of the two rooms—his and hers—but she didn’t know what lie beyond the doors in the others. She opened the door next to his and found a similar room, done in green and gold. She searched through the bureaus and closets, finding them all empty of any personal possessions except for towels and the like for guests. She moved on to the next room, and had the same outcome.
The Princess of the Wild Page 12