by J. L. Weil
“I’m beginning to think I didn’t get all the poison. It could be causing delusions. Are you feeling well now?”
I gave him the finger.
He laughed.
And I really didn’t want the sound to send butterflies through my belly.
“I’m going to take that as a yes. I never would have pegged you for the ‘faint at the sight of blood’ type of girl,” he said.
“I’m not.”
“Good. Don’t ever do that again.”
There he goes. I wasn’t even on my feet, and he was ordering me about. Slowly, I stood up. Dash was right by my side in case things went topsy-turvy again. “I don’t intend to. I find that fainting is not my thing.”
He arched a brow.
“Shouldn’t we be putting distance between us and that dreadful place?” The Night’s Guard must patrol the nearby vicinity, and we hadn’t gotten far before I’d decided to swoon.
“We’re far enough; besides, I think you could use a bath,” he said, wrinkling his nose.
He did, did he? “Me?” I gasped. “I’m the one who has to stare at you and that scruffy face of yours.” I rubbed the palm over the underside of his chin.
He chuckled softly. “It is getting a bit hairy.”
I plucked on a patch of scruff. “You think?”
“Fine. You want a bath; I might have an answer to your wish.”
“Oh yeah, you know where a shower is with hot water and a whirlpool with steaming jets?” I asked, being a smartass.
It backfired … sort of.
Dash delivered in a way that was post-apocalyptic approved.
“Another cave?” I said, angling my head suspiciously.
“Just wait,” he grinned.
“If this one has any snykers, I’m out,” I warned.
The narrow cave expanded to a circular grotto with a small, natural hot spring. Steam billowed from the water, rising up to the rocky ceiling. A waterfall cascaded over the side of a cave wall. Warmth flooded the room, but it wasn’t an uncomfortable heat like the desert. From the mouth of the cave, a soft, cool breeze blew in, the combination making the room an idyllic temp. Blue lightning bugs fluttered in the air, skipping over the surface of the water. Their wings looked as if they were made of glass.
“What are they?” I asked, taken by their beauty.
“Glassflies,” he answered, eyes on my face as he watched me absorb it all.
Wow. This place was a secret treasure, and I couldn’t wait to take a dip. “Thank you for bringing me here.”
He shrugged like it was no big deal, and maybe it wasn’t for him, but for me it was phenomenal. “It was either this or continue to smell you.”
I gave his shoulder a shove, not that he moved. Dash was an immovable force when he wanted to be.
I liked the drama of the view—the dangerous drop into the bubbling spring, even the ribbon of rocky path winding around the room and disappearing deeper into the cave. It was serene. The fact it was hidden in another cave, surprisingly, had very little impact on its splendor, which could only mean I was actually getting used to living like a mountain man.
What is happening to me?
Dash set down his bag and rummaged through one of the pockets, pulling out a bottle of soap and a straight razor.
“You’re kidding. You had a razor this whole time?” My legs were starting to look like a gorilla. “I’ll rock, paper, scissors you for first dibs.”
“You’re on, Freckles. Prepare to lose.” There was a sardonic twist to his lips.
I grinned.
Let the games begin. Pounding my fist on my hand three times, I threw down scissors. Why not? I was feeling a bit sharp. Looking over at Dash’s hand, I let out a squeal. “Scissors cut paper,” I said, cutting his paper with my finger scissors.
“I don’t know how, but you definitely cheated.”
I won, and my grin said it all. “Thank you,” I sung, plucking the razor and soap from the ground. Slipping my feet out of my boots, I walked to the water’s edge and dipped a toe. I sighed, and then I remembered the usual nasties that prowled in the waters. “Are you sure it’s safe?” I asked, lifting my head. I really hoped so, because it looked ultra-inviting, and I really wanted a bath that didn’t involve being shot at. Not to mention, the chance to shave my legs and armpits … I’d died and gone to heaven.
Dash was more of a show than tell guy, but when he whipped his shirt off in one smooth motion and begun unbuttoning his pants, I was torn between gaping and glancing away.
Holy Mountain Dew.
Boy was stacked.
He kept on his boxers, and I was relieved and a tad disappointed. I’d seen my fair share of half-naked men thanks to my summers at the beach. I practiced cheerleading every day after school on the field, right next to the sweaty football team, but da-a-nm, seeing Dash shirtless, my pulse sped into unchartered territories.
It shouldn’t have been a big deal. I already knew I had a teeny crush on the guy, so it made complete sense that seeing him nearly naked would send my hormones buzzing. He had a build that appealed to me—not too big like a steroid junky—but there wasn’t an ounce of fat on him.
He dove over the side of the edge into the water with fluid grace. I stared after him with drool on the side of my mouth.
Get a grip.
Easier said than done. I exhaled.
Dash broke the surface laughing, water dripping off his face and glistening on his lashes.
“How deep is it?” I asked.
“Why don’t you come in and find out?”
Oh boy. We’d come to the part where I had to take my clothes off. In front of Dash. I’d never been self-conscious of my body, but the idea of stripping suddenly filled me with awkwardness.
“What are you waiting for? You haven’t gone shy on me, have you?” Dash challenged, knowing it would appeal to my rebellious side.
With a bravado I wasn’t feeling, I grabbed the ends of my shirt and took a deep breath. His eyes were on mine, air in the cavern spiking. Just do it. The longer you prolong, the harder it will be.
I yanked the shirt over my head and quickly shimmied out of my pants, tossing them both on the cave floor. Forcing myself to keep my hands at my sides, I walked to the edge and made a point to meet Dash’s smoldering gaze. “Satisfied?”
“I haven’t been satisfied since I met you.”
“Ditto,” I muttered before jumping in.
Warm water rushed over my face, providing little relief to the flush overtaking my skin. But after a few moments, it didn’t matter. The water was refreshing and invigorating, giving me a sense of joy.
Popping up out of the water, I laughed as I whipped my head back, pushing my long, tangled hair out of my face. I wanted to do that again. Forgetting about my modesty, I treaded water, moving toward the edge to test the depth of the lagoon. Based off my height, the shallowest part of the spring was around four feet. I was able to stand with the water hitting my chest.
Dash was watching me in a way that made me want to move closer. I made myself stay where I was and stumbled for something to say. “The water is nice.”
“Why don’t you come closer? The water is warmer over here.”
I splashed a wave of water at his face. “No way. That is the last thing I’m going to do. Besides, what happened to you wanting to be just friends?”
He waded through the water, coming toward me with a mischievous glint that warned me to tread with caution. “I’m thinking friends with benefits might be more our thing.”
“Oh, you are? I’ve got news for you: I’m not interested.”
He flashed me a pair of identical dimples. “Liar.”
“Maybe. Or I just don’t want to get my hopes up for you to crush them again.”
“Smart … and safe … but not very fun.”
Water lapped around my shoulders. “You’re nothing but a tease.”
“That’s a first. I’ve been called many things, but never a tease.”
“Okay. Correction. You’re a man-whore and a tease.”
He laughed. “If you’re done gawking and ruining my good name, toss me the soap.”
I rolled my eyes and lifted myself up onto the edge, leaving my feet dangling in the water. Grabbing the bottle of soap from the ledge, I opened the top and took a sniff. It smelled of sandalwood and vanilla. “Ladies first,” I said, squeezing a glob into my hand. Securing the top, I flung the bottle a few feet across the water.
Dash caught it midair. “Nice throw, slugger.”
I smashed my hands together, dispersing the soap before working it into the mop I called hair. “Actually, I was aiming for your head.”
He gave me a shit-eating grin. “We’ll have to work on your accuracy.”
“You’d know all about that.”
Dash lathered his hair and body, turning the water around him into suds. “I would.”
That got me thinking. “Does that skill only apply to arrows? Or is it anything you touch?”
“Trust me. The Institute put me through the paces. There isn’t a weapon I can’t handle. There isn’t a mark I can’t hit.”
“I understand why the Institute thinks you’re an asset, why they’re going to such great lengths to find you.”
“Yeah, well, it’s becoming tiresome. I’ve grown bored of this mouse and cat game.”
Squeezing the suds out of my hair, I asked, “What does that mean?”
Dash chucked the shampoo bottle into the open flap of his bag. Show off. “It means, after I find my family, I’m going to find a way to deal with them. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life running.”
And who could blame him? I’d only been at this a short time, and I could attest that it was indeed exhausting. “If anyone can do the impossible, it’s you.”
A moment passed, and a curious, almost confused look crossed his expression. “You’re nothing like I first thought.”
I twisted around, kicking my feet under the water. “You mean, you still don’t think I’m a spoiled brat?”
“No, I do … but you’re more than that.”
“Thanks.” I grinned and then dunked my head underwater, rinsing off the bubbles from my hair. When I resurfaced, Dash was in front of me, the bubbles gone from his hair. He was so close, I could see the water droplets on his lashes, making them thicker and darker.
“Feel better?” he asked in a hushed voice.
Define better. I was feeling different—that’s for sure—but better? I wouldn’t go as far as to say so. If he’d just stayed on his side of the grotto, I’d be peachy-freaking-keen. “What are you doing?”
He brushed past me, lifting himself out of the water, and stood at the edge of the pool, looking down at me with beads of water dripping over his bare chest. “Drying off.”
Hubba-hubba.
I gulped.
Would I ever be able to control my thoughts around Dash? Because right now, all I could think about was his abs and how delicious he was. And … having his babies. His offer of friends with benefits was becoming more and more appealing by the second. “Any chance you got towels in that magic pack of yours?”
An arrogant smile spread across his face. “Afraid not, Freckles. We’re going to have to air dry.”
What is happening to me?
Everything he said enticed an emotion inside me, usually the desire to toss myself at him and kiss him brainless. When I was around Dash, it was as if someone else took over my body, making me do and think crazy things. How was I going to stop myself from ogling him like a total creep if he was going to be strutting around in wet boxers? It really left almost nothing to the imagination. I forced my gaze to stay centered on his face. “Did you plan this?”
He stood dripping water over the rocky floor and ran a hand through his hair, smoothing it back. “To get you naked and at my mercy? Absolutely.”
“You’re deplorable,” I stated without much heat.
He strutted over to his bag and pulled something out. “Don’t worry. I’ll stay on my side of the cavern, and you can cover up with this. I’m not a complete tool,” he said, offering me one of his shirts.
What other choice did I have? If I stayed in the spring much longer, I was going to end up shriveled like a raisin. I lifted myself out and reached for his shirt. The moment I gripped the material, Dash jerked it back, bringing me with it.
I tilted my head back and gave him a bored look. “I thought you said you weren’t a tool.”
He wasn’t fooled by my lack of interest. “I lied.”
Dash would be so much easier to resist if I didn’t find his egotism charming. “Hands off, Darhk. Unless you’re admitting you feel something for me,” I said, angling my head to the side.
He took a step forward, our bodies grazing. “I definitely feel something.”
My cheeks stained pink at his implication. “Other than lust, you jerk,” I pointed out, shoving a finger in his chest.
Wrong move.
Touching Dash when he was more or less naked sent my senses into a whirlwind.
And I wasn’t the only one.
“Is this about respect? Because I completely respect you.” The husky quality of his voice hit me in the feels.
“You’re so confusing,” I muttered, yanking the shirt away from our weird game of tug-of-war. I slipped into his shirt. The hem reached my thighs, offering the coverage I sought.
Dash rocked back on his heels, lips lifted. “I’m a guy. My needs are pretty basic.”
I rolled my eyes.
He pulled on his pants, and my eyes were disappointed, but my heart was relieved. “I’m going to get us some firewood. You think this one time you can stay out of trouble?”
I sat on the edge of the water, letting my toes skim on the surface. “I’ll be good.”
Watching the aqua glassflies making lazy circles in the air, I let my mind wander, reflecting on the craziness that had become my life. My normal schedule of waking up, going to school, cheer practice, and doing it all over again, day in and day out, seemed monotonous.
To think I’d always longed for adventure and excitement, to see the world and all it had to offer, and now that I had, I yearned for my old boring, quiet life.
A trail of tingles tapped up my spine, alerting me that Dash had returned. I spun around as he strolled through the narrow path into the opening of the cavern with nothing on but dark jeans. I might not understand the vast majority of things about this world, but I was lucky to have escaped the Institute and that Dash had found me. I shuddered to think where I would be otherwise.
Setting up the branches in a pile, he looked over at me. “Think I could get a spark?”
I gave him a funny glare. “You want me to produce a bolt of lightning? In here? Have you lost your mind? I could hit you.”
His eyes glimmered. “Or … you could hit the wood.”
“That’s if I can even summon the spark.”
“You need the practice.”
Frowning, I shook my head. “It’s your grave.”
He chuckled. “I trust you.”
“What am I going to do if I miss and electrocute you instead? Not all of us have your perfect aim,” I reminded him.
He dusted off his hands, removing any wood particles. “Simple solution: Don’t miss.”
Sighing, I stood up and walked closer to the mouth of the cave. “Your logic blows,” I mumbled under my breath. “I should hit you just out of spite.”
“You wouldn’t dare,” he said with a saucy grin.
That’s what he thinks. Stretching my fingers, I crouched down beside the pile of wood and took a deep breath. I harnessed the electricity inside me, letting it stretch out to the tips. I felt it rattle and wake. A tiny glassfly buzzed near my ear, and I swore I could hear it urging me to summon the spark of lightning. I gave in, releasing the pent-up static. It raced down my arm, shooting from my fingers straight into the center of the stack of branches.
I liked the rush it gave me—pote
nt and addicting, and I wanted to do it again.
A small stream of smoke floated from within the wood, and Dash rocked back, sitting on his butt. “See. I knew you could do it. No sweat.”
“I almost had a panic attack.” Curling my legs underneath me, I waited for the spark to turn into flames. I lifted my eyes to find Dash looking at me. “Why are you staring at me like I’m on the wrong side of special?”
His lips twitched. “I can’t get over your eyes. When they shift colors, it’s the most mesmerizing thing I’ve ever seen.”
Not what I’d expected him to say. It was nice … but uncharacteristic, and I wasn’t sure I trusted this charming side of Dash. “I always figured they were my best feature.”
“That and your legs aren’t bad.”
I wiggled my toes. “I guess all that cheerleading practice paid off.”
He snorted. “I knew it.”
“Are you telling me you weren’t the captain of the football team?” I asked, feigning utter astonishment.
“Not by a long shot,” he scoffed. “I spent more time ditching classes than I did attending.”
No surprise.
I combed my fingers through my wet hair as we sat by the roaring fire, munching on a new version of trail mix and talking about our lives from before. What kind of school we went to. What our friends were like. How we never would have even spoken to one another in our previous lives. His little bro. My little sis. I could tell it was difficult for him to reveal parts of his life prior to the mist, and I didn’t push. I just lent him my ear. No judgment. I wanted to know everything about Dash—what shaped the person he was today.
My hair was mostly dry when Dash stretched his legs, standing up and tossing me a wad of material from his pack. “I borrowed these from Eastroth. They should fit.”
“Define ‘borrowed,’ ” I asked, eyes narrowing.
“After the trouble Brunlak caused, I figured they owed us some clean clothes.”
Translation: he stole them, but I couldn’t fault his logic. And I really, really didn’t want to have to put on the same clothes I’d been wearing for days. Not that I condoned stealing. Desperate times, desperate measures. “Are you going to put a shirt on now?”
He flipped on another black T-shirt. “Is my bare chest bothering you?”