The Barrier Between (Collector Series # 2)

by Stacey Marie Brown

  Just say it, Zoey. Rip the Band-Aid.

  “Ryker.” I turned to face him. “What happened last night—”

  “You mean the mistake?” He kept his head straight, cutting me off.

  Instant knife in the heart.

  “Like you said, we were drunk.” He shifted in his seat. “We can forget it happened.”

  My brows scrunched together. Like I said?

  My hand went to my mouth. “Oh my God. You heard me, in the bathroom, talking to Sprig.”

  The side of his mouth curved in a sneer. “We scratched the itch. Now we can go back to normal. Disliking each other.”

  “No!” The word sputtered out of my mouth. “I-I don’t want to go back.” He finally twisted to look at me. Lightning flickered outside, reflecting in his pupils. “Is this why you’ve been distant and cold to me all day?” I asked. He glanced back at the mirror behind the bar. “I said those things because I was scared. I was terrified you wouldn’t feel the same. I protect myself. It’s what I do. Sprig caught me off guard, and it was my automatic reaction.” I touched his arm. His eyes darted to my fingers and then to my face. “It was all bullshit. But I’d rather end it than lose you... if it’s what you want.”

  My gaze shot up the tattoo on his neck as it flickered with light.

  “I want you in my life. Even if it’s only as friends.” The words were thick, and it was hard to get them out of my throat. It was the most vulnerable I’d ever let anyone see me, but the floodgates were open, and I couldn’t seem to stop the words from coming out. I could feel the tears building behind my lids, but he gave me no time to let the emotion surface.

  His hands were on my face, pulling me to him. His lips found mine, and my heart exploded at his touch. His mouth devoured mine, stealing my breath away. I hated PDA couples, but I couldn’t stop kissing him and wanted the world to disappear around us, to leave us alone. I sent out a “you don’t notice us” chant in my head. Hopefully, my glamour worked good enough the other customers would ignore the couple making out at the end of the bar.

  Outside the rain pelted the dirt in constant attack. Another boom of thunder rocked through the room, and the lights blinked in retaliation. A strange sense of déjà vu hit me as lightning streaked around the sky, illuminating the dark pub.

  This time I didn’t care if the world crumbled around us. Neither of us seemed keen on pulling away. Our mouths wanted more from the other, both of us gasping for air when we could. It felt good to simply kiss him. It was something I could do all night, though my lower half wanted way more.

  Ryker broke away first, putting his forehead against mine. “The entire day all I wanted to do was drag you back to bed. I couldn’t stop thinking of you. Wanting you.”

  Relief came out in a shaky sigh. “Me too.”

  His fingers went through my hair, stripping my ponytail of its holder. My long dark violet tresses tumbled over my shoulders. Seeing my hair was like a jolt to my fear button. Since we were being honest, I covered the hand he had tangled in my hair and said, “I’m scared, and this is the reason.” I nodded to my locks.

  He eyes narrowed in confusion, then they grew wide, the confusion clearing from them. “You think your purple hair is the only reason I’m attracted to you?”

  “Uhhh...” A shaky laugh curled out. “Kind of.” He leaned back, his eyes searching mine. “I see how it could happen. My therapist calls it transference. You took your feelings for her and transferred them to me. With my hair like this I’m her stand-in.”

  Irritation flickered in his expression. “A little purple dye, and I become an idiot?”

  “Ryker.”

  He sat back farther from me. “So... every girl with blonde or brown hair is the same girl to me? Thank goodness you and Elthia didn’t have the same color hair. I wouldn’t have been able to tell you apart.”

  “Ryker,” I tried again.

  He propelled forward, getting only an inch from my face. “Believe me, you are nothing like Amara. Nothing. And a little hair dye isn’t going to suddenly make you so.”

  My hands twisted in my lap. My hair fell around my face, blanketing me from Ryker. His hand came through the curtain and curled around my jaw, pulling my head up to look at him. “Shave it, dye it black, it won’t make a difference. You have gotten under my skin. The stubborn, bossy, tough-as-nails human.”

  We found each other this time. My mouth tingled as his kiss deepened. His tongue and lips demanded more and mine responded in kind. “You want to go?” he whispered in my ear.

  “Oh hell yeah.” I was out of my stool before he could even blink. He smiled and called out to Tulio. The entire bar was focused on the screen; no one paid us a bit of attention. It probably had less to do with my so-called glamour magic and more to do with the soccer game. Tulio gave us a wave and turned back to the TV. Ryker laced his fingers in mine and together we headed for the door. The smile on my face almost hurt my cheeks, but it would not relax.

  Rain poured down from the night sky. The streets were void of people who decided to stay out of the torrential downpour. We had been caught in the rain several times together in Seattle. Never in such sexy circumstances, with teeth-chattering and bone-stabbing cold. This time was different. The cool water felt refreshing against my hot skin, dripping down my head. My hair absorbed the water and hung in heavy pieces down my back.

  Ryker watched as water slipped down my nose to my top lip. His eyes locked on my mouth. He sucked the water off my lips, nipping at the bottom one. This boy knew every button to push. He stepped closer, his mouth never leaving mine, and pressed our wet bodies together. The rain slithered in trails down our skin, igniting a fire instead of dampening it. His hands went under my arms, lifting me. “Damn, you’re short.” I felt his lips turn into a smile. He kissed me again and set me back on me feet. My hand wrapped around his, and I began to walk backward, tugging him with me.

  “Actually, I’m pretty average for a girl. You’re the Neanderthal.”

  His eyes sparked and grabbed the back of my head. We dove into another long toe-curling kiss. I became more anxious to get home.

  When we finally did, I was expecting to see Sprig passed out with corn chips stuck to his eyelids. But he was staring at the television like he was in a trance, a Spanish soap opera playing.

  “Sprig?”

  Nothing. Not even a flinch of recognition.

  “Sprig?” I said louder.

  Again... nada.

  “We could have sex right next to him, and he won’t notice.” Ryker’s lips tickled my ear.

  “Ugh.” I shuddered. Sprig was like my little brother, a pet, and a son all rolled into one. He was also becoming my best friend.

  Wow. My world had changed.

  Ryker’s warm mouth trailed down my neck, and I grabbed a chair to steady myself. The accumulation of need we had denied all day was starting to reach its breaking point.

  The sky streaked with light and a boom rushed behind it. The lights and TV flickered and then went out, plunging the room into darkness.

  “What? Nooooooo! She was going to find out whose baby it is.” Sprig’s wail broke through the shadows. I burst out laughing, which caused him to chirp. “When the hell did you two get back?”

  “Time to go, Sprig.” Ryker’s voice was gravelly. His hand skirted up my back, pushing my hair to the side. His breath hot on my neck.

  “Yup. Time to go,” I responded.

  “Go? Go where? Are we finally going to dinner?”

  “No. You are going to your room.” Ryker stepped away from me, and I felt his absence like a cold wind.

  “Room?” Sprig responded. “Oh, you mean the bathroom. Oh, no way. I am not listening to you two go at it again.”

  “Then I suggest you find somewhere else to go tonight.” I could hear Ryker rummaging in the corner. A flick of a match and the room glowed with a single candle.

  “Where did you get that?”

  “I think power outages happen quite a bit; they have
a few stocked in the drawer. And in the storage closet across the way.”

  “It’s like being back in Seattle again.”

  “Yeah, exactly.” He moved behind me and slipped a hand down the front of my pants.

  “Sprig. Out!” I yelled.

  In the glow, I saw Sprig cross his arms and huff. He didn’t move.

  “Sprig?”

  “Not. Talking. To. You.”

  “Could you not talk to me in the other room?”

  “No. I don’t want Pam to be subject to this either. We will go find some dinner. I am sure some restaurant will take pity on us.”

  “Oh, jeez. Fine. You can stay.” I threw up my arms. “We won’t do anything.”

  “Nah, I was only kidding. You two go at it like rabbits. I’ll be back later.” He jumped on the TV and then out the window into the rain.

  “Don’t pass out face down in the mud or you’ll drown,” I called after him.

  “Not sure that’s a phrase many mothers have used before.” Ryker laughed.

  I spun around to face him. “I am not acting like a mother.”

  A grin played on his mouth as he reached out for my hips and twisted me back around, facing the table. “Stay still.”

  He unhurriedly drew my pants down, his lips gliding over the back of my legs, making his way back up, electrifying every nerve ending with his tongue. Candlelight flickered shadows against the wall as my underwear skimmed down my legs.

  “Remember what the river fairy said about me?” He stood, pulling my top over my head.

  “You were a fine specimen?”

  He chuckled. “That I liked kinky games?”

  I sucked in air with excitement. “Yeah.”

  “Not completely true. I don’t like games. But I’m all for the rest.” His deep voice skated up my neck. The sound of his zipper and pants dropping to the floor doubled my heartbeat. His hands spread my legs, and he pushed me onto the table. His fingers trailed down my arms till his hands covered mine, then he gripped my fingers over the edge of the table. “Do you want to have a safe word?”

  “No,” I whispered hoarsely. “Don’t hold anything back. I want you completely.”

  Grabbing my hips, he slipped into me. I bit down on my lip as unbelievable pleasure rocked me. He was not as gentle as he thrust into me again.

  “Same.”

  THIRTEEN

  “Wakey, wakey.” Fingers patted my face.

  I blinked, taking in the brown primate sitting on my shoulder. Ryker’s naked form was curved against mine, his face snuggled into the back of my neck. Déjà vu flooded over me—to a time before when Sprig found us in bed together, waking us up. Except then we had jumped apart, pretending it never happened.

  Ryker stirred behind me, grumbling. “Isn’t there an off switch for him? Snooze button?”

  “Come on, guys. It’s breakfast time.” He chirped and jumped up and down on my arm.

  “Afraid not.” I sighed and pressed my head back into the pillow. My body ached and was tender everywhere—but in an amazing way.

  Ryker kissed the curve of my neck and rolled over, stretching.

  “There is liftoff.” Sprig squeaked and darted off the bed. Looking over my shoulder I saw what he was talking about. “That thing could club baby seals.”

  Laughing, I rolled over to face Ryker. “Now there’s an image that will haunt me.”

  He pulled me to him and kissed me deeply. I was close to telling Sprig to get lost again when he pulled away. “We better get going.”

  I nodded and sat up, taking the sheet with me to cover myself. It was possible everything could change today, or at least it could lead us somewhere. There was also a great likelihood Regnus would not be able to help us, and we would be back to zero. My nerves tightened in my belly. I was scared. Ryker’s powers needed to return to him before it was too late, but as soon as they did he wouldn’t need me anymore.

  If you weren’t useful in the world where I grew up, you were dead weight and disposed of. I didn’t think he would leave me once he got them back, but it didn’t stop the fear from curling around inside me, cinching the air in my lungs.

  The storm had blown over, and the morning sun was beginning to dry the earth. The humidity from the damp soil clashed with the heat, bringing it to a suffocating level. I grabbed a thin tank top, pulled it over my head, and slipped on a new pair of underwear. At least I was dressed enough so Sprig didn’t have to hide. Actually, it was me who had the issue. Fae didn’t seem embarrassed or concerned about the naked form. Ryker proved the point as he stood up, stretched, and strolled to the bathroom in the buff. Sprig ignored him as he went through the fridge searching for anything to sustain him till we got an actual meal.

  Ryker didn’t close the door and the sound of the shower emanated from the room. Did he want me to join him?

  I still felt shy around Ryker in the morning light. Normally, I was not bashful, but usually I wasn’t with my sexual conquest/partner come morning. Sex was something I did and then departed quickly after. Until now, Daniel had been the only one I wanted to be with. Now, I could no longer escape what I felt about Ryker. Surprisingly, I didn’t want to.

  This was way out of my realm. I didn’t even know how to have a normal conversation with him without images of what we did the night before flashing through my head. To pretend my mouth or his lips hadn’t been everywhere.

  We got ready and grabbed churros and water along the way, which pleased Sprig. Croygen was meeting us out of town at the base of the Huayna Picchu trail. He told Ryker “after daybreak,” which could mean any time. Fae didn’t seem to have a precise measurement of time.

  The trail took a steep incline and my lungs ached at the thinning air, my boots swirling the dirt up off the path. Trees disappeared the higher we climbed, replaced by ancient stone steps left from the Inca, and thick brush wound tightly around the mountain. Green moss and shrubs coated the area, freeing the view to Machu Picchu in the distance. I stared longingly at the ancient ruins, wanting to spread my arms and let the wind fly me over. I still had yet to see them in person.

  “We’ll get there.” Ryker nudged me forward.

  “We’ve been this close and haven’t yet.”

  “I will make sure you see them,” he said into my ear, tapping his hand on my ass to prod me to move. We hiked for the next ten minutes, the trail growing so steep I needed to use my hands and feet to crawl up.

  Suddenly Ryker stopped. “Here.”

  “Here?” I asked, peering around. The bit of trail Ryker halted us at mimicked most of the terrain we had trekked.

  “Are you going to finish this?” A white sack containing the rest of my breakfast came out of my bag. Sprig opened it up, motioning to the churro.

  “This is where Croygen said he’d meet us. If the asshole decides to show up,” Ryker responded.

  “Bhean.” Sprig tapped on my hand.

  “At this nonspecific spot?”

  Ryker tilted his head and nodded.

  “Bheannnnn.”

  “Okay. Now what?” I continued to observe the location. It seemed like an insignificant place, but maybe that was the point.

  “Bhhhheeeannn, gimme, gimmmeeeee.”

  I sighed and handed the rest of my pastry to Sprig. He snatched it from my fingers and shoved it in his mouth, mumbling happily.

  “We wait,” Ryker replied.

  My eyes darted around. “For how long exactly?”

  “You already bored?” Ryker smirked, moving his frame close to mine.

  “No... yes.” I shifted my weight. “I’m anxious.”

  Ryker nodded and his hands moved to my face. His fingers softly stroked my lips, brushing off the leftover sugar. His gaze was intense on mine. “Still some left.” He pulled me to him, his warm mouth covering mine.

  “Ugh. I’m not hungry anymore.” Sprig gagged but continued to lick every grain of sugar from his fingers.

  “Me either.” A deep voice came from behind me. I spun around to s
ee Croygen standing only feet away, leaning comfortably against a boulder, like he had been there for a while. He probably had. Croygen’s normal facial expression was to look disgusted at everything, but seeing Ryker and me kissing created a snarl of repulsion over his features he did not try to hide. I could all but hear him think: a human fraternizing with a fae, how disgusting. Croygen made it clear how he felt about humans in general, but I seemed to offend him even more.

  Melosa’s words came back to me. “Do not trust the man in black. His soul is corrupt. He will trick and deceive. Neither of you are safe.”

  My muscles automatically locked up in defense. We don’t have a choice, I repeated to myself. We have to trust someone.

  “Were you watching us the whole time?” Ryker folded his arms. We should have known Croygen was already there, blending in with the backdrop.

  Croygen was again dressed in black pants, a long-sleeved black shirt that reminded me of pirates, a long, heavy velvet jacket lined with gold piping, and heavy boots. He seemed oblivious to the heat pounding from the sky. His shoulder-length dark hair was pulled back in a bun, and his thick black beard covered his face. All he needed was a hook and eyepatch.

  I was surrounded by a pirate, a Viking, and a talking monkey. Disney had nothing on me.

  A sneer trekked over Croygen’s mouth as he looked me up and down. “Let’s go,” he barked at us.

  Ryker’s shoulders rotated back, his chest expanding. He deliberately moved away from me, showing he would not be intimidated or bossed around.

  Croygen’s lids narrowed. He was seriously intimidating. Fighting taught me there were those people who put up a front and tried to come across frightening, and there were those people who truly were. Both Ryker and Croygen fell into the latter.

  I squeezed Ryker’s hand, giving him a tight smile, before letting it drop. I turned and started walking to Croygen. I could feel in my gut our happy little world was about to change. The delicate connection between us was going to be strengthened or broken.

  We followed Croygen as he guided us deep into the mountain range, edging along the trails near the high peaks of Machu Picchu but far away from any tourists. Sweat trickled down my face, and I was wishing I had bought more churros and water when Croygen finally stopped. “We go through here.”