Chapter Thirteen

 

Several hours later, Alana sat on a rock ledge and watched Seth forage for food. The chances of him finding anything down here were slim to none. But she wasn’t hungry anyway. Maybe being in such a dead place and technically being considered ghosts meant that they didn’t need basic nourishment. Or maybe it had something to do with the fact that they were possessed.

They hadn’t said much after he’d made the comment about just finding her. The truth of the matter was him saying that scared her almost as much as the predicament they were in. Seth had almost sounded like he wanted a relationship with her and the Seth she knew was incapable of commitment, never mind love. Wasn’t he?

His current feelings had to have something to do with this place. They’d been through hell together. That could do funny things to people. Make them feel things they didn’t really feel. She’d heard that when people hooked up under extreme circumstances it never worked out. Then again, his cousins had met Isabel and Dakota under nasty conditions and they all seemed happy.

But Seth? Really? She’d be damned if she’d even get her hopes up. Alana pulled up her legs and rested her chin on her knees. Now there was the real problem. A nugget of hope…that hope even existed. Her feelings for Seth had always been strong. From the moment she’d met him skiing early last winter. She’d never forget the way he’d looked when he’d sauntered up to her group at the top of mount Killington. There were far more extreme spots but he’d ended up there in his black ski suit which made him look like a dark God against the blinding white snow. Her pulse had skittered through her veins at the sight of him.

His eyes were bright blue as they skimmed her small group and landed on her. Then he’d spoken, his deep voice a sexy vibration that rumbled right through her. She’d almost got off on the sound alone. “Which one of you wants to race…backwards?”

But he hadn’t been looking at anyone but her when he’d asked. Later she’d learn that her friends had felt the strong urge to back away, almost as if compelled by the pure directness of his possessive gaze. Naturally, his challenge met its mark. Though the slope wasn’t the toughest, Alana still knew it was a damned bad idea to go down it backwards, especially if unfamiliar with the terrain. So naturally she replied, “You’re on!”

That nutty race down the hill, which he’d won, marked the beginning of several such encounters they’d have in various sport challenges around New England. Seth had quickly become her best friend. Who knew if he felt the same but they had a blast together. Sure he’d hit on her a few times but that was Seth. Flirting was a staple part of his personality. And women never minded. If Seth was nearby and interested, they’d be his in less than five minutes. She however, continued to shoot him down. It was that same old story, why ruin the friendship for a quick fling?

With a heavy sigh, Alana reflected on how far away those simple—although she thought them complicated at the time—emotions were. She’d do anything to be back there, suffering from the endless fantasies of a man emotionally unavailable. This new Seth, the guy who thought he wanted her, would vanish if they made it through this alive. She didn’t doubt it for a second.

“No plant life. Nothing. Wish I could summon food but that’s always been Devin’s trick.”

Alana jumped. Somehow Seth had ended up leaning back against the rock beside her, arms crossed over his chest. She’d been so deep in thought she hadn’t heard him approach.

He looked up. “I startle you?”

“Yeah.”

“Must’ve been deep in thought.”

“Yep.” You have no idea.

His gaze returned to the water. “I’m pretty sure we should be starved right now,” he remarked.

Was it her imagination or was there an uncomfortable tension between them? Oh no. She closed her eyes and shook her head, then looked at Seth. “Were you listening to my thoughts all this time?”

“Yep.”

He’d answered so casually she almost didn’t believe him. Regardless, her face burned with embarrassment. “That’s an invasion of privacy you know.”

“Sorry. It just sort of happens sometimes.”

“I doubt that.”

He released a long breath, pushed away from the rock and stood in front of her, bracing his hands on either side. “You evaded my earlier statement.”

Alana focused on breathing. Leave it to Seth to face this head on. She’d rather go forage for food. So she moved forward making it clear she wanted to get down.

Shaking his head, Seth said, “Nope. You’re staying right here and talking to me.”

She glanced at the wrist band. He was definitely Seth right now. But she knew that. “Fine,” she muttered and pushed back until the back of her kneecaps hit the rock.

“Not for a second have I forgotten the way you looked that day on Mt. Killington,” he said.

Alana’s heart stopped beating. While she wanted to look anywhere but at him she didn’t. His gaze was so intense her world seemed to freeze altogether.

“That blazing red hair of yours, those golden eyes, how could I have looked at anyone else?” Then that direct gaze seemed to be looking into the past. “That white ski suit, those curves. You were a beacon on the slope. The closer I got to your group the more excited I became. I’d never felt anything like it.”

Alana swallowed, unsure how to respond. But he continued.

“I didn’t doubt for a second that you’d take my challenge. I’d been watching you on the slopes that day. A natural. Almost bored with the simplicity of it though.” He shook his head and smiled. “You were my perfect match.”

How had she never known this? They’d talked plenty…as friends. Perhaps that was it.

“I was bored,” she said.

“How could you not be?” He rolled his eyes. “It wasn’t exactly live-on-the-edge material there.”

“A little ice would have been nice,” she conceded.

“A few more jumps.”

“At least a few severe wind sheers.”

“But we found our fun,” he said.

“Wearing the wrong skis was the key. Made it really treacherous.” She grinned.

“Oh, and here I thought it was the path with too many trees.”

Alana laughed a little.

“That,” he said and nodded at her.

“What?”

“The laughter. We’ve always had that. Remember when we reached the bottom, how hard we laughed?”

“That was mostly you,” she reminded. “Because not only had you kicked my ass but I’d taken a few good rolls at the end.”

Seth grinned wide. “Heck yeah. You thought you were all that. In the end you were just a petite crazy redhead with her skis up in the air.”

Sitting up straighter, she narrowed her eyes. “I’d never been so irritated in my life.”

“Which is why you immediately re-challenged me.”

“It turned out to be a pretty long day, eh?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. Seemed like it flew by to me.”

“Naturally, you won the next few times down until I finally beat you.”

“And we were politely asked to leave the slope.”

“I’m still surprised we managed to get in three more runs.”

They’d immediately left for another slope and skied until the next place closed. It was probably the best day of her life.

“Since that day,” Seth continued. “You’ve always been on my mind. You’re my best friend too, Alana,” he said softly.

“I never knew,” she said just as softly.

“Now you do. No more evading my earlier statement. I want to know what you were thinking when I told you I’d just found you, that I wanted more.”

Her poor heart had just seemed to resume beating when he asked. But she knew how to handle Seth. “You listened to my thoughts. I’d think the answer is pretty obvious.”

“So you think I’d let extreme circumstances dictate how I feel about you?”

“Listen.” She tried again to get down but he wasn’t having it. Now she was getting aggravated. “You and I both know you, Seth. You’re acting crazed right now.”

He pushed forward between her thighs, efficiently locking her in place. “Fuck the cliché. People really do change.”

“Okay, then tell me this, how many women have you slept with since we met?”

“None.”

“You’re lying.”

“I don’t lie.”

“You do now.”

“It’s always a challenge with you, Alana. Every single time. Then when you’re done challenging you run.”

“Go to hell.”

“I’m in hell. With you. We’re in hell. And you can’t run anymore.”

“Neither can you.” Alana glared at him. “Because believe it or not, that’s what you do too. Jumping off anything you can find, putting yourself in danger constantly with stupid stunts. And you don’t stick with one woman because you’re afraid of something.”

“What do you think I’m afraid of?”

“You tell me.”

This time she didn’t have to try to push him away, he turned and strode to the water, where he stopped, back turned to her.

She jumped down. “Point proven.”

“You didn’t prove a damn thing.”

“Sure I did. You run too. You can’t commit.” Alana didn’t walk to him but stayed where she was. They’d never been so honest with each other and distance felt safe.

Seth crouched and ran his hand through the water. “Since the day I met you I haven’t slept with another woman. Believe me, I’ve tried. But you’re always there. At night when she’s in my arms it’s never her but you. Again and again.” He shook his head and released a small wry laugh. “And when a man’s with the wrong woman his body knows it… regrettably.”

He was in front of her so fast she barely saw it. “And I mean regrettably. It blows wanting a woman who’s full of nothing but fear. You’re untouchable, Alana. So the only thing you ever saw in me was that I’d never be able to commit to you.”

She crossed her arms over her chest and ground her teeth. “A better approach would’ve been to avoid other women.”

“Please. Really? Why? There was no hope with you.”

About to storm off, Alana stopped. No more running. “So for all that you live on the edge you’re nothing but a coward.” She was about to say that he never even tried but he had, several times.

The anger softened on Seth’s face. “You never took me seriously. Maybe I deserved that.”

“You definitely deserved it.”

“Do I now?”

She shook her head and leaned back against the rock. “I’m sorry. I don’t know. I just don’t know.”

“Yes you do.” Seth turned and pulled off his shirt. All that perfect male flesh unraveling made her totally lose track of the witty rebuttal that’d been forthcoming. Her toes curled when he pulled off his pants. Wow. His backside was so perfect. Nothing but pure muscle from head to toe. His body was one hundred percent athletic perfection.

“Come join me,” he said over his shoulder.

No. Heck no.

Yeah right. Who was she kidding? Alana undressed while walking and licked her lips every step of the way. Seth disappeared under the water. This water should be freezing. It was before. Why was it warm now? Almost like bath water.

“Because I made it that way.”

Alana turned to find Seth directly behind her.

“Not real good for my dick otherwise.”

Her eyes rounded not only at his statement but by his obvious erection.

“You bounce right back, don’t you.” But she wasn’t backing up.

Seth held up two fingers. “Two things you should know. Things I should have already told you. The first, I can control whether or not you become pregnant, at least when I can use magic. Second, I’ve been tested for all STD’s.”

How romantic. She rolled her eyes but couldn’t stop a grin. Up front, say-it-like-it-is Seth. “You’re rather presumptuous. How could you even think I’d want to sleep with you after what we just talked about. ”

Now he grinned. That perfect, sexy, arrogant grin. “Don’t kid yourself. You want it even more now.”

Damn, he knew her too well. “Sex friends. Fantastic.”

“Oh no.” He reached out and cupped her cheek. “No more friends.”

“Mm hmm.” Alana didn’t believe him for a second. Still. He was beyond gorgeous and she’d already slept with him twice. What harm could one more time do? “Swim first.”

Cupping her other cheek he leaned down and brushed his lips lightly over hers. “Sure.”

Alana pushed back into the water and realized for a fraction of a moment that her legs wouldn’t work. Ugh, she was weak in the knees! Darn man. Sinking beneath the water she turned and pushed forward. The water felt amazing. Opening her eyes under water, she marveled at how everything looked. Shimmering and white with black crystals further down. If this was magic, it worked for her. Seth appeared beside her, all long and male and beautiful. It took everything she had not to propel herself harder through the water, not to race him to some unknown destination.

He wiggled a come hither finger and moved closer. Before she could move away he pulled her mouth to his and kissed her. No easy task kissing someone under water but somehow it felt like he was breathing more air into her. Then he pulled away and gestured for her to follow him. Revitalized and in no need of air, she followed. They went deeper and deeper but it remained light enough to see. The swimming became turbulent as they pushed past the outer currents of one of the waterfalls. Eventually they reached a man sized hole and she followed him through.

When she finally breeched the surface she gulped a deep breath of air. Seth let out a whoop and laughed. “You weren’t out of breath. I gave you plenty.”

Grabbing the edge, she wiped the water out of her eyes. He was right. “Guess it seemed like I should!”

“Some definite perks to being a warlock.” He winked and pulled himself onto a ledge. “Nothing quite like sharing air with you.”

She grinned and braced her arms on the rock beside him which put her blissfully near the area of him she couldn’t take her eyes off of. “Consider yourself privileged.”

Seth leaned back, giving her a better view. “You know I do.”

Alana licked her lips, her body shivering with awareness.

“Not that I want you to look away from what you’re looking at but check out where we are.”

Her cheeks burned only a little and she dragged her eyes away. Oh wow! How had she missed this? The small antechamber was cozy, intimate and amazing. They were on the backside of a raging white neon waterfall. Had it not been for the mere two feet of rock between them and the water they’d probably be swept over. On the other side was a shelf that was approximately the size of a queen sized bed. Behind that water streamed down the rock face, creating a constant flowing shimmer of water over the rock ‘bed.’

Alana smiled. “This is something else.”

“Even has a natural Jacuzzi,” Seth mentioned with a wicked gleam in his eye.

Yes it did. The water around her bubbled, the current active enough from the raging waterfall to turn the small pool into a natural cauldron of stimulating motion.

“How is it that you found any of this?”

Seth’s face grew perfectly innocent. “I am a warlock.”

“A possessed warlock at that.” She nodded at their surroundings. “Did Calum have something to do with this?”

“Doubt it.”

“Hmm.”

“If he did I know nothing of it.” Seth slid back into the water and came around her, an arm braced on either side, his erection tucked against her backside. His lips fell next to her ear, warm breath fanning her tender lobe. “Still focused on that ‘friends’ thing?”

Alana breathed sharply through her nostrils and said, “What do you think?”

He pulled his arms closer and brought his cheek next to hers. “I think you don’t believe my sincerity.”

Turning her head, her lips fell next to his. “You’re right.”

“You will eventually.” He kissed the corner of her mouth.

Her muscles rippled when he pushed tighter against her and he feathered kisses along her jaw. Her body swelled with what felt dangerously like joy. Alana closed her eyes and tried to harden her emotions. But even as she did she turned and put her arms around him. Their lips met frantically and all other thoughts fled. None even mattered. As she kissed him, her best friend, she didn’t care about anything but him. She wrapped her legs around his waist and let her hands slide over his broad shoulders.

Seth lightly squeezed her butt cheeks then rode up her thighs. The water churned around them. His cock throbbed against her belly. When he nipped her lower lip she groaned and pressed tighter against his hard body.

“Water sex,” he nearly panted. “Never good.”

Alana squealed when he quickly spun her, put one hand under her ass and pushed her up onto the ledge. It didn’t even occur to her to be embarrassed that her backside was in his face. Pulling herself up, she crawled onto the rock bed, thrilled by the water running beneath her.

“So damned sexy.”

Alana looked over her shoulder to find Seth propped on the ledge watching her. Sitting, she crossed her legs in front of her and stared right back. He said nothing. She said nothing. They just sort of eyed one another. It wasn’t a matter that the passion had gone away. No. It still existed. Stronger almost when they weren’t touching each other.

“Back at ya,” she said.

Whether or not he could hear her over the roar of the waterfall didn’t really matter. The lazy way his eyes traveled over her body was answer enough. Alana swore she felt his touch everywhere his eyes traveled, dark and erotic, languorous and slow, paying attention to every little detail. Though she was tempted to cover up she didn’t. Instead, she shifted onto her side, allowing the water to slice down the curve of her breasts and lap at her stomach then gush over her hips to stream down her legs.

She’d never felt more sensual in her life.

“Come,” she mouthed.

Seth didn’t move, simply watched her as intensely as she watched him. It was a moment between friends, a moment between lovers. It was both comfortable and extremely exciting. Putting her legs in the right position to entice him didn’t even occur to her. Curving her hip to appeal didn’t occur either. It just sort of happened. Bracing herself, looking at him, that’s all there was. It was simple. There were no insecurities. Sucking in her stomach didn’t even occur to her. Why would it? This was Seth. He’d seen everything.

Eventually, he pulled himself out of the water and came over. His erect penis should have made her shy… something. But it didn’t. He didn’t. When he knelt and came over her, Alana fell back, the water sluicing past her shoulders.

His lips were within inches of hers when he said, “You had on pink panties.”

Alana smiled. “I didn’t mean to.”

“But you did. Pale pink. Almost blended in,” he whispered. “But I saw.”

Spreading her legs, she whispered back, “You’re right. They almost did.”

When his lips closed on hers this time she was remembering the same moment as him. When she’d skied down the mountain alongside him, wiped out, and her snow pants had pulled down. The top of her panties had been visible, barely. Everything had been covered in snow. Of course Seth had seen, had been watching.

He shook his head. “You are.” He stopped and kissed her, long and hard, their tongues twirling. When he pulled away, his blue eyes met hers. “More to me.”

The feel of him over her, between her, his hot body touching hers, made it hard to speak but she did, had to. “No.”

“Yes.” Seth’s lips touched hers briefly and his body fell solid over hers. “Yes you are.”

She shook her head, ignoring the feel of his heavy, hot member against her opening. “No, I’m not. I’m just another.”

Not what she meant to say. That sounded almost desperate. As if Seth sensed her confusion, he lifted slightly and said, “You’ve never been just another. And I’m not to you. Be honest with yourself, Alana.”

Biting her lip she shook her head even as her legs rode his thighs. “Tell me you don’t want more with me. Tell me I’m just another. I swear it’s easier that way.”

His brows lowered briefly but his eyes remained locked on hers. “Is that really what you want to hear?”

No. Yes. “It’s something. Give it to me,” she whispered.

His eyes abandoned hers and drifted down her neck, her breasts, before they harshly went back to hers. “No. Sorry. Not gonna happen.”

Before she could fight him, he pushed forward. Alana groaned and shook her head but her groan turned into a moan too fast. Leaning down, her legs pinned on either side of him and his cock stretching her tight he said, “I want more from you. You’re not just another.”

Alana dug her nails into his shoulders when he pushed forward. Head thrust back, she bit her lip so hard it bled. She dragged her heels over the rough pumice of the stone before she lifted her legs.

“More. Please more,” she whispered into his ear when he pushed a little further.

“Me. All of me. For you.” Seth pushed so hard he filled her.

Alana dug her nails into his hair and groaned. Yet she still needed to know she was just another. She knew it was insane. Or not. She didn’t want to get hurt. But even closed, her eyes rolled back into her head. She couldn’t fight perfection. With a sharp exhale, she wrapped her legs around his waist.

When he started to move she first flattened her palms against his shoulders then slowly curled her fingers. She had no choice. Touching the top of her mouth with her tongue, Alana tried to fight the…oooooh. Clenching down on her lip hard with her front teeth, she whimpered.

Seth stopped and his hand traveled up her ribcage, his fingertips dusting the underside of her breast while his lips skimmed the top of her collarbone then somehow whipped down to the too sensitive tip of her breast.

Alana bucked wildly.

Seth groaned and swiftly swooped down to grab her nipple with his teeth. She stilled as though caught in the jaws of a lion, he pulled back and thrust again. Whining, keening, she shook her head. Wrong. Wrong. This had to be wrong.

Then he stopped, leaving her throbbing and wanting. Alana turned her head to his, her cheek to his. “What, what?” she asked almost desperately.

“How do you feel, Alana?”

Paused, his cock buried deep inside her, every feminine part of her wanting him to keep moving so she said eagerly, “You. I want you.”

Seth pulled back slightly, his eyes meeting hers. “Really?”

She had to be drooling. “Yeah.”

“Fine.” He leaned back slightly and her arms whipped over her head, tied by some unseen force. The water gushed harder. His eyes grew more intense. The air grew colder. Suddenly she felt the icy stone beneath her body, the glimmer of terror that flickered in his eyes, then the cold hard black. His eyes turned her way, his voice deadpan, lacking compassion. Fear started to fill her. Not arousal or lust but cold, hard fear. A distance she’d never felt before. Seth’s eyes locked on hers as if he was a thousand miles away. “You still want this.”

Mouth open, Alana almost shook her head no. It would only make sense. He petrified her right now. Taking a deep breath she tried to think, to focus. This was Seth. Seth. And he was angry all of a sudden. But why?

“Do you?” he asked again, his body immobile over hers.

Alana pulled her hands free from whatever unseen force had held them and swallowed. She’d been ripped from oblivion, perfection, by her friend. One who was inside her in more ways than one. Gentle, she cupped his head. He was both mad and afraid. And she was confused.

Seth was afraid.

Not of her. Never of her.

One second he was trying to convince her. Now he seemed to be pushing her away. Closing her eyes, she breathed deeply. Seth was afraid. Not only that, he was petrified. Alana kept her eyes closed but clenched his hair tighter with pure revelation. Biting her lip, she turned her head to hide the tear that slipped free. He didn’t need to see that.

After all, she’d truly figured out what Seth was the most afraid of.

Before he could say another word, she locked eyes with him and made a motion with her head. “Just kiss me then.”

She’d never know if he’d read her mind. It didn’t really matter. Seth leaned down slowly and kissed her, his tongue sliding slowly yet desperately into her mouth.

And she kissed back just as desperately.

The eager thrust of his body in hers soon made the world spin away. They rolled until she was on top, moving and wild. Then he was on top. Panting. Intense. Sweat broke out on her body even as water rushed around her.

Alana couldn’t help it, she grabbed his neck and pulled him close. “Too much. Don’t want to get hurt.”

Had she really just said that? They’d broken through an obstacle and she’d thrown up a wall almost immediately.

“Exactly,” Seth said and stopped.

Just like that.

Alana tried not to cry out when he pulled away.

“It’s too much,” he said softly, his arms thrust over his head when he lay next to her.

No. Of course it’s not too much! You should know that! Her eyes skirted to the wrist band, not white, but still black. “Are you serious, Seth?”

With a loose well-muscled shrug he looked at her and said, “This isn’t for you. You deserve better.”

“I deserve better?” Alana frowned and tried to ignore the heavy lump that formed in her throat. “So you’re playing that card, eh?”

Seth’s eyes went deadpan and he sat up. “Believe it or not, I am.”

Alana sat up next to him in what had to be the best sex location ever. Her body had gone numb. He was completely serious. But what to say? I knew better. I should’ve listened to my instincts. She tried to swallow but couldn’t. “Fine,” she squeaked.

“Fine,” he muttered.

Alana watched him slide down then disappear into the water with one obscene thought in mind. The warlock had shunned the necromancer. Truth was, the super-hot guy had shunned the freckled-faced redhead. Alana nodded to no one and stared at the waterfall blankly. Am I dreaming?

But she knew she wasn’t.

And she knew why.

Still, it didn’t make the fact that he’d pussy’d out like he had any easier. Alana seethed through her nostrils and shook out her hair. ‘Is what it is’ she said to herself. For all Seth thought he confronted shit, he really didn’t. Damned men. She fell back slowly and let the water sluice around her.

Moments before he’d been here, now he wasn’t.

“C’mon, Alana. I can’t keep it warm here,” Seth said.

Alana sat up and glared at where he’d disappeared beneath the water. What a jerk. But even as she sidled down, she could admit that she’d been a little harsh. But weren’t best friends supposed to be able to take that? Grinding her teeth, she shook her head. She was right. He was wrong. Sliding into the water, Alana sighed. Seth had meant every word he said and she’d screwed it up.

In the water, Alana stopped, confused and angry. When had she become so insecure? Confidence had always been her thing. But Seth made her feel vulnerable and apparently doubt herself. Anger continued to flare. She looked around at the perfect cave alcove, one he no doubt made possible and shook her head. This… Seth… was all a bunch of bullshit. It’d all been part of this stupid curse. Never them. Two idiots who’d met on a mountain who liked to ski. Nope. Just a curse. A means to an end.

Clenching her fists, she growled and dove.

The harsh waterfall current pushed and pulled. Alana struggled against it until she found the right flow that’d work her to the top. She saw the surface. It glowed white. Nearly out of breath she pushed toward it. As she did, someone suddenly pulled her up and pushed her back. When they surfaced, Seth shook his head. Alana’s back hit the rock surface within feet of the raging waterfall’s outermost spray and she frowned.

Seth came close. His eyes narrowed to mere slits. “You know now,” he said. “You know what I most fear.”

She heard him over the waterfall. After several moments she nodded. For all she thought he made her vulnerable, it occurred to Alana just how vulnerable she’d made him. Seth was supposed to be the dare-devil, afraid of nothing. But he was afraid of his own power. Better yet, what she’d think of its dark presence. But that wasn’t all he feared.

“Good,” he said.

Alana tried to brace herself but it was too late. Somehow he’d ripped into her. With a heavy groan she closed her eyes. Seth’s voice, his heart, came close. “Lend me some escape.”

“I don’t want to be your escape,” she whispered.

Too late though. He owned her. No escape. Alana wailed as he slammed her back against the rock wall. He’d found a foot hold and now he had her. In. Out. Fast. Slow. She couldn’t keep up. Holding onto his wet skin wasn’t an option, digging in with her nails was.

“Alana,” he panted, aroused by her intensity.

“So much anger… at me,” she breathed as he rode her up the slick wall. Forget how angry she’d been at him moments before. “You should stop this. It’s for all the wrong reasons.”

Dear God. Let this last forever. The feeling. Him. This. Forever. Energy and sizzling hot lightening shot through her body. Still, she shook her head. “No.”

His warm lips brushed over hers, his free finger tickled her clitoris. “No. Are you sure?”

Damn it. She squirmed away from his finger and tried to push free from him. “Friends don’t do this, Seth.”

Grabbing her wrists he shook his head, the expression on his face serious. “You’re right, they don’t.”

Alana couldn’t close her eyes when he pushed her back against the rock, when their hands clenched together, immobile. She couldn’t remove herself when he started to move again. Easy and careful at first, then a bit faster. She couldn’t remove herself from the feeling that began to build deep inside. Eye to eye, he was unavoidable. Alana shook her head and said what should have stopped him. “You don’t think you’re strong enough to save me.”

A strange gleam lit Seth’s eyes, his muscled arms pulled her close and he drove into her. Alana yelled out and wrapped her legs around him. His mouth close to her ear he said, “I’m always strong enough.”

Sharp pleasure ripped through her body and electrical currents shot up and down her limbs. She’d never felt anything like it. Seth braced himself and moved. Because she wanted, needed more, Alana climbed up him. With a sharp shake of his head, Seth held her in place and thrust up one last time.

Unable to hold on anymore, Alana screamed with release. So powerful was her orgasm that she didn’t realize that Seth had yelled just as loud and was barely able to hold onto her. Apparently magic only came in so handy when dealing with jaw dropping sex.

There was no way to know how much time passed while he held her that way, the two of them draped against the rock wall being sprayed by the waterfall. It’d all fallen away. The anger, insecurity, everything. They’d been completely raw with each other both emotionally and physically. Resting her cheek on his shoulder, Alana kept her eyes closed long after the orgasmic burst of stars faded. It seemed even through the water and mist; she could smell his unique scent, musky and masculine and all Seth. She’d smelled it before when she’d worn his sweatshirt when they’d camped overnight after hiking.

Seth’s breathing had slowed and his heartbeat had returned to normal. Still, he held her. Even as the water grew colder and colder, neither moved. His arm eventually slid up and wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer. A simple gesture, Alana relished the long hug he gave her.

Eventually, he pulled back. “Too cold now.” A small grin erupted. “Guess keeping it warm this time got too hard. You zapped out my magic with something else.”

Though she could barely hear him she got the gist and grinned as well.

“Let’s get out of here.”

Alana swam after him and was surprised to see him stumble when they got to shore.

She touched his arm. “You okay?”

“Yeah.” He yawned. “I used a lot of magic. Makes me tired.” With a quick shake of his head, he said, “Don’t worry. I won’t sleep.”

“Sure you will. But get those clothes on first.”

As they dressed she watched his eyes sliding shut. It was hard to imagine how much ‘magic’ it took to turn all this water warm, never mind the light. Even as she watched him with concern, the massive cave grew dimmer.

“Damn,” he muttered.

“Don’t worry about it. We’ll be fine.” Alana gazed around until she found a spot that looked the most protected. Wedged between two rocks, they’d at least be sheltered on two sides.

“Gonna get dark.” Seth slid down the rock and she joined him.

“I’m not afraid of the dark,” she assured.

“Sure you’re not.” Neither talked about what was in the dark that was really so petrifying. She leaned her head on his shoulder and they held hands as the cave grew dimmer and dimmer.

“Sorry about all that,” Seth said softly. “And sorry about my fear.”

Alana repositioned their hands so that their fingers interlocked. “Believe it or not, your fear made me less afraid... of what we might have together. And as to you being afraid of not being able to protect me, even your family; you should worry at least a little bit. The fear will help motivate you.”

Closing her eyes, Alana wanted to share, tell him something he didn’t know. She wanted to include him in that small part of her that she didn’t show the world. “I missed my grandmom when she died. Grace will always be that to me. She was so good to me.” She opened her eyes. “It hurts... seeing her now hurts.”

Seth squeezed her hand. “I know.”

Alana stared at their interlocked hands and murmured, “It’s the worst part of this haunting.”

“Don’t let it be,” he said gently. “Look at it as some extra time.” He squeezed her hand tighter. “I know that sounds weak but it’s something, eh?”

“I suppose.” She sighed. “It is something.”

“Of course it is.”

“I held a cross over my chest every night hoping she’d contact me.”

Silence reigned until Seth finally said, “You thought the cross would help with that?”

She nodded. “She used to tell me stories about how the dead and living could communicate but that it was okay because God was there with them. I thought maybe…”

Seth leaned his head against hers. “Your bedtime stories were different, huh?”

Alana nodded.

“Now it’s all making sense.”

She nodded again.

“Good,” he whispered. “And I like that you held the cross. It’s good that you respected something.”

“Someone,” she murmured.

“Someone,” he repeated then fell silent.

Darkness had all but fallen. Several minutes passed. She thought he was asleep when he mumbled, “Don’t tell my cousins about my fear. I’ll never hear the end of it.”

With a small chuckle, Alana squeezed his hand.

Shortly thereafter, the cave went black and Seth’s breathing slowed to a deep slumber.