Ruthless Fae - Ingrid Seymour Page 0,44

cave system loomed over us, casting a shadow over the churning water and rocks that lay at its base.

I glanced up in awe. “Wow, that was quite the jump.”

Vaughn followed my gaze. “Yes, it was. Ronnie impressed me. Very brave, don’t you think?”

“Yes, he’s a fine young man and warlock.”

“He is.”

We walked the small length of the beach toward a few palm trees that dotted the area. As Vaughn quickly constructed a makeshift basket from branches and large fronds, I flew about, plucking coconuts and throwing them in a pile close to where he worked.

I gathered ten in total, not much, but better than nothing. When I shook them, liquid slushed inside, a good thing since we, at least, needed something to drink. The fruits’ meat wouldn’t be much nourishment, but it was the best we could do.

When I’d gathered all the available fruit, I landed next to Vaughn and helped him quickly make rope-like strips from the fronds to tie the branches together and finish off the contraption, which would make it easier to carry our measly plunder.

After loading the coconuts, Vaughn stood over them, dusting his hands. “We certainly won’t win a prize for these.”

“We’ll be lucky if they don’t lynch us.”

We exchanged a smile, which felt foreign on my face as if this place had taken the capacity to feel joy. This island had robbed me of so much. I wondered when, if ever, I would feel like myself again or if that person was gone completely.

As I stooped to pick up my side of the basket, Vaughn stepped closer, took my hands, and drew me into his arms.

“We’ll get out of here,” he whispered in my ear, his warmth seeping into my body like rays of sunshine. “And maybe for a month, we won’t go outside at all. We’ll take two showers a day, and there’ll be no sand, no dirt, no relentless sun beating at our backs.”

“Hmm, sounds good.”

“Doesn’t it?” He chuckled. “We’ll also have plenty to eat and drink. All your favorites. I don’t know what they are, but I’ll learn, and I’ll get them delivered right to our door, and I’ll feed them to you like the princess that you are.”

“I really like this idea. What else?”

Vaughn pulled away, peered into my eyes, and spoke tentatively. “There will be a huge, soft bed where we will sleep together and where I will…” he kissed the corner of my mouth, one arm sliding around my waist, the other one cupping my face, “kiss you.”

“I like this best of all,” I said breathlessly, my heart speeding up, my belly tightening with the deep rumble of his words.

“Do you?”

I nodded and kissed him back, full on the lips, my fingers threading into his hair. His beard prickled against my chin as he deepened the kiss.

Yes, everything he had said sounded like heaven, but what if we never got out of this island? What if our days were numbered? I couldn’t wait to see if we had a future together, if all the things we wanted to share would come true. But here and now, this was real. It was all we had.

Daringly, I began unbuttoning his shirt.

He pulled back surprised. “Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

His chest rose and fell as I slid the shirt over his shoulders and let it drop to the ground. My fingers curiously explored his golden skin, tracing over each perfect muscle, sliding down the small patch of hairs over his breastbone. I laid a kiss right over his heart, inhaling his scent, eager to explore more.

“Not fair,” he said. “How do I get you out of this damn suit?”

I let out a soft laugh, and after one more kiss, I turned around, folding my wings. “Just undo the zipper. I’ll take care of the rest.

He gathered my hair and slid it forward over my shoulder. Carefully, taking his time, he lowered the zipper from the top of my neck to the bottom of my spine. When he finished, his fingers snuck between the gap and caressed me. It was only a small touch, but it ignited my desire for him to a whole new level.

“You’re beautiful,” he said, his fingers skimming lightly over my wings.

I whirled and captured his lips in mine. Slowly, we sank to the ground, Vaughn at the bottom while I lay on top of him and wrapped my legs around his. Breathlessly, I paused and slid my arms out of the torn sleeves of my suit, then fell on