Code name firebolt the i.., p.19
Code Name: Firebolt (The Infinitum Series Book 6), page 19
“But that was years ago. You’re stronger now.”
It stirs again, and I suck in a lungful of air as something snaps. It’s not the uncontrollable torrent I expect. Fiona’s eyes widen as she gapes at the light surrounding me.
“It’s beautiful,” she whispers, her eyes watering. And that’s when I see my reflection in the water, and the patterns that surround me, mimicking the electrical waves that I can read off of Fiona. They’re identical, down to the intricate flowers.
My powers reacted to her because they recognized her. We’ve both been through hell, both been betrayed, both had to navigate a lonely world while trying to maintain some semblance of humanity.
I speed away, creating a wave in my wake. I don’t go far, staying within shouting distance of her with my enhanced hearing.
Breathe. You need to breathe. Sylvie’s voice finds me from the memory of that awful day. I lean against a fallen tree and perform the breathing exercises Charlie taught me.
Since the moment our eyes locked, there’s been a tether between us. The more we resist it, the tighter it gets. My powers are more connected to my emotions than ever before. It’s like being around her has opened up the tap on their intensity. More and more pours out until I’m scared it will consume me. Why, though? Why can’t I control myself around her?
Oh God, am I…falling for her? Is this what it’s like? Liv’s connection to Luke was so intense, she infiltrated his thoughts. John turned into a literal monster when he fell in love with Sylvie. Garrett couldn’t stay away from Vera, even after she betrayed him. Sure, it took years, but normal people would take the hint and move on. But not Garrett. Skye was in love with Jordy for over a decade. She gave up a piece of herself to bring him back to life and they’re connected in a way nobody understands yet. Paul, Specter, Charlie, and I function just fine, but our powers aren’t as strong as the rest of the lovebirds.
Is it possible that being in love strengthens us? I blow raspberries into the quiet air and shake my head at myself. That’s ridiculous.
The sun dips below the tree line, and I curse, speeding back to the lake. I find Fiona bundled up in her clothes and mine, both towels wrapped around her like a burrito, her angry glare keeping me from smiling.
“Fuck. I’m sorry. I forgot you can’t get in the bunker without me.”
Her body shakes and I slam my palm on the hidden panel. The door slides open and she struggles to her feet. I dig my hands into the towels and she shoves me away.
“Let me warm you up.”
“I’m f-f-fine.” She strolls into the corridor, and I follow her with a sigh.
Once the door is closed, I warm the air, and she frowns at me. “Stop it.”
“You’re shivering. Don’t be an idiot.”
“I’m the idiot? You’re the one who left me to freeze to death.” She stomps towards the stairs and I chase after her.
“You seem to forget that I’m not like you. I’m just a human, Clay. I can’t survive being exposed to the elements.”
“It would have taken at least another hour for frostbite to set in. You’re being dramatic.”
“All because you had an existential crisis? Did something touch your foot? Or maybe you had to take a dump? Whatever the reason, that bullshit will not fly with me. You can’t just abandon me alone in the middle of nowhere. I don’t have anyone else.”
I take in her sprinting heart rate, the flush of her cheeks, the waver in her voice, and the truth hits me like a ton of bricks. We may share the same scars, but she’s had no one to look out for her. I have Sylvie, Charlie, Raven, and the rest of the team. Who does she have? Right now? It’s just me, and I’ll be damned if I end up on her long list of people she can’t rely on.
“You’re right. I’m sorry.”
She opens her mouth, then blinks as she closes it and tilts her head. “I think that’s the first time you’ve ever agreed with me.”
I shrug. “Don’t get used to it.”
She rolls her eyes and makes for the stairs. “Immature assh–” Her foot slips, and she plummets forward. I grab her just before her face smashes into the stone wall and spin her so she’s in my arms. I speed us the rest of the way to the bunker, and she teeters away from me when I let her go, so I grab her hand to steady her.
“That was an option the whole time?” she complains and I grin.
“Exercise is good for you.”
“That’s the last time we take the stairs,” she says.
“I guess we’ll just have to come up with alternate ways to get your heart racing.” My signature grin drives her mad, and I use the full force of it now. On cue, her heart beats even faster and the flush to her skin intensifies. I love having that effect on her, only because she does the same to me just by breathing.
“You’re insufferable,” she spits as I back her against the wall next to the bedroom door. She thuds against it and drops the towels to the floor.
“I know.” I grab the hems of the two shirts and pull them over her head.
“You’re an asshole,” she says, her tone a smidge softer. Her gaze dips to my naked torso.
“I know.” I slide my borrowed sweats and the yoga pants down her smooth legs, and she steps out of them.
“You’re arrogant.”
I smirk as I gaze up at her from my crouched position, sliding my body over hers as I stand. Her breath catches as I drop my lips to her ear.
“I know,” I say, and press my lips to the delicate skin of her neck.
She gasps, her hands grabbing at my shoulders.
“You’re…Wh–What are you doing?”
“Being an asshole.”
“No, you’re being a hypocrite.”
I nuzzle her neck, kissing down to her collarbone. “I already told you I’m not a good man.”
“What’s your plan here?”
I chuckle, pulling away to meet her gaze. Her pupils grow as her lazy patterns wrap around me, inviting me closer.
“I plan to make you forget how much you hate me.”
“I don’t hate you,” she whispers.
I put all of my arrogance, challenge, and bravado into a sly grin, just the way she likes it.
“Prove it.”
She hesitates, searching my face, and I give her all the time she needs to make her choice. She dips, slipping under my arm and tossing a heated, sultry smile over her shoulder as she disappears into the bathroom. A …firebolt of lust rockets to my groin and I’m helpless to resist. She leaves the door open so I get a front row view as she undresses. I grip the doorjamb, which groans under my extra strength. This is dangerous, reckless, and hot as hell.
Her little striptease is my undoing as she pulls the sports bra over her head and her heavy breasts fall with an enticing bounce, her pink nipples pebble with arousal as she watches me with hooded eyes. She slips out of her panties and opens the glass door, letting it fall shut behind her as she turns on the taps.
She doesn’t face me again until the steam prevents my view of her soft curves. It’s then that I realize my revelation in the woods was one million percent accurate. I’ve never responded this way to anyone. I’m hyper aware of everything about her. The cadence of her breathing, the thump of her heartbeat, the sound of the water sluicing off her soft skin all have me in a trance I’d rather die than break. I can’t wait to hear what sassy remarks come out of her mouth or what challenge she has for me next. When she’s not around, I feel like I’m missing something important. Fuck me. I’ve fallen in love with her.
“Are you just going to stand there and watch?” she asks, and I grin, moving to lean against the sink.
“I think I am.”
Amused, she shrugs like she couldn’t care less. “Suit yourself.”
She grabs the washcloth, lathers it up, and slides it over her breasts. I’ve never been more jealous of a piece of cloth in my entire life, but if she wants to play?
We’ll fucking play.
A soft pull on my power pushes the heat between us to the side and the steam parts like the red sea.
She pauses, then chuckles as she continues to caress her gorgeous body. It’s more perfect than I could ever imagine. My lip works its way between my teeth as she teases me. When she lowers the cloth down her belly and over the hair between her legs, I send a soft buzz of energy into the heat of the cloth, and it vibrates.
She gasps, her lips parting as she inspects the cloth, then me. Her curiosity turns to understanding, and she slides the cloth between her legs. This night is going to ruin me. I can’t fucking wait.
Chapter 23
Fiona
I’ve never been more stimulated in my entire life. My core throbs. My heart races. I can’t seem to form words as he bites his lip and grips the counter top with white knuckles. He watches every subtle movement of the washcloth like he’s in a trance. He’s a powerful and deadly super soldier. Having this effect on him is as intoxicating as it is humbling.
I don’t recognize this new brazen, wanton version of myself, but I like her. There’s something in the way his heated, approving gaze drags over my body that coaxes this confident version of myself to the surface. My skin pebbles even in the warmth of the steamed bathroom. I’ve somehow forgotten my rage at him abandoning me in the freezing cold. I’ve forgotten the terror of our situation. There’s only me and Clay, and the safety and security he provides.
The washcloth vibrates against my clit, and I lean my head back. He’s across the room, but the touch of his powers seems more intimate than our kiss in the lake. The thrill of what we’re doing is almost enough to send me over the edge.
“Sit on the bench,” he says, his voice deep and strained. My instinct is to challenge him, but the way he looks at me has me taking a seat on the small tiled bench. It’s a command, but I’m still in control.
“Spread your thighs. Show me how you play with that pretty cunt.” My cheeks heat at his dirty words, but I separate my legs, exposing myself to him in a way I’ve never done. A pained, sensuous grunt rumbles in his throat, and he sinks to his knees.
“Show me, Flowers.” It’s the first time he’s used my nickname so softly, so reverently, and I let it fuel my fingers as I drag them up my center and circle my clit. A soft gasp escapes my lips and the whites of his eyes glow.
“That’s it,” he whispers. I drop my head back as the heat builds at my core.
“Eyes on me.”
I obey because I want to. I obey because I choose to.
His eyes are so bright, I can barely see his pretty blue irises, but his pupils are wide and hungry. I pick up my pace, moving side to side, and returning to the circles. Each sequence brings me higher and higher. I’ve never felt so alive, so free, so uninhibited.
He moves to his hands and crawls closer, still in only his boxer briefs from our swim. Soft strings of electricity undulate around him, seeming to stroke each angle, divot, and curve of his hard, sculpted body. He stops in front of me, watching me with glowing white orbs that flicker to a silent beat.
My orgasm looms, and he gently grabs my wrist and moves my hand aside. I’m a puddle of want and need. I’d do anything for him to touch me. Anything to feel him inside of me. Anything to…oh.
He hovers his hand over my center, centimeters from where I need him, but it seems like miles. “Do you trust me?” he whispers and I all but scream my assent. He smirks. Still the arrogant asshole, yet somewhere along the way, he became my arrogant asshole. And it hits me like a bolt of lightning, figuratively and literally, as feather light tendrils of translucent energy flows from his hand and vibrate against every pleasure spot inside of me, on me, over me and through me.
I’m in love with him.
An animalistic cry of ecstasy explodes from me as something unlike I’ve ever experienced possesses my body, radiating from his hand and into my very soul. It’s more than an orgasm, more than a climax. There’s no word for the amount of bliss coursing through my body and exploding from every pore as I scream and scream until my voice breaks.
I dissolve into soft whimpers, and then I sob. Gut wrenching, cleansing sobs, sending me into a different release. It’s overwhelming, but calm, like sunlight filtering through the edge of a storm cloud.
Clay’s arms wrap around me like a thunder jacket as he pulls me into his lap. He cradles my head against him, muttering soothing words I can't quite make out. He smiles down at me, brushing my wet hair off my face and dragging his fingers over my cheek.
“You are stunning,” he whispers.
The shower rains down on us and I slick his hair out of his pretty blue eyes, unsure what to do next. Saying thank you seems silly in the face of what we did, but I have an overwhelming urge to show my gratitude. Not just for the mind blowing orgasm, but for the tender way he guided me through it and the gentleness I’ve never experienced from a man. I wrap my hand around the back of his neck and pull him towards me. Our lips meet and he counters my enthusiasm with his own. Our tongues tangle. His hands slide into my hair and his cock firms beneath me.
He stands, still kissing me as he turns off the water and carries me to the bedroom. He lays me on the bed and hovers over me, both of us dripping wet, and pulls away to plant soft nips on my neck and collarbone.
“Clay?” I shiver as the water chills in the cool air, but a wave of warmth covers my body. There’s no change from him. No sign he did anything, but after the way he reached inside of me, I’d know his touch anywhere.
He pauses his pursuit down my chest and gazes up at me. “Yes?”
“I need more.”
He chuckles, deep in his throat. “Such a greedy little Flower.” He places gentle kisses on my breast before he takes my nipple in his mouth and I arch my back. “I need to taste that sweet nectar first,” he says, dropping to his knees to the floor as he grabs my hips and yanks my ass to the edge of the bed.
I giggle, blushing at his enthusiasm and his corny line, but a soft sigh rushes past my lips as his wicked tongue caresses my center, licking a slow trail up to my clit.
He gets his taste as I writhe beneath him, and my eyes go wide when his tongue vibrates. Oh. My. God.
He moves it around my entrance, focusing on the tiny nerves. He’s forced to hold me down as I threaten to fly off the bed. My body can’t handle another super orgasm. I might literally explode.
He pauses when I push on his head. “I can’t,” I breathe, but he only smiles.
“Yes, you can.“ He dives back in as the room fills with his light. He builds me up, faster than should be possible, but before I fall over the edge, he stops. I growl at him as he stands and his satisfied grin, wet with my arousal, fuels my anger.
He drops his boxer briefs and all thoughts fly out of my head as I stare at his throbbing, heavy cock. It bobs in the air, swollen and ready. He smirks that arrogant smirk that I’ll never admit I adore, and grabs his cock, giving it a few strokes.
“You ready for more?” he asks.
I narrow my gaze and spread my legs. “Do your worst, lightning boy.”
He returns my narrowed gaze and my pulse picks up. “Firebolt.”
I prop myself up on my elbows and spread my knees wider. “Less talking. More doing.”
He grins, picking me up and tossing me further up the bed. He hovers over me, supporting his weight with his muscled arms.
“You want to tango on this mattress, Flowers?”
I roll my eyes and he palms my sex. I jump as a tiny bolt of energy zaps at my pleasure spots. It’s a fraction of what he did earlier, but I bite back a groan.
“Yes, Clay. Please.”
He hums in approval and removes his hand, replacing it with the head of his cock, and my body coils with anticipation.
“Eyes on me,” he says, and I grin up at him. A soft smile plays on his lips and he kisses me. A soft press of lips on lips before he rolls his hips and pushes inside of me.
“Yes!” I scream and he pulls out and pushes back in, finding a slow rhythm that has me panting and spreading my legs as far as they will go. Once he’s stretched me and any discomfort has melted away, he pauses again.
“Whatever happens, I want you to know this is real for me. I’ve never…” he swallows, and I put my finger over his lips, pushing my sassy retort aside at the sincerity in his expression.
“I’ve never either,” I whisper and he smiles. “Now make love to me, Firebolt.”
His pupils blow wide and he stares at me as a hum of energy flits around the room and the air turns to static. He moves deep inside of me, connecting us together for more than this moment, more than this night. The room fills with light as he pumps into me, picking up speed as we both battle to not be the first to let go.
He grits his teeth, his eyes turning pure white as the smooth friction builds. But I’m not scared. Lightning shoots around the room, bouncing off the concrete walls until Clay and I become nothing but light and air. His beautiful groan of ecstasy as he loses control will forever be my favorite sound in the universe.
Chapter 24
Clay
Fiona snores like a pig snuffling for truffles. Am I going to make fun of her for it when she wakes? Endlessly. Is it the cutest thing on the planet? Without a doubt.
I can’t wipe the smile off my face as I watch her sleep, standing over her with two bottles of water. She passed out in the minute it took me to retrieve them, and pride swells in my chest. That was all me. I exhausted her with endless pleasure. I flip the bottles in the air and catch them, humming a tune to myself as I head to the bathroom to clean up the mess we left.
Small wisps of energy still circle the room, and I eye the shower bench fondly, remembering the sounds of mindless pleasure that echoed on the tile as I pushed her past her limits. I don’t know how I did it, to be honest. It’s like my powers, in whatever weird way they’re able to discern emotion, recognize how special she is to me and they won’t hurt her.
