West of Want (Hearts of the Anemoi) (15 page)

He pushed into her and she closed her eyes at the goodness of it. “I don’t know how to explain it,” she said, eyes still shut, “but this feels so right. Being with you. Like it was meant to be.” Her eyelids flashed open.

Zeph’s eyes flared as she watched, the blue almost violet in its intensity. “I feel the same way. I can’t get enough of you, and I don’t want this feeling to stop.”

She embraced his shoulders and pulled him down. His shaft slid in and out of her in strokes that were both gentle and powerful. His hips rolled over her pelvic bone, setting her body ablaze.

Again, he whispered those little encouragements in her ear, showering her with acceptance and desire and appreciation. The combination of his words and his cock shattered her control, and she came. Though softer, this release was no less intense for her heart to weather.

When he came moments later, she held him in her arms as he trembled and her name spilled from his lips.

Jesus, being with him felt so intimate. The feeling played tricks with her mind. Made it seem as though, surely, she’d known him for much longer than a calendar or clock would show.

It was exhilarating. Confusing. Exhausting. She covered her mouth with the back of her hand as she yawned. “I’m sorry,” she said.

He chuckled. “Don’t be.” He rolled off her, but didn’t let her go. “Ella?”

She turned on her side within his embrace. “Yeah?”

He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “I don’t know what this is between us, but it’s like nothing I’ve ever felt.”

Warmth rolled through Ella’s whole body, making her hair stand on end and her toes curl. “I know exactly what you mean.”

His big fingers stroked her hair off her face. “You do?”

“I really do.”

He smiled and kissed her forehead. “Thank the gods for that. Are you tired?”

“A little.”

He grinned. “You’re a terrible liar. I wore you out.”

She glared at him. “Good to know you don’t have an ego to go with that whole god thing.”

He threw his head back and laughed. “Well, maybe just a little.”

“More than a little.” Shaking her head and smiling, she snuggled into his chest and sighed. “I love the sound of rain. So calming. One of the reasons I love March,” she said, burrowing in closer.

Zeph’s arms tightened around her. “It’s like you were made for me.”

The words were so quiet, she had to strain to hear them, but she did. And they thrilled her very soul. Uncertain how to respond, she said simply, “Maybe I’ll rest a while.”

“Yes.” He kissed her hair and settled down next to her. The weight of a soft but foreign blanket fell over them out of thin air. Ella gasped and cut her gaze to Zeph’s. He shrugged. “I’m too comfortable with you for either of us to move. Think you can get used to it?”

“The poofing?”

The corner of his lip quirked up. “I told you. I don’t poof.”

“M’kay, well. Whatever you call it, I can try. And it’s very handy, so there’s that.”

He chuffed out a small laugh and pulled her tighter against him. “Sleep, love. I’ll be right here.”

…

“All right, Ben. Thanks for the news.” Ella paced the kitchen, phone in hand. “Yeah, I’m doing okay.”

Zephyros walked in, fresh from the shower. Ella wondered in passing where he got the new set of clothes. More poofing? She managed a smile as he kissed her cheek.

“Sorry,” she mouthed, hand over the receiver.

“It’s okay,” Zeph whispered.

Ben’s voice drew her attention back to the phone. “I’ll call ya when the parts are in, but Ella—
True Blue
’s gonna be in dry dock for a while.”

“I know.” She sighed. “I appreciate your handling this for me.”

“I’d say ‘any time,’ but I hope to goodness never to see you the way you were that day.”

Ella’s throat went tight. She really liked Ben and had known him for years. He reminded her of the Gorton’s fisherman and it always cracked her up. The gruffness in his voice touched her. “I know, Ben. Me neither.”

After quick good-byes, she disconnected and tossed the handset to the kitchen counter. “Good morning, er, afternoon,” she said, turning to Zephyros.

“Hi. Everything okay?”

“Yeah. Well, no.” She rose on tiptoes to kiss his neck. “Got some bad news about my boat, but it wasn’t anything I didn’t expect.”

Zeph stepped back and frowned. “I’m sorry.”

Ella shrugged. “Not your fault. And it can be fixed.”

He crossed his arms over his broad chest. Cautious, blue eyes bored into her. “But it is my fault.”

Her eyes narrowed. “What?”

“Your boat, Ella. Your injuries. All of it.”

“I don’t…” A voice flashed into her thoughts. His voice. Muffled and distant. “I don’t understand. How could it be your fault?”

“I was upset, and not paying attention.”

Ella’s heart beat faster in her chest. “Still not following you.”

“The storm.”

“Yeah.” She pressed her body into his, reached up and cupped his face. “Whatever you’re trying to say, just say it.”

“
I
was the storm. I was in my elemental form. I behaved carelessly and recklessly. And you got caught in the middle.”

The image of those roiling black clouds flashed within her mind’s eye. She shook her head, her brain struggling to process. Finally, she asked, “It
was
you, or you caused it?”

His brow furrowed. “Both.”

“Wow,” she said. Multiple reactions coursed through her. Remembered fear and new anger competed with awe and wonder. She’d nearly lost
True Blue
, and that would’ve killed her. She dropped her hands from his skin and stepped back.

“I’m sorry,” he said, tracking her retreat with a sharp gaze.

Ella nodded and rubbed her lips, her brain chugging along with this incredible information. But she couldn’t make some of the pieces fit together. Her gaze cut to his. “When did we first meet, Zeph?”

His eyes were wary, but still he gave her the respect of meeting her gaze. “When I pulled you out of the water.”

Ella gasped. “You?”

“Like I said, it was my fault. So I had to make it right.”

Fingers pressed into her eyes, Ella shook her head. “You saved me?” She’d asked it as a question, but the truth of it flowed through her veins. She knew it on a fundamental level. Deep gratitude welled up in her chest. “You saved me.”

Zeph shifted feet, like he was uncomfortable with the pronoun-cement.

But then the other part of what he’d said sunk in.
I had to make it right
. Ella’s heart dropped into her stomach. Oh no. Was that what this was? “Well, I’d say that evens out for damaging my boat.” The words came out more bitter than she’d intended, but learning she was some god’s pity project did that to a human. She turned and braced her hands on the counter.

“And I’d disagree.” His voice spoke from right behind her. “Your being in jeopardy was my fault. So helping you was my duty.”

She sighed and her shoulders sagged. “I’m all better now, so I think you’ve done your duty.”

Fingers gently pulled her hair back, then his lips pressed to her ear. “Duty is why I helped you, but it is no part of why I’ve stayed. And why I
want
to stay, with you.”

Hope expanded within Ella’s chest, made it hard to breathe. Ironically, as Zeph’s arms wrapped around her, the pressing sensation eased and her whole body relaxed. “Then why?” she whispered.

“Because I am falling for you, Ella, and I’d like nothing more than to make you fall for me in return.”

Oh, God, she’d needed his words like water, like oxygen. She turned her face against his, the short-trimmed whiskers on his jaw rubbing her cheekbone, and met his gaze. “Is that true, Zeph? I know you’re a god, and I’m just a human. But please don’t toy with me.”

“Ella, you’re not
just
anything. And I promise you the respect of my honesty, in all things.”

Relief rushed through her veins in a torrent and she turned within his arms. Their lips met in a kiss that was full of affection and forgiveness.

Between them, her stomach growled obnoxiously. Zeph pulled away from the kiss with a smile. Ella’s face went hot. “I’ve got great timing.”

Zeph cupped her cheeks. “Are we okay?”

Expression earnest, eyes pleading, there was only one answer she could give. “Yes. We’re okay.”

Relief and happiness colored his expression. “Thank you.”

Ella raised on tiptoes to kiss his lips, her heart sprinting as words formed in her mind. She took a deep breath. “And Zeph? I’m glad for why you stayed. And what you hoped to do…it’s already working.”

One side of his mouth lifted higher in a smile that was both happy and sexy. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, I like the sound of that.”

She nodded. “So, can I make you something for breakfast, er, I guess lunch, now?”

“That’d be great.” With one last squeeze, Zeph released her from his embrace.

“Honestly, I’m not sure what I have. I haven’t been to the store in a while.” She turned to the fridge and opened the door. Slim pickings. “I have some leftover pizza. And I have eggs, so I could make omelets or pancakes. Or I could order something. What’s your pleasure?” When he didn’t answer, she glanced over her shoulder.

Zeph’s eyes flashed at her. She arched an eyebrow, and he grinned. She chuckled. “Food first. Now, what do you want?” His eyebrows flew up, his whole face amused now. “You’re incorrigible. To eat. What do you want
to eat
?”

“Pancakes?”

“Sure, but I really can order some food. Or we could go out.”

“No, pancakes, please,” he said with more certainty. “I’ve just never had them.”

Ella halted and looked at him. “Really? Well, then, pancakes it will be.” She moved around, pulling out utensils and ingredients. Zeph settled his butt against the counter and crossed his arms. His eyes alighted on her movements like a physical caress. It was nice, this sense of companionship.

An idea came to her and she grinned. “Do you like chocolate?”

“Yeah.”

She reached up into her junk food stash and grabbed the bag of plain M&Ms. “How about some M&M pancakes?” She hadn’t made them in forever, but Marcus had always loved them.

“I’ve never had them.”

“M&Ms?”

“No.”

Ella froze. “So, wait, you’ve never had pancakes
or
M&Ms? What do they feed you guys up there, or…you know, wherever?”

He shrugged. “Food is bountiful where I live.”

“Maybe, but no M&Ms is a huge oversight.” She crossed the room to him and fished two out of the bag. Green ones, naturally. “You need to file a complaint with the management. Open.”

That odd but utterly sexy light flared up behind his eyes. She grinned when his lips parted. She placed them on his tongue, purposely letting her fingers brush his bottom lip when she pulled away.

He chewed and his eyes went wide.

“More?”

He nodded.

She grabbed a few more and held them out to him. He opened his mouth. Her heart kicked up as she fed him again. “Good, right?”

“They’re crunchy, and then they’re soft.”

“Yeah. Exactly.”

He dug his big hand into the bag, then his heated gaze cut to her. “Open.”

Ella licked her lips and opened them. He brought the candy to her mouth and she wrapped her lips around his fingers, totally relishing the desire that colored his face.

He pulled his fingers away. She’d barely swallowed before he was on her, his lips pressed against hers, his tongue begging for entrance. She opened and welcomed him in. Oh. God. He tasted of chocolate and spice. The combination pulled the rug out from under her and she had to grip onto his biceps to counter the spinning of the room.

After long moments, he pulled away. “I like M&Ms.”

She chuckled. Joy and humor bloomed in her chest, and her eyes watered. She wiped the tears away and grinned at Zeph, whose face was bright and happy now. “I’m glad,” she managed, chuckles still bubbling up. “So, I take it M&M pancakes sound good?”

He nodded and rubbed his hands together. And as it turned out, pancake making had never been more fun. It was sort of a one-M&M-for-Zeph, one-M&M-for-the-pancakes kinda process. But she wouldn’t have had it any other way. She glanced up at him as she flipped a cake. “You know, I must really like you to share my M&Ms. I’m kinda addicted.”

He leaned down and nuzzled her throat. “Is that so?”

She nodded and tilted her head away, opening her neck to his exploration. “Pancake,” she whispered after a moment. Zeph pulled away, a smile on his lips. She scooped it off the griddle and placed it on the growing stack.

A couple more poured, flipped, and stacked, and they settled at the table together and dug in. “Now, since you’re a novice here, I’m advising you to just go with a bit of butter and skip the syrup. Let the chocolate do its thing all on its own. But, that’s totally up to you.” She pointed at the bottle of syrup and shrugged.

Zeph picked up his fork and his eyes darted to the bottle, but he sliced into the sweet breading sans syrup, just like she suggested. He blew on the forkful a few times and then his eyes went wide as he chewed. “It’s melty.”

Ella had smiled so much this morning, her cheeks ached, but it was wonderful and so needed. “I know,” she said. “That’s the beauty of it.”