Chapter 20 - Above Cursed Winds

Jeremiah had never flown so fast before. When Zia had dropped out of his protective sphere, she’d opened herself up to the unforgiving updrafts, the currents that registered close to hurricane speeds.

When her wings disappeared and she curled into a ball, his heart dropped. Terror stabbed his chest as he heard her cry and surrender herself to the inevitable pain of impact. Throwing out his hands, the air around her stilled moments before she’d have hit the ground, then blew up to push her into his outstretched arms.

Safe.

“I’ve caught you,” he purred, clutching her trembling body to him as the air around them gained a soothing warmth that countered her recent turbulent descent. “I’ve got you, Z.”

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry, I’m such a fool! I shouldn’t have dropped away.”

He melted at her apology, a sinking feeling dropping into his stomach. “Z, it wasn’t your fault. The air feels calm around me. It’s easy to forget.”

She nodded, her nose brushing the sensitive skin of his neck. Treacherous desire pumped through his bloodstream, beckoning him to hold her closer, and kiss her fear away. Every cell in his body drove him to comfort and protect her as though they were tied together with an invisible string.

It took only a minute to get them back to Zia’s home, and he touched down onto the ground as lightly as possible. She didn’t squirm for release, instead snuggling even closer in his arms.

The chemistry between them was undeniable. Everywhere their skin touched, electricity tingled at the contact. It was unlike anything he’d ever felt before.

She was unlike anyone he’d ever met before.

When their eyes finally met, hers sent a clear message: gratitude, appreciation, apology. His were hooded with fierce desire.

Before he could adjust his hold, her lips crushed to his, claiming his mouth. A fire lit beneath Jeremiah’s skin, churning with a need to both possess her completely and cherish everything she offered.

He responded to her instantly, tightening his arms around her. She deepened the kiss, demanding he submit. But Jeremiah had never been a pushover, and he growled in response to her unspoken claim.

Zia drew back to fist a hand in his hair, impishly nipping at his lower lip while her seductive eyes flicked to his. His mouth connected with the side of her neck, tracing her pulse with his teeth and exploring the sensitive column of her slender neck.

He gave in to her, and the release pulled from the depths of his soul, the shadowed places he’d fought hard to hide, all the vulnerabilities he’d covered under spite and sarcasm. Gasping at the visceral feeling, he retreated from her neck, hoping she wouldn’t notice.

She did. And with that small reprieve, Zia seemed to remember herself.

She scrambled out of his arms, blinking rapidly as though she couldn’t believe what had just happened. Before he could comment or dispel the tension, Jeremiah’s phone chimed.

Cursing under his breath, Jeremiah palmed his phone and sighed. Gideon again. And again, it went back into his pocket without a response.

When he finally looked up, Zia’s tone pretended their passionate interlude hadn’t happened “Ignoring him again?”

“I’m on vacation.”

“Is that what this is? I thought you were ‘working?’”

Mockingly narrowing his eyes when she used air quotes around working, Jeremiah teased back. “If I was working, would I be trying to hook up with my temporary boss?”

“I am not your boss.”

“Ah, yes. That makes it okay then?”

“Why don’t you go play with your wind again and get outta my hair?”

Impishly, he directed the wind to tousle through the long, beachy waves that hung down her back, blowing them forward over her shoulder.

“Looks like my wind likes your hair.”

Spinning on her heel, the Raeth stomped back into the house, leaving him far too hot and bothered for his own good. He followed, sticking his hands in his pockets, and bit out another curse when the chime sounded once more.

“For the love of …”

He trailed off upon seeing the call was from Michael, his contact at the CIA. Instantly, he sobered, stalking inside and using his gifts to secure the door behind him. Nero and Zia were both waiting for him, and he spoke before they could.

“We’ve got a location on the documents from your computer, Z.”