The Wicked (Elder Races #5.5)(19)

Julian had been right. This had, indeed, turned into an interesting evening.

Fucking f**kers.

She clapped both hands over her face and burst out laughing. It sounded hysterical even to her own ears.

Slowly sanity set in, along with a clash of conflicting emotions that ricocheted like brightly colored billiard balls around in her head. She shoved to her feet and located Sebastian’s bathroom. By general standards it was miniscule, just a small basin, toilet and a shower, but it was polished clean and it had the huge advantage of being private.

Or so she thought.

As she splashed cold water on her face, Phaedra solidified beside her. The Djinn announced, “I am ready for small talk now.”

Olivia jerked upright and swiped at her dripping chin with the back of one hand. “What? No!”

Phaedra gave her an exasperated look and began to dematerialize.

“Phaedra, I’m sorry. Hold on a minute.” As the Djinn paused, her form half-insubstantial, Olivia patted her face dry with Sebastian’s hand towel. The cloth smelled freshly laundered. She folded it neatly on the rail and turned to Phaedra. “I’m rattled and preoccupied, and you startled me. I really didn’t mean to cut you off like that. I wanted to thank you, not only for what you did earlier outside, but for agreeing to surround Sebastian’s room with a barrier while Julian was on the ship.”

Phaedra considered her with narrowed eyes. “I didn’t do it for you. I did it for Khalil, and, in some measure, for Grace.”

She took a steadying breath, and reached for patience and calm. “Nevertheless,” she said quietly. “You helped me quite a bit this evening, and I am grateful. I know that you are not supposed to bargain for favors on this trip, but I’m offering one to you anyway. And if you ever need a friend, I hope you might consider me.”

“I don’t need friends,” said Phaedra.

Unsurprised, she nodded. “If you ever change your mind, just let me know.”

“Why did you kiss him?” Phaedra asked abruptly.

Well, that was like a dash of cold water in the face. She threw her hands up in the air. “I can’t believe you were watching us!”

The Djinn twitched her shoulders in a shrug. “Of course, I was watching. What else would I be doing? This trip is boring.”

Olivia’s mouth dropped open. “You have got to be kidd—”

But Phaedra dissipated before she could finish the sentence.

As Olivia made her way to the cabin she shared with Dendera, voices echoed along the corridors. From the sound of things, everyone had returned successfully. Exhaustion had replaced the euphoria, and she took advantage of the privacy to get ready for bed quickly. She was just slipping into her bunk when Dendera arrived.

“What a lot of fuss over nothing,” Dendera said. The other symbologist looked as tired as Olivia felt. “At least we will be crossing over a few hours later in the morning.”

“Thank God,” she said.

Dendera didn’t appear to welcome chitchat, and Olivia certainly wasn’t in the mood. Pulling the covers up to her chin, she curled on her side. Immediately she was immersed in the memory of Sebastian’s body moving over hers and the sensation of his tongue in her mouth. Warmth filled her body, and it was both hungry and languid.

She thought she would never fall asleep, but then, suddenly, she did.

Much too early, Derrick, the Elven male on the security crew who was crossing over, walked through the corridors and knocked on doors, waking everybody up. Breakfast was a quick, simple affair of hot coffee, Danish pastries and cranky people, several of whom appeared to be hung over.

Sebastian remained absent. Olivia’s excited, nervous anticipation dimmed into a rather queasy feeling. Surely she must have imagined that raw, wide-open highway they had raced along together.

She escaped the breakfast table and took her coffee up to the deck where cold, bright sunshine pierced the air. Contemplating an affair with one’s immediate supervisor was a recipe for disaster, anyway. If this job had been a permanent position, she would never even consider the possibility.

Time sped up in a flurry of activity as the crossover team donned their wetsuits. Everyone’s mood improved drastically and a ragged cheer went up when the yacht pulled away from the dock. As people moved up to the deck, Sebastian appeared.

He wore his sunglasses again. His wetsuit molded the trim, powerful lines of his compact body, and a fitful wind ruffled his white-and-sable-flecked hair as he stepped light as a dancer between team members until he stood in front of Olivia.

Her hands had started to shake as he approached. She pushed her fists against her upper thighs as he looked down at her, his hard expression intent.

Then she noticed the taut lines bracketing the corners of his mouth. She asked very quietly, “Is everything all right?”

He replied in the same low voice, “Just another headache. I missed you last night.”

Her breath turned choppy. She grew aware that a few of the others had turned to look at them. Bailey watched them, arms crossed and face expressionless. Steve stared too, and the distaste on his thin face was anything but expressionless.

Suddenly she didn’t care. The tension between her and Sebastian’s bodies vibrated like a strong, golden wire, urging her closer. Licking her lips, she whispered, “I missed you too.”

He bent his head toward her, slowly, and realization sank in. He was giving her time to find some way to stop him or turn him away. It would be entirely her choice whether or not they let their budding connection become public.