***POV:Cyrus***It’s been weeks since the last time I left the colony. After I got back, I took a waiting Violet from the dock and ran directly to the packhouse. She was so scared, having me drag her, but I dared not tell her without telling Amara’s parents first. Their relief had been palpable. They were immediately soothed knowing their only daughter was safe. Their relief was marred by sadness at knowing she will not return in the foreseeable future and finding out that she is no longer expecting their grandchild. While no one who cares for Amara was thrilled at the thought of her being tied to Trent for life through a child, no one would wish a baby away. Violet was angry with me at first, thinking I should have done more to bring her back with me. That didn’t last long though, as she found comfort in knowing that her best friend had at least found good people to stay with.These past few weeks for us had been pivotal. Violet and I as a couple, we worked, we made sense. I felt lik
***POV:Violet***Time seems to be moving slower than ever right now. I am waiting for Cyrus in his apartment, anxious to know what happened with Alpha John. I hear the knob turn and I shoot up expectantly, only it isn’t Cyrus. Trent walks in, equally surprised to see me standing there.“What are you doing here?” We say to each other at the same time.He looks me up and own, with a mocking grin on his face. “Well haven’t you just made yourself at home here.”I defiantly stare back at him; I will not let him see any weakness. No need for him to know that at my core I am terrified of what he might be capable of doing. It’s not even totally his fault, but Alpha John’s reputation as a ruthless leader has definitely been cemented, and everyone knows that his only wish has been to root his legacy into his only living heir. Being in this private, enclosed space with him, only heightened that fear.“Cyrus will be back any minute.” I lie, I know he was going to the packhouse this morning, but I
***POV:Amara***Voices get louder on the other side of the barn, and I slowly get closer, curiosity getting the better of me. I can distinctly make out Cole’s soothing deep voice, although it sounds irritated right now. I peek around the corner, unseen. He is talking to one of the Sanderson girls from a neighboring farm. In the last couple of months of me being here, I have met most of their neighbors. For being so spread apart, they really have formed a fairly tight knit community, rooted in trading and looking out for each other. This particular girl Emma, she isn’t looking out for anyone but herself right now. She is standing as close to Cole as he will allow, looking up at him with big blue eyes, pleading.“Cole, just give us a chance, that is all I am asking. We could be so good together.”“Emma, you are still a kid, and like a sister to me.” He says to her gently, putting his hands on her shoulders and holding her at arm’s length. I can tell he is trying to be gentle with her b
***POV:Cole***We all gather around the large outdoor dining tables that my family has set up, with a fabulous spread put on by my mom and Imogen as usual. All of our closest neighbors, the Sanderson family and their remaining crew, the Thomas family, and the Hernandez family and remaining crew, were here. All in all, we were almost 40 all gathered together.We have gathered with everyone like this at least once a month once the dust settled on the end of the world. It helped us all to maintain outside contact, to trade, and just overall check on each other. One small step in maintaining a modicum of sanity and normalness amidst all the crazy.Amara sat across from me, although not by choice. With everyone gathered it really was like a small party, and everyone had selected their seats long before we had joined the table. Food started being passed around, chatter going in all sorts of different directions.Mr. Hernandez pulled out a piece of paper and was showing it to my father, and
***POV:Amara***Lunch was interesting. Everyone peppered me with questions from all angles and I did my best to answer them without divulging the biggest piece of information of all. Before I leave, I will tell them the truth about me and about the colony. I will do my best to explain all of the supernatural things they grew up believing were myths. I just can’t take the chance trying to do that now, not when I am not ready to leave yet.Everyone has now migrated down to the water, and it truly is like a party in full swing. The visiting families brought homemade moonshine. I was reluctant to try it but Imogen skipped over carrying a liter bottle of the stuff mixed with something red.“Amara, time to loosen up a bit girl. Here I brought you my special mix. Some Sanderson moonshine with fruit punch flavoring mixed in. We will have you feeling right in no time.” Imogen giggled as she thrust the bottle at me enthusiastically. I could see Cole, sitting on the dock, shirtless and delicious
Chapter 37***POV:Cole***The day was spent in the sun full of play, jet skis, water skiing, swimming, it was a full party. The Thomas family have music going from the boat, no one with any cares on this day. It was fun like we had not had in a long time. The liquor kept coming, everyone brought their own home brews to share. I am enjoying living in the moment for once and forgetting the bigger reality.As far as Amara and I, we spent the day casually hanging out with everyone but somehow finding our way back to each other over and over again. We were full of accidental touches and lingering gazes. I have now reached the point that I am almost frenzied. I have mental images invading my mind of ripping off that tiny excuse of a bathing suit Amara has on with my bare teeth. I want this woman so badly and I have no idea what I am going to do with all of this pent-up sexual frustration. I wonder if she is feeling any of it, the evil vixen. I wonder if she knows what she is doing to me, to
***POV:Amara***Well, there’s no going back now, right? I can do this; I can take a little and not lose control. Cole starts walking towards the dock, and jumps in, swimming out in the water towards the floating dock. I follow him into the water and swim right behind him. Halfway to the floating dock he stops and turns to me.“What’s up?”He wraps his arms around me, pulls me close and kisses me slow and deep. I let my hands glide up his arms and to the back of his neck, then across his shoulders again. He pulls aways, smiling softly, the bright moonlight making it easy to see his beautiful features. He turns away and starts swimming towards the floating dock again saying, “Come on!”When we get to the floating dock, Cole pulls himself and then smirks a little when he sees me swim around to the small ladder and climb up. “I could have pulled you up you know.”“I know, I also know you are looking for any excuse you can to touch me.” I say sounding way more sure of myself than I actuall
***POV: Cole***Last night was incredible. We stayed within her careful parameters and didn’t have sex, but we did so much. We spent the night in and out of the water, giving and taking of each other. I have never experienced a woman in this way. Amara is so unashamedly sexy, it’s like her body is speaking to mine on a primal level. I lay in my bed, recognizing that I should get up and make coffee, but enjoying laying there still smelling her on my skin. We had finished our evening of mutual worship in the outdoor shower by the barns and had taken a little more even after getting clean.I know last night she drank quite a bit. I know her inhibitions were lowered, but she knew what she was doing. I wonder how she will feel about it all in the light of day. If she ends up regretting last night, I am not sure how I will even go about processing that.I kick my legs over the side of the bed and propel myself towards the kitchen and the much-needed caffeine. I look forward to our morning c