Page 21 of Exes, Hexes, and Strategy
Nina opened her mouth, not sure how to answer that question, but her instructor waved her off. “You don’t need to tell me, just remember. What you were thinking, what you were feeling? Picture that moment in your head. Feel it again.”
Nina closed her eyes and remembered that moment when she’d heard Morgan Rhys say, Mister DeMarco. Her first thought was that Vincent DeMarco was there at the facility, her worst nightmare. She’d felt a strangling sense of fear, had barely been able to breathe.
She tried to grasp the emotion again, use it, but instead, her mind jumped to when she’d first realized it was Rafe there and not his father – the intense longing she’d seen in his eyes – and the heartbreak she’d felt at that moment suffused her.
“Holy shit!” one of the guys yelled and Nina’s eyes snapped open. The water in the pool was no longerinthe pool but hovering above it in a perfect rectangle.
Nina’s jaw dropped.
“Hold onto it!” Ms. Bishop yelled. “Use it! Control the water!”
But she’d lost the moment in her astonishment, the water dropping with force back into the pool and shooting out waves on all sides. One of those waves, drenched all of them and, intentional or not, doused the fire.
“Well done, Nina!” Ms. Bishop said, clapping her hand down on Nina’s shoulder and giving a gentle squeeze. “Whatever you were thinking about toward the end there, that’s your key. Remember it. Use it, and eventually, you’ll be able to control it, but what a phenomenal start! Congratulations.”
Nina could only stare at the rough waters lapping angrily at the side of the pool. She was still in shock at what she’d managed to do, and her heart still ached slightly at the memory that had caused it. But she reminded herself that itwasjust a memory, a mere echo of the pain. She and Rafe were together now.
Suddenly grinning, she couldn’t wait to share her victory with him. Unfortunately, classes weren’t done yet, a fact for which she was reminded when Ms. Bishop announced that they were heading outside to see if Ethan could dry them all off with his wind. Soon though. Once everyone was in bed for the day, she and Rafe would be able to sneak off for some alone time. She couldn’t wait.
“That was badass!” Mel said, wrapping an arm around Nina’s shoulder. “We need to get you a cool superhero name now, after that performance.”
Nina laughed, her spirit soaring. “Hydro Girl?”
Mel scrunched her nose in distaste. “Too basic.” Holding her hands up like she was framing something, she dramatically declared, “I’m thinkingTyphoon, or maybeTsunami.”
“And for short, they can call me Sue.”
When Mel just blinked at her, Nina added, “You know, short for Tsunami?”
When that earned her another blank stare, and a muttered, “I think you’re missing the point of cool superhero names,” Nina shook her head with a laugh. “We’ll keep working on it,” and since she couldn’t contain her joy, added, “I still can’t believe I did that! Did you see how high that water was?”
“I saw!”
Grinning at each other, they were both skipping, arm in arm like children, to join the others outside. Nina was giddy with excitement. Rafe DeMarco was back in her life, her best friend was by her side, and she was finally doing something exciting with her magic. Life was good.
Nina was still riding that high when she met up with Rafe, practically pouncing on him as soon as they were alone. Her mouth grinning widely against his between kisses, her fingers delved for the button on his jeans.
Pulling back slightly, but still gripping her hips in his hands, Rafe remarked, “Not that I’m complaining, but, you seem incredibly chipper this morning.”
“I am,” she purred, sliding her hand into his pants and gripping his throbbing erection, causing him to throw back his head with a sharply indrawn breath of pleasure. “I’ll tell you all about it later,” she promised, “but this first.”
After that, there were no more words, nothing but the sound of their heavy breathing, and groans of pleasure in the dimly lit cave. They made quick work of their clothes, stripping in what seemed like record time, and then Nina was pushing Rafe back, straddling his hips, and taking control. She was playful and tender by turns, and as she rode him, driving them both closer and closer to the pinnacle, such love and adoration shown in Rafe’s eyes that it made her breath catch in wonder.
“I love you,” she gasped, as her body went over the edge.
His arms tightened around her, his hips thrusting upward as he found his own completion, and his voice was almost reverent as he told her, “I love you, I love you,” repeating the sentiment over and over as his body shuddered beneath hers in release.
They held each other for several minutes following, their bodies cooling and their breathing returning to normal. Finally sliding off of him, Nina cuddled against his side. “I had a breakthrough tonight,” she told him happily, before going into greater detail about her achievement, though she chose not to share what she’d been thinking to bring forth the result. The reminder of the pain of separation they’d both endured would only dampen the mood.
“That’s amazing,” he said with a grin, and Nina lifted her fingers to his mouth.
“You smile more now than you used to,” she noted as Rafe kissed her fingertips. “I love it.”
It was true, Rafe thought. A facial expression that had once felt stiff and unnatural now sprung easily to his lips. He was more relaxed here than he’d been in a long time – possibly, the most relaxed he’d ever been in his life. Unlike at home, the expectations placed on him here, at the facility, were no more or less than any other trainee. Here, he didn’t have to be Raphael DeMarco, only son, and heir of Vincent DeMarco. Here, he could be himself. Not to mention, here, he could be with Nina. Was it any wonder he was smiling?
Saying as much to Nina, he played with her hair which was still slightly damp. He couldn’t help but grin again as he pictured the wave of water she’d described drenching her and her fellow witches. A wave Nina had caused. He’d always known she had the potential, could feel her magic like a low hum vibrating around her, but her coven was pretty low-key when it came to doing magic. Unlike the stronger covens across the country, hers didn’t do much to nurture a young witch’s gifts. She’d complained about that fact several times to him, but there hadn’t been much she could do about it unless she chose to move elsewhere. It looked like this facility was opening new opportunities for both of them. Opportunities with seemingly endless potential.
Chapter Thirteen
