Page 24 of Finding Embers and Stars (Twin Flames Duet #1)
Chapter twenty-four
S eeing Piper launch herself off the edge of the pool and knock Wyatt down a peg is probably the most hilarious thing I’ve ever seen. I know we haven't known our mates long, but the more time we spend in their presence, the more I feel my soul aligning with theirs.
We can also see Piper coming out of her shell. Sage too, but to a lesser extent. The hardships they’ve endured have put them on guard, only able to trust each other.
As much as I want them to trust me, I know it will take time. Time to show them we aren’t like the ones who hurt them in the past. That we will always support them, no matter what.
I may be speculating, but I think they need reassurance that we won’t ever try to separate them. Not that we would, but it sounds like they grew up in a toxic and abusive environment. From the few less than stellar foster homes I was in, I know that abusers love to take away what you love most. Even if they don’t want it for themselves, they want to take what brings you joy.
For Piper and Sage, that’s each other.
The wet plop of Piper’s jean shorts hitting the pool deck pulls me out of my musings. She grips the hem of her tank top and starts to pull it up.
Her hands stall out at her hips, and I see Sage’s lips move as she whispers what I hope is encouragement to our shy mate. Partly because I can’t wait to see more of her body, but mostly because I want her to gain confidence in herself. To see herself the way we do. I know there isn’t a single one of my brothers that doesn’t find her equal parts attractive and fascinating.
Just when I think she’s going to lose her nerve and keep her cover up on, a look of sheer determination crosses her face. She whips the shirt over her head and chucks it out of the pool.
It takes a moment to comprehend what I’m seeing, but when I do I get hard so fast I’m nearly lightheaded.
Piper’s nipples are pebbled against the cool breeze rolling in off the ocean. As delightful as that view is, it's the small bumps on either side of each nipple that truly catch my attention. Piper’s nipples are pierced…
Hot damn!
Maverick’s deep groan from behind me tells me he also noticed the hardware that our shy mate is bedazzled with. It makes me wonder what else she might have pierced. Or if Sage has any piercings. Dear Goddess, how am I supposed to keep my hands off of these women long enough to form emotional bonds?
“Holy shit.” Walker’s words are whispered like a prayer and draw the attention of all my brothers.
Liam steps up beside me, his eyes focused on Piper’s piercings. “Are those…”
“Yep.”
His swallow is audible, making me chuckle. “Do you think Sage…”
“I don’t know, but it’s going to be fun finding out.”
Wyatt snorts. “I’d be shocked if she didn’t. With as much ink as those two have, they clearly don’t have an issue with pain.”
Sage swims up in front of us just in time to hear Wyatt’s statement. “We can handle pain just fine, but it does help to have a witch bestie that makes potions so that tattoos don’t hurt. The piercings are all natural, though.” She leaps out of the water, wrapping her arms around my neck and her legs around my waist.
Instinctively, I grab her ass to support her, my palms caressing the smooth skin of her hips. “Damnit Sage! I’m trying to be a gentleman here and you’re leaping into my arms all wet and sexy.”
“Fine, if you don’t want me to climb you like a tree, I’ll go play with Piper.” With a haughty tilt of her nose that is clearly fake based on the giggles she can’t hide, she rolls backwards into the water and swims towards Piper.
She maneuvers herself to stand up with Piper sitting on her shoulders. “Enjoy it while you can, Jolly. There is no chance of me giving you a piggyback ride outside of the pool.”
We all exchange puzzled looks.
“Jolly?” Maverick asks, clearly as confused as the rest of us.
Sage chuckles. “You know, like the Jolly Green Giant.”
Piper gasps in outrage. “Listen here you little Oompa Loompa. Just because I’m not vertically challenged like you is no reason to be bitter.”
“How dare you!” Sage flips Piper off her shoulders and swims to the ladder at the side of the pool. Piper swims after her but before she catches up, Sage shifts into the biggest raven I’ve ever seen and flies up to the balcony that overlooks the backyard. When she lands on the railing, she caws down to us. I never knew ravens could laugh, but there is no other way to describe her caws.
“That's cheating you scrawny pigeon!!” Piper swipes her hand through the water but there's no way her splash can reach high enough to soak Sage.
Sage hops down to the floor of the balcony and shifts back. Leaning over the railing towards us, she grins evilly at Piper. “It's not cheating when we both have the same ability, but only one of us uses it.” Ignoring our stunned silence, she opens the door and walks inside.
“Ummm, what just happened?” I’m so confused. Are they mad at each other? Are they fighting? What the hell is going on?
“Nothing much, just Sage being a cheater and a small look inside the dumpster fire that is our friendship. Buckle up boys, that’s just the tip of the iceberg.”
With that parting shot, Piper climbs out of the pool and walks inside.
By the time the guys and I shake off our shock and follow them in, Sage and Piper are both changed into comfy looking pjs and rummaging through the fridge, discussing what to make for lunch.
They were just bickering like lunatics, and now everything is fine. I really don't understand women.