Page 29 of Flame it Up

Pyrus woke the next morning on a high. He hadn’t gotten much sleep because he and Mazie had talked so long last night, but he was full of energy all the same. He dressed in a hurry and headed out to the main section of the camp.

While he walked, he let his imagination run wild. Last night had been the most amazing night of his life, even if the sexual frustration had left him feeling like electric eels were running through his blood, zapping him at random moments and triggering erotic thoughts.

Pyrus had lived a long time, and he’d been with many women. He’d always needed a connection, so tumbling with easy girls had never been his deal. He’d had amazing lovers over the course of his life. All of them had been beautiful, seductive, and incredible women that stirred his heart as well as his passion.

It was shocking to find that every single one of those experiences paled next to being with Mazie. He shouldn’t be surprised because she was his fated mate, and obviously, things would be different with her. He’d just never realized how different it would be.

A bird flitted by his head, chirping brightly. He watched the dip and curve of its flight as it winged through the trees before perching on a nearby branch next to another of its kind. To his delight, the two little birds immediately nuzzled each other’s faces and began to sing together.

Literal lovebirds.

The sun seemed warmer today, the early morning rays angling through the trees above with shimmering grace. The breeze that swept across his face was more invigorating than ever before. Pyrus had never felt so happy to be alive. He paused, tilted his head back, and closed his eyes to let the sun warm his cheeks.

Mazie.

In his mind, she was all he could see. The night before came back to him in a rush, the lust stampeding into his mind and demolishing all other thoughts like a herd of buffalo charging through a ravine, a force of nature that could not be stopped.

He groaned softly, feeling his muscles ripple as his cock stood in his pants. The need for Mazie was delicious, intoxicating, and addicting. Still, it was a sharp and undeniable pain.

He longed for her. The kisses they’d shared, the feel of her skin under his fingertips, and the movement of her body against his own … they haunted him. His skin sang as if it waited for her touch, and his blood ran with fire.

The dragon in his soul roared in frustration, flapping against the walls of his mind like a caged beast. He had to keep it caged. He couldn’t allow it a moment of freedom. If he allowed his primal half to take him over, even for a few moments, it would claim its mate.

Pyrus opened his eyes, grounding himself. He blinked hard, looking around the trees, hearing the bird song, scenting the breeze. He struggled for control, eventually quieting his mind, and cooling his blood with an extreme act of will.

He forced himself to walk slowly up to the main camping area, following the good smells of bacon and eggs. Someone was swirling masses of pancake batter across a huge hotplate, and the crisping edges gave off a hot aroma of sugar and butter melting together into a delicious, gooey mess.

He looked around for Mazie, unable to stop himself from sifting through the food smell to search for her scent. At one point, he had to stop and calm himself because the idea of Mazie covered in butter and maple syrup suddenly overwhelmed him so badly that he almost dropped his plate.

As he ate, he began to feel a rising sense of anxiety. He was pretty sure that Mazie wasn’t here, and this was the last day of Gerri’s event. He knew the Peace Corps was moving on. He thought that they’d ended on a good note last night, but now he wasn’t sure.

Where does that leave us? Would she really just disappear?

The idea caused his worry to combust into full-on anxiety. He finished his food and kept looking for her. He didn’t find Mazie, but he did find Gerri sitting by a campfire, chatting with a bunch of people from the gala. He pushed his way into the circle without even thinking about his manners.

“Gerri, can I talk to you? If that’s okay?” he asked boldly. Gerri smiled and stood, leading him away from the circle.

“What’s the matter, Pyrus? You look like you have literal ants in your pants.”

“There’s something in my pants, all right. It’s not ants, though.”

Gerri laughed softly, taking a sip of coffee. She was dressed in khaki cargos and a white blouse, somehow making the casual safari gear look like the height of fashion.

“How are things with Mazie?” Gerri asked, her eyes sparkling. “Has she inspected your pants for ants?”

“Yes. No. Well, it’s complicated.”

“Complicated how?” Gerri said, taking another sip of coffee.

“I just … things started to go really well last night. We fooled around a bit. Then she pulled back. I don’t know. I thought things were good, but now I can’t find her.”

“How did the night end?” Gerri asked curiously. “Were you making out, and then she fled from the room?”

“No,” Pyrus said with a laugh. “We were at the yacht party, and she wasn’t feeling well, so she went to have a rest, and then I went to check on her. We started making out.”

Pyrus paused, his eyes sliding off into the middle distance as he let the memories flood his mind. It didn’t take long before he was locked into a full-on sensory memory of Mazie under his hands.

“Earth to Pyrus,” Gerri giggled. “Come in. We lost you.”

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