Forgotten Elements
Chapter 1

A light sprinkle of rain greeted me as I exited the only hotel in the Convergence point, my head tipping back as I enjoyed the feel of the rain cooling my face. A renewing energy was in the air, as it was every time it rained. Based on the undercurrent brewing in the rain’s energy, I knew it would soon pick up and storm.

I didn’t put up a shield or bend the rain around me as I headed in the direction of home. The rain was a welcome and somewhat helped ease the fire burning low in my stomach. I felt uncomfortable, like my skin was pulled too tight over my body.

It wasn’t like the guy was inadequate, or didn’t know what he was doing. On the contrary, it was just the opposite. Had we gotten past the initial foreplay stage, let’s just say I wouldn’t have left feeling unsatisfied. The man had confidence and seemed to have the skills to back it up. But I would never know now since I fucked it up not even five minutes into the foreplay when I nearly called out Parker’s name.

The moment had been completely ruined after that. At least it had been for me. He hadn’t noticed I nearly called out another man’s name. It was a consolation prize that I didn’t have to deal with that embarrassment or explain who Parker was and why I said his name. I didn’t know how to begin to explain why I’d been thinking of him while I was with another man.

After my blunder, I was no longer in the mood and made a hasty escape.

As if to prove me wrong, a throb pounded between my thighs, my body itching for release since it had been over three months since the last time I had sex. I wasn’t even sure the last time counted since my release had been underwhelming.

Mythics were naturally sexually active beings. It was like it was ingrained in our DNA. I was pretty sure the fated mate couples in our house had sex at least once a day, and no, I don’t think I was exaggerating. So the fact I’d gone this long between sessions, and even longer since my last true release, meant my body was coiled tight. Being sexually frustrated wasn’t the smartest move, not with the sexiest man alive—and no, I wasn’t talking about Caspian who used to hold the title in my mind until seven months ago—coming around the house all the time.

The more time I spent around him, the higher the chances were that I’d do something stupid.

Every time I was around him, my body was all but begging me to drag him into the nearest empty room and have him do what he offered the first day we met. I should’ve said yes that morning, back when I didn’t know him and he wasn’t a part of our friend group. Maybe everything would’ve been far less complicated.

A couple of nights ago, when my body was so alight with desire that I ended up touching myself, not only did I picture him, but I considered going next door and seeing if he was home. I didn’t think the flirtatious words and heated stares he threw my way were a joke. I doubted he would’ve turned me away if he was home.

One of the things that had stopped me from going over was the thought he might not be alone. No part of me believed he was just sitting around, waiting for me to take him up on his offer. With his smug and flirtatious personality, I doubted he was the celibate type. Even though I’d never seen any women coming or going from his place, I knew he was getting laid. So, odds were that if I had gone over there, I would’ve caught him with another woman.

Not that I cared or anything. I just wouldn’t want to embarrass the girl.

In all honesty, I should just sleep with him and get it over with. Sometimes, I wondered why I held back from doing so. It wasn’t like we had this amazing friendship that I was afraid to ruin. I was pretty sure my reluctance to be around the smooth-talking sorcerer, in the hopes of avoiding his effect on me, made having a friendship near impossible for us. Maybe sleeping with him once and getting him out of my system would make things better for us, and ease the tension.

I would finally know whether or not he had exaggerated his skills, and I’d no longer be a challenge to him. My rejection of him was why he flirted with me so hard. Men like him loved the challenge and the thrill of the chase.

With how close he had become with everyone else in our ever-growing household, it would be nice if he and I could replace a way to form a genuine friendship. One that wasn’t filled with sexual tension, that I tried shoving aside by ignoring him or holding my annoyance close like a shield.

All of the justifications swirled around in my head as I continued walking in the rain. At some point in my musings, the rain had picked up, and my hair was now sticking to my neck, back, and chest. My clothes were like a second skin with how they clung to my body. The smooth cobblestones of the walkways were slick beneath my bare feet. None of these things bothered or fazed me as I enjoyed the weather.

Even though I considered myself more of an earth elemental, replaceing comfort in plants, trees, and the ground beneath my feet, I still found comfort in all the elements. Each of them served their own purpose, even fire.

Hardly anyone was out with the pouring rain and the late hour. It created a peaceful moment despite the torrential downpour, and I ended up slowing to a stop as I tipped my head back again and closed my eyes.

Maybe the rain would wash away all stupid thoughts of going straight to Parker’s house and demanding he take care of my body’s insistent needs. The compelling arguments about why I should sleep with him were sounding far too appealing. I had little doubt I’d feel different in the light of day and not when I had desire and heat coursing through my body.

No logical plan had ever been made while sexually frustrated.

As if thinking about the infuriating sorcerer had summoned him, Parker’s deep voice rang out over the rain. “It’s a little late for you to be wandering around alone.” He was standing several feet behind me, his clothes as soaked as mine, even though he could’ve easily put up a shield.

Dammit! The fucker was just as sexy drenched from the downpour. How was this even possible? He wasn’t dressed like he’d been going out. Not unless his game was so good that he pulled women wearing sweatpants and a white t-shirt that was now practically see-through, allowing me to see his sculpted muscles.

This definitely wasn’t helping tame the raging inferno blazing inside me. The throb between my legs became more insistent, and I adjusted my stance so my legs were subtly crossed—or at least, I hoped it was subtle. As I crossed my arms, I realized I was also wearing a white shirt, and my bright pink bra was showing through.

I may not have been as blessed in the boob department as Jade, but I wouldn’t say I was flat-chested. I liked to say I had the perfect amount and could, for the most part, get away with not wearing a bra all the time. Although, I was glad I was wearing something tonight.

“I could say the same for you.” I had to yell to be heard over the downpour. The pelting rain stung from how hard it was pounding against my skin. I raised my hand and the rain pelting me changed trajectory, hitting everywhere but me. Bending rain didn’t take up too much energy, but I still was only planning on holding it until we finished this conversation.

Parker stepped within the narrow circle, peering up at the rain bending around us. Light from a nearby crystal lamp glinted off his high cheekbones as he neared me. His scent of cedarwood, lemon, and a hint of mint was stronger in the rain, almost like it was heightening everything. “It’s a nice night for a walk.” His full and sinful lips twitched as he kept his tone casual.

His thumb trailed across my cheekbone, nearly distracting me from his words as I leaned into his touch, chasing the warmth from his hand. “Normally, when you go out for the night, you’re not back until early morning.” His words were barely audible and I had to lean closer to hear him.

“I thought I’d break the pattern, shake things up,” I said with a shrug, trying to keep my voice level and casual.

My bottom lip tingled as he brushed his thumb across it, his gaze following the movement of his thumb and how my lips parted. “It’s been a while since you’ve stayed out late,” he murmured, stepping even closer to me so our bodies were no more than a foot apart.

It wasn’t surprising how he knew this. Every fucking time I came back from a night out, he was sitting out on his front steps like he had nothing better to do. And with the unsatisfactory sex I’d been having, it was the last thing I needed, especially when he would lay on the charm and dirty talk.

“Has it been a while? I haven’t noticed.” Fucking liar.

In the dim lighting, his eyes were darker than normal, appearing a dark brown as he assessed me. My gasp was barely heard over the rain as he grabbed my hip and tugged my body even closer to his. “I was worried your needs aren’t being met. Is that what you’re coming back from?” His warm breath fanned over my lips as his fingers dug into my hip.

“So what if I am?” My breathless whisper somewhat marred my challenge.

His eyes appeared even darker as he dropped his head to whisper in my ear. “Well then, I’m once again worried about your needs being met. Did he make you come? Were you screaming his name as he took you over and over again?” The deep rumble of his voice sent a shiver running through my body as heat pooled low in my belly.

His mention of screaming the guy’s name had me squirming, reminding me of my fuckup earlier. “He knew what he was doing,” I hedged, trying to think up a way to change the subject. The last thing I needed was for Parker to replace out why my night ended so early.

Parker made a noncommittal sound as his hand traveled down my hip and thigh to the hem of my skirt. Goosebumps rose on my skin as he trailed his fingers up the inside of my thigh. I didn’t protest or attempt to stop him as his fingers brushed my panties. Despite how much I argued with him and shot down his offers, I wanted him. I’d been considering stopping by his house, despite the risk that there might be another woman there.

He pushed my panties to the side and brushed a finger along my aching and soaked core. A groan mixed with a low growl was breathed into my ear. “Fuck. You’re soaked.” His voice was husky as he swiped his finger through the pooling wetness again.

“It’s raining.” I failed to hide his effect on me, with my heavy breathing and how my hands were clutching his soaked shirt. The rain was once again pounding down on us, but I was too distracted by his fingers casually brushing through my arousal to care. Even with our clothes clinging to our bodies, he and I both knew damn well this wasn’t from the rain. He didn’t even need to be able to smell my arousal to know it.

He called me out on my bullshit and slipped a finger inside my entrance. My whimper was drowned out by the rain as he added another finger, and I grabbed his wrist, not to move him away but to keep his hand exactly where it was. My grip on his shirt tightened as I tugged him closer so that his chest was now pressed against mine.

He worked his fingers in and out of me, several times, getting me even more worked up before removing his hand from my panties. My mouth opened as a small sound of protest came out. Surely he wouldn’t leave me high and dry like this.

Metaphorically speaking, obviously.

Holding my gaze, he brought his fingers to his lips and sucked off my arousal. My gaze was locked in on how his tongue darted over his full lips as he pulled his fingers free. It was almost like I could feel it down in my aching core like I could feel his tongue flicking against me.

Several more unintelligible sounds of protest came from me, both at the loss of contact and at the thought he wouldn’t finish what he started. My body was burning with all my pent-up frustration and desire, and I needed an outlet.

At this point, I couldn’t be sure if the wetness trailing down my thighs was water or my own damn arousal. It was a toss-up.

Parker cupped my face, tilting my head back as he bent his head closer, his lips only inches away from mine. “When I fuck you—and I will, make no mistake—I will only do so when you beg me.” He pressed a light, teasing kiss on my lips that left them buzzing and turned, walking off in a direction that didn’t lead home.