of a fight do that to her or… Or was it Mason?
`Has to be Bloodells.' Mason glanced at Renee and away, so fast Ruth nearly missed it.
`Not here,' Nikki said. `They don't dare break the treaty.'
`Treaty?'
`No Bloodells has ever set foot on the shores of this country and survived a day. This is our home and they know to come here would…' Nikki sat up. `It would start a war.'
Mason stood up. `They're coming.'
`Max's call this morning.' Ruth interpreted the look on Mason's face. `It was about the Bloodells wasn't it? If Max knows, then the Fund does. Max is coming here, isn't he, and he's not coming alone?'
`He's not.' Mason paced around the table, past Renee whose eyes were alight with excitement.
Damn, Ruth thought, she's as bad as him.
`Just so we're clear here,' Nikki said, looking around, frowning. `You're saying that Bloodells are on their way here, as we speak?'
`I'll go.' Renee stood up and vanished in a swirl of red, leaving behind the momentary taste of a strong scent that was cloaked by Nikki's sweetness as she stood to watch where her sister had gone.
`She's fast,' Mason said, joining Nikki and handing her a glass. `Where's she gone and who else is on the island? And, what's more, why are you here on this so-auspicious day?' Ruth heard the calculation in his question. A hint of distrust that he'd need to work out of his system. They were good questions, though.
`Thanks.' Nikki took the glass and either ignored Mason or failed to understand what he was really asking. Ruth poured herself some more wine. She sipped and stopped. Gaia's energy laced the wine, tickling her tongue. Potent.
`You don't stop with the questions, do you?' Nikki said, avoiding giving answers.
`Nope.' Mason sipped his wine. Nikki mirrored him. `You going to answer or do I have to beat it out of you?'
Ruth spilled her wine. `Mason!' The dry smile on Mason's face was unexpected. She stopped mid-stride. `Jesus, you were kidding.'
`Yeah,' he said with a lopsided smile. `Seems you didn't quite get the humour.'
`Neither did I for a second.' Nikki put down the wine glass and went to Ruth. `Now you're covered in wine.'
Ruth let Nikki take off the wine-stained sarong. Squatting, one hand on Ruth's hip, she used soft long strokes to cleanse her legs. Ruth touched Nikki's hair, running her fingers through it.
`Lucky you didn't spill it in your lap,' Mason said, eyebrows raised. Ruth ignored him. `Are we going to discuss rules before the brat comes back?'
`Rules?' Nikki ducked into the kitchen with the sarong. Ruth heard the tap running, then Nikki was back, tilting her head at Mason, inviting him to explain.
`Ruth likes you.' He leant against a post on the patio. `Usually we talk about this beforehand, but Ruth is Ruth and when she likes someone,' he shrugged and drank some more. `We haven't survived this long as a couple without our problems, but when it comes to this, there are rules. Our rules.'
`You weren't kidding when you said you both were open and direct.'
`About this we are.' Mason finished his wine. `Ruth needs to be herself, but this is different.' He looked up and Ruth touched her neck, wondering if he was going to say no. They both had to agree, or it would feel wrong for her. It had to be mutual. He nodded. `Nikki's different, Ruth. It's too fast too soon. I'm not sure I can…be myself anymore, even less if Nikki is part of this.'
`Mason.' She went towards him. He held a hand up, eyes showing his hurt.
`Ruth, I can feel it too. Nikki is everything you desire, her scent is right for you.' He held up his empty glass. `The wine was laced by something from Gaia. I can taste her touch, potent and delicious. This island is magical. Everything is pushing us towards this, but,' he shook his head, `I don't trust myself, Ruth.'
Mason looked at Nikki. `You like her. I don't blame you. Ruth has that something that just makes you want to lose control.'
Ruth knew he was looking at Nikki as a woman for the first time. `You're what she likes in her partners.'
`This is weird,' Nikki said, putting her wine glass down. `Having this conversation is weird. It's usually so different, so secretive.'
`We can't be secretive, even less so now.' Mason flexed his neck. `I just think this should slow down. Not stop. I don't want anyone getting hurt.'
`So, slow and steady it is then?' Ruth felt her heart skip. She wanted Nikki so much but couldn't hurt Mason.
`I'm not sure how you two do this but I, don't, I can't have a man,' Nikki said.
Ruth reached out, feeling her pain.
Mason turned away. `We, ah, I don't do that, Nikki.'
`He has never wanted anyone other than me,' Ruth said, putting her arm around Nikki.
`Oh,' Nikki whispered, leaning in to her. `This is surreal, and all in one day.'
`Yes, yes it is.' Mason still faced the forest. `The brat is coming back, so I'll be quick. One, there are no secrets between us. Two, if you become lovers, Wilson will know, so be ready for that. Three,' he turned to face Nikki. `Do anything to hurt this family and I will—'
Renee reappeared in a soft gush of air. `Well, the shit has hit the fan.' She stopped and looked at them. `Everything all right here?' Finally she picked up her wine glass and took the last sip.
Ruth let Nikki go and sat at the table. Nikki followed.
`Just spilt some wine,' Ruth said, taking a long drink.
`Any more left, then?' Renee looked at her empty glass.
Ruth closed her mouth as Mason opened the second bottle.
`Thanks,' Renee beamed, glass held out. She had changed her clothes and scented her hair. The `sweaty' description no longer fitted. `Mother wants us off the island, now.'
`We can't just leave. What about tonight?'
`Mother was adamant. Forget the ceremony and get our backsides back to the mainland.' Renee sat back, looking surprisingly relaxed given the urgency of the message she was delivering. `I haven't told the others anything yet. I'll leave that up to you, sis. Damn, this stuff is good.'
`You both need to leave.' Mason stood, wine glass falling onto the patio.
`What? Why?' Renee spluttered, still seated.
Ruth put her glass down, knowing the wine had finally affected Mason beyond his control. His physical reaction was obvious and, as Renee sat looking stunned at his sudden dismissal, Ruth saw it become obvious to the redhead.
Nikki's eyes widened. `Come to the nightclub tonight—'
Mason was tearing his shirt off.
`When he's calmed down.' Nikki's lips brushed hers and then she was gone, the
