Wild Shores

Chapter Twenty-nine

Gem woke wrapped in the curve of Austin’s body, Austin’s arm around her middle and a knee tossed protectively over one of her legs. They’d lost power when Norma’d slammed ashore, and she lay on her side staring into the dark, relishing the sensation of simply being held. A kiss, warm and soft and wordlessly possessive, pressed to the back of her neck. She smiled and made a purring sound in her throat. She found Austin’s hand and linked their fingers together.

“The wind has dropped,” she said.

“I know,” Austin said, her voice low and languorous. “About an hour ago.”

“Rain sounds pretty steady.”

“Mmm, Claudia predicted heavy throughout the day, but if the wind stays down…”

Gem’s chest tightened and she held Austin’s hand harder against her breast, as if the beat of her heart, of the love that filled it, could somehow flow into Austin and keep her safe. “You’ll head back out to the rig?”

“With Tatum in the launch or the birds, if they can fly.” Austin nuzzled her neck. “The sooner we do, the safer the sanctuary will be.”

“I don’t want you to take risks.” When Gem heard herself say that, she laughed wryly. “And now there is an unlikely possibility.”

“No, it isn’t. I’ve never been reckless, just willing to take a calculated gamble.” Austin leaned over and lit the candle Gem had left by the bedside the night before, guided Gem to her back, and kissed her. “But I won’t bet on the long shots any longer. I promise.”

Gem studied her face in the candlelight, bold and strong and beautiful. “I wish I could draw the way you do.”

Austin smiled. “What would you draw?”

“You—when you’re sleeping…the way you look at me…the way you watch me when I come.”

Austin’s eyes darkened, got that hungry look that said she wanted her.

Gem’s blood raced, the thrill of being desired turning her liquid inside. “I have something of yours.”

“You have everything of mine,” Austin said.

“All I want is your heart.”

“It’s yours, along with all the days of my life.”

“Claudia gave me some drawings of yours. Something I’d like to keep, if you don’t mind.”

Austin’s brows drew down as if she were searching her memory. “Ah—the sketches.”

“I’m not nearly as beautiful as you made me appear, but I’m glad you see me that way.”

“I told you I was in love with you from the first moment. When I couldn’t have you—when I was afraid you wouldn’t want me—drawing you was my way of making you mine.”

Gem pulled Austin on top of her, entwined their legs, and kissed her. “It’s true. I’m yours.”

“And you’re even more beautiful than I could ever capture,” Austin murmured.

“When I look at your drawings,” Gem said, “you make me feel beautiful.”

“Then I’ll have to sketch you nude next time.”

Gem laughed a little self-consciously, but the idea excited her. “As soon as we can escape together somewhere alone. If I’m getting naked with you watching me the way you do, I’m going to want you to make me come.”

“That’s a promise.”

“I don’t want to let you go,” Gem whispered against Austin’s throat.

“I don’t want you to.” Austin kissed her slowly until Gem was breathless. “I’ll come home. Wherever you are, I’ll always come home to you.”

Thirty-six hours later

“Hey, Gem,” Emily called. “Your hottie’s on the tube again.”

Someone in the break room chuckled.

Gem shoved the coffeepot back onto the burner and spun around, a welcome surge of energy flooding her weary body. Her head ached, her eyes were gritty, and her limbs had gone numb hours ago. Or was it days?

The sandbags had kept the worst of the storm surge out of the estuaries and the marshes, but the beaches were badly eroded, and FEMA and Gem’s crew had been filling the worst of the trenches with the sand from the bags they’d spent hours filling. The rain had mostly stopped, and for brief blessed patches, the sun actually shone. GOP’s vessels trolled up and down the coastline, monitoring the booms and the course of the oil. None had reached shore.

Best of all, the birds had begun to arrive.

On the screen, Linda Kane looked as elegantly coiffed and camera perfect as she always had. No one would believe she’d nearly drowned a few days before. She stood with Austin on the platform of Rig 86. A brisk wind ruffled Austin’s hair but seemed to have no effect on the reporter’s.

“What can you tell us about the status of the oil spill?” Linda said.

Austin faced the camera, as comfortable as if she were addressing a handful of friends.

“We’re happy to report the leak has been sealed and there is no further evidence of oil reaching the surface. We expect to cease the surface burn later today.”

“Are you saying that the threat to the shoreline and coastal waters is over?”

“Fortunately, there was never any significant threat. The booms we proactively placed trapped the small amount of surface oil driven shoreward during the hurricane, and we’ve been able to skim that off completely.”

“And you’re confident that the wildlife sanctuary and the beaches are secure from any potential contamination?”

“Absolutely. Due to GOP’s extensive safety protocols and the early deployment of rapid response teams before any actual spill occurred, the minimal amount of oil that reached the surface was completely and safely eradicated.”

Linda looked toward the camera. “I can personally verify that GOP is not only committed to harvesting our economically essential natural resources in a safe and responsible manner, but their personnel are highly skilled and selfless in their dedication to protecting our environment.”

Emily turned from the screen and glanced at Gem. “Looks like Austin has a new fan.”

Gem laughed. “She deserves it.”

When the news feed cut away to another story, Gem texted Austin. Nice job. Mine now?

The response was instant.

Always. Back soon. Owe you a sketch.

Gem smiled, suddenly not the least bit tired. I love you. I’ll be waiting.