Chapter 52 Chapter Fifty-Two - Gabriella
“Heal whatever is wrong with him.”
I smile at his sweet gesture but shake my head. “Derrick is intersex, he was born with male and female reproductive organs, and the female ones are causing him health issues and he needs to have them removed. It’s a very sweet gesture, but he needs to go through this himself, it’s important for him and his identity. If you were to just remove the matter like it was never there, you’d just cause questions and confusion.”
“Not if I adjust his and everyone else’s memories to match,” he shrugs nonchalantly.
I frown, “Haven’t you learned by now that’s not a good idea?”
“Maybe not in every circumstance but it has its advantages.”
“Oh yeah? Name one.”
“Imagine being able to erase the most traumatic moment of your life from your memory. I think most people would kill to be free of such pain.”
I think that over. While I’m sure there are some exceptions to that, he’s got a point. I think about someone who lives a debilitating life all alone just going to therapy and living on pills because they’re too traumatised to do anything else. They’re not living and they’re barely surviving. Someone like that would kill to be free of their suffering and able to live like everyone else. So, maybe Jartre has a point.
I nod, “Okay, I’ll give you that. But being intersex has been a part of Derrick’s life for a very long time, and because of it he’s participated in protests and activism and helped other intersex people. Because of how he was born, it shaped who he is and allowed him to help a lot of people. You wouldn’t be doing him any favours by taking that away from him,” I explain. I sigh and wrap my arms around his waist. “Jartre, I know you have infinite power, and I can see the amazing things you can do with it. Just look at this incredible paradise you created,” I say, smiling up at him as he wraps his arms around me. “But you have to realise that just because you have the power to do something, doesn’t mean you should. You shouldn’t go meddling in people’s lives in such a big way, especially without their consent. You may be a God, but you’re not their supreme ruler.”
He takes in a deep breath, “Anyone ever tell you that you’re wise beyond your years?”
“Once or twice,” I say cheekily.
“I knew someone who used to say something similar. She would say everyone has a path and while we can help guide them, we can’t walk it for them. That everyone’s journey is theirs and theirs alone to experience; the good and the bad.”
“Please don’t tell me it was Apaki,” I sneer.
He snorts with displeasure, “Fuck no. She used to say there was nothing sweeter than the chaos someone inflicts upon themselves,” he says, his nose flared in disgust.
“She sounds like a sadistic bitch.”
He sighs, “She was. I really can’t fathom what I ever saw in her,” he says, shaking his head.
“We’ve all had our bad boy or bad girl phase. Going after someone who is all wrong for us just for the thrill. Trust me, Jartre. You Gods aren’t that different to the rest of us.”
“I’m starting to realise that,” he says softly.
“So, on a lighter note,” I say, swinging his arm, “What shall we do first?” I ask excitedly.
“How about we go for a swim?”
“Yes! I’m so glad I packed my bathing suit!”
“What do you need a bathing suit for?” he asks in confusion.
“For swimming?” I retort with equal confusion.
“We’re on a secluded island, no one is going to see you,” he says devilishly.
I step close to him and press my finger against his chest, “Listen buster, I haven’t been to the beach in a very long time despite living so close to one and I have wanted to break in this swimsuit for a while now. So I am going to get changed into my cute little outfit and you’re going to drool. Capiche?”
“You had me at ‘cute little outfit’,” he says with a sinful smirk.
I smirk back, “Thought that would get your attention.”
He snaps his fingers. “Suitcase is on the bed. I’ll meet you on the beach.” He kisses me softly and disappears before I can even kiss him back, which is something we’re going to have to work on.
I walk back into the bedroom and open my suitcase, rummaging around until I find my bathing suit. I smile at it, knowing Jartre will love it as soon as he sees it. It’s a stunning cobalt blue, ribbed, one-piece, with cut-outs to the sides and midsection. The bust and bottom are all connected by half rings, with each ring connected by a decorative gold chain. I’ve never had an excuse to wear it, and now I finally can and feel as God damn sexy as I please.
I strip down and change into the skimpy little number while admiring myself in my reflection. This is definitely going to earn me some afternoon delight, but he better not go and rip it or there will be hell to pay.
I tie my hair up into a high pony and make my way downstairs and out to the beach where Jartre is waiting by the shore, the water coming up and washing over his feet. To my surprise, he’s changed into a pair of white boardshorts, which I am all for. As I approach, he turns around to look at me, his eyes instantly smouldering as he licks his lips lasciviously.
“So, what do you think?”
“After last night’s outfits and now this, I will no longer question you when you say you want to put clothes on.” As I get closer, he grabs my hand and yanks me against him, “I’ve never known someone who can look as delectable in clothes as they do out of them,” he says in a deep, seductive voice as his hands cup my ass.
“I might just let you taste the goods later,” I tease, running my hands up his muscular torso.
“Mmm, my favourite meal,” he hums, leaning down as he sucks and licks at the nape of my neck.
My chuckle morphs into a moan as his lips and tongue tease the flesh of my neck, “Haven’t you left enough marks on me?”
“I’d cover every inch of your gorgeous skin if you’d let me.”
“I’d look like an abuse victim,” I chuckle.
“You’d look like mine,” he growls against my neck as his nose skims across my shoulder.
“Are we going to swim or are you just going to give me hickeys all day?”
“I don’t see why I can’t do both,” he says, grinning as he lifts his head.
I shake my head and take his hand as we walk into the ocean together, the water much warmer than I had expected. I dive under the water and swim out a bit before coming up for air, the water now up around my waist. Jartre, having also dived under the water, comes up beside me, wrapping his arms around me as he pulls me deeper into the water with him.
“I promise I’ve got you.”
I wrap my arms and legs around him as we move deeper and deeper into the ocean, the waves hitting Jartre like an impervious wall.
“Not a doubt in my mind,” I say, leaning in to kiss him slowly, deeply, letting my lips caress his as I sink into this moment with him.
He cups the back of my head with one hand as he returns my kiss, his lips tasting sweet and salty against mine and making my head spin. I feel like I’ve stepped into a fairytale or a dream, but I know I’m not imaginative enough to think up something as wonderful as this. I’ll never be able to forget today for as long as I live.