We moved toward each other in what seemed like slow motion, my heartbeat echoing in my ear, and the mountain disappearing from around us. Our lips met, and my need for him ignited.
He reached his hand around and cradled the back of my neck, intensifying our kiss. Wow, this shifter was skilled. Every part of this felt magical.
Hooting and cheers interrupted, breaking me from this sensual trance. We pulled apart. Teenagers on the other side of the hill cheered us on.
I glanced away, red-faced. What had gotten into me to make out in public like that? That was so unlike me. PDA was a complete no in my book—until Lucas.
“Perhaps we should go somewhere more private,” Lucas suggested.
“Good idea,” I agreed.
He stood and offered his hand, helping me up. “Once we’ve changed out of these wet clothes, I definitely want to pick up where we left off,” he suggested in a low rumble filled with such decadent promise.
I couldn’t think of anything I’d rather do.
Chapter 11
Lucas
Since Zoe was soaked by the snow, we stopped by her place so she could change. I sat in the living room of the house she shared with roommates. Nobody was around. The living room itself didn’t have much other than a sofa, two armchairs, and a television. Zoe had explained that she barely saw her roommates, and everyone tended to spend time in their rooms when they were at home. I couldn’t imagine that type of living situation. Sebastian, Diego, and I interacted pretty much daily. If we were home, we tended to hang out together downstairs. Sure, we often gave each other crap, but that was because we were so close and comfortable with each other.
I stood and wandered around. The bonsai was in a kitchen window. I checked the soil to see if it needed water. So far, so good.
Zoe walked in. “I haven’t killed it yet.” Amusement laced her tone.
I turned to her. “You picked a good spot.” I lifted her hand. “Look at that, your thumb turned green,” I teased. “Welcome to the club.”
She laughed. “We have a long way to go before I’m there.” She shook her hair. “It’s still damp but will dry soon.”
She changed her outfit and now wore black pants and a light blue sweater.
“You look incredible, as always.” I loved how she went with the flow. Some of the dancers I worked with would be so caught up in their appearance, they’d spend endless amounts of time in the mirror ensuring each hair on their head was perfect. It was funny, Zoe could be uptight about many things but relaxed about others, such as in this case. That was one of the things I liked about her.
“Do you want to stop by your place next to change?”
“I’m good.” Motioning down the front of my body, I noted, “I didn’t get as wet as you.” My thoughts jumped to a dirtier version of what that could mean. “From the snow,” I added quickly, but that seemed to draw more attention to my choice of words. “Since you ended up lying flat on your back, you ended up getting soaked.” I placed my hand on my forehead. Why wasn’t I shutting up? Each time I tried to clarify what I meant, a new and naughtier image took shape.
“I get it,” she replied, which gave me a chance to yank my big foot out of my mouth.
“Are you hungry?” I asked. “I know I am.” Damn it, my tone made it sound like yet more innuendos. I didn’t mean for them to come out that way, but this unyielding attraction to Zoe made everything come out of my mouth with a naughty undertone.
“I could eat.” She glanced at me as if trying to decipher my intentions.
I’m innocent, I wanted to protest, but that was crap. From the first night I’d met Zoe, I wanted her.
“There’s a great sandwich shop along the waterfront,” I suggested.
“Sounds good to me.”
A half-an-hour later, we sat across from each other in a mom-and-pop café near the water. It was situated on the second floor with windows stretching along the ocean view. Zoe ate a French dip sandwich while I ate a Reuben. They were both served with a cup of clam chowder, which was so much better than the typical serving of fries.
“Is there anything in particular you’d like to do after we eat?” I asked her.
“Stay inside,” she replied with a laugh. “The cold slipped beneath my skin. You know, when it chills you to the bone?”
“Not really.” I pointed to my chest. “One of the perks to being a dragon. If you’re cold, I’m more than happy to warm you up,” I offered with a grin.
“Maybe later, dragon.” She picked up her sandwich and flashed me a saucy smile.
