“You look handsome,” she says.
I pull at the collar of the button-up shirt and lean down and lower my voice. “I feel ridiculous.”In this stupid suit Mom made me wear.
“Well, you don’t look it.”
My eyes make their leisurely way up her body. “You look incredible.” Desire floods me when I look at her lips and feel the need to kiss her.
She blushes. I lean closer and fold my arms around her back. I take a deep breath through my nose. “You smell amazing.”
“I’m happy you like the new perfume. It was a present from Iris.”
I lean down, nuzzle her neck, and pretend to bite her. She squeals and giggles.
“Have you seen Misty? I want to talk to her about my car. I don’t know how she kept it a secret from me. She’s terrible at keeping secrets.”
I cringe and try my best to keep my face passive. “I’m sure she’s around here somewhere.”
Her smile fades.
“Don’t worry about it.” I grab her hand and we walk through the house. There’re a few stares, probably because I’m leading the birthday girl away from the party, but I need a moment alone with her.
I slide the back door open. After she walks through it with me, I pull her to me, with one hand behind her back, the other tipping her chin up. My breath quickens at being so close to her.
Leaning down, I bring my forehead to hers. “I love you,” I whisper. I might be only eighteen, but I know what love feels like because I couldn’t imagine it feeling any better than it does now.
She lets out a gasp, but before she can respond, I bend down and bring my lips to hers, where they belong. Zara’s lips are soft, and the kiss is tender at first. My mouth parts hers, my tongue sliding in as a low noise escapes my throat. Our tongues move together, teasing and searching. My body feels overloaded with senses, from her taste to the feel of her small frame against mine. Her arms snake around the back of my neck and she stands on her toes, eagerly deepening the kiss.
Fire burns through me, eager, intense, and full of passion. I pull her closer. Her hands tangle in my hair and she lets out a soft, seductive noise that makes my dick harden. I pull back. One ragged breath... two ragged breaths. I kiss her jaw, then her forehead. I loosen her arms from around my neck and step back.
Someone calls Zara’s name from inside the house. My head falls back, my eyes closing.
She frowns and touches her now-plump lips, and it takes everything in me not to take her mouth in mine again.
I let out an exaggerated groan. “We’d better go.”
She pauses, so I pull her to my side and place one more lingering kiss on her head. I subtly readjust myself as I open the door.
Zara pauses and peers up at me. “Knox.”
“Yes, precious.”
“I love you too.”
I smile at her, warmth flooding my chest.
We reluctantly walk inside. I stay back and lean against the wall. Zara makes her way around the crowd, thanking family and friends for coming.
Misty walks down the stairs, patting her hair. When she reaches the bottom and sees Zara, she dashes to her. I look up, knowing it won’t be long until I see my brother walking down the same stairs. A minute later, he does.
When he sees me, I shake my head at him.
“What?”
“It’s Zara’s birthday. You couldn’t wait?”
“It was your suggestion!”
“I was being sarcastic. The last thing I want is to see Zara upset.”
