Marcy chuckled and looked busted as she shot her a sheepish grin. “No, I didn’t.” She paused, shuffling on the spot. “I just thought that maybe Tank would be here, and that you would have the chance to see him again.”
“Right. Tank....” Zoe tilted her head and arched a brow, amused by Marcy’s poor excuse. “Well, Tank is not here, so I guess I’d better call a taxi and leave you here to unpack?”
Marcy hesitated and nodded, then changed her mind and shook her head. “As you’re here and you’ve had that coffee now, why don’t you stay for a bit?”
“I can stay,” Zoe said. “Want me to help you unpack?” She opened one of the boxes and laughed when she spotted the old, floral bedsheets. “I thought you said you were going to get rid of your old sheets?” Marcy’s embarrassed smirk made her laugh, but she pressed on. “Well?” It was the first time Zoe had seen Marcy like this; totally embarrassed and scrambling for a reply.
“Okay, okay. I’ll admit that I just wanted to see you and I needed an excuse.” Marcy held up both hands in defence. “But you seemed onboard and happy to help, so I thought, why not?” She winced. “I’m sorry if I wasted your time. There’s not much I need in those boxes; I’ll probably store them in the shed.”
Zoe chuckled at Marcy’s embarrassed expression, and smugly crossed her arms in front of her chest. “So… you just wanted to see me?”
“Yes,” Marcy admitted. “I wanted to see you.” She chewed the inside of her cheek while she fiddled with a fingernail, locking her eyes with Zoe’s. “Look, I have this thing for you and it’s new to me. I like you, okay?”
“Okay. But we already established that over our talk the other night,” Zoe shot back at her. She loved having the upper hand, even though she felt sorry for Marcy, who clearly had no idea how to behave or what to say. She’d dreamed of this moment, fantasised about it, but now that Marcy was struggling for words, it wasn’t as glorious as she’d imagined. Instead, all she wanted to do was give her a hug. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to be so blunt.”
“No, I’m sorry.” Marcy raised her gaze to meet her eyes and looked at her intently. “I don’t really know what my point is. I’m afraid, I guess, because all I want to do is kiss you and for the obvious reasons, you might turn me down.”
Zoe’s breath hitched, and she shivered when Marcy inched closer. Her logic told her it would be wise to step away, but her body wanted the opposite. Marcy’s breath caressed her lips, the desire in her eyes promising a kiss like no other. “I won’t,” she whispered. “So, kiss me. Please, just kiss me.” Her heart was beating violently, and when Marcy ran her hands through her hair and pulled her closer, a soft moan escaped her even before they fell into a kiss. Full and soft lips explored hers; brushing lightly at first, then more urgent as Zoe pulled Marcy in by her waist and ran her hands under her T-shirt.
Marcy’s warm skin under her fingertips, her hands in her hair, holding her possessively, her moans of pleasure and her hungry mouth caused Zoe to ache with longing. Their tongues met in a passionate dance, and she wasn’t sure how much longer her legs could carry her because it felt even better than that first time, when she was seventeen. Overwhelmed by contradicting feelings and the intensity of the moment, she found herself dangerously close to the point of no return. She couldn’t allow herself to fall head over heels for Marcy. Not again.
“Jesus,” she whispered, pulling out of the kiss. She stepped back and brought her fingers to her lips, her eyes wide as she stared at Marcy, who looked just as surprised. “I wasn’t expecting that.”
“You weren’t expecting what?” Marcy asked. “The kiss? Or how it would feel?”
“The latter.” Zoe took another step back. She couldn’t risk being so close, or she’d lose herself again.
“Same here,” Marcy said, her eyes lowering to Zoe’s mouth. Her chest was heaving fast, and she looked shaken. “Do you think this is a bad idea?”
“Yes. Don’t you?”
“Probably. It doesn’t stop me from wanting you, though.”
Zoe nodded, but she stayed where she was. God, she wanted Marcy more than anything right now, but the butterflies in her stomach were a warning. If they went any further than this, she’d be a lost cause. “I can’t,” she finally said.
“I know.” Marcy continued to stare at her, but she didn’t make a move. “Would you like me to drop you home?”
Zoe didn’t answer because she wasn’t sure what she wanted, and she turned her gaze to the view outside instead. The intense eye contact was too much, and she needed a moment to get her thoughts in check. Something was moving in the dark and she gasped, startled when the lynx jumped out of the tall grass and ran straight up to the terrace. “Tank…” Glad to see he was doing well and welcoming the distraction, she peered out into the night. “There’s your furry friend.”
Tank looked up at them, then lay down at the exact same spot he’d been when Marcy had video called her.
“I think he likes it here,” Marcy said. She looked relieved with the distraction too. “Shall we go outside and get a little closer?” Once on the terrace they approached him and sat down quietly next to him. “He’s definitely not scared of me anymore.” Marcy held out her hand for Tank to sniff, then carefully lowered it to stroke his neck.
“Incredible,” Zoe whispered.
“He’s never let me touch him before.” Marcy continued with slow strokes, tracing his back. “I can’t believe this is happening.”
“He looks so much better.”
“Yes. He’s filled out nicely.” Marcy turned to Zoe. “Would you mind grabbing a steak from the fridge? It’s the last one. After that, he’ll have to start hunting for his own meals again.”
“Sure. I’ll be right back.” Zoe went inside and stopped for a moment to take in the beautiful sight of Marcy stroking the lynx in the soft light of the moon. The way she talked to him and smiled that infectious smile was mesmerising. Everything about tonight was surreal, and the effect of the kiss had her shaking. She had to stop fooling herself; she should step away, but she knew she was already a lost cause.
35
“Thank you for helping me. I’ll call the rangers again in the morning.” Marcy stopped the truck and studied the small townhouse where Zoe lived with her parents. It was nothing fancy, but it was sweet, with cobalt blue windowsills and blue and white floral curtains. Tank had left after his meal, and without him to focus on, the vibe between them had been strange. They’d driven back in awkward silence, but now that they were here, there was so much she wished she’d said. She turned off the engine in the hope Zoe would get the hint and would start the conversation for her.
“You’re welcome.” Zoe turned to face her. “About that kiss… I…” She swallowed hard as her eyes met Marcy’s. “I don’t regret it, but it’s all too much. I’m falling for you, and I need to protect myself.”
