“It’s okay.” For the first time ever, it really is. “We’ve got time.”
And we do. A lot of it. It’s a whole new experience to not be in a rush to make him fall for me and to take the back seat in a relationship for once. Ziggy has the wheel. He’s the one who’ll get us to where we need to be.
And I trust him to do it.
“You threatened people?” he asks.
Not my finest moment. “I would have followed through on it too. For you.” Ziggy is everything that’s amazing in this world, and I want him to know it. “A few months ago, I never would have been able to stand up for myself. My default is to run from conflict.” I cup his face, holding it exactly like my hands were made to do. “But if you can find your voice when it’s needed, then so can I. You inspire me, Ziggy.”
His eyes shine with all the words building inside him.
But he doesn’t have to say one.
Because I know what Lynx means about Ziggy not needing words to communicate, and everything about him is proud of me.
The same way I’m proud of him.
CHAPTER
FORTY-ONE
ZIGGY
Technically, it wasn’t a date, but when we got to the rock by the river with the tree swing, I thought of it as the site of our first date. There was something about that moment—the relaxing afternoon, the crackling tension, Kennedy’s bare, wet body—that cemented itself in my brain forever.
Today, I brought another picnic, and I set out a blanket with everything on it, wanting to be done before he gets here.
I only just manage it.
He’s early, like he couldn’t wait to see me, and considering I’m earlier, that’s saying something. Kennedy’s smile is as big and warm as it always is, and I wonder if that will ever change. If there’ll be a time that he doesn’t look at me like he’s excited just to be together.
He swamps me in a hug, mouth smacking a quick kiss to mine, before he steps back and strips off his shirt. He’s already glistening with sweat, and I know he was up early working so he could take the afternoon off.
“Coming in with me?” he asks.
Like I could say no. I tug my shirt over my head, then push my shorts down too. I didn’t bother with underwear since every time we’re together, we end up having sex.
Kennedy groans, head dropping back. “You’re too sexy not to touch.”
I laugh and slap the hand that comes my way. He can touch all he likes, but he’s washing off first so that I can do the same.
Without waiting for him, I step off the rock and into the water, continuing deeper until it reaches my hips. My half-hard cock bobs in front of me, but it’s hard to pay it attention when Kennedy follows, all that tall, thick body making its way through the water.
“Now who’s the tease?” I ask.
He wraps his hand around his semi and gives it a tug. “I really didn’t know that I had so much cum in me. Maybe it’s like a supply-and-demand thing. My balls know that I’m seeing you today, so they’re going to be in high demand.”
I’m almost certain it has nothing to do with that, and Kennedy is just a horny guy. It works for me. When it comes to him, I’m a horny guy too.
He reaches where I’m standing and wraps his arms around me. The feel of his skin on my skin is hotter than the sun shining down over us both.
“So. Another date,” he says. “You’re spoiling me.”
“I’m trying.” I reach up to play with his hair. “You deserve to have the actual romance you’ve always wanted. Actually, you deserve everything.”
“You’re too good for me.”
“I don’t think so. We work. And you make me happy. Considering how few people have bothered to do that in my life, I want you to know how much I appreciate it.”
