Finally, Zan manages to get a hold of himself and says, “Hang on, there will be something in our packs we can use to carry them. And the blackberries really areeverywhereon Sanctuary Isle, I promise that you will have more opportunities.”
Wonder of wonders.
“Then you’d better hurry,” I say with a gleam in my eye, “before I get to them all first.”
And I dart up the mountain.
Zan mutters something I don’t catch, but by the time my hands are full of blackberries he’s caught up to me with a basket. He’sfast,even in human form.
Our eyes meet for a breathless moment.
Then I pick one of my perfect berries and hold it up to his mouth.
Playing with fire, Yora.
Because this time, I know how intimate feeding a person from your own hand can feel.
Holding my gaze, Zan closes his mouth around the berry.
I feel a tingle as my fingers barely brush his lips; see the flash of desire in his eyes.
He swallows; steps back, his feelings neatly packed away, and holds out the basket to me.
Something is definitely happening here, something that fills my heart with bubbles and light.
But Zan also feels like he has to hide himself fromme,andthatI’m going to have to do something about.
More clarity.
I could do something about that now.
But as Zan said: I have more opportunities.
I havetime.
We’ve already had a lot of feelings today.
And when Zan challenges me with a small smile to see who can pick the most berries before we get to the top, I don’t want to do anything to ruin this moment.
I’m about to playfully reply that he needs to play fair and not use his super speed when I realize abruptly that that’s tantamount toaskinghim to hide from me.
Zan’s smile fades as my expression shuts down.
Nope nope nope.
I am rising to meet him.
Quickly I spin into a kata, the familiar movements flowing through me as I work my own magic.
I grin at Zan and say, “You’re on.”
His eyes widen.
Then his lips twitch back into a smile.
And together, we race off up the mountain.
Whenwefinallygetback to the cottage, we are covered in blackberry juice.
