“What? No, why would I be mad at you, baby?”
She doesn’t look at me when she tells me what’s on her mind. “Maybe the way I touched you in the shower was too much?”
I shake my head. “No, baby. It was different, but it was fun. I’m yours. I meant it when you asked me if it was ok.”
“I know, but maybe…”
“There are no maybes.” I reassure her. “It was totally new to me, but I enjoyed it.”
Her eyes are still full of uncertainty. “Yeah? You would tell me if I did something you didn’t like, right?”
“I promise. Playing there… I’ve never even thought about it before.”
“Why?” she asks. “Is it too taboo?”
I think about it before answering. “I guess it feels more intimate, and it takes more trust. And I’ve never trusted anyone like that before you.”
She takes my lips in a kiss that’s soft but full of the electric attraction that has been there between us since the moment we met.
By the time we come up for air, Zara is splayed on top of me. I can feel my hard cock throb in the cradle of her thighs.
“I’m sorry.” I close my eyes, embarrassed that my body can’t take a hint that Zara has had a traumatic experience today and we shouldn’t think about taking things further. “I know you’re tired. I can’t control what Little Chance does sometimes.”
She bursts out laughing, and it takes me by surprise. “Little? Chance, there’s nothing little about that part of you.”
Of course, it ends up with her coughing, and I remember about the hot drink that by now should have cooled enough for her to have.
I sit up, moving Zara to one side of me and grabbing the ceramic mug withStar Cove Sheriff Dept.printed in blue on a white background.
“Here,” I bring the mug to her lips now that she’s no longer coughing. “Drink this; it’ll make you feel better.”
She takes a couple of sips and then turns her face to the side.
“Drink a little more.” I instruct her.
“Bossy.” She accuses me, but she’s trying to hide behind the mug that the corners of her lips are curling up in a barely repressed smile.
I fight my own smile. “Yeah? Then drink up.”
“Yeah. You’ve been a little intense since we got here.”
I know that Zara is teasing me, but I own it. “Maybe. But it’s either I fuss over you, or I go hunt down Mason and his uncle and do a service to the entire town and make them disappear.”
“Chance.” Her eyes widen with concern. “Promise me you’re not gonna do anything stupid.”
I tip the mug to her lips. “Then finish your drink. You’re lucky that Ares said I’m not supposed to let you out of my sight.”
She does as she’s told and then stretches over to set the empty mug down on the nightstand. “I’m sorry about this mess. I made it worse by getting involved. I shouldn’t have raced.”
We’ve already talked about it, but I want her to understand that I don’t blame her. “Your heart was in the right place, baby. None of this would have happened if Lev and I had told Dave to shove his initiation where the sun don’t shine. We all made things worse, but the truth is that the situation wouldn’t be this bad if Dad hadn’t banned motorcycles in town.” Then I utter the words that have been on the tip of my tongue ever since Dad announced the ban as the focal point of his electoral campaign. “Atlas wouldn’t have wanted that. He loved racing.”
Zara’s gaze softens as she pulls me to her for a kiss. Her mouth tastes sweet and a little tart like the drink she just had.
With anyone else, I wouldn’t like to receive affection after mentioning my late brother; it would feel too much like pity. But I know this isn’t the case with her, and Zara is the only one who has been able to make me feel whole again after the unspeakable loss of Atlas.
Like every time we kiss, things heat up pretty quickly.
“Baby,” I groan, grabbing her hips to stop her from grinding against me. “I’m trying to be good, but you’re making it hard.”
