Page 60 of Fast

I have to wonder for the second time this week if things have changed for her; they sure as fuck haven’t changed for me.

We’re in a room full of our family, friends and neighbors, though. I can’t just kiss her in front of everyone.

“How was your first week in town?”

Fuck me. I’ve also never been someone who knows how to make small talk, but I doubt I can just ask her if she wants to get out of here and get naked with me.

Just that thought has the effect of making my cock jolt to attention in my pants, and to make me laugh just as she answers my question.

“Busy. I went on a campus orientation tour and then there was unpacking and all the wedding stuff. Mom had a bachelorette high tea party, and as her maid of honor, I had to help with all the gift bags—I’m sorry, is it funny?” she asks, taken aback by my laughter.

Fuck. This is why I don’t date, I don’t flirt and I don’t fucking mingle. I suck at this. Usually it doesn’t take much more than a couple of looks and the offer to buy someone a drink to find a hookup—not that I’ve done that a lot lately—so this is uncharted territory.

“No, no. I’m sorry, it’s just… this whole thing, our parents marrying and you moving in, it’s surreal.”

“I know what you mean,” she says. “When Mom told me that she was getting married, and that she expected me to move in with her fiancé’s family, I was very worried. You can’t even imagine how relieved I was when I found out she was going to marry your dad.”

The way she says it makes me smile for the first time in a long while. “I was surprised too. After Bridgeport, I thought I was never going to see you again.”

Zara nods. “Me too. My relationship with Mom needs a lot of work. Things have been difficult for a long time between meand her. I’m hoping to mend things with her, and I’m glad I also don't have to worry about feeling unwelcome in a house full of strangers. I mean, I don’t really know your dad,” she says, worrying her bottom lip with her teeth. “And we don’t know each other that well, but we aren’t total strangers.”

Something in her tone, and in the look in her eyes, pulls at my heartstrings. “I know exactly what you mean, and you don’t need to worry, pretty girl. My brother and I have got your back. Lev too.”

That was the wrong thing to say, at least judging by the way her eyes darken.

“I know you do,” her voice is just above a whisper now. “You have been since the first time we met. I’ve experienced that very few times in life.”

Fury mounts in my chest at that thought. Who wouldn’t have Zara’s back?

The first time I saw her, I stepped in to protect her from her violent ex. I would have done that for anyone. I might not know Zara that well, but I have no doubt that I would protect her regardless of the threat. From anything or anyone who wanted to hurt her.

That realization hits me square in the chest. It’s the oddest feeling. I’ve been feeling empty since after the weekend Zara and I met. Right now, that feeling is almost gone.

I don’t know why she makes me feel this way. I don’t know if this feeling is even real, or if it’s lust in disguise. All I know is that I don’t want to let it slip through my fingers. I want to hold on to it for as long as I can. I’ve been desperate to feel anything other than the hopeless emptiness the loss of Atlas has left in its wake.

“Zara,” I whisper. “Princess, I hope you know you can always come to me. No matter what, I’ll always have your back.”

“Really?” There’s pain in her voice. “I thought you didn’t like me.”

“How could you ever think that?” I ask, surprised.

Her voice sounds like she’s about to break. “That night, when you walked me back to my room, you said…”

Ah, that.

We’re in a dark corner of the dance floor. If I kissed her now, no one would see us. “Princess, I wanted to kiss you so badly. But remember how we met? I thought the confrontation with your ex, and what happened at that beach party, were a lot to deal with. I didn’t want you to kiss me back just because you were overwhelmed or confused.”

“I would have kissed you back because I wanted to, Ares.”

Fuck. The way she says it, the way she looks at me.

My hands leave her waist, coming up to cup her delicate jaw. Zara is temptation personified with her dark hair up, exposing the column of her neck, and her pink lips looking as soft as a cloud. I don’t even know where I want to kiss her first.

I could start with her lips and then let my mouth glide down her neck. That’s a good plan.

“Ares, Zara.” Dad’s voice pulls me out of my lust induced daze. “Here you are. I’ve been looking for the two of you everywhere. It’s time to cut the cake, and we want all our kids in the photos.”

The moment is gone, as we follow Dad to the table where an elegant four tier cake is waiting to be cut.

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