Page 153 of Deliverance

“Maybe you haven’t been doing it right,” I joke with a giggle.

“Or maybe I didn’t have the right woman.”

Emotions tighten my chest and clog my throat and I don’t know what to say anymore. Instead, I throw my arms around his neck and pull his body to mine, needing him close, needing proof he’s real. And God, he’s as real as it gets. The ache between my legs is a sure confirmation that we had sex, and contrary to my fears, it was great.

No, it was better than great. It was outstanding.

“I could get used to this,” Zander murmurs.

“What?”

“Cuddling.”

“You know”—I slide my fingers through his hair—“I could get used to this too. So much that I’ll have to actually get a car so that I can come here whenever I want.”

He sucks in air through his teeth and presses a series of small kisses to my cheek. “You can stay here for as long as your heart desires.”

The intent of his words doesn’t escape me and I let the idea simmer and settle.

“You haven’t even left yet and I already miss you,” Zander coos after a few long moments tick by. He scoops me into his arms and holds me to his chest, and I savor each second of the bliss of being in his embrace.

24 Zander

I’m terrifiedof this word.

Terrified of saying it out loud.

Terrified of jinxing everything that we have.

But I don’t know how much longer I can keep all these emotions in check. Don’t know how much longer this animal residing in me can stay still, placid, reasonable.

“Do you think they’re both in on it?” Drew’s voice drags me out of my thoughts and I tear my gaze from the road for a fraction of a second and look at her. Only long enough to get my next fix.

She’s rolled down her window and placed her booted feet on the dashboard, letting the wind ruffle her skirt and reveal her toned thighs.

“What do you mean?” I ask, my cock stirring at the sight.

“I mean, Hazel and Justice.” Drew turns her head in my direction. “I half suspect they made up this party just to see if we’re indeed an item.” A flicker of a smile tugs at her lips. She grabs a strand of her hair and twirls it around her index finger, then releases it and the cool California breeze rips into it.

“It’s a possibility.” I agree and will my vision to stay on the highway.And hell yes, we’re an item. A hot one too.

On my left, the moody and endless Pacific is raging on. To my right, a towering mountain range is stretching into the horizon. Streaks of sunlight slip past the thick December clouds like golden threads someone has thrown at us from the sky.

“Bet ya twenty bucks?” Drew purrs, her voice lost in the noise of the engine.

“I wasn’t contradicting you.”

Grinning, she puts her legs in my lap and all my blood rushes south, my cock straining against my jeans. “We’ll never make it to the party if you keep doing that.” I laugh and rest my hand on her knee, her skin silky-soft beneath my calluses.

“Maybe I don’t want to make it.” Drew licks her lips and relaxes into her seat. “Maybe I just want you all to myself.”

“Wicked woman,” I tease as all sorts of crazy scenarios fill my head.

My last New Year’s celebration took place in Bali at a luxury nightclub with rivers of alcohol and crowds of hot women. I broke my own commandment and got shitfaced since the occasion called for it.

What can I say? I was a dumbass.

Probably still am.

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