Page 22 of Deep Waters
But, dammit, I’d waited long enough. Turning predator in a flash, I threw my arms around his neck, going up on tiptoes until my mouth was a hairsbreadth from his.
Lightning flashed in his brown eyes. Goosebumps pebbled, scattering across my skin. We were fully clothed. Not really kissing. He hadn’t even touched me, and it was the most attuned I’d ever been to another human being.
“Did you mean it?” Was that my voice? Thready and rough. Too much emotion keeping my vocal cords taut.
“There’s no one else like you, Raelle Dawkins.”
It was all the invitation I needed. I surged forward, kissing him as if my next breath could only be drawn from his body. Rough and deep, exploring in wonder, he drew me closer, and I sank into his kiss. Heat flashed, lighting my skin from within, until I felt like I’d burn from the contact.
A slow clap brought me back to myself. I blinked. Zach looked just as befuddled as I felt. Like it could be Thursday, June fifteenth, 2055, and I’d feel like I led a life worth celebrating, even if all I did was kiss Zach Fenwick like that.
Clap. Clap.A throat cleared behind us. “Forgot my drill.” Drew chuckled. “But it looks like you’re the one getting—”
“Don’t finish that,” Zach barked.
Drew’s laughter hung in the air. He scooped up his drill in one sure move and backed away, hands up.
“—A new nickname,” Drew finished once he got his laughter under control. “Rae-by-cakes, you’re right. That nickname is too babyish for you. Especially if you’re kissing him.” He threw a thumb toward his brother. He stroked his chin. “I’ll have to come up with somethinggood,” he teased. “Right after I tell the rest of the fam what I just witnessed.” His grin widened. “‘Bout damn time. Good night, you two. Remember you have impressionable children in the house.”
“I thought you said you were leaving,” Zach growled softly.
Drew’s eyebrow lifted slowly and deliberately as he backed away.
I patted my hot cheeks. My palms were warm too. Not cool enough to bring any real relief. To be honest, most of me was on fire.
“Don’t mind him,” Zach said, his dark eyes earnest. “We good?”
“Much better, and I’d honestly need that reminder about impressionable children,” I admitted.
Zach grinned, his dimple flashing like a well-aimed shot to my heart, hitting its mark every damn time. He brushed a kiss across my cheek. Even that innocent touch sent another flare of heat rocketing through my system.
“Call in the pizza, and I’ll go pick it up.”
“Sure,” I said faintly, standing in the back yard as he walked toward his truck. I admired his broad back and his confident stride.
He honked goodbye, bringing me back to myself. I scrambled inside, yanking the refrigerator door open. Cold air cascaded over my heated body. I let my forehead drop to a bag of salad at the front of the shelf. The cool plastic eased some of my fever, but the real cure was currently driving into town to bring back dinner.
“Everything okay, Aunt Rae?” Hanna chirped. “You’ve been standing with the fridge open a loooong time. Mom yells if we do that.”
Chagrined, I forced a smile for the little girl. “Thanks for the reminder. I was just testing that the salad is still good.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Salad isnevergood. It’s gross.”
I chuckled. Kid wasn’t exactly wrong.
“Vegetables are good for us.”
Then again, I’d had enough vegetables and enough restraint to last two lifetimes. As reckless as it was, Zach had just given me the most fantastic kiss of my life. Scratch that,I’dkissedhim. I deserved more pizza and cake in my life. Zach was definitely cake. Chocolate. With cream cheese buttercream. Maybe a passionfruit jam in the center. Something unexpected but delicious.
Chapter 10 - Zach
Drew didn’t even give me five damn minutes before ratting me out to Gran and the gang. My phone started buzzing before I made it down Jia’s road. The screen kept flashing with incoming texts, but I ignored it, focusing on my driving.
It was late enough that most of the rentable mopeds would be back at Josie’s rental place, but every once in a while, a late joyrider lurked on the main roads, slowing down traffic.
Maria at Amato’s Pizza waved hello. “Give us ten minutes, Zach. We’re just about ready with your order.”
“No worries.”
