Page 17 of Flame it Up

Mazie had an image of her and Pyrus standing under the lantern in the little covered area at the front of her tent, the two moths still flying around each other in a complicated, tandem dance. She didn’t think anyone was paying attention to them at all.

So maybe I should just kiss him.

Mazie was shocked by her own thought. She’d never been so forward, so keen to put herself out there before. Even more shocking was the way her body responded to that thought.

Fire raced down her belly, singing across her skin and cascading across her shoulders to trickle down her spine. Her body tingled with the most powerful goosebumps she’d ever had.

Every inch of her body had become hypersensitive. Her eyes slipped away from his and focused on his perfect, delicate lips.

I want to kiss him. I’ve never wanted anything so much.

The fire running through her streaked through her core and lower back, making her clit throb. Something very deep inside her ached, then pounded, becoming more insistent.

Am I getting wet right now?

Pyrus’s lips twitched, just slightly, as if he knew what was happening to her. Mazie expected to be embarrassed, but it only turned her on more.

Yes. Fuck me, right here, right now. Let them watch. I don’t care.

“So,” Pyrus said quietly. “Are you doing anything tomorrow afternoon?”

Mazie shook her head automatically. Of course, she wasn’t doing anything.When am I ever doing anything?“I’m totally free,” she said without thinking.

Pyrus’s smile was incredibly wide, and Mazie actually wondered why he cared so much. “Excellent,” he said. “I’d like to take you out … on a date.”

“A date!” she cried. She was so shocked by the force of her response that she clapped a hand over her mouth.

Even though Gerri had told her they were a match, Mazie had not believed it. There was no way a guy like Pyrus would be interested in her … especially since he’d only seen her in dirty, sweaty work clothes or in her favorite, comfy pajamas.

She looked up at Pyrus, but he wasn’t laughing or changing his mind. He was just watching her with a gentle, expectant look. Mazie felt excitement rise in her chest as she said the only word she could say.

“Yes.”

SEVEN

PYRUS

The afternoon sun lent a breath of warmth to the breeze that flowed through Pyrus’s tent. He’d spent the day carefully staying out of the way of the rest of the camp, keeping to himself until it was time to meet Mazie.

He didn’t want to get sidetracked or dragged out to any company business. There were still a lot of people around from the event the night before, and plenty of them would like to get his support on their personal projects.

Today, Pyrus had no time for it. Even though meeting people and finding out what they were passionate about was his favorite part of the job, the only person he was interested in connecting with right now was Mazie.

Pyrus studied himself in the mirror. His tent was very large and comfortable. Separate rooms were sectioned off with heavy white cloth, and it had mats on all the floors. His room was fully furnished with a big bed, a set of drawers, and a full-length mirror.

He knew there wasn’t much point in worrying about his appearance. There was probably going to be swimming at the yacht party, and if he spent time on his clothes or hair, it might end up being wasted. Still, he wanted to make an impression on Mazie when he picked her up.

Just as Pyrus was picking out a shirt, his phone rang, distracting him. He was hoping so much that it would be Mazie. He didn’t even check the screen before tapping the button.

“Hello?” he asked, his tone jaunty and hopeful.

“Well, hello there, old pal,” grated a low, hissing voice. “You sound pretty pleased with yourself. I wonder what you’re doing to sound so full of yourself.”

Pyrus froze. The shock was enough to make him stand dead still in the middle of the room as he listened in complete disbelief.

“Richard,” he muttered.

For a few seconds, neither of them spoke. Extreme tension filled the silence as if neither wanted to talk first. Pyrus felt his fury rising … Richard had called him!

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