Kiss Me (Fool's Gold #17)(67)

He expected her to bolt for safety or at least disapprove. Instead she leaned against him, resting her head on his upper arm.

“It’s the stress, isn’t it?” she asked softly. “You have all of us to worry about. I know why you wanted to teach Chase a lesson, but once you saw everyone and realized all the stuff that could go wrong, I’m sure you figured grounding him for ten years would have been a better option.”

He nodded slowly. “Yeah. I don’t want anyone to get hurt.”

She raised her head and smiled at him. “We’re doing okay, and for what it’s worth, I think everyone is having a really good time.”

“I worry about Chase, too.”

He couldn’t believe he’d said that. What was wrong with him? But there was something about being around Phoebe. Something that made him relax inside.

“I know he makes mistakes, but basically he’s a good kid,” she told him. “Trust him, and trust yourself.”

She looked so earnest, he thought, as aroused as he was amused.

“You’re the one who shouldn’t be trusting me,” he told her, right before he kissed her.

As he lowered his mouth to hers, he wrapped his arms around her and drew her close. She leaned into him, her slender body warm and supple in his embrace. Her lips clung, then parted. When he swept inside, she was hot, sweet and more than willing to take him on.

The second his tongue touched hers, she moaned. Her fingers dug into his shoulders, and he felt a shudder ripple through her body. He went from hard to ready to explode in two seconds.

The way they were next to each other on a log didn’t allow him to explore her the way he wanted, so he broke the kiss and pulled her to her feet.

Phoebe went willingly, if a little unsteadily. When they were both standing, he pressed his mouth to her jaw before sliding to her neck.

She moaned and leaned back her head. Their lower bodies brushed against each other. When her belly came in contact with his erection, it was his turn to groan.

He slid one hand from her waist up to her breast and cupped the feminine curve. Even through the layers of her shirt and bra, he could feel her tight nipple. One sweep of his thumb against it had her gasping.

She touched his head and guided his mouth back to hers. This time when he entered her, she closed her lips around his tongue and sucked. He dropped his free hand to the small of her back, holding her in place so he could rub against her.

The thick ropes of his control began to unravel. When she curled both arms around his neck, it seemed natural to place his around her waist and pick her up. She wrapped her legs around his hips, bringing herself in direct contact with his hard-on.

It was paradise. It was pure torture.

He swore. She broke the kiss and smiled at him.

“So you find me annoying, but you still want me,” she whispered.

“I don’t find you annoying.” He pushed against her crotch.

“I don’t find you annoying, either.”

He read the passion in her eyes and knew she was more than willing to take things to the next level.

He glanced around, searching for a soft, private spot, only to realize they were out in the open and likely to be discovered any second. It wasn’t romantic, it wasn’t smart, and he didn’t have a condom with him. Phoebe deserved a whole lot better.

“I want you,” he told her.

She tightened her legs around him. “Me, too.” Color stained her cheeks. “I’ve never said that to a man before.”

Zane realized he hadn’t told a woman, either. He’d shown her, but he’d never actually spoken the words. Phoebe was changing him in all kinds of ways.

He wanted her with a desperation he’d never felt before. And yet...

“We can’t,” he said gently, ignoring the hardness and the pain in his groin. “You deserve better than something hot and fast up against a tree.”

She swallowed. “I’m not so sure about that.”

“I am.”

“Oh.”

She sounded disappointed. Had she been anyone else, he would have said the hell with it and taken what she offered. But she was Phoebe.

From behind them came the sound of a car horn honking, and then another. They couldn’t see anything through the trees, but they heard laughter drifting toward them as at least a couple of off-road vehicles drove slowly past.

“Sounds like we have company,” he said. “We’re close to Stryker land. Guess they decided to say hi. You go on ahead. I need a few minutes.”

When he pointed at the front of his jeans, she blushed. “Oh. I see your problem. Well, you could walk right behind me and no one would notice.”

He chuckled. “I’ll wait it out. Go on.”

“Okay.”

She headed toward camp. Zane watched her go, taking in the sway of her hips and the wave she gave him right before she disappeared.

Getting involved with her would be stupid. He doubted Phoebe understood about easy, short-term affairs. But how was he supposed to resist those big eyes and that mouth of hers? Just touching her made him want her more than he’d ever wanted in his life. He’d walked away from so many things in the name of getting it right, but he wasn’t sure he could walk away from her.

* * *

PHOEBE EMERGED FROM the trees to find people pouring out of four rugged-looking vehicles. She stopped counting when she got to twenty, then stepped toward the laughing guests.