Page 114 of Camp Bliss
I draw my lips between my teeth, questioning even this move. I rub my hand against his chest, doubting everything, but I have to be honest, right?
“I’m scared,” I blurt.
One brow ticks the tiniest bit. Then he nods almost imperceptibly. “Me too.”
Oh boy, is that a relief.
It gives me the courage I need to keep going. “It’s…” I try again. “We both like each other.”
I feel Zach’s chest dip under my palm as he huffs. “If that’s what you wanna call it.” His expression is wry like I’ve just made the understatement of the century.
I try to tame my smile because, yeah that’s a relief, too.
I forge ahead. “I…” I draw out the word and force myself to hold his gaze. “I need to go slow.”
“Oh—” Understanding dawns in his eyes before his whole expression softens.“Oh.”
He looks at me like I’m the most fragile, precious thing in the world. When he speaks, his voice is soul deep. “Then we’ll go slow.”
He covers my hand at his chest, gathers it up, and presses it to his lips, never taking his gaze off mine. My fingers may not be trembling anymore, but this? The reverence he shows the back of my hand?
I may never stand up straight again.
And just when I think I won’t, Zach gets to his feet and gently tugs until I join him. He turns me toward my room.
“W-What are you—”
“I’m walking you home, Ms. Ste. Marie.”
“But—”
He squeezes my hand, one side of his mouth hitching in a reluctant smile. “It doesn’t mean I want to.”
I bite the inside of my cheek and grin back. “Okay. That’s fair.”
He holds my hand as we make the short walk through the kitchenette and stops when we reach the steps to the bathroom.
It’s obvious. This is as far as he’s going.
He’s walked me home, and I couldn’t stop grinning if you paid me.
Zach raises our joined hands to this chest, pulling me into him. Standing like this, I have to look up to take in his face.
He gives a disappointed shake of his head. “No, this won’t do,” he mutters.
“What—” But before I can ask, he’s hooked an arm around my waist. He lifts me up and sets me on the bottom step.
And now we’re nearly eye to eye. He’s still taller, but only a couple of inches.
“We’re taking it slow, so it’s safer to kiss you goodnight with some space between us.” His eyes roam over my face, but his hands bracket my hips, keeping our bodies apart.
And he’s right. I want to press against him, align my front to his, tuck myself into his embrace and pull his strength against me. The attraction is powerful. He’s smart to give us boundaries.
But it’s intoxicating to know that heneedsthe boundaries.
Oh man, is it ever.
So my voice is a little breathy when I speak. “So, you were saying something about a goodnight kiss?”
