a breath, and a river of fog escapes from her lips. “I think I’m getting better though. I’ve had some memories of Jen and me when we were little.”
“Was she pulling your hair?” I brush my lips over her cheek. I’m not all that interested in dragging Jen into our private time, but if it helps her remember, then I say bring it.
“No, she was trying on clothes. We were shopping at the mall.”
“Sounds exciting.” I get up on my elbow and admire her like this, with the moon sprinkling down its ethereal benediction over her. Laken is fluid and sparkling in this murky, post midnight, world—a tonic of the gods, the finest champagne.
She interlaces our fingers and brings my hand to her lips.
Laken’s coming back to me in pieces—she’s just about there. I don’t see what’s stopping us from taking our relationship to the next level.
Her mouth rounds out with surprise, and I cover it with my own before another memory of Jen or, God forbid, Fletch surfaces and deflates my budding hard-on. Fletch would have my balls on a skewer if he knew the moves I was dying to try out with his sister. But this isn’t just anybody’s sister, this is Laken—my Laken. The one I’ve wanted for as long as I can remember. I’ve sunk us in a thousand indecent dreams, and now tonight, after watching her swim through blood like some bona fide Countenance princess, I’m ready and willing to make each one of those fantasies come true.
Laken lets out a moan as my body writhes over hers. The iced breeze is just enough to give me pause before disrobing us both in a fury.
“It’s kind of cold, don’t you think?” She blows the words into my ear, and my stomach clenches.
Shit.
“You’re right,” I say, doubling the blanket over us, creating a tent that leaves us oven-hot in more ways than one.
Laken pulls me in by the neck and delivers a mind-blowing kiss that stretches out for mile after hypnotic mile. She wants this, Laken wants me, and the idea sends my testosterone rising. I run my hands up her sweater and glide past her sculpted ribs, stopping just shy of her bra.
An image of Cooper bounces through her mind and freezes me solid.
What the fuck?
“You okay?” I dot her nose with a kiss and examine her through the filtered light.
Her lips twitch. “Of course I’m okay.” She pulls me back down to a kiss. “I’m with you, so everything is right in the world.”
God, I hope Coop is getting it on with that girl. The thought thumps through her head, and I don’t mind one bit listening in. The way he keeps hitting on me is really starting to piss me off. I wish he could see me with Wes—see how happy I am with him. I’d mention it to Wes, but I’m not in the mood to ruin the moment with “Coop the Stalker.”
Coop the Stalker—a dull laugh rattles from my chest.
Laken and I indulge in a heated liplock that could set the world on fire. I wish it would. I wish the world would burn to ashes if it meant Laken and I never had to let go of one another.
I’m glad about Coop—glad that Laken isn’t trying to procure him for herself. If she was, I might have to arrange an accident for Flanders—one of the permanent variety.
My hands slip into her jeans. I round out to the front and unhook her button. Her zipper slides down without any effort as if I willed it to happen—as if she did.
“Um…” She scoots back letting me know I’ve crossed a line. I’m pretty sure my dick can pack it up for the night.
“I’m sorry.” I pick up her hand and bury a kiss in her palm. It feels soft, foreign. I like the way it conforms to my lips. It makes me curious as to what her other parts might feel like—and what I wouldn’t do to find out. “You’re not ready.”
“No, no.” She pulls me back down over her. “I am ready.” It comes out a little too eager. “Just not tonight, not like this.” She plucks at the sand with her fingers. “I want our first time to be special. I want us to have all night with nowhere to go.” She runs her thumb over my chin. “I want to wake up next to you in the morning and do it all over again.”