Sand Angel Page 0,25

Gone was his fear of losing himself in her.

This was right.

“Need any help?” the male passenger asked between spurts of tittering.

Zoë shifted as if she made to step around him. He pushed her back behind him. “Don’t even go there,” Drew warned.

“I was just going to suggest they help find our clothes.” Her tone was light and playful. “Boys, if you could just shine your lights over here.”

“Dammit, Zoë.”

The men in the Rhino released a belly laugh that had Drew chuckling too. Zoë had become quite the little tease. The woman had a set of balls that would rival any man’s.

“Looks like you have your hands full,” one of them said.

They had no idea.

Drew was thankful when they revved their engine and pulled away.

“I ought to spank you for that,” Drew said as he turned to face Zoë.

The cutest grin tipped her full lips. It was the first smile he had seen today. “Been there—done that!” she squealed as he reached for her and she dodged his grasp.

“Smartass. Now let’s find our clothes and get back to camp.” He had every intention of continuing their loving in a more private and convenient place.

Chapter Eight

For the first time in a long time Zoë Davis felt happy. The night had grown crisp as she snuggled against Drew’s warm back. Her cheek pressed close, inhaling his masculine scent. It made her giddy—she was sixteen again and full of dreams. She couldn’t stop her hands from stroking the firm muscles beneath them, as she held on while he drove the quad back to camp.

But there was something else about the moment. It was an inner peace she had never experienced. Trent had once told her she wouldn’t allow herself to be happy with any man other than Drew. She had watched Josh enter one relationship after another only to see it crumble and die. Yet Josh didn’t run away. He always bounced back.

Why hadn’t she?

Unlike her, Drew drove the quad in a slow, cautious manner, which gave her a lot of time to think.

Had she pushed everyone away from her these past years? Did she bury herself in her work just to keep her distance, not fall for someone else?

Drew checked the GPS and confirmed they were headed in the correct direction and continued his pace. Each dune was carefully approached. It was taking a helluva lot longer with him driving than with her, but as long as she could hold him in her arms, she wasn’t complaining.

From out of nowhere sadness overcame her. The gloomy feeling swept over her like a cloud. This perfect scene would end and then what? She must have loosened her grip, because he clasped his arm and hand to hers and squeezed, reassuringly.

The lights of Gecko Road appeared on the horizon. With the number of vehicles and camping trailers aligning it, the place looked like a small city. Within minutes they were pulling into their camping spot.

Instead of the three chairs around the campfire there were several. Leave it up to Josh to attract the partiers. Not to mention women. The redhead on his lap appeared to be playing a game of tonsil hockey with Zoë’s dear brother. When she released Josh for air, he set her to her feet, stood and quickly approached.

“You’re back.” Josh’s gaze slid to Drew’s questioningly. There appeared to be some silent boy talk going on between them she didn’t quite understand. When Drew reached for her hand, Josh smiled. “Okay. Let’s party.”

“Not me.” Now that Zoë wasn’t caught in lust’s spider web she had to think. It was time to get her life in order. She wasn’t sure if that could be accomplished with the bewitching spell she felt when Drew was around. She slid off her goggles and helmet as Drew did the same, hanging both their equipment on the handlebars of the bikes. “I’ve been driving all day. I’m going to bed.” She released Drew’s hand but instead found herself pressed to his chest and locked in his embrace.

“Not without me,” he whispered in her ear as his arms tightened around her.

“Drew—”

“Don’t even think of going there.” He stopped her excuse cold, tugging her braid.

How did he know?

“There’s no escaping me, baby.” There was determination in his voice as well as a gleam in his eyes. Or was that just the campfire reflecting in his eyes? “Good night, Josh.” Drew started to guide her toward the trailer.

“Well, big boy, did you forget something?” she asked, dragging her feet.

He faltered. “Forget?”

She