Hearts the Last Beat (Angel Fire #6) - Ellie Masters Page 0,28
in his brow glitter.
Once I’m situated, lying on my back and staring up at the stars, Spike gets on his and floats beside me. He reaches out and grips my hand. I glance over to the edge of the pool, but Mitzy and Noodles aren’t paying us any mind. They’re lost in each other’s arms.
“I missed you today.” He gives my hand a little squeeze.
“I missed you too.”
“Tell me what you did.”
“I already did.”
“I know. You went to the spa.”
“Where I got a Mani and Pedi…”
“And waxed.” His voice deepens. “Any chance I get to see what you did?”
“That depends.” We keep our voices low, not that we need to worry about Mitzy and Noodles.
“On what?”
“On whether you’ve changed your mind.”
“About what?”
“Going slow. Because if you go slow, you’re not going to appreciate all the pain I endured getting waxed for you.”
“You’re killing me.” He reaches down and adjusts himself. “Glad it’s dark.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t need them looking over here wondering why I’ve got a boner.”
“A boner!” I can’t help but giggle. “I haven’t heard that in a long time.”
“Well, as for going slow, while we have an audience, it’s slow-mo or no-go land.”
“Do you think we’ll ever be like them?”
“How so?”
“Able to touch each other openly. Hold hands. Kiss?”
“I hope so. Are you upset that we’re not telling everyone?”
“I thought I should be, but they’re not ready for us. Mitzy and Skye talked to me at dinner about life, boys, and other stuff.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, and after I mentioned I’ve always been attracted to older men, they started talking about silver foxes and to never bring a man home who was older than my dad.”
“Technically, I’m a couple years younger than Bash. I’m still in my twenties, at least for a few more months.”
“Yeah, but I just got a sense they wouldn’t understand.”
“We’ll get there, love. Just give it time. Once they see this thing between us is solid, they’ll have to accept it.”
“I hope so.” A flash of light overhead catches my eye. “Oh! I just saw one.”
“One what?”
“A shooting star.”
“Did you make a wish?”
I bite my lower lip and turn to look at him. “I sure did.”
“About us?”
“About you.” I reach for him, and our fingers interlock beneath the surface of the water. “About us. About how it will feel when we…”
“Sweetheart, I’m barely holding on as it is. Do not tempt me.”
“And why not? It’s what we both want. I want to feel you inside of me.”
“Truth, but let’s enjoy the journey. Take things slow and get to know each other first. I’m not looking for a one-night fling, and neither are you. When we decide to come out as a couple, let’s make sure we’re one hundred percent positive first. Muddying that with sex complicates things that are already terribly complicated.” He suddenly points overhead. “There! Did you see that one?”
“No, I was looking at you and wondering what it was going to feel like when you kiss me again.”
“You will be the death of me.” He groans and reaches for his shorts. His hand hovers for a second, then he grips himself. “I need to cool off.” He flips off his float and ducks under the water. When he comes up for air, he glances over at Mitzy and Noodles, who continue to grope each other. “Come.”
Spike gestures for me to follow him. He swims toward the portion of Insanity’s pool that’s cantilevered over the edge of the cliff. The bottom of the pool transitions to glass, and it’s not for the faint of heart.
He props his arms over the infinity edge and stares out toward the ocean.
“We should give them privacy,” he says.
When I glance back, I quickly avert my gaze. Mitzy straddles Noodles lap, and I’m not sure, but they may, or may not, be having sex. If they’re not, that’s one hell of a grind session they’ve got going on.
“Damn.” I settle in beside him, making sure to place a good foot between us. There are enough questions circling as it is. No need to feed that fire. I glance at him. “Maybe we could go down to the beach?”
“Not good. Forest headed down there not too long ago.”
“The gondola is at the top of the cliff. If he did, he already came back up.”
“What’s on the beach?”
“It’s not what, but who isn’t on the beach.” I spin around to look at him. “I get you want to take things slow, but I’ve been waiting a year for this. I don’t know about