On The Rebound (Steinbeck U #1) - L.A. Cotton Page 0,43

weren’t kids anymore. Zach was all man, his body a sculpted work of art. Lean muscle stretched over a broad frame. I felt his abs contract and ripple underneath my hands. And despite my recent weight loss, my body had grown into that of a young woman. His free hand traced down the flat of my stomach, desperately seeking out warm skin. He found it, dipping his hand under my tank top. The second his fingers touched my stomach, a whimper crawled up my throat and spilled from my lips.

“So fucking needy,” he said, sending another shiver through me.

I didn’t want to be needy, I wanted to be strong. But wasn’t being strong allowing yourself to take something you needed?

At least, that’s what I kept telling myself.

Joel’s kiss had been nice, toe-curling even, but it wasn’t like this.

Zach kissed me like he was starved. Like nothing would ever taste as good as my lips. It was addictive. Dangerous. It was like being set on fire and scorched alive.

After living in the cold for so long, I welcomed the burn.

My head swam with mindless thoughts. The slight scratch of his stubble across my chin. The bitter taste of beer on his tongue. His hard length pressed up against my stomach, teasing me. The way his hand felt wrapped around my throat, intimidating yet possessive.

Zach tore away, inhaling a ragged breath as he stared down at me. “The things I could do to you.” Wicked intention glinted in his eyes. “But first, let’s see if Joely boy manages to get you wet from just a kiss.”

My breath caught as he pushed his big hand into my shorts and found my center. “That must have been some kiss, sweet pea, you’re soaked.” He pressed a finger inside me, teasing me. My head fell back against the tree trunk as I smothered a moan.

God, why did it feel so good?

Why did the lines between love and hate make everything so confusing?

I hated Zach, I did. But part of me craved him. It craved his kisses, his touches, but most of all, it craved to know he still cared. Part of me needed to know our love, everything I’d felt back then, hadn’t been a lie.

“You’re so fucking tight, Calli.” He worked another digit inside me, letting his thumb circle my clit. Zach leaned down, pressing his brow against mine and pinning me to the tree. His eyes glowed in the dark as he watched me unravel.

“Did you imagine it was me?” he whispered against my lips. “Did you imagine it was my lips owning you, my tongue in your mouth?”

“Z- Zach,” I breathed, rolling my hips against his hand, desperate for more. But he pulled away, leaving me cold.

Zach nipped my lips, taunting me. “Tell me, Calli. Tell me again how it was kissing him?”

“It was nice.” It came out small.

“Nice?” He moved his mouth to my ear, pressing his thumb down hard on my clit. It wasn’t enough to make me come, but it was enough to make me cry out. “And how does it make you feel when I kiss you?”

His eyes slid back to mine, smirking.

“It hurts,” I admitted. It hurts in the best possible way.

Surprise flashed over his face, but he quickly schooled his expression. And then he said, “Good, it’s supposed to,” before diving at me again.

Our teeth clashed and tongues fought as Zach gave me what I needed—what I wasn’t supposed to want. His fingers weren’t gentle or kind, they were rough and cruel, but it only made me hotter. My legs began to tremble as I clung onto his body. I tried to bury my face in his shoulder to stifle my involuntarily moans. But Zach pinned me there, watching through hooded eyes as I fell apart piece by glorious piece.

“Oh God...” I panted, unable to catch my breath as waves of intense pleasure rushed through me.

“Not God, sweet pea,” Zach kissed the words on my mouth. “Messiah.” He brought his fingers to my lips and ordered, “Suck.”

I opened willingly, completely under his spell. I knew I’d regret it. I knew the second Zach dismissed me and we went our separate ways, shame would burn through me.

But in that moment, I didn’t care.

“Good girl,” he drawled. “Next time you think about putting your lips on some other guy, remember who owns this pussy.” He cupped me over my shorts in a disgusting display of ownership.

“You’re a pig,” I snarled, the spell broken, and his dark laughter filled