Page 68 of Wild Promise

Now there was a big scary fucking thought. Yet, despite the swirl of my gut, there was no denying what was brewing inside me. No point in pretending otherwise.

I was in love with her. I wanted her forever.

If only I could convince her to have me.

I bent to kiss her, and before she could fully wrap her arms around my waist, I hoisted her into my arms. Then, turning with her, I sat her on the counter so she could encircle me with her legs instead.

“I always want you.” It was the closest version of the truth I could manage.

She moaned as I kissed her again, my fingers winding into her hair.

But after only a moment, she pulled away on a heavy sigh. “I’m going to be busy for the next week. The Noma event kicks off tomorrow evening, and I’ve got a lot of last-minute prep to get through to make sure it all goes right.”

“After all your hard work, I’m sure it’s going to be perfect.”

“I hope so. Otherwise, I can probably kiss that promotion goodbye.”

My fingers clenched around a fistful of her hair. “Who told you that?”

“What?” Her question was more like a gasp, her eyes searching mine. “No one did. Not exactly. But Wyatt said the event had to be a success before they’d put the promotion in writing.”

“Goddamn Wyatt.” My jaw tightened. “He shouldn’t have said that.”

“Zane?” Her brows drew together, and her hands pushed hard at my chest. “What’s going on?”

Shit. I was slipping. The frustration had nothing to do with Wyatt and everything to do with the fact that Melina was killing herself for a promotion she’d already earned, and I was the one person who could make it happen with a single conversation. One call to Uncle Glenn, and it would be done. But that wasn’t what she wanted. She wanted to earn it on her own terms. And I respected that, even when it was fucking agonizing to watch.

I released her hair and cupped her face in my hands, ignoring the pressure of her palms against my chest and the distance she was trying to create.

“Nothing,” I said. “I just don’t think they should dangle a job in your face like that. It’s not fair to add pressure you didn’t need.”

She gave me an unconvincing half smile, her hands moving up to grasp my arms. “I can handle it. I’m the fire, remember?”

Fuck, this woman. My woman.

“Damn right you are.”

My lips crashed to hers, and with my tongue stroking eagerly into her mouth, I poured everything I couldn’t say into a kiss.

And fuck…it still felt like I was falling. Deeper and deeper.

When she returned my enthusiasm, I tugged her closer, kneading the flesh of her thighs and delectable ass. Then, with little finesse and much impatience, I stripped her panties off.

Her moan was enough to drive me mad, but I held tight to what was left of my composure as I slicked my fingers through her wetness, relishing the way she spread her thighs for me. “Do you want me to fuck you now?”

“God, yes.”

I smirked. “I’m not sure I’m convinced.”

“Please, Zane.”

Those two words—my name and a whimpered, begging plea—was all it took. I brought my soaked fingers to my mouth, sucking on them greedily, savoring her taste.

She moaned as she watched, and when I pulled my hand away, she replaced it with her tongue, tasting herself on my lips.

Fuck, this was perfect. She was perfect. And I was certain I would never get enough. The word forever chanted in the back of my mind as I released my aching cock from the confines of my boxer-briefs and pushed into her.

If all I had to offer was myself, I’d give her every single bit. Even if we only had a few minutes to spare. Even if our time together was coming to an end.