He moved closer, close enough that his hair dripped down my face. Our foreheads brushed, then connected.
“Can I kiss you?”
I wet my lips, suddenly parched, and nodded.
Using his other hand, he tipped my chin, so I would look at him and not the ground. Our noses bumped, then his mouth was there. On mine. His tongue. His taste. His touch.
I melted. Dissolved. Exploded.
Surrendered.
The press of Ozrik’s body against mine was too much and not enough.
Like before, I struggled to keep up. Ozrik’s experience swallowed me whole, but it took less time for me to find the rhythm of us. Everything smoothed out. We were in sync. Joined.
Together.
It was simple, pure, and honest—three things I never would have associated with Ozrik Devereaux a month ago.
The kiss ended naturally. My heart raced as I waited for what came next. We couldn’t stand there all night. The others would wonder what had happened to us.
“We’re going to start rumors if we’re gone too long,” he said against my mouth, again reading my mind.
“I know.”
“I don’t want this night to be over yet, Gale.”
“Me either.” My words were so quiet, a slight breeze would have whisked them away, but the wind had calmed, and he heard them.
“Elliott’s not coming until tomorrow.”
I didn’t follow his meaning for half a beat, then it landed.
Ozrik had his own room.
Beside mine.
Attachedto mine.
“Oh.”
“I’m just putting it out there. Absolutely no pressure.”
“But… What about Noah?”
“He’s a sound sleeper. I’ve crashed at his house plenty. Also, for what it’s worth, he’s a decent guy who would never spread anyone’s secrets. If he saw something… private, he wouldn’t say anything.”
I didn’t say yes, but I didn’t say no.
Nothing more was said on the matter, yet it felt like a decision had been made. We agreed it was time to head back. Tension rippled through the air between us as Ozrik took us into Tulsa proper and to the motel. At one point, he reached across the console, snagged my hand, and weaved our fingers together.
I glanced at the newly installed dashcam, but the angle was such that Ozrik’s touch would be hidden from view. The umpteen smiles that passed between us on the journey, however, were not.
“Where have you been?” Lex called from the door to the command room once we got out of Ozrik’s car. “Get in here. We’re briefing.”
“What the fuck does that mean?” Ozrik mused out loud as we crossed the parking lot.
The room was ridiculously crowded. Nine team members and the three people Charles had left behind. I would have backed out if we weren’t physically shuffled through the door and made to sit. Becca and Hugh recorded while Arty ran an informal Q&A about the night.
