Page 52 of Calling a Cease-Fire

I made my feet move, his presence so close, he was already wreaking havoc on my body.

He sat down next to me and picked up the remote, turning on the massive screen that covered the entire wall. Again, it was overwhelmingly amazing.

“Since this is your first time here, you get to choose,” Zack said, glancing over at me as he scrolled through the choices.

“That one.” I pointed at the screen, choosing a recent horror movie I’d been wanting to see. “I’ve been dying to watch it, but no one I know likes horror movies.” But maybe they didn’t either. “Unless you guys don’t either, and then I can pick something else.”

“You kidding?” Zack grinned.

“We love horror movies,” they both said in unison, and Zack clicked on the selection I chose.

The lights turned down low and the movie began to play as we started eating our dinner. One by one, we finished our meals and left our plates on the table, relaxing back into the couch. Zack’s large body and long arms stretched out across the back, tempting me as I shifted to stretch out next to him.

He grabbed one of the large throw pillows, positioning it up against him, and patted it. He didn’t need words, and after a second of hesitation, I gave in and laid my head on the pillow.

I couldn’t remember the last time I felt this chill. This relaxed. And when his fingers teased through my hair, I thought I had died and gone to heaven. When was the last time a guy played with my hair like that? Man, I’d been missing out. It felt so good. The perfect blend of relaxing and intimate.

And the longer I sat there, the more that feeling grew. Something in my subconscious was screaming at me that it was a dangerous feeling. A feeling that made me want to be selfish and say screw the consequences.

Chapter Nineteen

ZACK

I ascended the top stair of the private area of the Crescent Moon where Izzy and Logan’s party was being held, and scanned the space, seeking out Mia. Almost a week had passed since that night at my house with the kittens. Having her curled up next to me was torture, but also oh so wonderful. The way she relaxed and softened like a well-loved feline as I played with her hair made me incredibly happy. It also gave me hope. She talked about avoiding love and relationships, but from where I sat, she was screaming for connection and intimacy.

My gaze landed on her standing in front of a long table filled with food, talking to the manager. Her back was to me, but I could tell the little black dress she wore was going to be my undoing. It dipped so low in the back, I was surprised her ass wasn’t showing.

She turned slightly, glancing over her shoulder, and our eyes locked. The openness there almost knocked me off my feet. For the first time since I’d known her, I didn’t sense the guarded expression she relied on to keep people at a distance.

She turned away too soon, leaving me feeling disappointed, and focused back on her conversation with the manager. I waited patiently for them to finish talking, and for the manager to excuse herself and head back downstairs, then started toward Mia. Before I could get more than a foot closer, Nicole stepped up next to her, garnering her attention.

Dammit. I frowned, an odd expression for me, but one I was definitely feeling. I had hoped I would be there before anyone else, desperately wanting a few private moments alone with my Raven. But that plan had now officially gone out the window.

I stepped up behind the girls after a few moments and cleared my throat. “Need help with anything?”

Mia turned slowly to me, and her gaze lowered from my face down my dress shirt and linen blazer before coming back up to meet my eyes. Heat blazed in her irises, and I puffed my chest out a little further, loving that she liked what she was seeing.

Finally, she shook her head. “I don’t think so.”

“Do you have a drink yet?”

“Not yet.” Her teeth pressed seductively into her bottom lip, and I stifled a groan.

“Long Island iced tea?” I asked with a knowing grin, hoping I called it right.

“Yes, please.” The words came out breathy, and I couldn’t stop myself from imagining them on her lips as I drilled into her.

Movement caught my eye, pulling my attention over to Nicole. I had honestly forgotten she was even there. Guilt overcame me. I knew she liked me. Sometimes she made it entirely too obvious. And I really didn’t want to hurt her. She was a nice girl, and she was part of the group of friends Mia spent the most time with. But she wasn’t the one I wanted more than my next fucking breath. The one I wasn’t allowed to have.

“What can I get you, Nicole?”

She smiled but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “A Coke, please. I have clinicals tomorrow, so no drinking for me tonight.”

I gave her a quick nod and looked back at Mia. “I’ll be right back.”

Her lips turned up into a wry grin. “Thanks for the warning.”

“Don’t be sassy.”