Page 188 of Sunrise & Serenity

Somewhere between coming home and staying, Holden’s become an integral part of the future of Wild Ember.

And somehow, so have I.

I go up on my tiptoes and brush my mouth along his jaw.

“You starting something, City?”

I breathe a laugh against his throat. “And what if I am?”

With his hands on my ass, he lifts me so I can wrap my legs around him. “I think I can accommodate that.”

His lips find mine, and I whimper as our tongues tangle. Without hesitation, he takes two steps and drops me onto the sofa. Then he reaches behind him, grips the back of his collar, and drags his T-shirt over his head. But instead of lowering himself over me, he pulls his phone from his pocket and holds it up.

The click of the camera shutter makes me blink.

“Did you just take a photo of me?”

His lips curve into a smile so sexy that my core clenches. “If you’re not going to work on that album, I’ll have to do it myself.”

I lean forward and slide his phone from his grasp. “Maybe we can both do it.”

I center him in the frame as he looks down at me, every smooth, hard line of his body on display. “You know, this would make great marketing material.”

“Yeah?” He slowly unbuckles his belt.

“Oh, yeah, definitely.” I snap another photo as he drags his zipper down.

His smile turns a little feral as he leans down and braces his hand on the back of the sofa. With the other, he tips my face up. And as he kisses me soft and slow, he takes his phone back.

“That’s enough photos for now,” he growls.

Tossing it onto the cushion next to me, he straightens and shoves his jeans down his thighs.

And suddenly, photography is the last thing on either of our minds.

It’s still dark outside when I wake to Holden’s mouth moving against the sensitive skin behind my ear.

“Mmm,” I murmur. “I know you have stamina, but you can’t possibly be ready to go again.”

His chuckle vibrates through me. “You should know better than to challenge me.”

I angle my head back toward him. “Maybe I do.”

His eyes glint in the moonlight filtering through the curtains. “I want to show you something.”

I hum. “This is giving me a strange sense of déjà vu.”

“Yeah, it’s going to get worse.”

I turn to face him, more awake now. “Why, what is it?”

“You’re just going to have to trust me.”

I bite my lip and smile. “Seems to be working out for me so far.”

Forty minutes later, we guide the horses along the familiar trail up the mountain. The air is cool, the world around us peaceful.

It’s not the first time we’ve returned to the ridge, but we don’t usually head out this early.