Page 37 of What I Like About You

“Well, Internet TV. And that’s not set in stone yet. But I really, really want it.”

“I’m sure you will get it.”

A distant squeal pulled their attention away from each other and toward the main part of the resort. The bonfire had been lit and seemed to be roaring to life as people gathered round. Dalton knew they should head that way, join up with everyone else, but he didn’t want this alone time to end. An Indigo Royal bonfire was a special experience, one he wanted Zara to have, but he was still selfish enough to not want to share her with anyone else. Especially after all the sharing they had done tonight.

“Sounds like the bonfire is getting started,” Dalton said, trying not to let his disappointment show.

“Oh,” Zara said, looking over that way before turning back to him. “I told Antwan I’d meet him there. And Drea said something about saving us all seats.”

“It might happen weekly, but the bonfire is kind of a big deal around here.”

“So I’ve heard,” she replied. Dalton couldn’t tell if it was just his wishful thinking or not, but it almost sounded like she also didn’t want to finish their picnic quite yet.

“I probably shouldn’t make you miss it,” he said, standing up and brushing off his pants. He reached down for her hand and helped her stand.

“Right, yeah,” she said, righting her slightly twisted dress.

Taking her hand in his, he started to walk toward the fire pit, but a few steps later felt her hand slip from his. Turning around, he found she hadn’t moved from the picnic blanket.

“What’s the matter?” he asked, retracing his steps so he was standing in front of her again. He lightly placed his hands on her hips, hoping that he hadn’t done something to upset her again.

“Before we go…” she trailed off. A nervous look briefly crossed her face, before being replaced by an impish smile.

Before he could ask again, she pulled him in close, threw her arms around his neck, and pressed her lips to his. He was momentarily stunned by her boldness, but he recovered quickly, moving his hands to her lower back and pulling her in even closer. Her lips were just as soft and sweet as they had been last night, and he slowly brushed his tongue across the seam of her lips, tasting her. When she hadn’t pulled away the night before, he’d about died on the spot. He’d waited so long to kiss Zara Wellington, and she hadn’t disappointed. She opened her mouth slightly, returning his kiss now. When her tongue met his, a flame of desire rushed through his body. The semi he’d been sporting earlier was a full-on erection now, and no part of him cared if she felt it. This girl knew exactly how to touch him, driving him crazy with each little movement. His hands grasped onto her, tugging her impossibly closer to him, feeling her softness press against him. Zara pushed up onto her toes, deepening the kiss even further, and Dalton let out a groan. This girl was going to be the death of him.

They kissed like this for what felt like forever, and yet, when Zara slowly pulled back from the kiss, Dalton tried to stop her. He wasn’t ready to be done kissing her. He wanted to kiss her for the rest of time.

Resting his hands on the small of her back, they took a moment to catch their breath. He still couldn't believe just how good she felt in his arms. As he stared into her soulful green eyes, his heart skipped a beat. He’d never stopped adoring her, and in this moment all those feelings multiplied. A small, almost shy smile turned her lips upward slightly, and he knew that she could feel exactly what he was sporting in his slacks from her efforts. But he was okay with that. He wanted her to know just how much she turned him on, just how much he wanted her.

“What if we just didn’t go to the bonfire?” she asked.

"We can do that,” he said, still slightly breathless from kissing her. “Where would you like to go instead?”

“Some place where it can be just us?”

“As you wish.”