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Our fingers brush as we walk, sending a tingling anticipation up my arm to my chest. As if magnetically drawn, our palms come together, our fingers interlacing, and suddenly, this feels like a date.
Like we’re starting right where we left off.
I love how easy things come with Efrem, how right things feel when I’m with him. And though I could find reasons why we aren’t a proper fit, I’ve never felt so excited to be with someone before. Alone. Sharing the peace of the forest.
Efrem slows, bringing me to a stop beside him, and for a moment, I wonder if he intends to kiss me. Then he points silently up ahead, high into the trees. An owl—a northern hawk owl, by the looks of it—perches on a limb, its head moving and circling as its yellow eyes find and scrutinize us from above.
My lips part in fascination, and I gently release Efrem’s hand to raise my camera. Dialing in to the right focus and exposure, I take my time, waiting for the perfect shot.
Beside me, Efrem remains still.
I snap a picture, and a moment later, the owl releases a harsh screech, followed by a rasping titter as it extends its wings. Heart kicking into a sprint, I take several more photos in quick succession just as the beautiful bird dives from the branch and silently sails away.
Slowly lowering my camera, I turn to Efrem, my mouth open in awe. His chuckle is low, so deep I almost can’t hear it.
“Those will be some excellent pictures.”
I smile, not only knowing he’s right but loving the way his eyes dance and his blond hair falls across his forehead. Before he has time to change his expression, I raise my camera and snap a picture of him.
“What are you doing?” he asks, his eyebrow quirking as I hold the camera against my eye to find a better focus.
I take several more pictures as his expression transforms from good-humored laughter to playful suspicion. As he steps toward me, I move back, retaining the distance between us so I can capture some of the forest looming around his tall frame.
“I think I’ve found my perfect subject matter,” I tease, dancing out of his reach. “You don’t look nearly as formidable out here in the tall, dark trees.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I am always formidable. And if you aren’t careful, I might just have to take that camera and destroy the evidence you are collecting to prove otherwise.” The menacing words lose all their edge when paired with the wicked smile spreading across his face.
He makes a quick grab for me, his long arms closing the distance between us. A shocked yelp erupts from me, followed by a burst of uncontrollable laughter as he cages me in his powerful hold.
One large hand takes the camera from me with surprising care as Efrem’s free arm twines around my waist and pulls me close. The air vanishes around me as I collide with his broad chest, and I look up into his electric blue eyes.
The smile slowly falls from his chiseled face as a fiery hunger replaces his amusement. My tongue darts out to wet my suddenly dry lips, and my heart hammers in my throat.
Efrem’s eyes shift to my lips, and he leans in to capture them a moment later. Sizzling excitement ripples through me at the fresh, cool feel of his lips on mine. Our tongues collide as the kiss turns passionate in an instant, and suddenly, we’re right back where we left off; the hunger and urgency only intensified from the delay.
Palms flat on his rippling pecs, I relish the powerful body that encircles me from the sheer size of Efrem. One strong arm holds me close as his free hand travels slowly down my back to grip my ass.
I gasp as a jolt of arousal sends warmth pooling deep in my core. Efrem groans, the sound raw and animalistic. Then his hand travels slowly upward once more, finding the skin of my lower back as his fingers slide beneath the fabric of my raincoat and sweater.
Silky tongue twining with mine, Efrem explores my mouth with a greedy hunger that sets my skin on fire, and when he finally draws back to meet my eyes, we’re both gasping for air.
8
EFREM
“What?” Dani gasps, her warm breath washing across my face as I linger just inches from her lips.
Her striking eyes seem to transform with the weather—sky-blue on sunny days, midnight in the evening light, and now almost stormcloud gray. I’ve never seen anything like it. And they search me with a vulnerability that completely disarms me.
I shouldn’t be with her. Dani’s young and innocent and too good for my world of violence and crime. She’s from the right side of the tracks with a family who wouldn’t want her associating with someone like me, I’m sure. But when I’m with her, I can’t seem to help myself. She drives me crazy. “You are like a drug,” I confess. “I fear I am hooked on you already.”
Warmth lights her silver-blue gaze, and the coy smile that parts her lips makes those alluring dimples appear in full force. “Well then, come take another hit,” she teases.
This girl is going to be the death of me.
Our lips collide like a firework, and as Dani steps back, drawing us further from the well-marked path, I follow her. I would follow her anywhere just to get another taste of her luscious lips and tantalizing tongue.
Carnal desire has my cock throbbing in my slacks, urging me to take what’s mine. Fuck, I want her desperately. Taking control, I pull Dani roughly against my body and spin her, pinning her back against the solid trunk of a large oak tree.
