Page 81 of Here & Now

He brushed his fingers over her center and found her wet and warm. “Tell me.”

“You make me…”

“Make you what?” He gently probed her, and she sucked in a breath.

“I...”

He paused for a moment, but when she pressed her hips back, he stroked her again. “Do you want me to stop?”

“No.”

Smiling, he buried his face in her neck and a finger inside her at the same time. She moaned loudly, and he relished her reaction.

“I feel…insatiable,” she said as she circled her hips.

“Me too,” he said, plucking her tight nub.

Dessert was quickly forgotten, at least of the shortcake variety.

He hiked up her robe and exposed her bare bottom to his hungry gaze. As he explored her sweet depth, she gyrated her hips in earnest, clutched the counter, and made sexy sounds.

“Zane!” she cried.

“It’s okay. I’ve got you,” he said, spurring her on.

It seemed to be the right thing to say, and she let loose, bucking wildly into his hand.

He held her close as she came back to herself, and then he removed his hand and readjusted her robe.

She turned to face him, her cheeks flushed and eyes sparkling. “I just decided something.”

“What’s that?”

“The kitchen is my new happy place.”

He laughed, pleased that he’d had a hand in it—literally. “I think I’m ready for dessert now.”

She glanced down at his shorts and raised her eyebrows.

Surprising himself with his amazing willpower, he placed a finger under her chin and tipped her head up. “I meant strawberry shortcake.”

“Right.” She looked embarrassed, which was not his intention.

He pressed a brief kiss on her lips. “We can come back to that later, though, if you want to.”

She nodded enthusiastically and resumed dishing their dessert. A few minutes later, they took their bowls into the living room and sat on the couch.

He took a bite. “Delicious. Did you make this too?”

“I wish I could take credit, but I bought it at the store.”

She could have served him stale cookies, and he would have been fine with it. All he cared about was being with her.

They ate quietly for a few minutes. Then he said, “What are you doing tomorrow?”

She looked up from her bowl. “Why?”

Not this again. Even after their intimacy, she was still keeping a part of herself closed off. “I was thinking we could hang out, but if you don’t want to…”