16. Zoey

16

ZOEY

T hey stared at the phone as it beeped.

Zoey wondered what was going through Lux's mind. Was she hoping the line would crackle and they'd be heading back to the station? Was she thinking about her? What did that mean for everything they had shared so far?

Lux didn't need to say anything; Zoey could feel the same need coursing through her, drawing her toward Lux.

Zoey reached out, her fingers trembling slightly as they brushed against Lux's arm. Lux's skin was warm under her touch, and the contact sent a jolt of electricity through Zoey. She wanted more—needed more.

"You think they're close?" Zoey asked.

"If I know Jay well enough, she'd be flying right here already."

Zoey's let out a deep breath. When she'd woken up this morning, she hadn't expected that this would be their last moments together.

This should be a happy moment, right?

She should be feeling excited that she'd finally go back home. Why, then, did it feel this heavy in her heart?

"Lux," Zoey said, her voice rough with desire, "I'll miss you."

Lux's response was immediate. She pulled Zoey close, their bodies pressing together, and Zoey could feel the heat radiating off her. Lux's lips found hers.

Her hands roamed over Lux's body, feeling the lean muscle under her clothes and the way her body responded to each touch. She tugged at Lux's belt and the fastening of her pants and pushed her back against a tree.

Zoey's mouth found Lux's neck, trailing kisses along her collarbone and down to her chest. Lux's hands tangled in Zoey's hair, tugging her closer, and Zoey responded, her tongue flicking out to taste the salt on Lux's skin.

"Zoey," Lux moaned, her voice filled with need, and it was all she needed to hear.

Zoey's hand pushed inside the waistband of Lux's Calvin Kleins. Her fingers went to work, sliding against her clitoris. Lux moaned and her hips bucked against Zoey's touch.

The sound of Lux's pleasure drove Zoey wild, and she pressed harder, her fingers working to push Lux closer and closer to climax. Lux's fingers gripped Zoey's back tightly, her breath coming in short, ragged gasps.

"Zoey, I'm—" Lux started, but the rest of her words were lost in a moan as her body tensed, her back arching off the tree as she came, her entire body trembling with the force of it.

Zoey didn't let up, drawing out Lux's pleasure until she finally collapsed back against the tree, her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath.

Zoey smiled as she held Lux up, her own body thrumming with need, but she couldn't take her eyes off Lux. Her cheeks were flushed and her dark hair was a wild mess around her face and she looked more beautiful than Zoey had ever seen her.

Lux's lovely blue eyes fluttered open, and when she looked at Zoey, there was a fire in her gaze that made Zoey's breath catch in her throat.

"Come here," Lux said, her voice still rough from her orgasm, and Zoey didn't hesitate.

She leaned in to Lux, but Lux wasn't having it. She rolled her over, pinning Zoey between her and the tree, and Zoey's breath hitched as Lux's body pressed into hers.

"You're incredible," Lux said, her voice low.

Zoey's hands slid up Lux's back, pulling her in for another kiss, and Lux responded eagerly, her body moving against Zoey's in a way that made her head spin.

Lux's hands were on Zoey's thighs, pushing them apart and then seeking down inside the waistband of her fire pants and her underwear, and Zoey's breath caught as Lux's fingers found her, teasing her, sliding through her wetness, making her squirm.

"Lux," Zoey moaned, her hands tightening on Lux's hips, urging her on.

Lux's mouth moved to Zoey's neck, kissing and nipping at her skin as her fingers slid inside, making Zoey cry out. She arched her back, pushing herself closer to Lux, needing more, and Lux obliged, her fingers moving in a steady rhythm that had Zoey panting, her body tense with pleasure.

"Don't stop," Zoey gasped, her nails digging into Lux's back as the waves of pleasure built inside her, making her feel like she was about to explode.

Lux's mouth moved lower, her teeth finding Zoey's nipple through her shirt, and the added sensation pushed Zoey over the edge. Her body tensed, her breath catching in her throat as the orgasm crashed over her and her entire body shook with the intensity of it.

Lux didn't stop or let up until Zoey was a trembling, breathless mess under her, her mind spinning from the sheer pleasure of it all.

When Lux finally pulled back, Zoey could barely move, her body still tingling from the aftershocks. She looked at Lux, who was watching her with a satisfied smile, and Zoey couldn't help but smile back.

"That was…" Zoey started, but she couldn't find the words to finish.

"Incredible," Lux finished for her.

Zoey nodded, still trying to catch her breath. "Yeah, it was."

Their bodies were still close, and their breathing was slowly returning to normal.

"You're amazing, you know that?" Zoey said.

Lux's smile softened, and she brushed a strand of hair from Zoey's face. "So are you. I've never felt anything like this before."

Zoey's heart skipped a beat at the admission, and she leaned in to gently kiss Lux's lips. It was different from the desperate kisses they'd shared earlier. This one was soft, tender, and full of unspoken feelings that neither of them was ready to put into words yet.

They stayed a while, just holding each other, the only sound was the soft rustling of the wind. Zoey felt a sense of peace that she hadn't felt in a long time, like everything in the world had finally fallen into place.

Eventually, Lux shifted, "What happens now?" she asked, her voice quiet, but there was a hint of uncertainty in her ocean blue eyes.

Zoey reached to trace her fingers along Lux's strong jaw, her touch light but reassuring. "We take it one step at a time. We figure it out together."

Lux nodded, her eyes searching Zoey's face for a moment before she leaned to kiss her again, slow and lingering like she was trying to memorize every detail.

Zoey melted into the kiss, her arms wrapping around Lux's shoulders, pulling her closer. When they finally broke apart, Zoey rested her forehead against Lux's, closing her eyes as she let herself enjoy the quiet moment.

They didn't need to say anything else. Everything they needed to say had already been said in the way they touched, kissed, and held each other like they never wanted to let go.

And for now, that was enough.

Zoey looked up at the trees as the reality of what just happened settled in.

The warmth of Lux's body pressed against her was comforting, but her mind raced. The sex had been incredible, even better than the first time, but now, in the quiet aftermath, doubts began to creep in.

Lux shifted beside her, her fingers lightly running over Zoey's skin under her shirt. The gentle touch sent a shiver through Zoey, but it also reminded her of all the relationships that hadn't worked out before.

She had been in this place before: the thrill of something new, the hope that maybe this time it would be different, only for it to fall apart. Zoey didn't want to go through that again.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Lux asked, but Zoey could hear the curiosity in it.

Zoey hesitated, not sure how much she wanted to share. "I was just thinking," she said, her voice trailing off as she tried to find the right words. "This…this is nice."

Lux looked at Zoey with a small smile. "Nice? That's all?"

Zoey laughed softly, shaking her head. "Okay, it's more than nice. It's amazing. But…" She hesitated again, not sure how to continue.

"But?" Lux pressed.

"Why do I have a feeling that you didn't quite understand what I meant the last time we spoke about this?"

"We didn't speak about this," Lux said. "I talked, and you just agreed. I…don't know how that made me feel, but it's fine."

"Don't do that."

"Do what?"

"Act like it's all fun and roses when you've got a lot to say." Zoey ran her hand over her face. Talking any longer might ruin things for the both of them, but she knew it was worth it.

Lux stayed quiet.

"I didn't want to feel rejected," Zoey said. "Not again."

"Rejected?" Lux replied, clearly baffled. "Why on earth would you feel that way? You're…you're you."

Zoey sighed, turning her head to look at Lux. "I've been in a few relationships before, and they never ended well. I guess I'm just trying to keep my expectations in check, you know?"

"Trust me, I know that feeling." Lux's expression softened. "I get it. It's hard not to get caught up in the moment, especially with everything that's going on."

Zoey nodded, grateful that Lux understood. "Yeah. I don't want to get hurt again."

Lux reached out, brushing a strand of dark hair from Zoey's face. Zoey smiled, but it didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Maybe it's better if we just…enjoy what we have right now without expecting anything more."

Lux didn't respond right away, her eyes searching Zoey's. "So, you're saying we should just focus on the sex and not worry about what happens next?"

Zoey nodded. "Yeah. I mean, the sex is great, and we might die out here. Maybe it is better not to overthink it."

"Jay is on her way," Lux reminded her. "Let's not jinx it, okay?"

"I just don't want to complicate things. We're already dealing with enough out here."

Lux squeezed her hand back, her smile returning. "Okay. No drama. Just great sex."

Zoey laughed, easing slightly. "So, after all this goes away, after here?"

"Why don't we wait until after here to figure it out?" Lux said.

"Is it me or does it feel hotter here?" Lux asked.

Zoey squirmed. It did feel hotter than it was a few seconds ago. She looked around suddenly on alert. It was burning orange in the distance and heading uphill fast. Thick, brown smoke was already filling the sky.

"How did it get this far so fast?" Zoey asked, shocked.

"Trade winds, Zoey. Phoenix Ridge gets a lot of them blowing uphill."

"We have to move," Zoey said.

"We have to hope Jay and the team get here as soon as possible."