22. Zoey

22

ZOEY

Z oey kept her eyes closed, feeling Lux's chest's gentle rise and fall against her side. It felt nice, like everything was okay at that small moment. She could stay like this forever, just the two of them, hidden away from the world. Zoey let herself get lost in the rhythm of Lux's breathing, letting it calm her.

She was awake, but she didn't want to break the stillness.

Zoey could feel the soft brush of her hair against her cheek, the faint warmth of her breath on her neck. She reached out, her fingers barely grazing Lux's cheek. The touch was so light, so careful, like she was afraid to wake her.

Her heart squeezed in her chest as she took in Lux's features. The curve of her lips, her eyelashes rested against her skin, the faint freckles across her nose—everything about Lux was beautiful to Zoey. She let her hand fall away, feeling a warmth in her chest that she hadn't felt in a long time.

She cared about Lux more than she had allowed herself to realize. It scared her how much she felt, how deeply she cared. It wasn't just the physical attraction.

It was more. She wanted this, wanted Lux.

Zoey thought about the last time they made love as she lay there, watching Lux sleep. Zoey felt a lump rise in her throat.

Zoey's mind wandered to how Lux had leaned into her, how their kiss had felt so right, so natural. It wasn't just about survival or the situation they were in. It was about their connection and the bond that had grown between them over the past few days. She didn't want to lose that. She couldn't lose that.

Lux's eyes fluttered open. "Morning," she said softly.

"Morning," Zoey said. She felt a nervousness in her stomach, but she pushed it down, trying to keep her expression calm.

Lux stretched, her hand brushing against Zoey's arm again, and Zoey felt a shiver run down her spine. She wanted to say something, anything to break the silence that had settled between them, but her mind was blank. All she could think about was how close Lux was and how much she wanted to reach out and touch her again.

Lux shifted onto her side, facing Zoey. "You okay?"

Zoey nodded, swallowing hard. "Yeah."

"You sure?" Lux asked.

Zoey nodded.

Lux's hand moved to cover Zoey's, and she turned her head slightly, pressing a soft kiss to Zoey's palm. The gesture was so tender and so full of emotion that it took Zoey's breath away. She felt a tear slip down her cheek but didn't move to wipe it away. She just watched Lux, watched the way she looked at her with such care, such affection.

Zoey leaned in slowly, closing the distance between them until their lips met in a gentle kiss. It was soft, almost hesitant. But as the kiss deepened, Zoey felt a warmth spread through her chest, a warmth that chased away the fear and uncertainty.

Lux's hand slid down to Zoey's waist, pulling her closer, and Zoey responded by wrapping her arms around Lux, holding her tightly. The kiss became more urgent. Zoey felt her heart racing, her skin tingling with every touch, every brush of Lux's lips against hers.

Zoey leaned in again, pressing another kiss to Lux's lips, and she felt Lux smile against her mouth. The kiss was slow, unhurried. Zoey let herself get lost in the feeling, in the way Lux's lips moved against hers, in the way their bodies fit together so perfectly.

Lux's hand slid up Zoey's back, her fingers tracing soft patterns against her skin. Zoey shivered at the touch, her breath hitching in her throat. She could feel the tension building between them, the slow burn of desire simmering just beneath the surface.

Zoey pulled back slightly, her eyes searching Lux's face. "Are you okay?"

Lux nodded, her eyes shadowed with emotion. "I'm more than okay."

Zoey felt a surge at Lux's words, and she leaned in again, pressing a kiss to the corner of Lux's mouth. She let her lips linger there momentarily, feeling the warmth of Lux's skin against hers.

Lux's hand moved to Zoey's waist, pulling her closer, and Zoey felt a shiver run down her spine. She sighed softly as Lux's lips brushed against her jaw, trailing soft kisses down her neck. Zoey tilted her head back slightly, giving Lux better access, and she felt a rush of heat spread through her body.

Lux's lips moved back to Zoey's mouth, capturing it in a slow, deliberate kiss. Zoey responded eagerly, her hands tangling in Lux's hair as she pulled her closer. The kiss deepened, their tongues meeting in a slow, sensual dance that left Zoey breathless.

Lux's gaze softened as she looked at Zoey. Zoey's breath quickened, her heart racing as Lux's fingers traced a path from her cheek to her collarbone. Her touch was gentle, but it sent a surge of warmth through Zoey that she couldn't ignore.

"Zoey," Lux whispered.

Zoey's eyes met Lux's, and she could see their intensity. Lux wasn't just looking at her; she was seeing her, every part of her, and it made Zoey feel exposed but in the best way possible. She swallowed, trying to calm the flutter in her chest.

Lux's hand moved lower, fingers grazing over the edge of Zoey's tank top. Zoey's skin tingled when Lux's fingers touched it. She couldn't stop the shiver that ran through her, nor did she want to. Lux glanced to where her hand rested and hesitated, looking back up at Zoey.

"Zoey," Lux said again. "I...I love you."

The words hung between them, and Zoey's breath caught. Her mind raced, a mix of shock, confusion, and something deeper—something that made her chest tighten with emotion. Lux loved her. Zoey had hoped for it, but hearing it out loud felt surreal. She didn't know how to respond, didn't know what to say.

Instead of words, Zoey's body reacted. She leaned in, closing the small distance between them, and kissed Lux with a softness that belied the storm of emotions inside her. Lux's lips were warm, and the kiss deepened naturally like it was the only thing they could do.

Lux responded with equal enthusiasm, her arms wrapping around Zoey's waist, pulling her closer. Zoey could feel Lux's heartbeat against her chest, fast and strong, mirroring her own. Lux's hands slid up Zoey's back, fingers pressing into her skin, trying to hold on to something real, something solid.

Zoey's mind was a blur, but one thing was clear: she needed Lux to feel her and be close to her in every way possible. She broke the kiss, only to catch her breath, and then their mouths found each other again, more urgent. Lux's hands moved to Zoey's waist, then lower, her touch igniting a fire that Zoey hadn't felt before, not like this.

Without thinking, Zoey's hands found the hem of Lux's shirt, pulling it up and over her head swiftly. Lux helped, raising her arms, and then it was gone, leaving Lux's skin bare to Zoey's touch. Zoey ran her hands over Lux's shoulders, down her arms, and back up again, marveling at the smoothness of her skin and the way it felt under her fingers.

Lux's breath hitched, and she let out a soft sigh, her head tilting back slightly as Zoey's lips trailed down her neck. Zoey's heart pounded, and she couldn't stop pressing closer, feeling the heat of Lux's body against hers. It was overwhelming in the best way, and Zoey wanted more.

Lux's hands were on Zoey's hips now, tugging at the waistband of her shorts, and Zoey didn't hesitate. She shifted, helping Lux pull them down, and then they were gone, discarded somewhere on the ground. Lux's hands roamed freely now, exploring every inch of Zoey's body with a tenderness that made Zoey's heart ache.

"Lux," Zoey finally managed to whisper, her voice shaky. She didn't know what she wanted to say, didn't know how to express everything she was feeling. But she didn't need to, because Lux was right there with her, understanding without words.

"I've got you," Lux said, her voice low and comforting.

Zoey felt Lux's lips on her skin again, moving from her neck to her shoulder, then lower. Every kiss, every touch sent a shiver down Zoey's spine, making her breath hitch. She closed her eyes, letting herself get lost in the sensation, in the feeling of Lux's hands and mouth on her.

When Lux's hand slipped between her legs, Zoey gasped, her eyes flying open. Lux paused, her gaze searching Zoey's face. Zoey nodded. That was all Lux needed. She moved her hand slowly, deliberately, drawing a soft moan from Zoey's lips.

Zoey's mind went blank, her body arching into Lux's touch as the sensations overwhelmed her. Lux's touch was gentle, but there was a purpose behind it, a need that matched Zoey's own. Zoey couldn't stop the soft cries that escaped her lips, couldn't stop her hands from clutching at Lux, pulling her closer, needing her more than ever.

Lux's lips found Zoey's again, and this time, the kiss was rougher, more desperate. Zoey could taste the urgency on Lux's lips, could feel it in the way Lux's body pressed against hers, and it only fueled the fire burning inside her. She kissed Lux back with everything she had, letting her emotions take over.

They moved together, their bodies fitting perfectly, every touch, every kiss bringing them closer to the edge. Lux's hand moved with more purpose now, her fingers teasing and exploring in ways that made Zoey's head spin. Zoey's breath came in short, shallow gasps, her body trembling with anticipation.

Zoey's heart pounded in her chest, her body trembling with the intensity of it all. She could feel herself spiraling, losing control, but she didn't care. Lux was there, holding her, guiding her, making her feel things she'd never felt before.

It was too much, too intense, and Zoey's mind went blank as the sensations overwhelmed her. She cried out, her body arching into Lux's touch, her fingers digging into Lux's shoulders as she rode out the wave of pleasure that washed over her.

Lux held her through it all, her touch gentle and soothing, her lips pressing soft kisses to Zoey's skin. Zoey's body trembled, her breath coming in shallow gasps as she slowly came down from the high. Lux didn't let go, didn't pull away, and Zoey was grateful for that.

She wasn't ready to let go yet, wasn't ready for this moment to end. Lux seemed to understand, and she held Zoey close, her arms wrapped around her, their bodies still entwined.

They lay there together, their breathing slowly returning to normal. Zoey felt a warmth in her chest, a feeling she couldn't quite put into words. It wasn't just the afterglow of their lovemaking. It was something more, something deeper.