18. Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Eighteen

Z oya

Not even the world’s best scientists know where the Others came from or how they got here—maybe another dimension. Right now, I feel as though I’ve fallen into another world. I don’t know how, but those soft, sweet kisses, combined with the searing heat of those otherworldly silver eyes, are making me feel things I’ve never felt before.

Need, fierce and potent, is slicing through my body. It’s so powerful it takes me a moment for my thoughts to come back online.

I make a feeble attempt to laugh, to brush off the sheer lust singing through my veins, and say, “Your turn.”

His gaze veers from mine as he clears his throat, then he grabs the top card, and the game resumes.

I don’t usually wish for things. I discovered as a little girl that wishes rarely, if ever, came true. Now, though, I wish with all my might that I’m the next to call zim-zam. I’m not going to grip his hand and sweetly kiss his palm, though. I’m going to give him the type of kiss I dreamed about last night.

Soon, we’re playing faster and more furiously than we have all morning. An ace appears on the top of the stack. We both have one, and I shout “zim-zam” before he opens his mouth.

I lean across the battered little table, then think better of it and settle back in my chair. I don’t want our first real kiss to be awkward as we stretch to reach each other. Impulsively, I rise, walk to his side, and tell him, “Turn toward me.”

Where I found the courage to boss this big, wolf-like male around, I haven’t a clue. Perhaps that’s one reason I feel so much affection for him. He doesn’t scare me. I feel comfortable being myself with him.

After he turns his hip toward the table, I step between his feet and ease closer. He’s so tall, my mouth is only a little higher than his in this position.

Just as I’m about to lean in to kiss him, I get cold feet. What if he takes this over? What if he… I don’t want to think about the things that would happen now if it were Max sitting in that chair.

But this isn’t Max, it’s Lash, and he already knows me so well that he understands what I need. He uses exaggerated motions to place first one hand and then the other on the swell of my hips.

“Let’s pretend they’re superglued.” His words didn’t hold a hint of sarcasm. “You’re the one who called zim-zam, Zoya. You’re in charge.”

That was all I needed to hear. My body can’t move fast enough as I slide my fingers through the pelt on his shoulders, tugging him closer to me. I’ve wanted to do this since shortly after we met.

With a soft exhale, I allow my gaze to eat up the contours of his bare chest, considering the idea of tracing my fingertips over his bronzed hills and valleys. I know he would allow it without hesitation. But I’m not quite ready for that level of intimacy. For now, all I want is a kiss.

My heart is beating wildly in my chest as I lean in, our faces almost touching. The air between us crackles with anticipation, making the fine hairs on my arms stand up in delight. His warm breath brushes against my lips as he tips his head up, his gaze locked onto mine.

Our lips touch gently at first, just a soft graze that is so powerful it makes me whimper. I feel him smile against me. The sweetness of that act makes my heart ache.

With each gentle brush of our lips, my stomach flips with eager anticipation. It’s so much like I imagined, and yet so different. I feel the softness of his tongue against the seam of my lips. It’s followed by the tender, accidental scrape of a fang.

We pull away reflexively and I can see the concern etched on his face as he checks to ensure he didn’t injure me or draw blood. But after running my fingers over my lips and reassuring him that I’m okay, I whisper those three important words—“I trust you.”

He knows what that means to me, and I can feel his relief wash over him as his shoulders relax. Resuming our kiss, I gently part my lips, inviting him in. His hot breath mixes with mine, and I can’t help but inhale deeply, taking in his unique scent—like an ancient forest filled with mystery and desire.

Lash tastes like honey and smoke, with just a hint of something wild and untamed that makes me want to explore every inch of him. I reach up slowly, running my fingers through his shaggy hair while he tightens his grip on my hips.

“No more superglue, Lash,” I whisper, giving him permission to touch me. And for some reason, I have no doubt that trusting this male is not a mistake.

His calloused palms tenderly cup my cheeks as he gazes at me with such adoration that it takes my breath away. The world around us fades into nothingness as I press my body closer to his, feeling his muscular chest against my breasts, my nipples hardening with desire. I moan softly, feeling his heartbeat thud in his chest.

My fingers return to his thick shoulder pelt, gripping the soft fur as I let out a little mewl of pleasure when he deepens the kiss, parting my lips further with his tongue.

We explore each other’s mouths cautiously, my teeth and his fangs graze lightly in a deliciously wicked dance. His lips are so plump and inviting I can’t help but nip at them before sucking on his lower lip, causing him to groan softly.

The heat radiating off his body is like a blazing fire, sending delightful shivers racing down my nape. His warm breath washes over my cheekbones and he murmurs, “You taste divine, Zoya. It’s addictive.”

As our tongues continue their sensual explorations, every inch of my body ignites with a flame that burns hotter than anything I’ve ever experienced before. Lash’s taste is indescribable, like ambrosia and sin all wrapped up in one. His lips are tender yet insistent, as his hands rove, exploring my back, sending jolts of desire sparking through me as he traces patterns on my skin with the pads of his fingers. This moment is intoxicating and all-consuming, and I find myself lost in the moment, wanting more of this forbidden fruit.

The sound of our heavy breathing mixes with the soft whispers of his long hair brushing against my cheek, making me shiver with delight.

Kissing from my chin to the hinge of my jaw, he presses his lips against my ear and spills the most delicious words interspersed with soft, smacking kisses.

“So beautiful… waited for this… never felt anything like it.”

As our kiss deepens, his hands roam freely up and down my back, leaving a trail of sparks in their wake. I can’t help but let out a soft moan as his lips travel down my neck, his breath hot against my skin.

When he finally pulls back to look at me, I can see both molten desire and tenderness in his eyes.

He settles his hands back on my hips, in the exact place they started. “We should…” He shakes his head as if he’s bringing himself back from the other dimension where we’ve been dancing somewhere else in time and space. “We should…” His voice is reluctant. “See who wins the game of zim-zam.”

As I return to my chair, I know with the same certainty that two plus two equals four that we both came out victorious at zim-zam.