19. Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Nineteen

L ash

Okay, I’m officially in uncharted territory. That kiss… wow. Just wow. I’m still reeling from the taste of her, the feel of her lips on mine, the way she melted into me like she belonged there.

I have to admit, I’m a little nervous about what happens next. I mean, I’ve never been in a serious relationship before, let alone a fake engagement that could turn into marriage. No pressure, right?

I steal a glance at Zoya as we sit back down to finish our game. Her cheeks are flushed, her lips puffy from our amazing kiss. She looks more beautiful than I’ve seen her, perhaps because she’s as aroused as I am from what we just shared. I can’t help but reach out and brush the pad of my thumb along her cheek, letting my fingers linger on her soft skin.

“So,” I say, trying to sound casual, even though my heart is racing, “where were we?”

Zoya bites her lip, fighting back a smile. “Have you forgotten? I believe I was about to kick your ass at zim-zam.”

“Oh, is that so?” I raise an eyebrow, grinning. “Bring it on, sweetheart.”

I tuck myself close to the table. All the better to hide my raging hard-on.

“Tell me the truth,” I ask as I rearrange the cards in my hand. “What does zim-zam really mean in Ukrainian.”

“That’s not a Ukrainian word.” She tosses her head as though she were a queen gently scolding a subordinate. “What gave you that impression?”

Something about her silly joke makes us both laugh and lightens the tension still crackling in the air after that life-altering kiss.

We fall back into the rhythm of the game, but there’s a new energy between us now. A buzz of anticipation, a simmering heat. Every brush of our fingers as we lay down cards feels electric.

I can’t stop sneaking peeks at her—the way she bites her bottom lip in concentration, the little victory shimmy she does when she scores a point. Goddess, she’s adorable. And sexy as hell. It’s a lethal combination.

“Ha!” Zoya slaps down her last card, triumphant. “Zim-zam, baby! I win!”

“Oh, you think so?” I smirk, revealing my own final card with a flourish. It’s the match she needs. “Looks like we both win.”

Her eyes sparkle with mischief. “You know what that means…”

“Mmmm.” I lean in across the table, my nose brushing hers. “I get to claim my prize.”

“No way, big guy. I get to claim my prize.”

Our lips meet again, and it’s just as mind-blowing as the first time. Better, even. Because now I’m certain she wants this too. I can feel it in the way she grips my shoulders, the little sighs of pleasure that escape her.

Without breaking the kiss, she gets up from her chair and eases around the table as I push my chair back and turn to give her better access.

I keep the kiss slow, tender, even though every cell in my body is screaming at me to deepen it, to pull her into my lap and not only explore every inch of her mouth, but the rest of her lush body. But I won’t push. I’ll let Zoya set the pace.

She’s been through so much; the last thing I want is for her to feel pressured or unsafe. I’ll happily spend the next ninety days kissing her just like this if that’s what she needs.

When we finally break apart, we’re both a little breathless. Zoya rests her forehead against mine, a shy smile playing on her lips.

“That was… really nice.” Her voice is a husky whisper.

“Yeah.” I brush my thumb across her cheekbone. “Really nice.”

I want to tell her how amazing she is. How brave and strong and resilient. How grateful I am that she’s trusting me with her heart, even if it’s just pretend for now.

But I don’t want to scare her off with the intensity of my feelings. So instead, I just hold her close and savor the moment.

“How about we take Miska for a walk?” I suggest after a beat. “I could use some fresh air.”

“Sounds perfect.” Zoya presses a quick kiss to my cheek before standing back and stretching. “Let me grab my shoes.”

As she pads off to the bedroom, Miska scrambling excitedly at her heels, I take a deep breath and run a hand through my hair.

I’m in deep. The words insane, crazy, and unhinged whirl through my head. To go from a male who has never had a serious relationship to being engaged to a woman I’m falling for… yep, all those adjectives describe me perfectly.

And yet, I can’t control the wide smile stretching across my face.