21. Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-One

L ash

After the bizarre wonderland of the Museum of Jurassic Technology, I’m itching to see more of the city I’ve grown up in, yet never been allowed to explore. And what better place to start than the iconic Griffith Observatory? With no news from Samantha, and my leave from the Warriors about to come to an end, today is as good a day as any for our outing.

“Dress warm,” I tell her with a wink. “We’re going stargazing tonight.”

Zoya’s eyes light up. “Stargazing? In the middle of the city?”

“Trust me, beautiful. I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve.”

It’s becoming harder to be around her, to breathe her intoxicating scent, to be so close to her curvy body, and to keep my hands off her. I’m glad we’re getting out of the apartment tonight.

One good thing, at least I’ve won the fight on who gets the bed. She’s reluctantly agreed to take turns in the bedroom. I don’t mind sleeping on the couch and would gladly do it every night, but she won’t hear of it. Losing on that front is offset by the way I can luxuriate in Zoya’s scent in the sheets when it’s my turn in the bed.

As the sun dips below the horizon, we borrow Marissa’s car and make our way to the observatory. Zoya’s hand is clasped firmly in mine as we walk to the entrance. I’m in disguise, of course—hoodie pulled up and sunglasses on, even though the sky is rapidly darkening.

“Trying out for the next spy thriller, are we?” Zoya teases, pointing playfully at my shades.

I strike a mysterious pose, my lips twitching. “I could tell you my secret identity, but then I’d have to kiss you.”

“Well, in that case…” She leans in close, her breath ghosting over my lips. “Spill.”

Not wanting to call extra attention to ourselves, I give her a quick peck on the lips, though I’d like to devour her mouth for hours. Instead, our laughter echoes through the parking lot as we climb the steps to the observatory. The building is a magnificent sight, all Art Déco curves and soaring domes, perched high above the glittering city below.

“Wow,” Zoya breathes, her eyes wide. “It’s like something out of a movie.”

“Right? You half expect to see James Dean brooding in a corner.”

We wander through the exhibits, marveling at the intricate models of the solar system and the massive telescope pointing toward the heavens. But as incredible as the displays are, I find myself far more captivated by the wonder on Zoya’s face, the way her fingers brush reverently over the glass cases.

“Come on,” I murmur, slipping my arm around her waist. “Let’s explore what’s up there.”

I lead her up a winding staircase to the observatory’s rooftop terrace. The view is breathtaking—a 360-degree panorama of Los Angeles sprawled out before us, the city lights twinkling like fallen stars.

“Lash,” Zoya gasps. “It’s… magnificent.”

“Mmmm.” I wrap my arms around her from behind, pulling her back against my chest. “I can think of something else that’s magnificent.”

She turns in my embrace, looping her arms around my neck. “Smooth talker.”

“I only speak the truth.” I brush my nose against hers. “You, Zoya Petrenko, are the most magnificent thing I’ve ever seen.”

Her breath hitches. “Lash…”

“I mean it.” As I trail my fingertips down her spine, her whole body quivers. I was an average student in school, and English was never my best subject, but somehow, poetic words spill from my lips as though they’re downloaded from the Goddess herself. “When I look at you, I see starlight made flesh. There are galaxies in your eyes. The whole damn universe is right here in my arms.”

Zoya’s eyes shimmer with emotion. “How do you do that? Make me feel like the only woman in the world?”

“You are,” I rasp. “The only one for me.”

Then I’m kissing her, deep and slow and achingly tender. Zoya melts against me, her curves fitting perfectly against my hard edges, like we were made to hold each other just like this.

My hands roam her back, learning the dips and hollows of her body, while hers tangle in my hair, scraping deliciously against my scalp, then tracing the triangles of my ears. We’ve kissed before, but never like this. Never with this simmering heat laced with overflowing affection and the unspoken promise of more.

As I nip at her bottom lip, she gasps, arching into me. I can feel every inch of her, soft and warm and so fucking perfect. It would be easy to get lost in her, to let this wildfire consume us both.

But I force myself to pull back, resting my forehead against hers as we catch our breath.

“Zoya,” I pant. “Tell me to stop. Tell me it’s too much.”

She cups my face in her palms, her eyes molten in the moonlight. “I don’t want you to stop, Lash. I want…” She pauses, our gazes locked, making certain I grasp her meaning. “I want you.”

A growl rumbles up from my chest. “Sweetheart, if we don’t slow down, I’m going to end up worshipping every inch of you right here on this rooftop.”

“And that would be bad because…?” Her slashing grin is pure sin.

“I didn’t know you had it in you to be such a flirt.” I steal another kiss, grinning against her lips. “As much as I’d love to give the other tourists an eyeful, I’d rather have you all to myself for what I have in mind.”

Zoya shivers, her pupils blown wide. “What do you have in mind?”

“Oh, so many things.” I trail my claws feather-light down her arms. “I want to learn every curve, every freckle, every secret place that makes you gasp. I want to taste you, all of you, until you forget your own name.”

“Lash…” Her voice is a needy whine that shoots straight to my cock.

“I want to lay you out on my bed and worship you for hours until you’re boneless and spent and so thoroughly satisfied you can’t remember what it feels like to be anything else.”

Zoya whimpers, her fingers digging into my shoulders. “Please…”

I groan, capturing her mouth in another searing kiss.

Between drugging kisses, I manage to force out, “Come home with me, Zoya. Let me make you feel good. Let me show you how much I…”

I just barely catch myself before the words spill out.

Love. I was going to say love. Fuck, I am so crazy about this woman.

Zoya leans back, her eyes searching mine. For a breathless moment, I’m terrified she’s going to run, that I’ve pushed too hard, too fast.

But then she smiles, radiant and eager and so full of trust it makes my heart ache.

“Yes,” she whispers. “Take me home, Lash. Deliver on all those sexy promises you just made.”

I crush her to me, burying my face in her hair to hide the emotions threatening to overwhelm me.

Mine . My mate, my heart, my everything.

“As you wish,” I manage, my voice a raw scrape.

And as I lead her back down the winding stairs, our hands entwined and hearts racing with anticipation, I swear to every star in the sky that I will spend the rest of my life being worthy of her trust, her affection.

Her love.