Page 93 of Chasing the Sun

Elodie’s eyes went wide. “Oh my god,” she whisper-shouted.

I didn’t have to look far to find them—tucked just off the trail, only half hidden by the trees, was a couple who apparently hadn’t been able to wait until they were back in town to tear each other’s clothes off.

Elodie’s shoulders shook with silentlaughter as she covered her mouth, but when she looked at me, her gaze turned wicked, and she waded toward me. “Well, well. Star Harbor sure is... lively tonight.” Her eyebrows bounced.

I exhaled sharply, dragging a hand down my face. I knew exactly what she was thinking. That damn sparkle in her eye told me everything I needed to know.

“Don’t even think about it,” I warned as my attention narrowed on her pretty face.

She gasped, all false innocence and blinking lashes. “Think about what, Cal?”

I stepped closer, slow and deliberate, until I was right in front of her, looking down at her. My mouth hovered over hers. “About giving them some competition.”

Her breath hitched. Just a little—just enough, and fuck if I wasn’t tempted.

I took one step forward, then another. Elodie’s body stayed flush with mine, her steps mirroring mine as I moved forward.

I could have backed her up against the nearest tree, pressed my body into hers, let my hands and mouth explore all the ways I already knew she would fit against me. I could have let her feel how badly I wanted her—how close I was to losing my grip.

But the second she made a move like she might actually push me on it—just the tiniest shift in her stance, watching her teeth sink into the plush pillow of her lower lip—I curled my fingers around her wrist and yanked her toward me, lowering my mouth to her ear.

“Not here,” I murmured, my voice low and rough. “Your moans are for me, Darling. No one else gets to hear them.”

Her sharp inhale sent a thrill down my spine. Her body softened, just for a moment, before she covered it up with a grin. “Possessive much?”

I shrugged, not bothering to deny it. “Get on the damn 4-wheeler.”

She laughed, but she obeyed, turning toward the bank, sloshing through the shallows toward dry land.

I followed, my eyes trailing the way her wet jeans clung to her legs, appreciating the way the denim hugged the curve of her ass. My pulse ticked against my throat, something low and raw coiling in my gut.

The woods around us were quieter now, the lovers in the distance coming down from whatever high they’d chased. The air was still except for the occasional rustling of leaves, the distant croak of a bullfrog, and the rhythmic sound of water spilling over smooth stones.

Elodie reached the muddy bank first, hesitating for half a second before planting her foot and pushing herself up.

She made it halfway before her bare foot slid on the damp earth.

I caught her before she went down, my hands clamping around her hips, jerking her back against me.

Her sharp inhale hit the humid air, and suddenly there wasn’t enough space between us.

My fingers flexed against her hip bones, anchoring her there, every inch of her ass pressed into me. The heat of the day had faded, but she was still warm—her body molded against mine like she belonged there.

Like sheknewshe belonged there.

Her breath was uneven, her body tensed in my grip, but she didn’t pull away.

I dipped my head lower, my lips a fraction away from the curve where her shoulder met her throat. I could feel her pulse there, a quick, rapid beat. She smelled like earth and river water, like something wild and untouchable, andfor a split second I wanted to bite down, mark her, brand her as mine.

Instead, I exhaled slow, deliberate. “Careful, Darling.”

She shivered.

Then she turned her head slightly, just enough for our eyes to meet in the dim light. A challenge flickered there, dark and teasing. “Or what?”

My jaw ticced. I tightened my grip, then just as quickly released her, stepping back.

She let out a breath, something close to disappointment flickering in her expression before she masked it with a bratty look. “I knew you didn’t have it in you.”