Page 11

The water lapped at the shore as they walked along. Zeke was having a hard time reining himself in when all he really wanted to do was stop, pull Celine into his arms and hold her. Then, maybe kiss her. Then, if she was willing, he’d do a whole lot more.

But they were comparative strangers. Except he knew all this new, intimate stuff about her and her family.

He knew she’d been hurt deeply by the violence in her past and the loss of her parents.

He knew she was still hurting, though maybe she was starting to come back to herself a little.

How he wanted to help her with that. How he wanted to be the one to hold her when she cried, kiss the tears right off her lovely face and then make love to her so long and hard that she didn’t remember any of the bad stuff.

He’d been attracted to her from the first. He’d imagined being with her, stroking her long hair and touching her skin.

He just knew it would be soft and supple.

He wanted to caress every inch of her body and hear the way she would moan in pleasure.

He wanted to hear her whisper his name in the dark.

Or maybe scream it as he made her come. Yeah, he wanted that. He wanted it all.

But it had to start somewhere. He decided it would start here and now.

On this beach. Though he had to be cool about how he handled this situation.

She was on edge. He could feel that as they walked along.

He slowed his pace as they got to an area on the beach between buildings that was a bit more private. She slowed down as well.

“I’m sorry this is dragging up all sorts of bad memories for you, Celine,” he said softly. He kept his hands in his pockets because the minute he freed them, they’d be all over Celine, and she wasn’t quite ready for that. Not just yet, anyway.

“It’s the anniversary,” she said slowly.

“That’s what brought back all the sorrow.

But the fact that you’re finding new leads is giving me hope for the first time in a long time.

We might actually catch who did it and get some justice for my parents.

” Her voice was low, but Zeke felt the power behind her words.

“I’m glad.” He stopped walking and turned toward her. She did the same as the evening breeze floated around them. “I don’t like how sad you were when you were looking at your locket.”

She met his gaze and sort of squinted at him as her lips curled upward just a tiny bit. It was like she was trying to puzzle him out, and he didn’t really mind. He’d tell her anything she wanted to know, up to and including how much he wanted her.

“You really feel the emotions connected with the objects you touch?” she asked, then seemed to backtrack. “Forgive me if that’s rude. I’m just fascinated by your gift.”

Fascinated , huh? That was kind of nice, he thought. Though he certainly didn’t think his runty gift was fascinating. Not when compared to what some of the other guys could do.

“If it’s strong emotion, it comes through loud and clear.

I have to confess, my heart broke a little for you, feeling how deeply you were hurt by the loss of your parents.

” He moved one step closer to her, and she didn’t step back.

Good. “I’ve felt that kind of searing pain.

I know what it did to you. What it did to me years ago. I’m sorry, Celine.”

He kept his words soft, and his hands came out of his pockets, reaching for her.

She didn’t object when he touched her shoulders then gathered her gently into his embrace.

Just holding her, rocking her slowly as the waves touched the shore and the night sounds started around them.

It was the most peaceful and the most meaningful moment he’d ever shared with a woman.

When she turned her head to rest against his chest, he was a goner. They just stood there in the advancing darkness, holding each other for a long moment.

“You’re a good man, Zeke,” she said finally, drawing back a bit to gaze up into his eyes in the soft moonlight. “Thank you for helping me get justice for my folks.”

“I’d do anything for you, Celine,” he said before thinking better of it. He didn’t want to scare her off. Not when he finally had her in his arms. But she didn’t seem to find his words too intense.

Then, she moved closer, and he couldn’t hold back any longer. He leaned down and covered her lips with his. Their first kiss, and it was a doozy.

Celine knew he was going to kiss her, and she didn’t move away.

She wanted Zeke’s kiss. Had wanted it for a while now.

Since she’d first seen him, if she was being honest with herself.

There was just something about this brave, strong man that had attracted her from the moment she’d laid eyes on him.

He’d also made her inner seal stand up and take notice, which was rare. It had seen him as a potential playmate and friend from the beginning. It also liked the way he took charge of their kiss and drowned her human form in pleasure. Boy-o-boy, the man could kiss!

She moved closer to him until she was practically climbing his tall, muscular body.

His arms tightened around her and moved lower, grasping her ass.

Oh, she liked that. His hands were as big as the rest of him, and they were strong but gentle.

She liked the way he handled her. He was considerate, but commanding.

The kiss deepened, and her body was tingling in places she’d thought might never tingle again. It had been a long time since she’d felt desire for anyone, but Zeke made her feel alive again in a way she’d never expected.

She shifted her weight slightly, sliding her hands up his chest until they framed the sides of his face. The slight stubble along his jaw tickled her palms, grounding her in the moment. He kissed like he meant it. Like she mattered.

And that… That made her heart flutter a bit.

In a good way. Not just from the kiss itself, but from everything behind it.

She really didn’t think Zeke was playing games with her.

There was no slick charm or false bravado here.

Just a man who held her like she was precious.

A man who’d risked everything to help her face the shadows of her past—and now, was holding her like she was part of his future.

His lips coaxed hers open, and when their tongues met, heat curled low in her belly.

Her fingers moved into in his hair, pulling him just a little closer.

His groan rumbled against her lips and vibrated through his chest into hers, and sweet Mother of All, it made her feel wild. Wanted. And desired.

She broke away on a sharp breath, only to press another kiss against the corner of his mouth. Then his jaw. Then his neck.

“Celine…” His voice was low, a little hoarse, almost reverent.

She smiled against his skin, feeling bold, beautiful, and completely herself in a way she hadn’t in years.

“Don’t stop,” she whispered, her lips brushing his collarbone.

He pulled her in tighter, lifting her slightly as he turned them in a slow circle on the sand.

Her body pressed to his. His strength supporting her completely.

She really liked that. He wasn’t some weak human man.

She thought he could give any one of her shifter brethren a run for his money, which made her inner seal want to cuddle into him and never let him go.

Whoa . Those were serious thoughts and feelings. All from just their first kiss? She had to think about this a little more thoroughly, but not right now. No. Right now was for feeling. Not necessarily thinking as he whirled her around briefly, making her feel downright giddy.

When he put her down again and her feet touched the sand, she tilted her head to look up at him, her breath catching at the expression on his face. If she wasn’t much mistaken, it was something akin to awe.

Zeke looked at her like she was something more than she’d ever believed herself to be. The wind lifted her hair, and he brushed it gently back behind her ear, his touch tender.

“You’re pretty amazing, you know that?” he murmured. “Smart, strong, gorgeous…and I haven’t even scratched the surface yet.”

Warmth bloomed in her chest, soft and startling.

It would’ve been easy to dismiss it. Safer, maybe.

But Celine wasn’t a coward. She had faced a lot in her life, and this was, by far, one of the most pleasant—and slightly scary—experiences to date.

But it was scary in a good way. The best possible way. Maybe.

She leaned in, brushing another kiss to his lips, going a bit slower this time, making the kiss exploratory and so damned sweet. After a long moment, she pulled back, then rested her forehead against his chest, breathing him in, letting the moment settle around them like a big, warm, comfy blanket.

“You’re not so bad yourself, Sergeant,” she whispered, a small smile curving her lips.

Zeke chuckled, the sound wrapping her in warmth. She’d come to this island to hide, lick her wounds, and begin the search for justice.

She hadn’t expected to find a man who made her heart beat with excitement again. But maybe, just maybe…fate had given her more than she’d hoped for.

They stayed there in each other’s arms for a little while longer, swaying slightly in time with the breeze and the gently lapping waves. Neither of them spoke. They didn’t have to. Eventually, it was Celine who drew a slow breath and tilted her head to glance down the beach.

“We should head back,” she said, her voice soft and a little reluctant.

Zeke nodded, but he didn’t let go of her hand.

She didn’t pull away either. They walked in silence, side by side, the rhythm of the surf a quiet companion to the rush of unspoken thoughts between them.

Her fingers curled around his, and every brush of skin made her acutely aware of how big he was—how warm, and how steady.