Page 15

ELEVEN

CHRISSY

T hey continued walking along the shoreline, Chrissy's bare feet sinking gently into the warm sand with each step. The swish of waves against the shore created a peaceful backdrop to the storm of emotions raging inside her.

The high from singing with those children still lingered in her veins, reminding her of why she fell in love with music in the first place.

It wasn't about album sales or TikTok views or making Marty richer—it was about connection, about that moment when Emma's shy voice had strengthened and gained confidence.

Chrissy stole a glance at Zev beside her, his powerful frame radiating strength even in casual clothes.

Her body still tingled from their encounter in the music room, the way he'd lifted her effortlessly and pressed her up against that door.

The heat of his mouth on her neck. The way his hands had gripped her waist with such possession yet such restraint.

"What are you thinking about?" Zev asked, catching her staring.

"That you keep starting fires you don't intend to finish," she replied boldly, surprising herself.

His eyes darkened instantly. "Trust me, Chrissy. I fully intend to finish what I started."

The intensity in his voice sent shivers through her body. "Then why pull back every time things get... interesting?"

Zev stopped walking abruptly, turning to fully face her. The breeze ruffled his thick brown hair as he studied her face with those piercing blue eyes.

"Because you deserve more than a quick encounter against a door. Because you've had enough people taking from you without giving back." His jaw tightened. "And because there are things you need to know about me first."

There it was again—that sense that he was holding something back, some crucial piece of information.

"Then tell me," Chrissy said, crossing her arms over her chest, aware of how the action pushed her breasts against the thin fabric of her tank top. "Whatever secret you're keeping, just say it."

The muscle in his jaw jumped. "It's not that simple."

"Actually, it is. Words. Mouth. Out." She tapped her foot in the sand. "I've had enough of powerful men deciding what I need to know and when I need to know it."

Zev's expression hardened, but not with anger—with resolve. He stepped closer to her. "You're right. You deserve the truth." He took a deep breath, his broad chest expanding under his white polo. "Chrissy, do you know what a mate is to a wolf shifter?"

The sea breeze swept across Chrissy's bare shoulders, causing goosebumps to rise on her skin despite the warmth of the day. Her heart hammered wildly, and she curled her toes into the warm sand, grounding herself.

"Olivia mentioned it briefly yesterday during our spa day," Chrissy said, brushing a strand of dark hair away from her cheek.

"She told me that Gerri Wilder is a paranormal matchmaker that brings fated mates together, and when Gerri brings a human to a shifter pack, it usually means they're a shifter's fated mate.

" She paused, swallowing hard, her green eyes searching his face.

"Is that why she really brought me here? Because I'm your fated mate?"

Zev's blue eyes darkened with intensity, his stance widening as if bracing himself. "Yes, I believe so. She called me four days ago around midnight, saying she'd located my fated mate."

"That's... that's right after I called her," Chrissy whispered, her mind racing.

"Just before midnight four days ago. She'd bumped into me at the charity gala we both attended.

" She shook her head in disbelief. "How could she possibly know something so profound and intimate about us? Is she psychic or something?"

A half-smile lifted one corner of Zev's mouth. "I don't understand the full extent of Gerri's powers, but what I do know is that she has a 100% success rate when bringing two mates together. She obviously has some unique gift."

The waves crashed against the shore in rhythmic pulses that matched Chrissy's racing heartbeat.

"She introduced Ewan and Olivia," Zev continued, his eyes locked onto hers. "Among many, many others. She just seems to know how to match perfect pairs."

"Are we a perfect pair?" The question slipped from Chrissy's lips.

Zev stepped closer, his presence overwhelming her senses.

"Yes, Chrissy, we are. You're my fated mate.

" His voice lowered to a rumble that seemed to vibrate through her entire body.

"I've felt more intensely about you than anyone in my entire life.

I knew from the moment we met that I'd do anything for you. "

Chrissy's breath caught. The way he looked at her—like she was rare and precious—was nothing like the calculating, commodifying glances from Marty or industry men.

"That's exactly why I've been trying to give you space," Zev continued. "You came here to escape being controlled. I worried that you tying yourself to me forever, by letting me claim you and mark you as my mate, would make you feel like you're just falling under someone else's power again."

"No," Chrissy interrupted, surprising herself with her certainty.

"In the time I've gotten to know you, you've proven you're nothing like Marty.

You're completely different." Her voice softened.

"And though I'm not a shifter and don't have a fated mate sense, I feel something intensely towards you too.

" She paused as the startling clarity hit her like a tidal wave.

"God, Gerri was right. We are a perfect match. "

The realization settled over her like a warm blanket.

In Zev, she'd seen so many facets—the powerful resort owner, the commanding alpha, and the caring leader who took care of his pack.

He was gentle when needed, strong when required, and utterly real in a way no one in her manufactured world had been.

"I've never known safety like this," Chrissy admitted, her voice trembling slightly. "It terrifies and comforts me at the same time. I want to be closer to you, Zev. In every way possible." Her cheeks flushed at her boldness, but she held his gaze steadily.

The burning intensity in his blue eyes made her feel like he could see straight through to her soul in this moment, past all the glamour and fame to the real Chrissy underneath—the one who just wanted to make music and be loved for who she truly was.

Maybe it was the way Zev looked at her in this moment, or maybe she was just ready to take what she wanted for a change, but something primal ignited inside her.

For once, she wasn't going to wait for permission or approval.

She grabbed the soft fabric of Zev's white polo shirt, bunching it in her fists as she pulled him flush against her body.

The heat of him seared through her thin tank top, his muscled chest hard against her soft curves.

"I'm done waiting," she whispered, rising onto her tiptoes.

She crashed her lips into his, pouring every ounce of desire and gratitude she felt into the kiss.

This wasn't the tentative kiss they'd shared in the cave.

Or the rushed kiss in the music room. This was raw and demanding, a declaration of want that brooked no argument.

His response was immediate and overwhelming.

Zev's arms encircled her waist, lifting her slightly as he matched her hunger.

A growl rumbled from deep in his chest, the sound more wolf than man, sending sparks of excitement racing down her spine.

His hands slid lower, gripping her thighs just below the frayed edges of her denim shorts as he lifted her completely off the ground.

Chrissy wrapped her legs around his waist, her fingers threading through his thick hair.

"Hold on," he commanded against her lips.

Without breaking their kiss, Zev began moving down the beach, carrying her as if she weighed nothing. Every few steps he'd stop, pressing her up against a palm tree or simply holding her tighter as their kisses deepened, growing more desperate with each passing second.

"Where are we going?" Chrissy gasped when they finally broke apart for air.

"Somewhere private," he replied, his blue eyes nearly black with desire. "Trust me."

And she did. Completely. The realization was thrilling.

Soon the main beach fell away, and Zev carried her around a rocky outcropping to a hidden cove sheltered by towering palms and smooth boulders. The small stretch of pristine sand was completely secluded, invisible from the main beach and the resort.

"Your secret spot?" Chrissy asked as he carefully set her on her feet, the warm sand tickling her toes.

Zev brushed her hair from her face, his touch surprisingly gentle after the intensity of moments before. "One of many on the island. But this one's extra special." His eyes burned into hers. "No one comes here except me."

"And now me," Chrissy said, tracing his jaw.

"I had planned for our first time to be in a proper bed," Zev admitted, his voice rough with barely contained desire.

"But I can't wait any longer to claim you.

" He took her hand, pressing it against his chest where his heart pounded wildly.

"I think this is perfect. Just us, the sea, and no one else for a mile. "

"I couldn't agree more," Chrissy whispered, feeling bold and empowered.

She placed her palms flat against his chest and pushed. Surprised, Zev allowed himself to be guided backward until his legs buckled and hit the sand. She gave another gentle push, and he sank onto his back, looking up at her with a mix of surprise and approval.

"My turn," she said, straddling his lap in one fluid motion.

His hands immediately found her hips, steadying her as she settled against him. The fabric of her denim shorts and his cargo shorts did little to disguise how much he wanted her. Chrissy felt a surge of feminine power knowing she could affect this powerful alpha male so completely.

"I like this side of you," Zev growled, his fingers digging into the bare skin of her thighs.

"I'm taking what I want for once," Chrissy murmured against his lips. "Any objections?"

Zev's smile was pure predator. "None whatsoever."

She captured his mouth again, relishing the taste of him—salt and sun and something wild that was uniquely Zev.

His hands roamed from her thighs to her waist, slipping under her tank top to trace patterns on the bare skin of her back.

Every touch left trails of fire, igniting places inside her that had never truly awakened before.

"You're perfect," he whispered against her neck, his hot breath making her shiver despite the tropical heat.

And at this moment, with Zev openly showing his appreciation and desire for her, after months of feeling like she was nothing to everybody else, Chrissy finally believed she was perfect. Just as she was.

Just Chrissy Rivera, the real Chrissy, taking what she wanted and Zev giving it to her without hesitation.