Chapter Seven
Heath lost count of how many cold showers he’d had in the past couple days. It had been torturous enough having Zora in close proximity when she’d been healing, but it was even worse to have her walking around the cabin with T-shirts that showed off breasts he wanted to bury his face between, and jeans that hugged her round perfect ass. He’d spent many hours daydreaming about that ass, riding it and easing his cock between those tight cheeks. He loved staring at her voluptuous curves, the way she moved, her scent and everything else about her.
He’d been elated when she’d come back with Gavin to inform them all she’d stay the duration of their vacation to see where things went. But he’d also promised his cousin he’d give her some time to get use to them before he touched her again, a hard promise to keep considering he still remembered how she’d tasted and felt in his arms. His cock was in a constant state of arousal and her scent was driving him insane.
Heath knew he wasn’t the only one suffering. Their meals were an ordeal to get through. While on the surface, conversation was light and they shared bits of information about themselves with her and she with them, there was a deep undercurrent of tension that seemed to make them all jumpy. Logan stayed out of the cabin most of the day to go for long runs and to hunt, while he spent time at the lake fishing or sometimes opting to run with Logan. Even Gavin seemed to find ways to occupy himself, like working on one of his concoctions or another.
Heath got a tug on his line, signaling he had a bite. He made short work of reeling in his catch, a large trout that would join the rest of what he’d caught for dinner tonight.
“This looks relaxing.”
At first he thought he’d imagined Zora’s voice, after all, she hadn’t been far from his thoughts since he’d laid eyes on her. But as the wind carried her scent toward him, he knew she was there. He unhooked his fish and tossed it in the bucket. Laying his rod down, Heath stood up to face her.
His breath caught in his throat. No matter how many times he saw her, he couldn’t get over the beauty of all that dark flawless skin. She wore a pair of shorts that fell mid-thigh, showing off legs for days, and a red tank top that accentuated full, firm breasts. Her golden locks were pulled back into a high ponytail. Her face was bare of makeup except for a light coat of gloss, but she didn’t need any enhancements. Zora was absolutely gorgeous. She looked good enough to eat. And lick and suck and fuck. He felt his dick grow heavy as his thoughts drifted to what he wanted to do with her.
“What are you doing out here?” He asked more gruffly than he meant as he tried to calm down his raging libido.
She lifted a delicately winged brow in apparent surprise. “I didn’t realize I was restricted to the house. If you don’t want me out here, that’s fine. I’ll go back inside and read, although I find it surprising how you guys begged me to stay and now you’re all acting like you don’t want me around.” Her words were firm and her chin lifted in defiance, but he could hear the underlying hurt in her voice.
When she turned to leave, he called out to her, “Zora, wait.”
She halted, her back ramrod straight.
Heath wiped his hands down the front of his pants and he moved toward her. Once he was behind her, he placed his hands on her shoulders and gently turned her around. “Honey, I don’t want you to ever think we don’t want you around. You said you needed time, so we’re giving it to you.”
“But does that mean the three of you have to leave the room when I walk in? The only time any of you spend time with me is during meals, and even then you guys wolf your food down and hurry off like I have cooties or something.”
Heath restrained himself from kissing the frown off her full lips. “It’s the exact opposite of what you think. It isn’t that we don’t want to be around you. We not only want to be around you, but on top of you, beneath you, inside of you. I can’t even be in the same room with you without getting a hard-on. Lady, this is what you do to me.” He gently took her hand and placed it over his crotch. “Does this seem like I don’t want you around?”
Her mouth fell open and her eyes widened. Red undertones colored her cheeks. “I don’t know what to say to that.”
Heath lifted her hand from his pants and kissed her knuckles. “You don’t have to say anything. Just know that we all want you very much, but we won’t make a move until you indicate it’s okay. I’m sorry if I seemed rude when you came out here. I was surprised. It’s a pleasant one of course.”
A slow smile curved her lips until she revealed teeth and a tiny dimple at the corner of her mouth. “Well, in that case how about showing me your fishing technique?”
“You’re really interested in learning?”
“I’d love to check out your technique. There was a beautiful lake that the locals fished at in Covington but I was always busy at my Nana’s shop so I never got around to fishing in that pond.”
“Most women would find fishing icky.”
She laughed. “First of all, grown women don’t use the word ‘icky’ unless they’re the type to carry little dogs around in their purses. Second, I’m not most women.”
“Point taken. Don’t be disappointed if you don’t catch a fish the first time around.”
She playfully tapped him on the arm. “Oh, you already doubt my ability? I bet I’ll not only catch a fish, but I’ll catch at least three.”
“And what do you get if you win?”
She grinned at him with a mischievous gleam in her dark brown eyes. “Oh, I’ll think of something.” She sashayed past him, brushing her shoulders against his as she walked by. Zora’s hips swayed, reawakening Heath’s cock. Did she just flirt with him? How the hell was he going to get through the afternoon without touching her?
Once they were situated on the rock he sat on for fishing, he showed her how to put the bait on the hook. He was surprised she didn’t flinch when he pulled out the worm. She even offered to do it herself with his guidance.
Finally, she stood and he moved behind her. Gently he guided her arms as she cast the line. Not quite a few minutes later, there was a tug on her line. Though he attempted to help her, Zora seemed quite adept at reeling in the catch by herself: a nice-sized trout.
“Well, what do you know?” She winked at him. As she expertly freed the fish from the hook and dropped it in the bucket along with what he’d already caught, it occurred to him this wasn’t her first time fishing.
His suspicions were confirmed when she retrieved another worm and affixed it to the hook as if she’d done it hundreds of times before. She threw the line back toward the lake.
“Something you’re not telling me, Zora?”
She grinned, revealing that small dimple once again. “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” she spoke with mock innocence.
“I thought you didn’t know how to fish.”
“Did I say that?”
“You asked me to show you how to fish.”
“No, actually, I asked you to show me how you fish. I wanted to see your technique. I never said I didn’t know how to fish. You made that assumption.”
“But you clearly said you never got around to fishing at the pond in Covington.”
“Again, you misinterpreted what I said. I said there was a lovely pond everyone went to. There were a few fishing spots in Covington. I just never went to the popular one. My nana had a pond on her property that spawned trout. So now when I catch two more fish, I’ll win the bet.”
Heath let out a loud belly laugh. “You little minx! I think since you’ve got me at a bit of a disadvantage, I reserve the right to even the playing field.”
“Oh? And how do you propose to do that?”
He moved behind her again and slid his arms around her waist. “With a little distraction, of course.” He pulled her against him until the imprint of his erection was nestled comfortably against her rear.
She tensed. “Wh-what are you doing?”
Wrapping his arms tightly around her waist, he lowered his head and nipped the tip of her ear. “Like I said, leveling the playing field.”
“I thought you guys were going to give me time?” she asked breathlessly, making no move to pull away from his hold.
“All you have to do is say no.” Heath nuzzled the side of her neck with his lips, reveling in the silky smoothness of her lush brown skin. Her scent was intoxicating, and he didn’t know if he’d be able to stop with just a few stolen kisses.
“It. Doesn’t. Matter. I can do this with the dis-distraction.” She kept her gaze on the lake, even though her words came out in a breathy moan.
“Oh yeah? Even if I do this?” Heath slid his hands along the curve of her waist and moved them just below the full globes of her breast. He nipped her ear lobe between his teeth, biting down just enough to sting, but not to cause real pain.
Another groan eased from her lips. He noticed how her hands tightened around the fishing rod until her knuckles were discolored.
She moved her bottom against his aching erection, turning the tables on him. “Lady, if you keep that up, all bets will be off.”
“You started it.”
“Very true, and if you keep rubbing that ass on my dick I’m going to finish it.” Without warning, he rubbed his thumbs across the nipples that poked through her bra and T-shirt.
“Maybe I don’t want to stop,” she replied seductively.
The culmination of cold showers, hours of masturbation and general frustration warred within him. Heath could no longer fight the temptation of doing what he’d fantasized about for the past week. Damn the bet! With a growl, he yanked the pole out of her hand and tossed it carelessly to the ground. He turned her around to face him.
“Your pole—”
“Baby, the only pole I’m worried about is the one in my pants.”
He covered her mouth with his before she could offer any verbal resistance. She tasted even sweeter than he remembered, like warm honey and ambrosia. Heath gripped several of her blonde locks in his hands and wrapped them around his fist to deepen the kiss as he pushed his tongue past her lush lips. He wanted everything she had to give and even that wasn’t enough. It barely registered that she offered no resistance. In fact, Zora pressed her body closer to his, crushing her breasts against his chest.
Her tongue darted forward to meet his until they circled and licked one another. He couldn’t remember a time when his dick was this hard. As they exchanged kiss for kiss, they clung to one another as if they were both afraid to break contact lest something happen.
While he found the kiss gratifying beyond measure, it simply wasn’t enough. He had to have her. Heath pulled her down in the wind-rustling grass, falling on top of her with their mouths still merged tightly together. He loved that she fit so perfectly against his broad frame. She was his perfect foil in every way, from the softness of her curves to the dark beauty of her skin.
Coming up for breath, Heath lifted his head to nibble on her soft bottom lip before burying his face against her neck and inhaling her unique fragrance. He could smell her arousal and it was driving him insane with lust. In the back of his mind, he knew that the first time he properly made love with her should be with his cousins present as they’d agreed, but he didn’t see anything wrong with having a little sample. He just needed to stop before things went too far.
Heath fumbled with the button on her shorts and quickly eased the zipper down. Still she offered no resistance. In fact, Zora seemed to egg him on, arching her back in a way that granted his actions permission. He slipped his fingers inside her panties and the soft mound of hair nestled between her thighs. The heat radiating from her was incredible. Journeying farther, he moved his fingers until they rested against her slick labia. “You’re already wet for me, aren’t you?”
Zora’s released a low groan. She closed her eyes and moved her head from side to side.
“Open your eyes, baby. I want to see your expression when I make you come.” He pushed his thumb past her pussy lips and stroked her clit.
Zora shivered in reaction, clutching his shoulders in a vice. “Heath!”
“Feels good, doesn’t it, baby?”
She nodded.
“Say yes.”
“Yes.”
“Good girl.” While he continued to stroke the heated little nubbin, Heath slipped his middle finger into her sheath. She was virgin tight. Her pussy clamped around his digit so perfectly. Just imagining how his cock would feel in her snug pussy made him harder than he thought possible. It took every bit of will power he possessed to not replace his finger with his cock.
Zora bucked her hips against his hand, silently demanding more, which Heath happily obliged. “That’s it, baby, move against my hand. Tell me how much you want this.
“I…” she began but couldn’t seem to finish.
Heath chuckled, enjoying the fact he had her so tongue-tied, she couldn’t speak coherently. Now she knew how he felt during this past week of torture. Her grip on his shoulders tightened until her nails threatened to break through the fabric of his shirt. The pressure heightened his arousal as he fucked her with his finger in slow easy strokes.
Zora, however, seemed to have other plans, pressing her hips frantically, forcing him to go faster. “That’s it, baby, take it. Move with me.” He stroked her clit harder and pushed another finger inside of her, stretching the tight hole.
“Please!” She cried out. Zora released his shoulder, reached up and dug her fingers through his hair and pulled his head down. She latched her mouth onto his. This time she was the aggressor, her kiss becoming eager, hungry.
The fire spread through him as he pressed his body against hers and shoved his digits deeper into her pussy. Just the very touch and taste of her was nearly enough send him to the limits of his breaking point. Heath added yet another finger. Zora twisted her head away to release a small cry of surprised pleasure. Her breasts rose sharply as she drew in a breath, her dark brown eyes glazed with passion. Heath had never seen a more beautiful sight.
Her warm breath fanned his face as her gasps of passion quickened. He could tell she was close. Heath pumped his fingers harder, his whole hand getting wet with her juices. As he felt her body tense beneath his, he lowered his head and bit into the side of her neck just enough to leave a mark, but not to break skin.
She screamed her release. “Heath!” One simple word, yet it was music to his ears. Zora shuddered violently against him, rolling her eyes to the back of her head, in a seizure of ecstasy.
Slowly he eased his come-soaked fingers from her damp pussy and brought them to his mouth, licking each digit as if tasting the finest of delicacies. He could easily become intoxicated from the taste of her. “So good, baby. So fucking good,” he groaned, dropping his head again to rest against her forehead. More than anything he wanted to free his cock from the jail of his pants and bury himself deep inside her, but the niggling voice of his conscience held him back.
He buried his face against her neck to get his own breathing under control as he tried not to get lost in the sweet lavender scent of her body.
Zora finally broke the silence. “What did we just do?”
He let out a deep breath before responding. “Made each other feel good.”
“I’m not sure we should have done that.”
He lifted his head to stare down at her. She gnawed her lip between her teeth. Heath noticed she did that when she was worried about something or she was in deep thought. “You’re not going to tell me you didn’t enjoy that, are you?”
“You know I did but—”
“There are no buts. You liked it. Your body doesn’t lie, sweetheart.”
“That’s not in dispute, Heath, what I’m trying to say if you’d let me finish is I find it a bit disconcerting that we’ve known each other for such a short period of time, but I want us to…”
“Fuck?”
She nodded and lowered her lids.
“You’re my mate so it’s only natural you’d feel a pull toward me, not just sexually but on all levels. Don’t let your head get in the way of what your heart is telling you.”
Zora turned to the side, not meeting his gaze. Heath grasped her chin, forcing her to look at him. “Do you understand?”
“Yes,” she answered, barely above a whisper.
He could almost feel her inner turmoil and could only imagine what it was like for her to experience something she was probably taught was wrong. It’s why he’d agreed with his cousins to give her the time she needed to adjust. But any more incidents like this, he wasn’t sure if he’d be able to keep his promise.
With Gavin and Logan mind? Us doing this, without them? I’m sorry if I sound ignorant but I’m still trying to figure out the dynamics.”
Heath brushed his lips against hers. “What just happened between us was special and there will be many more times for us to be together. And I’m sure you’ll get plenty of time alone with my cousins as well. Zora, we belong together and what we did was natural and right.”
She didn’t respond or give any indication his words sunk in. Her gaze seemed blank.
“Zora?” he prompted her to speak.
“I need to go back to the cabin.”
A twinge of disappointment squeezed his heart. After sharing a moment that meant a hell of a lot to him, Zora seemed to distance herself from him.
“You can’t keep running away when things get uncomfortable.”
She squirmed from beneath him. While he didn’t keep her pinned, he didn’t help free her. There was no way he’d assist in her running from him. Zora rolled away and hastily stood. She refastened her shorts and adjusted her clothing.
“Heath…I’m sorry.”
Before he could respond, she took off.
Heath rolled over to his back and allowed his head to fall to the ground. “Damn.”