Page 60 of The Mechanics of Lust

“Oh.” He straightened, a half-smile on his lips. “Well, in that case, you’re welcome.”

We stared at each other until the silence thickened awkwardly and the room began to cool. So many questions remained unspoken between us. Feelings floating unnamed and ignored. I was sure Zach felt them too. I was equally sure he’d run like a rabbit if I gave voice to any one of them.

As if to prove me right, his eyes darted away and he threw the bed covers back. “I need to get the dogs back before they decide your sofa is a way better alternative to their kennel.” He stood and held his hand out for me to take. “But I’ve got time for a shower first.”

I let him help me to my feet but then tugged him into my arms. “Here’s a thought. Why don’t you stay the night instead? It’s your day off tomorrow so you wouldn’t have to leave early and we could... do something?” I grinned and nuzzled his neck. “Other than fuck, I mean, although I’m not averse to another round or two of that.”

At my suggestion, that all-too-familiar skittishness appeared in Zach’s eyes. It wasn’t like he never stayed the night, but it was always reluctantly, a fact that was beginning to irritate me. Mostly he was armed with good excuses why he needed to go back to the station.

The first few times after our woolshed rendezvous, we’d simply fucked and said goodbye, although to be fair, no sex with Zach was everjustfucking. But the frequent return trips were exhausting, and Zach had started to stay over and leave early, like he’d done that very first time. It wasn’t exactly terrible waking up with Zach in my arms and our legs tangled together, but he was always businesslike once he woke, and quickly on his way, not stopping for breakfast.

The sleepovers bothered Zach. That was clear. They blurred the lines and I got it. But I was beginning to dislike those early morning departures more and more. I hated how he changed from the sexy, chatty bundle of mischief in my arms when he arrived, and became this skittish, wary man who left my front door the next day.

I’d fallen for Zach in a big way, and I was pretty sure he’d guessed something was up. But the sheer depth of my feelings had caught me on the hop, a sign that my heart hadn’t been scattered in the Havelock River along with Callie’s ashes the year before, after all. Reassuring but scary as hell.

Because it created a very real problem. I desperately wanted to raise the possibility of exploring something more with Zach, but I wasn’t at all sure he’d welcome the idea. I was almost positive he wouldn’t. Still, if Zach didn’t want to pursue anything more, then maybe it was time to call it a day before I risked getting hurt...morehurt. Because I wasn’t at all sure my heart could take another hit after Callie.

Zach hedged, his gaze sliding off me to the window behind. “You don’t have any dog food and I was going to train tomorrow.”

I arched a brow. “You can’t tell me that you don’t carry some dog food in that Tardis of a ute you drive.”

Zach’s flush said it all.

“I thought so. And you’d still have the afternoon to train. But if you don’t want to stay, that’s up to you. I understand.”Only too well.

He studied me for a moment, his expression unreadable, his gaze bouncing between me and the door like he was calculating the odds of his making it out before he did something he’d regret. Finally, he faced me, his expression resigned. “I’m not sure that spending more time together is a good idea. That’s not what we were supposed to be about, Luke.”

And there it was. My stomach dropped and I schooled my expression. “You’re right.” I released him and took a step back. “I crossed a line. Why don’t you take the bathroom? I’ll shower later.” I made to leave the room, but he grabbed my wrist and pulled me back around.

“Whatexactlydo you see us doing tomorrow?” He was studying me intently, chewing on that bottom lip like he did every time something was needling him—a tell I was pretty sure he didn’t know he had.

My heart beat a little happy dance in my chest, but I kept my expression carefully neutral since there was no hiding the lingering wariness in Zach’s eyes. “Whatever we feel like, I guess. A lazy morning, then maybe grab a coffee and go for a drive somewhere.”

He arched a brow, a half-smile playing on his lips. “A drive?”

I huffed out a laugh. Like we both didn’t spend half our lives in a vehicle of some description. “Okay, so I admit I haven’t fully thought it out. I kind of figured you’d turn me down anyway.”

The second eyebrow lifted to meet the first.

“But—” I held up a finger. “There isonething I’ve been wanting to do ever since Doug recommended it, although that would have to be tonight, not tomorrow.”

Zach’s gaze narrowed and his tone was doubtful. “Doug?”

I grinned at the barest hint of jealousy. I knew Zach didn’t like me talking about my friendship with Doug, but I never called him on it, taking it as a promising sign instead. “Yes, Doug.”

Zach grunted something, which I ignored.

“He highly recommended I do the Mount John Observatory stargazing experience. World’s biggest Dark Sky Reserve, right? Have you been?”

Zach blinked. “I live here, remember? I hardly need to pay for the privilege of looking at what I can see every night for free. Some nights on the tops of those mountains, the aurora can blow your fucking mind.”

Oh.“Okay. I guess I didn’t think that through.” I tried not to let my disappointment show.

His eyes grew soft. “But no, I’ve never been to the observatory. Maybe I should, at least once in my life.”

I brightened. “So, is that a yes? I’ll give them a call.”

He blinked. “You mean tonight?”

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