Page 106 of The Mechanics of Lust

I held his eyes. “Damn right, you are.” And keeping our eyes locked, I thrust up into him once, twice, three times until the orgasm crashed through my body and Zach enfolded me in his arms and brought me home.

Sated and with bones like jelly, I cleaned us both up and he curled his body around mine, his big spoon to my little, his leg over the top of mine to keep me where he wanted me.

“Did I pass the interview?” His hot breath washed over my ear.

I snorted. “You certainly made the shortlist.”

“Shortlist, huh?” He snuggled close. “I’ll have to up my game.”

I laughed. “I’m not sure I’d survive any improved version.”

He chuckled, then fell quiet, and I sensed the mood taking a serious turn. “I want everything I said, Luke, don’t get me wrong, but right now, my life is... complicated.”

I stroked his cheek. “Then we take it slow.It’s not like I don’t have a few issues myself.I’mstill a grieving mess more often than I’d like, and when I’m in that state, I can be curt and thoughtless and want nothing more than to shut the world out. I’ll never mean to hurt you, baby, but I might. Not to mention the divorce isn’t final yet, so there’s that.” I smiled wryly.

“Very true, although it’s not as if I have any worries about the divorce, all things considered. But as to the other—” Zach hummed in thought. “Let’s make a deal. You promise to keep talking and let me know when things get a bit much, and I’ll protect your need for space when it happens and promise to tell you if I’m hurt.” He hooked his chin over my shoulder. “But since we’re putting our cards on the table,youshould know that I’m not ready for moving in together or anything like that. Maybe not for a while... maybe even a year—”

I felt him watching me.

“Plus, I like living on the station, and I’ll need to be close to the dogs.”

I lifted a hand to stroke his cheek. “Then the station is where you should live. I’ll wait as long as you need.”

I felt his frown. “But what happens if and when we do decide to take that step? To be perfectly honest, I’m not sure I could live in town, especially not with a training business. The neighbours would hate me.”

I chuckled, trying not to show how fucking delighted I was that he was even thinking that far ahead. “Then we talk about it. I don’t need to live in Oakwood, Zach. Just within driving distance. Maybe we can find a compromise.”

“Okay.” Two beats of silence, then more softly, “You know, I’ve never dated before... ever.”

The reminder squeezed at my heart, and I wriggled around in his arms to find him blushing. “Then that’s something we should definitely do. Top of the list.”

Zach chewed the inside of his cheek before finally smiling. “Yeah, I think I’d like that. And full disclosure, in case you missed the first part, there’s a lot of dogs in my future. A. Lot.”

I grinned. “As long as they’re not sleeping in our bedroom, or at least our bed, I’m sure I’ll cope.”

A smile popped up on his face along with a thoughtful look. “Ourbedroom.” He rolled the words around in his mouth like he was trying them on for size. “I like the sound of that. But I’m going to be busy with the new business, and helping Jules, and shepherding as well. I won’t have a lot of time. You might get sick of waiting around.”

I nodded thoughtfully. “Mmm, I see your point. You might turn out to not be worth the effo—ow!”

He let my nipple go.

“Look.” I took his hands in mine. “I’m gonna be busy with my new business, as well, and flying, and helping with whatever you and Jules need, too. We’re both going to be busy. We’re both going to have to work on it.”

“You’ll help us?” he almost squeaked. “But... Dad—”

“Will be out of action for a while. But even if he isn’t, I’m not going anywhere. He’s going to have to deal with you and me together, right? A team.”

“A team. Right.” Zach’s eyes softened and a smile tugged at his lips like the idea of not dealing with his father alone anymore hadn’t occurred to him.

“Any other questions?” I waited.

“A million. But only one that’s important.”

I ran the back of my knuckles down his cheek. “And what would that be?”

He leaned in and kissed me softly. “Do I get the job?”

I smiled and kissed him back. “It was always yours. The one and only candidate.”

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