Page 24 of Finding Haven
I don’t have it in me to respond with words. Instead, I nod. His fingers comb through my hair as his hand slides to the nape of my neck, pulling me in close. His nose brushes against mine. His warm breath caresses my lips, sending a wave of heat straight to my core.
“Once I kiss you, you’re mine. Others can look, but nobody else will be touching you,” he rasps. I feel the pull of his fingers grasping my hair into his fist as he tugs lightly, tilting my head back to bring my gaze to his. “Do youunderstand, Quinn?”
His mouth is so close to mine that I can feel the warmth of his breath on my lips, but it’s not enough. My entire body is on fire now, and I’m fairly certain that my heart is attempting to break free from my chest. “Yes,” I whisper.
And then his lips are on mine.
18
Quinn
KissingZackMercerisnothing like I expected. What starts as a gentle press of his lips against mine quickly transforms to something passionate.
Ravenous.
Fireworks burst behind my eyes in an explosion of color. His tongue swipes at the seam of my lips, and I can’t help the moan that escapes me as I open for him. His hand moves from my thigh to my waist, pressing his fingers firmly into my skin through the fabric of my shirt, pulling me against him as his mouth devours mine. I reach up and grab the front of his shirt, aching for him to be closer. My entire body feels alive, desire pulsing between my thighs as heat sears through my veins. It’s a feeling that only he elicits within my body, and I’m not even sure that I’m still breathing.
Zack breaks the kiss, his forehead resting against mine as our panting breaths fill the space between us. “Fuck, Sugar. Kissing you in public is dangerous.”
I run my tongue across my bottom lip, desperate for another taste of him, then drag my teeth over it. I pull back just enough to meet his heated gaze. “And why is that?”
He closes his eyes and pulls in a deep lungful of air, seemingly trying to steady himself. His exhalation is shaky as he opens his eyes, the fire burning within his gaze setting my body ablaze. “Because the things I want to do to you are not for anyone else to see.”
A deep blush climbs up my neck and coats my cheeks as I smile. Having strangers lust after me on Frisk is nothing compared to the rush of arousal that surges through my body knowing that Zack wants me.
He could very easily have any woman he wants, yet he’s choosing me.Mewith my thick thighs, soft belly, and body that feels broken, exhausted, and most days just straight up refuses to function the way that it should. He somehow sees past all of that, seesme, and still wants me exactly as I am. Maybe he’s only looking for a physical relationship, or maybe he wants more. Either way, I’m all in.
“Then take me somewhere not so public,” I whisper, leaning in to graze my lips against his.
He growls, and suddenly, the palm of his hand is wrapping around the front of my neck, preventing me from truly sinking into him. “Fuck,” he rasps, his breath shuddering as he holds my gaze. “I willnotbe able to be gentle with you, Quinn.” His breathing is labored, fingers tightening ever so slightly on the sides of my neck, applying pressure without cutting off my airway as he leans in, grazing his mouth against mine. His tongue presses between my lips, swiping against mine as my breath hitches. “I don’twantto be gentle with you.”
The throbbing need between my legs intensifies with every word he says. The image that I’ve mentally created of this man being nothing but respectful has cracked. Shattered. But the man I’m discovering beneaththe carefully crafted facade is even more alluring than I could’ve imagined.
“Then don’t be.” The words slip from my tongue as barely more than a whisper. His eyes search mine for mere seconds before he pushes himself up to stand. He extends his hand out to me in offering, and I take it. Swiftly pulling me to my feet, we dust any remnants of sand from our clothing, gather our belongings, and head for the parking lot with my hand in his.
“Wait, Zack.” A soft laugh bursts free from my chest, excitement bubbling over and making itself known. “Don’t we have to wait for the others?” He turns to look at me and raises a brow, not bothering to slow his pace as he eagerly pulls me along with him. The look on his face only encourages another laugh. “We can’t just steal the car and leave them here!”
A sleek dark vehicle comes into view when we reach the small beachfront parking lot. I don’t know much about cars, but if I had to guess, I’d say it’s a Mustang of some kind. It’s the only vehicle in the lot, aside from the SUV we all arrived in. Zack crouches down and retrieves a set of keys that were hidden somewhere beneath it. He turns to face me and presses a button on the keyfob, unlocking the car. “Don’t worry, it’s mine. I had it dropped off a little bit ago,” he chuckles.
“Oh, so you planned this, did you?” I tease, crossing my arms over my chest and leaning my weight to one side, popping my hip.
“I’ve wanted nothing more than to get away from everyone and have you all to myself since the second I saw you tonight. But if I’m being honest. . .” His voice trails off, his brows pinching as his gaze drops to the ground. “I would have had it dropped off either way. I’mnot great with people.” His shoulders rise with a deep breath as he sighs. “I can only handle so much before I need to escape.” A comfortable silence stretches between us. It doesn’t surprise me that Zack is an introvert. He spends his days working in an office, observing people and their behaviors. He probably spends most of his time alone.
I can’t imagine living like that. I thrive on building connections, no matter how small, with the people around me. I would go absolutely crazy being holed up in one room all day. It’s part of why I love photography as much as I do. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I love being behind the camera and getting to help women feel as beautiful as they truly are. But I love thepeopleaspect of it too. I treat every client like a new friend and enjoy getting to know them. Living a life of solitude just seems like it would feel so. . . Well, solitary.
He steps towards me, interrupting my wandering thoughts as he takes my hand in his. “Will you come home with me, Sugar?”
His question almost makes me want to laugh while simultaneously sending a heated shiver down my spine. Have I done something that would make him think I have any intention of letting him leave here without me? I’m pretty sure all I’ve done is try to ensure that he knows exactly where I stand when it comes to us, but just so there’s no confusion, I step around him. He turns on his heel to watch me as I walk around to the passenger side. The heat of his gaze burns into me from behind with each step I take. Pulling my hair over one shoulder, I grab the handle and pull the door open, but I’m thrown off a split second later when Zack’s presence is at my back. He shoves the door closed, his arm over my shoulder with the heat of his chest pressing into my back.
“Have I given you any reason to believe that I’m not a gentleman?” he growls, his breath a feather’s touch against the shell of my ear.
“N-No,” I stammer.
“Then let’s get one thing straight. You are mine, Quinn, and I take care of what’s mine. That is the last time you will ever open your own car door in my presence. Do you understand?”
I don’t know where this dark, growly Zack came from, but I think I like him. I want to push him, to cross my arms over my chest and tell him that I’m perfectly capable of opening my own damn doors, but there’s no room. He’s pressed close enough against me that the heat radiating off of his body melts through the layers of fabric covering my skin. His labored breaths puff against my ear, one of his hands grabbing my waist and pulling my back flush against his chest.
“Yes,” I whisper, unable to muster anything else. I was already entertaining the idea of giving up some of my control to him, but the idea cements itself into my mind when he gives my hip a squeeze and steps away.
