Page 9 of Raven's Curse
“Let’s not get too crazy, just yet.” Greer grinned at Chase. “But I’m hopeful. I know I’ve been a bit resistant to giving up complete control, but I think it’s time.”
Chase pursed his lips, looking as if he wanted to add something before palming the table and standing. “Looks like my wallet slipped out on the drive over from the lodge.” He nudged Greer. “You’ve got a Maglite, right?”
Greer arched a brow. “As do you.”
Zain laughed. “Ask Chase what happened to his light earlier today?”
Chase flipped the man off. “Yeah, yeah, I didn’t clip it in all the way, and it flew out of the chopper after that rescue.” He looked at her, again. “Give me a hand?”
She glanced around the table, his teammate’s expectant gazes spiking her heart rate — from already elevated to marathon-level effort in a flash. Especially with the way he stared at her, his hazel eyes edging more toward green than usual. A slight flush on his cheeks. As if he wasn’t quite as calm as he appeared, either.
She scraped back the chair. “If this means you’re treating for dessert, then I’m all-in.”
He froze for a second, then waved toward the entrance. “I think that’s a given.”
His hand landed on the small of her back as she headed for the door, the heat from his palm nearly dropping her to her knees. This was what she’d tried explaining to Mackenzie. The sheer effort it took Greer to keep her feet moving instead of turning and dragging his mouth to hers. Finally discovering if he tasted half as good as she’d imagined.
If he’d blow all her expectations out of the water the second his lips touched hers.
The chilly evening cooled some of the heat, the hint of rain lingering in the air accompanied by thick fog cloaking the landscape. Chase angled her over to his truck, rounding the grill to the driver’s side. The lock clicked open, the hinges creaking as he cracked the door open, heavy shadows covering the interior.
Greer grabbed the light from her belt, switched it on, then danced the beam around the seat and down the sides. She glanced at him over her shoulder, gesturing toward the vehicle. “Are you sure your wallet fell out in here?”
Chase patted down his jacket, smiling at her as he removed the leather billfold from his inside pocket. “My bad. Guess I forgot to put it in my back pocket.”
“You forgot? That’s what you’re going with?”
He moved, snugging her against the truck as he stepped in front, effectively trapping her between him and his Chevy. He braced one hand on the roof, the other on the door frame as he leaned in, his face level with hers. “We need to talk.”
Four words, the weight of them crashing through the last of her barriers. Whether it was the prospect of him admitting his feelings or confessing he was done waiting, she wasn’t sure. Only that it was now, or never.
“We could…” She reached up and fisted his shirt, dragging him closer. “Or you could just kiss me. Your choice.”
He froze, breath held, the pulse at the base of his neck fluttering wildly beneath his skin before his eyes widened, and he closed the distance. He stopped with his mouth barely touching hers as if waiting for some kind of sign. Maybe to see if she’d change her mind. Instead, she tugged him that last half an inch.
Explosive.
No other way to describe the instant punch of heat through her veins. How the world spun for a moment, everything speeding around her until it stopped. Anchored by the way he stepped into her, crushed her against the truck as he ate at her mouth, pausing just long enough for them to catch a breath before he returned. Harder. Tilting her head back as he deepened the kiss. Made everything around them disappear.
Cars passed in the distance, the eerie call of the lighthouse echoing through town, as they stood there, completely entwined. He dipped lower, kissing his way down her neck, when a throat cleared beside them, the air swirling as someone settled off to their left.
Chase clenched his jaw as he eased back, closing his eyes before blowing out a harsh breath. He gave her a smile, then tore his gaze away. Looking less than amused. “Problem?”
Greer managed to shift her focus, cringing at Foster as the man shook his head, smiling as if he’d expected to find them like this.
He shoved his hands in his pockets. “Just wanted to make sure you hadn’t gotten waylaid.”
Chase huffed. “It’s only been a couple minutes, buddy.”
“Try over ten. Edging on twenty.”
Chase sighed. “As you can see, we’re fine.”
“Better than fine.” He chuckled. “We already settled up. Maybe you can grab Greer some dessert on the way home.” He glanced behind them, footsteps tapping on the pavement. “We’re heading back to the house for a cautiously optimistic mini celebration over Rhett’s return to the living. You’re obviously welcome to join us, though, I suspect you two might have other plans.”
Kash stopped behind them, one arm wrapped around Jordan’s waist, Nyx at his side, as Chase shifted, giving Greer enough room to breathe. “Find your wallet?”
Chase rolled his shoulders. “Are you all going to be asses for the rest of the night?”
