“Oh, God.”
When they were kids, he’d back her against one of the trees and make her scream his name. He’d been her first, and that knowledge never left his thoughts. While she wasn’t the first woman he’d had sex with, she was the only woman he made love to. The distinction was a clear line in his memory.
Her hand traced down his hip and rounded over his ass.
The space inside his jeans tightened, his cock asking for attention.
Luke took the liberty of filling his palm with her breast. He felt the hardened bud under her shirt and lowered his lips to the fabric covering her. Even through her clothing, she arched into him, her head tossed back.
He smiled as he turned his attention to the other side.
Zoe stopped his assault and brought his lips back to hers.
Luke backed her against a tree but didn’t attempt to remove her clothes. He just kissed her until her lips were swollen, his hair tangled from her fingers fanning through it.
When she tucked her hand inside his shirt, he broke away. “We aren’t doing this here.”
She clawed his skin. “It didn’t stop you before.”
He smiled, kissed her briefly until she opened her eyes. “We didn’t have a choice then. We do now.”
Zoe rested her head on the bark of the tree and grinned. “We were reckless.”
“Still are.” Lord knew jumping back into this fire was a lot like stepping off a cliff into a dark cavern filled with water. Ultimately, you knew you were safe, but the dark drop always made you believe things would turn for the worst.
Luke liked the way she was staring at him.
“How is it possible you look better now than when we were kids?”
He ran a hand down her hair, tucked a strand behind her ear. “Good genes.”
That had her laughing.
“I shouldn’t be doing this anyway. Mel is going to worry.”
Much as his body protested, he knew this wasn’t something to be rushed. “Damn maturity.”
Zoe laughed again.
“C’mon,” he said, pulling her away from the tree. “Before I change my mind.”
She patted the tree like it was a thick mattress on a bed. “Lots of fond memories in this spot.”
“I can make better ones in a much more comfortable location.”
It was her turn to neither confirm nor deny his suggestion. Instead, she assumed her position behind him on his bike and wrapped her arms around his waist for the drive back to the shop.
Zoe hummed while she waltzed around Miss Gina’s kitchen preparing a feast of finger foods. If anyone went hungry, it would be their own fault.
Miss Gina snuck in and grabbed an apple from the bowl of fruit. “If I didn’t know better, I’d swear you’ve gotten laid.”
Zoe hadn’t said a word to anyone about Luke’s sudden need to neck with her whenever he had the chance.
“I just like cooking in your kitchen.”
Miss Gina wasn’t convinced. “Tell that to someone who was born yesterday.”
Just to put her off, Zoe said, “I’m sure Mel’s having sex . . . even Jo had sex. I haven’t in so long I think I’ve forgotten how.”
Miss Gina talked around her apple. “You’re getting something.”
Zoe rolled the last of the shrimp puffs and placed the tray in the top oven. “You’re the one who needs to get some.”
“Who says I haven’t?”
Zoe twisted around and stared. “Who?”
Miss Gina chewed instead of answering.
“You’re full of crap.”
“Am I?” Miss Gina left the kitchen as quickly as she’d entered.
Zoe stared at her retreating back. “No way . . .”
“No way what?” Mel interrupted her thoughts as she walked into the kitchen from the parlor.
“Miss Gina just implied she’s getting some.”
“Some what?” Mel opened the refrigerator and removed a bottle of cold water.
“Sex.”
The screen on the back door slammed shut while Mel twirled around to follow Zoe’s stare.
“No way.”
“Has there been anyone?” Zoe asked.
“Not that I’ve seen. She drives into Eugene every few weeks, picks up a bunch of stuff at the warehouse store.”
“Does she stay overnight?”
Mel placed a hand over Zoe’s. “Oh, my God . . . yes. She said she didn’t like to drive that much in one day . . . wanted to use the break.”
“She is totally getting laid.”
Mel slumped into one of the kitchen chairs. “Why wouldn’t she tell us?”
Zoe returned to her stuffed mushrooms. “I think she just did.”
“That explains the spring in her step.”
There seemed to be a spring in everyone’s step these days.
“Hello? Anyone home?” The voice was male, and Mel seemed to know exactly who it belonged to.
“William?” She bounced off the chair and darted to the reception area of the inn.
Zoe went back to work and let Mel greet her future in-laws.
The back screen door slammed again, followed by the sound of Hope running through the house.
“Grandpa Bill and Grandma Kay are here!”
The kid whizzed by, Sir Knight running to keep up.
Zoe considered suggesting Hope not run in the house, then reminded herself that she was the aunt, not the parent. Cool aunts added sugar, they didn’t bitch about things like messy shoes and dogs.