Page 24 of One Night Stand After Another
Anticipation kindled inside her. Her decision had been vetted by Britt. Clara couldn’t trust her gut, but she could trust her best friend.
He opened the door, got in, and tossed a bag into the back seat. The scent of midnight and cool, blue water invaded her senses. A memory from their shower last night stole her breath for a hot second.
“Where to?” he asked. “Airport or…”
“Yarn store.” The words felt perilous, and the way his smile heated definitely did dangerous things to her. “And dinner. And one more night together.”
“One?” he asked.
“We don’t know each other very well, and it’s a lot to commit to right off the bat. Even though your promise to search out yarn destinations is very seductive, I’d be more comfortable if we took it one day at a time.”
Zane nodded. “I can get on board with that plan. In fact, it’s perfect. But my offer stands. If at any point, you want to fly instead of drive, I’ll make it happen.”
He was being so incredibly sweet, she wanted to be as honest with him as he was being with her. “I don’t need you to buy me a flight. I’m not hurting for money. I mean, I’m not filthy rich, but I saved a ton so I could do this. I just don’t want to fork over that much cash for one flight on principle.” She met his gaze squarely. “And I’d like to spend another night with you.”
“Thank you.”
“Same. By the way, if at any point you tire of this trek—and you might, because now I want to search out every yarn shop on our route—I’ll book a flight or rent a car. ‘One day at a time’ goes both ways.”
His eyes gleamed. “It’s only fair to warn you that I have a completely different take on your plan. I’m insanely competitive and very creative. You just turned an already awesome cross-country road trip into a daily challenge to keep you traveling with me.”
Her jaw dropped. “That’s not what I meant to—”
“Nope—too late. You can’t take it back. So far, I know you love yarn and chocolate, and I’ve got those covered. So covered. This trip is going to be amazing.”
She blinked at him. She’d thought he might be offended by her reticence, but he was turning it into a game? “Did you get ahold of the restaurant guy?”
He shook his head. “I left a message. He must’ve already left for the airport, and I’m guessing he didn’t book with Magna Air.”
He chuckled and held out his hand.
Slowly, she took it, allowing herself to feel the pleasure she’d tried to deny.
“Now that we’ve got a plan, can I kiss you?” he asked. “I’ve been missing your mouth for hours.”
She nodded, still a little off-balance from his eager adoption of her idea. But her world centered when their lips touched. It felt right. Instant heat. Her heart picked up speed. Seeking a deeper connection, she pulled his hand to her chest, laying his palm over her heart. “You make me do crazy things,” she whispered.
His tongue teased her upper lip. Through half-closed lids, she could see his smile. “It’s mutual. You poor thing. You have no idea what you’ve set in motion.”
She pulled back a fraction. “What do you mean?”
“Yarn and chocolate are easy. What I’m really going to enjoy is finding new ways to drive you wild in bed.” His thumb brushed her nipple, and she gasped. “I’m already wondering what secluded, stunning vistas might fit our time schedule and itinerary. I’d love to be inside you while watching the sunrise. I’ve heard the night skies are incredible out West. I could keep you right on the edge for as long as it takes for a star to fall from the sky.”
Her breath fell from her lips in gasps as his thumb rolled her nipple. “Are you wet, Clara?”
“Oh yes,” she breathed.
“I’m hard as a rock.” His hand touched her waist, yanked and tugged, and then his warm palm cupped her breast through her bra. His thumb stroked her hard nipple, firm, a little rough, exactly enough to make her squirm in her seat.
“I would love to put my hand in your pants and get you off right now, but the windows in the front aren’t dark enough to hide us.” He lifted his head and released her. “Thank you for saying yes. You won’t regret it.”
“Uh—you’re welcome?” She sat back and shook her head, trying to clear the haze of lust that made her want to do illegal things in a gas station parking lot in broad daylight.
He plugged his phone into the console, tapped the dash, and a map appeared on the screen. “We can figure out the rest of our route at our hotel tonight. The yarn store closes at six. You’ll have roughly four hours to explore. Is that enough time?”
“That’s plenty.”
“And I get to buy the yarn?” he asked.
