Change With Me (With Me in Seattle 17.5)

I cup his face in my hands and smile up at him. “I’m not scared, Zane.”

His lips twitch. “Good. That’s one of us.”

I blink. My jaw drops. I can’t believe how full he makes me feel, how alive. When he’s seated fully, he brushes my hair off my cheek and kisses me sweetly.

“How you doing?”

“Holy shit.”

He grins. “Yeah?”

“Oh, yeah. Are you going to move now?”

“Impatient.” He links my hand with his, kisses my fingers, and then clutches our hands between us against his chest as he starts to move. It’s slow at first, but then he sets a rhythm that makes my heart pound and sets my nerves on fire.

It doesn’t hurt at all, and I feel a pressure building inside of me. It’s a fire. An inferno. And when he pushes deep and rubs himself against that most sensitive spot, I come apart beneath him, calling his name in either desperation or as a prayer, I don’t know which.

He groans into my ear, tenses, and shivers.

And I know, in this moment, that no matter what happens later between the two of us, I’ll never be the same.

Chapter Six

~Zane~

She’s nervous, and I don’t blame her. But I don’t want her to be uncomfortable all night. I want Aubrey to have a good time with Luke and Nat. They’re some of the best people I know.

“You’re gorgeous,” I say as I wrap my arms around her waist from behind and smile at her in the master bathroom mirror. She’s teased her hair into some curls, and her outfit hugs her body perfectly. “I’m telling you, it’s not a fancy dinner. You don’t have to get all gussied up.”

“This isn’t gussied up,” she insists and brushes on some mascara. “This is just normal I’m-going-to-be-around-people stuff. It’s good that I don’t have to get fancy because I don’t own fancy.”

“You look great,” I repeat.

“And you’re very sweet.”

I sigh and kiss her neck. I haven’t been able to keep my hands off her since last night, and she doesn’t seem to mind.

I hadn’t planned to have sex with her. Especially after she said she was a virgin.

No way.

But there is just something about her that I can’t resist. No, she’s not movie-star gorgeous. But, frankly, I’ve had that kind of girl—more than once.

That’s not for me.

Aubrey is fun and smart, and she can kiss like crazy. Her body is smooth and soft and responsive. Her laugh lights me up. Her smile can bring me to my knees.

And don’t even get me started on the noises this girl makes when my hands are on her, and I’m making her go wild.

If I think about that too much, I’ll just haul her back to bed and cancel on Luke.

“Why are you watching me?” she asks at last.

“I like watching you.”

She snorts, shakes her head, and runs her fingers through her hair.

“Okay, well, I think this is as good as it’s going to get tonight.”

I move in to kiss her, but she pulls back.

“No way. No messing me up.”

I narrow my eyes but then nod. “I look forward to messing you up later, then.”

She laughs, grabs her bag, and we head out to my car. The trip into the city doesn’t take long. Eventually, we end up at a restaurant on the waterfront.

She fidgets in the seat next to me, so I reach over and cover her hand with mine.

“You’re going to like them. Really.”

“Yeah.” She blows out a nervous breath. “Okay.”

* * * *

“I like her,” Luke murmurs to me as Natalie and Aubrey chat and laugh across from us. They’ve had their heads together all through dinner as if they’re old friends.

“Me, too.” I sip my wine and watch the two women. “Natalie’s good at making people feel at ease.”

“She’s had a lot of practice,” Luke replies. “And it’s part of her nature. What’s happening there, between the two of you?”

I shrug a shoulder. “Honestly, I don’t know for sure yet. I like her. She’s fresh and fun. Sweet, you know?”

“Yeah. I know. She’s not what you’re used to.”

“Not at all. And it’s so refreshing.”

“Oh my gosh, Aubrey, we’re having a girls’ night out next weekend at my house,” Natalie says, catching my attention. “My cousin, Amelia, is about to launch a brand-new makeup line, and we get a sneak peek at it all. So, there will be makeovers and martinis and probably some cupcakes involved. I’d love it if you came.”

Aubrey blinks in surprise. “Oh, well, thank you. That does sound like fun.”

“It’s probably too much fun,” Natalie admits. “But don’t worry, it’s completely safe, and everyone is just great.”

“Is this Amelia Montgomery we’re talking about?” Aubrey asks.

“That’s right.”

“I’m wearing her mascara tonight,” Aubrey says. “I love her stuff.”

“Well, this is perfect, then.” Natalie grins. “Have Zane drive you. The lemon drop martinis are strong.”