Shadow chewed the last bite of his food and crumpled the wrapper, tugging me onto his lap. “I’m sorry you had to see all of that. Bullies like to blow a lot of hot air, but he’ll cool down over time and find someone else to intimidate. He just has a hard-on for me because he’s not getting the reaction he wants.”
“Did he hurt you?”
“He tried. Rael showed up in time.”
I leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his full, sensual lips. “You’re special, Shadow.”
“I remember telling you that once.”
“Yeah, you did.”
Lips curving into a grin, he closed the distance and claimed my mouth, his hand curling around the back of my neck as he deepened the kiss. Every nerve ending in my body tingled as I turned and straddled his waist. My fingers danced along his shoulders briefly and then rose higher, sliding up the back of his head and into his hair. A groan of pleasure rumbled from his chest as I pushed the tip of my tongue through the seam of his lips, delving inside as I took control. Rough hands clutched at my back as the kiss ignited a deep yearning I couldn’t deny.
Heat flashed through my core and into my limbs as I reluctantly broke the kiss, breathing heavily as I caught the undisguised lust burning in Shadow’s dark eyes.
“Sweetheart, you’re fire. Every touch with those fingers is magical flames that burn me from the inside out. You don’t know all the dirty things I want to do with you.”
Biting my lip, I knew exactly what he meant. “When I’m ready, I want you to be the one.”
His features softened, and he caressed the line of my jaw before cradling my face. “Your first?”
Nodding, I was a little nervous to admit to him that I hadn’t gone all the way before, but I trusted Shadow, and he would never say or do a thing to hurt me. “Yes.”
His throat bobbed for a moment, and then he swallowed hard. “You don’t know how much that means to me that you would choose me, Stef. I’m the luckiest guy in the world.”
My skin felt hot, and I knew that I was blushing. “You’re more than I ever could have imagined, Shadow. I didn’t know it would feel like this.”
“Like how?”
“Falling in love,” I whispered, ducking my head.
He captured my chin and tilted it up until our eyes met. “Falling for you, it’s the one thing in my life I don’t regret. You’re my star. My light. You chase away the darkness and fill my soul with peace.”
“How do you know exactly how and when to say the perfect things?” I asked, shaking my head with a giggle.
“Maybe it’s just because the words come directly from my heart.”
My hand went straight to my chest as my heart did a funny little stutter. “See? Right there?”
He leaned in and stole a quick kiss. “I’m glad I found you too.”
My arms slid around his neck, and I hugged him tightly, wishing I could stay here with him forever.
“Let’s go for a short ride. I want to take you somewhere.”
We pulled up at a deserted park as the sun began to set. Beautiful colors streaked across the Nevada skyline and reminded me of the sunrise we watched together.
Pulling my phone free from my pocket, I swiped across and brought up the playlist with all my favorites. A rock song with heavy guitars penetrated the silent breeze that swept across the desert. Beneath us, the springy turf supported a massive playground with a slide that turned like a corkscrew until it reached the bottom. A rickety bridge, climbing bars, and several swings were familiar reminders of my childhood.
I grabbed Shadow’s hand and led him to the climbing bars, laughing as he beat me to the top. No limp stopped him from being athletic or quick.
“I think I deserve some kind of reward for being first,” he teased, tugging me closer as his head lowered.
“A kiss?”
“Yeah.”
“Sorry, no can do.” I slipped from his arms and raced across the bridge, giggling as I planted my bottom at the top of the slide.