Page 31 of Passions Ignite
“Over there.” Zoey pointed.
They headed toward the light, pushing through the underbrush. The ground became softer, almost muddy, and Zoey realized they were nearing water. The light grew brighter, and soon they broke through the trees, emerging into a small clearing.
A stream flowed through the center of the clearing, and the water was clear and cool. Zoey’s eyes widened as she spotted a small cluster of berry bushes near the edge of the stream.
“Finally,” she said, heading toward the bushes.
Zoey picked the berries, filling her hands with as many as she could. Lux reached the bushes minutes after her, picking a few berries and eating them slowly. Zoey watched her, noticing how tired she looked. Her blue eyes were dull.
“Are you okay?” Zoey asked.
Lux looked up. “I’m fine. Just tired.”
They ate in silence for a while, and the only sounds were the gentle trickle of the stream and distant bird calls. A couple handfuls of berries later, Lux glanced at the stream. “I’m going to wash up.”
Zoey watched as Lux walked toward the stream. When Lux reached the water’s edge, she started to undress, peeling off her dirty clothes and tossing them aside. Zoey’s eyes followed the movements.
Zoey tore her eyes away, feeling a flush of heat rise in her cheeks. She shouldn’t have been looking, shouldn’t have been feeling this way. But it was hard to ignore the way her heart fluttered, the way her body reacted to the sight of Lux’s bare skin.
She swallowed hard, trying to focus on anything else—the trees, the stream, the berries still clutched in her hand. But hergaze kept drifting back to Lux and to the way the water flowed over her body.
Lux had her back turned toward Zoey as she watched, feeling like she was intruding. Her heart pounded in her chest and her mind raced with thoughts she knew she shouldn’t have. Lux turned slightly, and Zoey caught a glimpse of her face, her expression relaxed, almost peaceful.
Zoey’s breath caught in her throat, and she quickly looked away, focusing on the berries in her hand. She forced herself to eat, trying to ignore her heart pounding and the heat spreading through her body.
But the sight of Lux’s bare breasts glistening with water was burned into Zoey’s mind. She tried to shake it off, but it was no use. The attraction was too overwhelming to ignore.
Zoey clenched her fists, trying to steady her breathing. But even as she told herself this, Zoey knew it was a losing battle.
She risked a glance back at Lux, and her resolve crumbled. The sight of Lux’s body sent a jolt of desire through Zoey’s veins. She bit her lip, trying in vain to keep her breathing steady.
“Why don’t you join me?” Lux said.
Zoey hesitated. “Are you sure?”
“Come on.”
“We’d still need to set up a better place to sleep when we get back,” Zoey said without thinking.
Lux rolled her eyes. Zoey heaved. There was no getting out of this now. She wasn’t even sure she wanted to get out of it.
Zoey nodded and slowly stripped off her clothes, feeling Lux’s gaze on her the entire time. The air was cool against her skin, but her body felt warm, heat radiating from deep within her.
Lux reached out to take Zoey’s hand and lead her into the water. The stream was cold at first, the shock of it making Zoeyshiver, but Lux’s hand was warm and firm in hers, grounding her.
The chill of the water sent goosebumps over her skin, but it did nothing to quell the heat building inside her.
Lux moved closer, and their bodies almost touched. Zoey could feel the warmth radiating off Lux and hear her soft breathing. Lux’s hand slid up Zoey’s arm, her touch gentle. Zoey’s breath caught, and she looked up to meet Lux’s gaze.
Without thinking, Zoey leaned in, her lips brushing against Lux’s. The kiss was soft at first, tentative.
But then Lux’s hand cupped Zoey’s face, and the kiss deepened, becoming more urgent, more demanding. Zoey wrapped her arms around Lux’s waist, pulling her closer, feeling the press of their bodies together.
Lux moaned softly against Zoey’s lips, and the sound sent a shiver down Zoey’s spine. She could feel Lux’s hands moving, sliding down her back, over her hips, exploring her body with a hunger that matched Zoey’s own.
Zoey’s fingers trailed over Lux’s wet skin, feeling the way her muscles moved under her touch.
They kissed deeply, their breaths mingling. Zoey’s hands slid up Lux’s back, pulling her even closer, wanting to feel every inch of her.