Free Bonfire Beach by Lily Everett Page A

slanted her a look. “Let me guess. No disco ball and colored lights.”
    “Not at all.” Felicity smiled encouragingly. “I’m happy to talk color. I’m thinking a wash of pink or coral, something warm and flattering. And of course we’ll want luminarias like tea candles in paper bags or hurricane lamps along the boardwalk and any other walkways between venues. We could carry that theme through into the tents, with strands of paper lanterns.”
    “Sounds lame.”
    “It sounds romantic,” Felicity gritted out. “Honestly, have you ever even been to a wedding before?”
    “Romantic, romantic, romantic.” Zane shifted his weight, thrusting his hips back and dropping his head between his bent arms. He groaned. “I hate that stupid word.”
    A pang shot through Felicity’s chest, but she tipped up her chin. “Intimate, then.”
    “Even worse.” Zane straightened abruptly, casting a smoldering look in Felicity’s direction. “Unless you mean it in the sexy fun times way. Because I’m always up for that.”
    Liquid heat pooled in Felicity’s belly, temptation thick and tangible in the very air between them. Reading the desire in her face, Zane strode toward her and curled his big hands around her back. He set one knee on the porch swing bench to steady it, looming over her like some ancient god come to life to seduce a poor mortal woman into giving up everything for the joy of his touch.
    When he kissed her, Felicity’s well-trained body responded instantly. A shiver lifted the hairs at the back of her neck and tightened her nipples to taut, hard knots. As if he were attuned to every pulse of her heart, every inch of her sensitized skin, Zane slid one palm around to cup her breast. Her nipple nestled into the hot center of his hand, assuaging the ache there while stoking the fire in her center even higher.
    It was the middle of the day, and they were in full view of anyone who happened to walk down Island Road, or anyone who looked out the front window of Harrington House. But none of that was enough to pierce the cloud of sensual desire that surrounded Felicity along with Zane’s strong arms and huge, overwhelming body. Her brain shuddered to a stop, her thoughts drowned out by the pleasure flooding her system.
    Until Zane nipped at her bottom lip and nuzzled down her jaw to her neck, whispering, “This is the kind of intimacy I can get behind.”
    It was as if he’d dashed a bucket of cold water into her face.
    Spluttering, Felicity hauled herself upright and hitched her shirt back into place. The sudden move rocked the swing, knocking Zane off balance and sending him back a step. Concern darkened his face. “What’s wrong?”
    Heart stuttering, Felicity was terrified she’d never be okay again. “Sex is all you’re ever going to be able to give a woman, isn’t it?”
    Zane’s expression shut down so fast, Felicity wondered if she’d imagined the stark flash of fear. “I haven’t heard any complaints.”
    “That’s why you veto everything I suggest for the wedding reception, anything that hints at something deeper than the surface, where you like to live…”
    “Hey.” His jaw jutted aggressively even as he retreated a pace. “I live my life to the fullest. That’s what I’m all about.”
    Shaking her head in despair, Felicity said, “No. You wade through the shallows and avoid the depths. You want spectacle, excitement…fun.”
    “Well, yeah.” Zane shrugged one shoulder. “I thought you were on board with that now. Didn’t we prove you can have fun and not lose everything?”
    The genuine bewilderment in his voice tore at Felicity’s heart. “Moderation, right? That was your word. The same way I needed to remember not to be all business and control all the time, you need to know that life can’t be nothing but fun. At least, not for me. I need more.”
    Zane turned on her like a cornered animal, face lined with anger. “Then you’re a fool. Asking for more is asking for