My fingers circled it slowly at first, then faster, harder...

Zane’s POV

I sat in the café waiting for Emma, my eyes flicking to the door every time it opened. She was already ten minutes late, which was unusual for her. A part of me wondered if she would even show up. I checked my phone, hoping for a message, but there was nothing. Maybe she had decided not to come.

“Sorry I am late, traffic was awful,” a familiar voice called.

I looked up and there she was, smiling at me. She wore a light summer dress that suited her perfectly, making her look radiant. I smiled without thinking and got to my feet. When I hugged her and kissed her cheek, it surprised both of us. I quickly pulled back, clearing my throat and slipping into my seat again, suddenly feeling awkward. Emma laughed softly at my nervousness before settling down across from me.

“What would you like to drink?” I asked.

“Mint tea, please,” she said with a warm smile.

I ordered her tea and a coffee for myself before returning to the table. Truthfully, I had no idea how to start the conversation. That was half the reason I had asked her to meet me, to figure out the right words. When the drinks arrived and the barista left us alone, I leaned back in my chair and took a slow sip of coffee.

“So, do you want to tell me why you disappeared the other night and ignored me for days?” I asked.

We had argued about it briefly yesterday, but I knew it needed to be spoken about calmly, without the heat of anger between us. Emma lifted her cup, took a sip of her tea, and then finally answered.

“I told you, Zane. I could not keep lying to Maddie.”

“I understand that,” I said quietly. “But she had no idea.”

I did know what she meant, though. I hated lying to Maddie as well. She was the only girl I had never deceived, the only one I truly cared about. She was my little sister, and I would always protect her.

But Emma? She was different. I could not stay away from her, no matter how hard I tried. It was wrong, I knew that, but I was addicted. Addicted to her kiss, her touch, her body. Being with her drove me crazy, yet the thought of letting her go was unbearable.

I grinned at her words, the sound of her laugh rolling through me like fuel on a fire. “No, you don’t hate me,” I said, my voice low as my hand lingered against her thigh. “You hate that you still want me.”

Emma bit her lip, her eyes locking on mine as though she wanted to argue but couldn’t find the words. She leaned back in her chair, trying to put distance between us, yet her leg stayed pressed against mine under the table. That small touch told me more than her stubborn laugh ever could.

“You’re impossible,” she muttered, shaking her head again, though the curve of her lips betrayed her.

“And you’re pretending,” I shot back, my thumb brushing over the soft skin just above her knee. “If I kissed you right now, you wouldn’t push me away. You’d kiss me back like you always do.”

Her eyes softened, dark with a heat she was trying so hard to hide. For a moment, she held her cup as though it was her shield, sipping her tea while avoiding my gaze. But I could see the faint smile tugging at her mouth. She was slipping, and we both knew it.

“Zane…” she breathed, almost like a warning, though her voice trembled more than she probably wanted it to.

“Say the word and I’ll stop,” I murmured, leaning close enough for my breath to brush her skin. “But we both know you don’t want me to.”

Her lashes fluttered, her thighs pressing tighter around my hand as if she could hold back the inevitable. I kissed just below her ear, and the quiet sound she made undid whatever defences she had left.

I pulled back slightly, my lips grazing her temple. “Let’s get out of here. Back to mine. Just you and me.”

Emma turned toward me, shaking her head with a half-smile that was all tease and no real refusal. “You drive me insane,” she said, laughing under her breath. “I swear, I hate you.”

I smirked, leaning back with a confidence I didn’t bother to hide. “You can hate me all you want, Emma… just don’t stop wanting me.”

“You love me really. Should I take that as a yes or a no?” I asked, smirking.

“You know exactly what it means, Zane. Don’t make me say it.” Emma’s voice carried a quiet challenge.

That was a yes. She wanted to come back with me. The thought made my chest tighten in satisfaction, at least I wasn’t the only one hooked on this. I smirked, slid out of the booth, and went to pay the bill.

When I came back, Emma was already on her feet, bag in hand, looking more eager than she’d ever admit.

“Ready?” I asked with that same smug grin.

“Yes. But if you don’t wipe that smug look off your face right now, I’m not going anywhere with you.” She pouted, though her eyes gave her away.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I shrugged.

Emma gave me a playful slap, and I slid an arm around her waist as we headed out. I’d drive her in my car and bring her back later for hers. Less risk if anyone saw her parked outside my place, or if Maddie decided to drop in unannounced, like she sometimes did. I wasn’t ready to explain that kind of mess.

“I knew you missed me,” I said once we were in the car.

“Nope. You’re just convenient. Maybe I was horny and you happened to be there,” she teased, folding her arms.

“Either way, you still missed me, missed me being inside you.” I shot her a wicked grin before turning the key.

Emma flipped me off and turned toward the window, but the way she avoided my gaze told me she knew I was right. She always gave herself away.

Keeping one hand steady on the wheel, I slid the other across to her. My fingers pressed against her thigh, parting her legs until she let me in. This time, she didn’t resist. My hand brushed over the thin lace between us, teasing her heat through the fabric.

A soft sound escaped her lips, her body arching into my touch. Her hips lifted slightly from the seat, and I could feel how ready she already was.

I slipped beneath the lace, keeping my eyes on the road as I found her clit. My fingers circled it slowly at first, then faster, harder, until her breath broke into short, desperate gasps.

“F**k,” Emma moaned, clutching the seat as her body trembled.

It never took long. Her legs tensed and shook as the pleasure took over, her moans spilling out louder until her climax hit, pulsing against my hand. I kept her there, dragging it out until she finally sagged against the seat, spent and breathless.

“I love how fast I can get you off, Emma,” I murmured, pulling my hand free.

She didn’t answer, too busy catching her breath. I smirked again, the urge to get her home and completely lose myself in her burning hotter than ever. Soon, she’d forget why she even tried to resist in the first place.