Zev sucked in a frantic breath and opened his mouth over hers, the soap plunking into the water as he grabbed for her, his heart’s song, his Ardent mate. All scent of that place, those people were gone, it was just the crisp, sweet beauty of her.

Zev whined in his throat and pulled her close and they both sank into the water, letting their weight be buoyed by the pool.

Sasha, already breathing quickly, wrapped her arms and legs around him so she was in his lap as he stepped them deeper into the water until he could stand and still be covered to his shoulders. Her kiss was desperate, her breath thundering in his ears.

He grabbed her ass and pulled her closer, against him, as his body sought her, and she whimpered in response.

The water rippled with their breaths and arching bodies, tinkling and splashing when Zev raised an arm out of it to clutch the back of her hair and hold her into his kiss.

”Zev, please…” she sighed into his mouth, her hips rocking against him, seeking, until he was so close to taking her, her breath caught.

The kiss was fast and heavy, both of them trembling, gasping, but Zev was determined not to rush this again. Not after last time—though neither of them had complained. Still… he needed her. He needed to be sure of her, and her of him. They were alone in the dark and the water, his skin pebbling with combined desire and the sensation of her skin against his, and the water flowing between them.

The day ahead would be fraught with responsibility and drama—not to mention Nick.

No, this was not a moment to rush, but to savor.

With a small groan, Zev pulled his head back to break the kiss and smiled at her when her eyes went wide in alarm.

Using the hand that was on her hair, he combed the wet strands back that had stuck to her temple and cheek, and let her see in his eyes how delighted he was to be there with her.

”I’m not going to rush it, this time,” he said, raising his brows once. “I’ve missed you so much, Sasha. I need to be close to you and just…”

”I know,” she sighed, her hands laced at the back of his neck. “I know.”

”So I only have one question for you—because it changes the decision I’m about to make… does my Alpha want to be covered… or on top?”

He gave her a wicked grin.

Sasha’s face broke into a beautiful smile. She bit her lip, pretending to think about her answer, then said breathlessly, “I think this Alpha would like the chance to see you and touch you and… be on top,” she giggled.

”Well, never let it be said I wouldn’t submit to my Alpha’s wish,” Zev said darkly, beginning to walk them backward, back towards the shallows. Her weight dragged more the lower the water became until he was holding her tightly to him and when the water wasn’t much higher than his knees, sinking down to sit with her in his lap.

The silt was soft on his skin, and more importantly, wouldn’t hurt her knees. So he quietly urged her to unlock her ankle from behind his back as he settled down, and kneel over his waist.

They ended up sitting, her warmth pressed tightly against him as he brought his knees up behind her and leaned forward so she’d lean back and rest against his thighs.

Sasha gave him a flirtatious smile as she settled her back against his knees. “Like this?”

He growled with approval, then took her mouth in another kiss, letting her weight rest on his legs so his hands were free to explore.

And as the kiss became hot, their breaths mingling in shuddering puffs, he found her, all of her, the best valleys and peaks of her, and let himself touch, stroke, and press until she shivered under him, her hips beginning to nudge and roll against him in a tantalizing slide that had him holding his breath for control.

Taking her hands, he leaned forward, stretching her backward over his knees so her breasts were raised, bared, along with her throat. Nudging, rolling, and rocking together, as she breathed his name, he tasted her at each peak, starting with her throat, then moving down to suck and nibble at her nipples.

Her nipples hardened under his tongue and Sasha began to gasp, rippling under his chest and pleading.

Then with a pleasured shudder, she broke his grip on her hands and buried her fingers in his hair while he sucked at her nipple, pulling him in.

”Zev… Zev… oh god—”

”Well, now, that’s overstating things,” he murmured against her skin.

She snorted, but it turned into a sigh when he latched back on and her hips bucked. He groaned and grabbed her hips, pulling her down against him and grinding until she was slack in his arms, just soaking up the pleasure.

”Zev, please!”

The desperation in her voice broke the last shred of his restraint, and with a whine in his throat, Zev lifted her hips to position her, then pulled her down onto him.

They both cried out.

Zev sat up and she came with him, her hands still in his hair, and her kiss hot and seeking. She tilted her head to deepen it as both of them rocked together. Zev wrapped his arms around her back and held her to him as their bodies began to undulate together, the sensations so overwhelming that soon they couldn’t even kiss, their mouths just hovering, breath hot, lips brushing as they moved—and the bond… the bond sang.

As Sasha began to hold her breath, her small cries between rising higher and higher, as her body began to tighten, Zev clawed hands into her back and held her there, so tight, so perfect, their chests pressed together.

And the pieces within them began to spin and dance, twirling together until their heartbeats synced.

Zev could feel his control fraying and his thrusts became faster, the water around them rippling and splashing as they met and rose together, again and again.

Then Sasha dropped her head back, not breathing at all, fingers fisted in his hair, and bared her throat as her entire body arched. Watching her come apart, feeling her around him and within him, Zev, whispered her name, calling for her as her mouth fell open and she cried out, shaking.

She clenched around him just as he thrust again, and the incredible sensation tipped the precarious balance he’d been clinging to. His release slammed into him, tossing him off the cliff he’d been trying to toe, so he tumbled after her into that sweaty bliss.

They ended with her slumped back over his knees, her arms wrapped around his neck, arched back to make room for him to cover her with his body, his arms around her, his hands cupping her head and his lips resting on hers.

They were both panting, breaths short and rapid, but slowing. Sasha didn’t want to move. The way he’d curled around her, held her, the gentleness and protection in him… it made her want to weep.

And so, she didn’t move her body, didn’t ask for more space as his back heaved up and down, only let her hands trace slowly up and down his spine. And he rested his cheek against hers and whispered his love until a tear really did fall, to trail down her temple and he caught it with his lips.