I stare up at him, emotion making my throat tight. I think in his own way, Ben just told me he loves me.
His scowl fades as I trace a finger down the stubble lining his cheek and jaw.
“That was a lot better,” I whisper. “I’d take a bullet for you, too.”
His eyes warm, that smile crinkling along the edges again. He bends down and kisses me.
His mouth may not be great with words, but as I stand in the circle of his arms, I realize it’s definitely good at other things. He kisses me breathless, showing me just how much he cares.
I’ve so badly wanted this closeness with him. I resolve not to fight it anymore. I let the world fall away and lose myself in his kiss. There are no kids to tease us this time. It’s just me and Ben in the candelabra grove. It’s perfect.
My knees are weak by the time he pulls back. I wrap my arms around his neck, wanting no space between us.
He presses his forehead against mine, arms tightening around me. “I’m not dropping this. I mean it, Kate.”
“You’d better not,” I murmur. “I’m counting on you.” I think I could drown in his gray eyes. The warmth in them leaves me as weak-kneed as his kiss. It’s been a long time since a man has looked at me the way he does right now.
Ben kisses me one last time before breaking away.
“Come on,” he says. “Let’s catch up with the little shitheads before they blunder into a pack of zoms at the campground and get themselves bit.”
I bark a laugh. “They know how to be careful.”
“Sometimes. There’s a reason you fret about them all the time.” The gruffness of his voice is softened by his eye-smile again.
It warms me all the way to my toes.
We surge forward, running through the trees.
Together.
Acknowledgements
I HAD SO MANY AWESOME people help me with this book! From website ninjas, to firearm and explosive experts, to generous beta readers, and to a fellow ultrarunner who wasn’t afraid to tackle the Lost Coast’s impassable zone at 2:30 in the morning, this book could not have come together without them. Thank you!
Lori Barekman
Linda Bellmore
Lan Chan
Victoria deLuis
Joe Dulworth
Jayson Fowler
Chris Picott
Andy Salas
Jon Theisen
Sandra Winn
Author’s Note
THANKS SO MUCH FOR picking up a copy of Undead Ultra: Lost Coast! I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Please consider leaving an honest online review of Lost Coast. Reviews really help independent authors spread the word about our stories. I sincerely appreciate every review. Each one helps me find more readers.
Thanks for being part of the journey!
To learn more about Camille’s books, visit her website:
www.camillepicott.com
You can also connect with Camille on social media.
Facebook @ultrawriter
Instagram @camillepicott
Free Gift: the untold story of Alvarez
WHEN YOU FIRST MEET Alvarez in Undead Ultra, he’s nothing more than a broken soldier in search of redemption. When he reconnects with Kate on the ham radio later in the series, he’s stepped up to lead a survivalist community.
How does he transform into a leader of the apocalypse?
Here is his story.
Sign up for Camille Picott’s author newsletter and get this exclusive story. It’s not available anywhere else!
CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE
Also by Camille Picott
Nick and Rudy
Nick and Rudy: A Zombie Apocalypse Christmas Tale
Psycho Gets Her Man: A Zombie Apocalypse Valentine Tale
Sulan
The League
Risk Alleviator
The Dome
Touch
Escape
Death Match
Endgame
Sulan Series Box Set (Books 1-4)
Undead Ultra
Undead Ultra
Dorm Life
Lost Coast
Fort Dead
Dawn Patrol
Ultra Couch Potato to Ultra Badass: Your Ultimate Guide to Ultramarathon Training in the Zombie Apocalypse
Watch for more at Camille Picott’s site.
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