Lost Coast Read online

  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.