Husband Hunting 101 (22 page)

Jenna tried to shake the desire from her sex-starved mind. But the second before he'd closed the door, she'd seen the devil in his smile.

Mark's words haunted her—"I think Zack's going to ask you to move in with him. He thinks commitment means living together."

That would be a big step for Zack, Jenna conceded. But it wasn't enough for her.

Then she remembered that he'd slept in his car all night just to talk to her.

What exactly did Zack West have up his sleeve for tonight?

* * *

By late afternoon, Jenna had really begun to wonder what Zack had in mind for the night. She'd received a singing telegram when she'd first arrived at the store—an elf dressed in green and red tights serenaded her with a romantic song. Her cheeks had burned crimson and the customers in her store had snickered and thought it was a gimmick to boost sales. Then a dozen red roses had arrived every hour on the hour with a silly romantic poem included. Angel had been teasing her unmercifully.

"I guess you're not going to have to finish that husband hunting class," Angel said, making room on the counter for the fifth delivery.

"He's just making up for lost time."

"Oh, phooey. I don't believe that and neither do you," Angel said.

Jenna opened the card. "A dozen for each night I want to spend with you." She staggered against the display of gift books.

Angel grabbed the note and read it. "Wow, he's so romantic. I guess we'd better start planning your wedding."

Jenna shook her head. He hadn't said anything about marriage. For all she knew, he might be talking about an affair. Endless nights of glorious wonderful, spectacular, mind-boggling sex. But a physical relationship would never be enough.

As much as she loved Zack, she couldn't settle for simply sleeping with him. Not unless he would be in her bed every night for the rest of her life—and not unless his heart came with it.

* * *

Zack had his plan set in motion.

After tonight, it would be up to Jenna. His hands shook slightly and his stomach roiled as he stared at her apartment, but he refused to give in to his nerves. He popped another antacid into his mouth, stuffed the roll of medicine down in his pocket, and climbed from the car. Jenna Barrett was the best thing that had ever happened to him, and he was not going to lose her.

He raised his hand and knocked, his breath collecting in his chest when Jenna opened the door. She was wearing an emerald green slinky dress that slid off one shoulder, exposing her creamy skin, an emerald necklace dangling enticingly between her full breasts. The satiny material hugged her curves and dipped precariously low to reveal cleavage that instantly made his mouth water.

"Zack, are you okay?" Jenna asked softly.

He wiped the perspiration from his forehead and nodded. "You look fantastic."

"Thanks." She smiled, her eyes wary. "And thanks for all the flowers."

Heat crept up his neck. "So you received them?"

"All ten dozen," she said, her rosy lips parting in a smile.

She didn't comment on the messages he'd included, and he wondered what she was thinking, but he was too tongue-tied over how gorgeous she looked to say anything else.

"Do you want to come in?" Jenna asked, gesturing at the foyer.

He shook his head. "No, let's go. I have reservations for us at 7:00."

She picked up a soft, black shawl and draped it over her shoulders. He placed his hand at the curve of her back as they walked to the car. His stomach was pitching, but he swallowed hard, determined to ignore its protests.

Once they'd settled inside the car, he pushed the start button for the CD. He'd already chosen the jazz music they'd listened to on their first luncheon and as the soft music wafted around them, he relaxed.

"Where are we going?" Jenna asked.

Zack gave her a sideways glance and grinned. "It's a surprise."

Jenna arched an eyebrow but said nothing. He inhaled a deep breath and slipped his hand over hers, his heartbeat pulsing wildly as her soft hand folded into his. He steered the car onto the expressway and headed toward the downtown area. Twenty minutes later he approached the exit near Georgia State University and inhaled, hoping his first surprise didn't overwhelm Jenna, and praying his heart would hold up without stopping when it came time for him to confess his feelings.

But after messing up so badly, he'd decided to commence a full-fledged campaign to
show
her instead. He slowed, pulled into the right hand lane and waited, his own pulse skipping a beat at the sight of the big billboard flashing its message across the expressway for all of Atlanta to see.

"Zachary West Loves Jenna Barrett."

* * *

Jenna squinted through the sea of lights dotting the Atlanta skyline and gasped when she read the message flashing in bright red and yellow lights on the billboard. Shock stole the air from her lungs and her hand clenched into his, her gaze flying to meet his smoky, serious one.

He was watching her, his gaze riveted to her face. Still stunned, she glanced back at the billboard, wondering if she'd imagined the sign.

But there it sat at the top of the exit, twinkling and blinking, drawing all sorts of attention as cars stopped on the side of the road, people gathering to point.

Zack squeezed her hand and Jenna's heart thundered.

"I wanted you to know how I feel about you," he said gruffly, his face turning a strange shade of red with a tiny hint of green mixed in. "In fact, I want the whole world to know."

"You... I can't believe you did that," Jenna stammered. "You really—" Her words got lost as emotions overwhelmed her.

He pressed a finger to her lips. "Shh. There's more."

"More?" Jenna squeaked. "What do you mean
more?"

"Another surprise." Then Zack spun past the exit, veered off onto the next one, maneuvered through the one-way streets, and spun into the entrance of the French Quarter, a classy and expensive hotel and restaurant that was known all over Atlanta for its charm and cuisine.

Jenna followed in a daze as Zack left the car with the valet and guided her through the ornate columned entrance. Within minutes they were seated at a romantic table in the corner by the window, the candlelight and soft piano music adding to the ambiance of the rose-patterned walls and classic French artwork. The meal was served with such attention to detail that they didn't need conversation. He held her hand and sipped wine as they savored the strains of jazz music wafting around them.

When Jenna finished her entree, her heart was beating wildly and the message from the billboard echoed over and over in her mind.

Zack loved her?

He hadn't spoken the words, but he'd put them on a billboard. He'd actually advertised his feelings for everyone in Atlanta to see. Could he possibly be ready to commit to her? Or was Mark right; was he going to suggest they simply live together?

Her misgivings scattered like leaves in the wind as Zack kissed her hand and caressed her with his eyes. He looked incredibly handsome in his dark suit and red tie, with his hair freshly washed and combed from his face and his skin glowing with the candlelight. She wanted to touch him, to ask him if he was wining and dining and romancing her for an affair—or if he could possibly love her enough to... marry her.

Then Zack cradled her hand in his and suddenly dropped to his knee on the floor beside her. Jenna's eyes widened. "Zack, what are you doing?"

"I don't want you to marry Blair," he said bluntly.

"Excuse me?" Jenna frowned. "Why would you think I was marrying Blair? I just met him."

"I'm sorry. That didn't come out right." Zack closed his eyes, inhaled and exhaled loudly, then opened his eyes and spoke again, "I'm going to do this right."

Jenna bit down on her lip, a smile tilting her mouth. Zack looked adorable, nervous and flustered, and totally, unbelievably, sexy. People around them turned to stare and two older ladies giggled behind their napkins.

"Jenna, I know I've been adamant that I didn't want a commitment," he paused. "And I did feel that way."

She frowned, her fingers curling into his.

"Until I met you. But I've changed." He cleared his throat. "Being with you, falling in love with you has made me realize that in spite of all my protests, I really want someone to love. That slogan I wrote for your store, 'It's What's Underneath That Counts,' it's true. Underneath all my protests, I really wanted you."

Tears stung her eyes.

"I was scared, but I... I don't ever want to lose you."

"Oh, Zack." Jenna gently stroked his hair away from his face. "You don't have to be scared. I'll never let you down."

His eyes locked on her, and her heart twisted at the longing in his expression.

"I love you, Jenna," he said in a rush. "I want you to be my wife." He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed it.

Jenna blinked back tears.

Then he gulped a sip of water, grabbed her hand again, and squeezed her fingers in his so tightly she almost lost her breath.

Somewhere in the background, Jenna heard laughter again, felt people staring, but she gazed at Zack with all the love she had inside, silently willing him to believe in her, in them.

"Will you marry me?" He finally got the words out and she couldn't help the smile that spread across her face. Then he reached in his pocket, brought his hand out, then held it up, palm open.

Jenna stared at his palm and suddenly burst into laughter. A pack of antacids lay in his hand.

Zack's eyes widened at her reaction, then he looked down, and grunted in frustration.

"Damn, I'm messing this up." Cursing again, he tossed the antacids on the table, reached in his pocket, and removed a small velvet ring box. His hands were shaking and perspiration trickled down the side of his face, but he opened the box.

Jenna's heart pounded. A diamond ring with several emerald chips sparkling around it sat in the middle of the velvety box, twinkling in the dim light.

"It's beautiful," Jenna whispered.

"Jenna," he said softly, his voice husky, as if he suddenly realized everyone in the restaurant was staring at them. "You... you didn't answer me."

She laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck, then pressed her lips against his ear. "Of course I'll marry you, Zack. I love you."

He covered her mouth with a kiss and applause broke out behind them. When they finally drew apart, they were both panting.

"But there's something we haven't talked about," she said, suddenly serious.

"What? Did I forget to say something? I said I loved you, I said—"

She pressed her finger to his lips. "Mark made a comment that started me thinking—it's about my hearing loss."

Zack clenched his jaw. "Mark should keep his big mouth shut."

Jenna bit her lip. "I have to know, Zack. Our children, they could inherit—"

Zack shushed her, then squeezed her hands. "So how many kids are we talking, two, three, a half dozen?"

"Two, maybe three," Jenna said softly. "But, Zack?"

"Oh, hell. You're marrying me, Jenna Barrett, so don't make excuses." He scooped her into his arms and headed toward the door, the crowd cheering. "Let's go start on those babies now."

Jenna laughed and laid her head against Zack's broad chest, desire and happiness filling her as he carried her into the elevator and up to a luxurious suite. When they stepped inside, he eased her on the king-sized bed, then reached for the soft fabric of her dress and lifted it.

Jenna's pulse clamored as his fingers roamed over her body. "I want you to listen to me." He touched her lace-covered breast. "With your heart, with your body, with your mind. I want you to know how much I love you, how much I'll love our children." He cupped her face in his hands and gently kissed her lips, then nibbled on her earlobe. "I will
never,
ever let you down, Jenna. Or any little people we have together."

Then he stripped their clothes, and when he rose above her and entered her, she knew he'd claimed her forever.

Hours later, when Jenna lay sated in his arms, all her doubts had faded.

"You are going to drop that ridiculous husband hunting class now," Zack said, nuzzling her neck.

Jenna laughed and trailed her fingers down his broad chest. "Of course. I don't need it anymore. I found the perfect man. The husband I've been hunting for all along."

Epilogue