Authors: W. Lynn Chantale
He leaned forward, captured one of her curls and wound the coil around his finger before giving it a gentle tug. She hitched a breath.
“I want to see you laugh.”
A warm fuzzy brushed her heart and she ducked her head. She toyed with the dessert menu a moment before lifting her gaze and letting it collide with Zach’s silvery stare. For a moment, time stood still. How many times had she wished a man would look at her the way Zach was doing now? She held her breath, fearing if she breathed too loud she might wake up. He covered her hand and her heart beat a little faster. She wanted what Zach had to offer, wanted to be in his bed, but at what price?
“You really are good for my ego.”
“And you are so good for me.”
Their waitress came, refilled their glasses and whisked away the food. She reappeared with a to-go bag. The interruption was enough to allow her hormones to cool.
“So who’s performing tonight?” She pulled her glass closer, brought the straw to her lips and sucked.
“Uh, Tony Rock and Sydney Castillo.” Zach shifted and she smiled before drawing another swallow of the cool liquid. A throaty moan reached her ears. She drained half the glass before he reached over and pulled the straw from her lips. She sat back with a giggle.
“I can’t drink my water?”
He plucked the straw from the glass and handed it back to her. “You can, but we came here to see the show.”
She looked at the glass, then back at him. “I don’t know. The water won’t taste the same without the straw.” She fished an ice cube from the glass and could’ve sworn she heard him groan. “Never mind.” She popped the cube in her mouth, rolling it around on her tongue. Her gaze never wavered from Zach’s.
Desire turned his gray eyes to a molten silver and she relished the reaction. She leaned forward, offering him a generous view of her cleavage.
“Hmm. You want to play?”
She swallowed and traced her collarbone with her fingertips. “Like you said, we’re here to watch the show.”
He circled her wrist, his thumb stroking the sensitive skin. “One of the reasons I favor long flowy dresses.” He crooked his finger. “C’mere.”
Her body jumped at the small command. A tiny thrill rippled through her as she skirted the table and took the chair next to his. He shook his head.
“Oh no, sweetheart.” He angled his chair against the wall and patted his leg. “Right here.”
Anticipation dampened her thighs. He couldn’t possibly be thinking about.... She glanced around the club. “But...”
He grasped her hand and settled it on the thick bulge straining against the material of his pants. “You have this knack for making me want you.” He slid a hand beneath her skirt when she stood.
She shivered as his hand crept higher. His fingers caressed the back of her knee, swept against her inner thigh before finding her open and exposed sex. She bit back a moan when he rubbed against her slippery folds. He clasped her around the waist and dragged her into his lap.
“You’re not wearing any panties,” he murmured in her ear.
“No, I’m not.” She rubbed her bottom against the bulge beneath her, squirming against his hand and quickly igniting the flame of desire.
He groaned against her neck. “You are naughty indeed.”
She giggled. “Thanks for noticing.”
“Wait until we get back to the hotel.” He stroked her spine as his lips grazed her throat.
A shiver whispered through her. Tonight would be their last night.
“Trying to earn my forgiveness before we part ways tomorrow?”
His smile brushed her skin. “Oh I’m trying to earn much more than that, baby girl.”
She lifted her head to meet his heated gaze. An answering ache settled around her heart.
A snide chuckle preceded the squeak of the booth bench.
“Hello, bunny.”
Trisha stiffened at the hated nickname. She clutched Zach’s sleeve. When his large hand covered hers and squeezed lightly some tension eased from her body. But her heart tripped faster. When the heck had he been released? And why didn’t anyone tell her?
“I thought that was you. Although making the determination was a little difficult with my dear wife sitting on your lap.” The genial smile didn’t quite reach Gordy’s eyes.
“Ex-wife, Gordy. Ex,” Trisha said.
“Don’t stop what you’re doing on my account. You know how much I enjoy a good show.” Gordy leaned forward, reached out a hand to stroke her arm. “You always knew how to dress, didn’t you, bunny?”
Trisha shifted out of reach.
Zach grabbed Gordy’s wrist before he could touch her. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
Tension stretched around the table, intensifying with each heartbeat. Trisha glanced between the two men, unsure of what either would do at this point. She’d seen the way Zach reacted earlier when a man grabbed her, but Gordy was equally dangerous. She had a few mental and physical scars to prove it.
Gordy jerked from Zach’s grasp, sat back glowering.
Zach merely tossed a cold smile across the table. Trish sucked in a breath. As if sensing her agitation, Zach gently kneaded the tight muscles in her neck.
Emboldened by Zach’s support, Trish met her ex-husband’s lecherous gaze. “You’re violating a restraining order.” She held up her phone. “I’ve already dialed.”
Surprise flickered through Gordy’s irises. “That bit of paper is the least of your worries, bunny.”
Zach raised a hand and signaled for someone. “I think the lady would like you to leave.”
Gordy stood and straightened his clothes. “You really have no idea, do you, Trisha?”
When he laughed a chill formed in the pit of her stomach.
He glanced at Zach. “I can’t wait until she finds out the truth, Zach. She won’t even see it coming.”
Trisha swallowed. She was not going to let her ex bait her with innuendo.
“You still believe in fairytales, bunny? I always liked that about you. You always see the good in everyone.” He leaned close and smiled when she shrank from him. “I may not be the particular villain in this story and Zach may not be the hero you want.”
She trembled, yet again thankful she wasn’t alone, but what did Gordy mean?
“Enough,” Zach said with a growl.
Gordy drifted his gaze over Trisha’s face. “I’d say you’re right. I’ll be in touch.”
“This way, sir.” A thick slab of a man stood behind Gordy. Security was emblazoned in white letters on the front of the black t-shirt.
“You never fail to surprise me, Zach. I wonder if I’ll tell her first.” He strolled away, the security guard trailing in his wake.
A long moment passed before either of them spoke. Trisha looked down at her hands and realized she still clutched Zach’s arm. Tiny indentations from her fingernails remained just above the cuff of his sleeve.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean...”
He silenced her with a fingertip against her lips. “No worries. Are you okay?”
She nodded, not trusting her voice.
When he held her hands, she realized she was trembling. Zach stroked a caress against her skin.
“Did you want to leave?” He held her gaze.
“I think a little laughter may help.”
He nodded and continued his soothing touch.
She relaxed against him, relishing the safety of his arms. Seeing her ex had shaken her more than she cared to admit. If she’d had to face him alone—the last time that happened, he’d thrown her down a flight of concrete stairs—he wouldn’t have been so pleasant.
As if sensing her thoughts, Zach swept his lips to her ear. His warm breath reignited her earlier desire.
“You’re safe with me, beautiful.” He nuzzled her neck. “I promise I won’t let him hurt you.”
“But what if he’s the one who sent that picture?” She twisted her head and met his gaze. “Gordy always said he’d make my life miserable. And I know he’s planning something.” She shuddered. “I don’t understand why no one called me. Shauna should’ve at least given me a heads up.”
A decidedly drunk female from the audience on the far left heckled the comedian onstage. Laughter erupted from the crowd when the performer fired back.
“I don’t know why she didn’t warn you. Did she say anything when you called her the first time?”
“Only that he was still locked up.”
“You could always call her now and find out what happened.”
Trisha nodded. “Yeah.” She slid off his lap. “I’ll be back.”
Zach followed her progress up the aisle and toward the corridor announcing the restrooms. The last thing he expected was an appearance from Gordy. Zach made no attempts to disguise his dislike for the other man.
For a long time he knew Gordy was cheating on Trish and Zach tried to drop hints without being intrusive. Of course he had an ulterior motive for wanting Trisha to find out about her adulterous husband, but she didn’t need to know that. He needed to earn her trust and telling her that he knew about Gordy or that they were cousins would not help him do that.
He stared at the empty corridor, waiting for her to reappear. When the top of her curly auburn hair came into view he relaxed. He had plans to continue seeing her after this weekend. He needed to see her and he hoped she felt the same.
She stopped in front of the table and tilted her head to the side. Her hair flowed about her shoulders to curl just beneath her breasts.
“Miss me?”
He grinned. “More than you can imagine.” He stood and grasped her hand. “Did you get in touch with her?”
“Didn’t need to, she left like six messages on my voicemail and there were a few from the county prosecutor’s crime advocate person.” She shook her head. “They’ve been calling since yesterday afternoon. Not once did my phone ring. They probably left messages for me at my shop too.” She blew out a breath. A burst of laughter surrounded them. Life revolved around her while it seemed her weekend got worse and worse.
Zach cradled her cheek. “Hey. Don’t worry about him. I’m glad I’m with you and there’s nothing Gordy can do to scare me away from you, okay?” He held her gaze.
Trisha studied him a long moment. Sincerity shone in his eyes as well as a hint of an emotion she’d seen before, but hadn’t deciphered. Knowing he was willing to stick by her settled some of her anxiety. She nodded.
“Why don’t we get out of here? There are a couple of things I’d like to show you.”
Chapter Six
The ride to the hotel was subdued. Trisha stared out the window, watching the lights from oncoming cars brighten and then fade into the darkness. Zach squeezed her hand. When she turned he stared straight ahead, yet his fingers moved restlessly. She laid a palm against his cheek. He faced her.
“You seem worried,” she said.
He shook his head. “No. Well, maybe a little bit.”
Her heart thudded. “About?”
The car halted at a red light.
“I need some air,” Zach said. “You up for a walk?”
“I suppose.”
Zach reached up and pushed a button. The privacy shield whirred and lowered. “Jonas, make a stop at the beach please.”
“Yes, sir.”
A few moments later Trisha slipped from her shoes and ambled across the cement, still warm from the day. Zach kept pace beside her. They walked in silence. Cool air blew in from the water, bringing the scent of fried food and garlic to her nostrils. She shivered and he whisked off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders.
“Thanks,” she murmured.
They continued a little farther.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
He stroked a lock of her hair before winding it around his finger. “The last couple of days have just been everything I imagined and so much more.”
Pleasure stole through her at his words. “Despite having to deal with my ex and his crazy friend?”
He chuckled. “We all have a past. I don’t want this to be the only time we’re together.”
She held her breath. Did she even dare to think he wanted more than a few stolen days?
“I care a lot about you, Trish.”
“Zach.”
Oh no. Don’t let this be a proposal
. While she wanted a happily ever after, she didn’t want to totally relinquish her single state. She was open to the notion of shacking up.
He faced her and the vivid desire in his eyes stole her breath. She stumbled a step back, but he was fast and pulled her close.
“No. You need to know this. I do care. I have for a very long time and I believe you feel the same way, but however we decide to do this, I want a relationship with you.”
She stared up at him, her heart constricting at his admission. She moistened her dry lips and noted how he followed the flick of her tongue. “You take my breath away.”
He swept a curl from her cheek before stepping closer. “Let’s go back to the hotel.”
****
Exactly how deeply did he care for her? She studied his profile, his strong jaw more relaxed than when they first exited the beach. She rested her head on his shoulder and he tightened his arm around her. A sigh whispered past her lips.