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Since when was I a clingy girlfriend?
“Spent the rest of my time driving around,” Zach admitted, stopping when he got to the edge of the pool, only a few feet away.
I’d expected hunger in his eyes. Instead, I saw concern. A dangerous emotion that had no place in our arrangement.
I arched a brow, trying to remain unaffected. “In your secured car?”
His lips quirked a little. “In a normal BMW.”
“Living on the edge.”
“Yes, whenever I’m certain you aren’t there to push me off the cliff.” He paused. “I had to think.”
“Oh?” Foolish, idiotic hope flowered in my chest. I wanted him to say,about you, about us.“That’s a new concept. You know you can do it anywhere, right? Even from the comfort of your home.”
“Octi,” he warned.
“Tell me what you thought about.”
“Mainly about the timeline of my impending marriage. How it fits with my business schedule. I’m currently acquiring a few tech companies that will demand my attention as I reconstruct their boards.”
I nodded, pretending his answer didn’t cut through flesh and bone. “Time management is important. You’re lucky to have Natalie.”
“I don’t wish to talk about Natalie or any other woman in my life.”
He looked so miserable, and for a single moment, I actually welcomed his pain.
Why should I be the only one to suffer?
“What do you wish for, then?”
“For you to come upstairs, take a hot bath, and get into at least three layers of clothes before I lose my fucking mind.”
“I think I’m good here.” I knew I was punishing no one but myself, and still, I wanted to act out. To flip him the bird.
His fingers twitched by his side, his patience melting away. “Your lips are blue.”
“Your heart is black.”
“Farrow,” he growled, baring his teeth at me. “Come here right this minute. It’swinter.You’re going to end up in the hospital at this rate.”
“What a terrible inconvenience.”
“Farrow.”
“If you care so much, come pick me up.”
To my surprise, Zach’s face didn’t even twitch. He stepped onto the first pool stair, ankle-deep in water, and began treading toward the lounger.
When he reached me, he shouldered off his coat and picked me up bridal style, wrapping the heavy fabric around me. Woodsy citrus swarmed me, warming up my body in an instant.
On instinct, I wanted to wind my arms around his neck. Instead, I pretended to stare at something behind him, feigning a yawn.
To my chagrin, his lips twitched.
“What’s so funny?”
He strode out of the pool, pushing through the weight of the water as he carried me toward the house.
