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She stopped at a cluster of pictures on the mantelpiece. "Why's this one turned down?" She picked it up. It was one of the few color ones. Two adults and six children in Eighties clothes sat behind an enormous birthday cake with five candles on it. "Your parents?"
He nodded. "They divorced shortly after that."
"Zack, I—"
"It was a long time ago," he said, kissing the top of her head and placing an arm around her shoulders. He steered her away from the photos and she wondered what it was about the picture that had made him turn it over. If her parents were divorced, would she want a photo of a happier time together? Probably. So why didn't Zack?
Her gaze shifted higher. "And what's happened here?" she asked pointing to an old photo. A family of eight, children standing behind the parents, stared unsmiling at the camera. The woman's face was blackened out. "Didn't you like her?"
He chuckled. "That's my great grand mother. She thought she was ugly so she inked out her face in every photograph. A shame really because I have no idea what she looked like."
"Maybe I should try that next time I have a horrible picture taken."
"So," he said when they came to the end of the tour. "You like it?"
She nodded and smiled. It was exactly how it looked in House and Garden.
"Well, I don't."
"Oh? But it's perfect."
He shrugged. "I prefer my ranch in Montana." Interesting. It was the first time he'd mentioned the ranch although she knew of its existence through Bob. She smiled to herself. She had trouble reconciling the high-flying Zack DiMarco from the gossip pages with the rancher. It just seemed so implausible. She couldn't imagine too many of his LA babes wanting to rough it on a ranch for a weekend. She stifled a giggle and said, "Why?"
"It's more...homely. This is all Hollywood glitz. You may not believe this, but it appeared in House and Garden about a piece on bachelor's homes."
"Really?"
"They liked it too, but I always felt it had no...soul."
"Hmmm. Well Montana's too far away." She curled her arms around his neck and rubbed her nipples across his chest. "And right now my apartment's too far away too. So I guess we'll have to settle for this horrible place."
He bent his head to kiss her. "Mmmmm."
"Where was that bedroom again?"
***
Zack snuggled into the warm body next to him. Annie felt good. Great. So sensual, so amazing in bed. He blinked up at the ceiling, his brain slowly waking up.
Damn. He'd done it again. In his defence, Annie had made him sleep with her. By giving him that look, the one that smoldered and enticed, he was a goner.
But it was just sex. He had to keep reminding himself of that. Looking at the photo again of his family had driven everything home again. His father's constant tiredness, his mother trying to make ends meet, her continual harping and the loss of his father's talent, and his will to live. There'd been nothing in their lives that had brought happiness. Certainly not the six children, the arrival of each bringing the end of their father's music career, and marriage, a little closer.
Zack wouldn't live like that. Couldn't. He may not be wealthy for long if he fulfilled his dream and what woman would give up everything for him? Especially an LA woman born and bred who was used to a certain lifestyle and comforts. Annie may not have money but the city was in her blood.
No, he had to do it right this time. Had to end it before it got too far. It would be difficult, hell, but looking down at the sleeping beauty beside him, he knew he had to do it before he ruined her life.
***
"Mmmm, Zack." Annie rolled into him and that's when she realized he was sitting up.
"You awake?" he asked.
Something was wrong. She could hear it in his voice. She blinked in the dim light. "I am now. What's the matter?"
She heard him sigh and her stomach fluttered as the sense of foreboding increased.
"Look, Annie, we need to talk."
She sat up. "What about?"
He sighed again and plucked at the sheet. "I really like you. And I don't want to hurt you."
She swallowed the lump in her throat. She should've expected this. He'd already made it clear he wasn't looking for a relationship, and in the heat of the moment, she thought that was fine with her. But now, as he prepared to give her the bad news, she wasn't so sure anymore. She didn't think she could handle reading about his latest attractive conquest in the gossip pages.
She struggled to hold back hot tears. "You don't want me to get the wrong idea, but this is just sex. Isn't that right?"
"Annie." He touched her shoulder but she shrugged his hand away. Deep down, she'd hoped he might eventually come round to the idea of having something other than occasional sex. Something more. She was such an idiot.
"Baby, I don't know what to say..."
"Then don't." She got out of bed then remembered her clothes were way back in the entrance hall. "I get the picture. No need to spell it out."
"But I like you. If things were different, if I wanted to settle down, then you'd definitely be at the top of my list."
She scoffed, unable to believe what she was hearing. "I'm flattered." She stormed out of the room.
He followed. "Annie, wait."
"Call me a cab."
"No, don't go."
She rounded on him. "I'm leaving. I'm not staying here one second longer. You've made yourself clear, Zack, and I'm glad you did. You know, I thought I could do this, but I can't. I just can't."
"I understand. That's one of the things I like about you. Stay." He reached for her but she shrugged him off. "We'll talk about it."
She shook her head. "The least you can do is let me leave with my dignity." She picked up the phone in the kitchen and called a cab then found her clothes.
Zack watched her from the hall, arms crossed, eyes darkly brooding. And as beautifully naked as a Greek God. She tore her gaze away.
"I'm sorry." He stared down at his bare feet. "Can we still be friends?"
The vulnerability in his voice numbed her. She wanted to touch him, stroke his ruffled hair into place and kiss his forehead, but she couldn't. It was too intimate a gesture now.
"I'll wait outside. Good night, Zack."
He stood in the doorway as she walked quickly down the drive.
"I'll pick you up tomorrow night at eight," he called after her. She would've asked why but she didn't want to turn around so he could see her tears. He must have read her mind though because he added, "For Louisa's party."
If she decided to go.
Of course she had to go. Bob needed her to get Dug-E and being seen with the right people on Zack DiMarco's arm was like having a ticket to the moon—very rare and very expensive.
***
Zack closed the door when the lights of the cab faded away. He slumped against it and ran his hand through his hair. What a fool. If he'd just kept his mouth shut, none of this would have happened. They'd still be friends, she'd still be teasing him. He swore and thumped the door with his fist.
Although he felt awful—worse than he thought he would—he'd done the right thing. Annie was the last person he wanted to string along. She was too sweet, too vulnerable. She didn't deserve to be led to believe he wanted a relationship with her. Best she knew the truth before it went too far.
Perhaps he should've said something before tonight, but he'd wanted her so bad, he doubted nothing would have stopped them from ending up where they did. He sighed as he put the kettle on in the kitchen. He wasn't going to get any sleep tonight so he might as well enjoy a strong coffee.
Damn it. If only she wasn't the marrying kind, they could've kept on having great sex, no strings attached. Tomorrow night was going to be hell at Louisa's party, but he had to go. He needed to help out Bob. He owed him for what he'd done all those years ago.
***
The next night, Annie dressed in one of the new skirts and low-cut tops she'd bought with Zack. Too slutty. She tried on the leather pants but they only made her look like a biker, although she liked the way they hugged her butt. Maybe the hipsters. The reflection in the mirror winked with approval.
Eat your heart out Zack DiMarco.
With an electric blue top that revealed enough cleavage to make a man drool but not enough to make him drool on her, she decided she could pass for someone who knew what she was doing. She straightened her hair and applied makeup according to the instructions on a YouTube video. The first three attempts made her look like Dracula's bride but after the fourth, she got the hang of it.
She slipped on a pair of black heels, then stepped back and checked herself out in the mirror.
