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“And if I don’t?” The words came out breathy.
“If you choose to run away like a scared little rabbit, you’ll never know how it feels to have me cover you with my body, to have me worship you like the goddess you are.”
She swallowed, nodded, then stood taller, shoulders squared.
Zack forced himself to step aside. He had to see what she would do. This had to be her choice. “Elizabeth, if you walk out now, I’ll go back to being polite.”
It might kill him, but he would do it. He would drink the rest of that Scotch tonight and put all his armor on in the morning.
He would do his damnedest to forget her.
“And if I stay and lock the door?”
“You’ll be mine until morning. I’ll take you every way I want to, and you won’t rest until I’ve had my fill. It will be my way all the way, so think about that before you decide. I won’t go easy on you. I’m too hungry. So this won’t be tender lovemaking. I’ll fuck you until I can’t remember anything except how good it feels when I’m inside you.”
She gave him one last unreadable glance before she walked across the room, her heels clicking on the hardwood.
His fists clenched at his sides as he watched and waited. It took every ounce of his restraint to allow her this choice. If it were up to him, he’d bar the door so she would have no escape. Then he would hunt her, capture her, take her. Instead, he stood there, holding his breath, his gut twisting, his entire body pulsing and alive with anxiety and anticipation.
Finally, Elizabeth reached the door. She closed it, sliding the lock into place, then turned to him, chin raised.
She’d made her decision. She was his for the night.
He sent her a feral smile and sauntered closer, pure need coursing through his veins as he tore off that strangling mental leash that had held him back for so long and reached for her.
Chapter Six
Liz’s hands shook as she turned the lock, shutting herself alone in the library with Zack. This was likely the single stupidest thing she’d ever done, but after years of pining for and being in love with him, she couldn’t walk away without knowing how a night with him would feel.
She should be in her bed right now, trying to find sleep. But she’d seen the light on and known he’d be here. Like a freaking moth to a flame, she’d found herself leaving the safety of her bedroom and walking right into the predator’s den.
After this evening, she understood him better. He’d pulled the same dumb play Mad had, shoving her away so she wouldn’t get caught up in his danger. So she wouldn’t become another Joy. Gus had been hinting at this for weeks, but her friend hadn’t been able to betray her fiancé’s secrets by being specific…and Liz had been too hurt to believe.
Trembling, she turned now and looked at the only man she’d ever truly loved. He needed her tonight. She saw it in his stare, in the way he clenched his fists at his sides. How much character and willpower had it taken him to allow her this choice? She admired him even more for finding the strength, especially since she’d long suspected that under his façade of intellectualism and perfect manners, he hid a beast.
Tonight, she would find out if she’d been right.
Liz had no illusions. He was capable of breaking her heart into a million pieces, and she’d try not to let him. But even if she only got one night with this man, she would take it because she would rather live with foolish regret than stubborn ignorance.
“Elizabeth.”
His voice hummed in the quiet room, caressing between her ears, vibrating through her body. She flushed with arousal.
This was it. This was happening.
She’d wanted him the moment they’d met, but he’d been forbidden. Now, he stood in front of her with his broad shoulders and his dark hair. Not a president, but a man. Her man—at least for the night.
Liz tried to steady her breathing as she crossed the room to him. Finally, she had permission to touch him the way she’d always wanted. Of course she’d heard him say tonight would be his way all the way, that it wouldn’t be tender, but she wanted one sweet moment she could cling to later before her man turned beast.
She stopped in front of him and reached up, brushing her fingers against the silver threaded at his temples—the only sign that he was aging. Naturally, it made him even more attractive.
He caught her hand, clasping it in his big one. “Be sure.”
That was Zack, always putting others first, even when his whole world was falling apart. Even when he needed so desperately for himself.
Tonight, she was here for him in every way. Liz hoped with all her heart he understood that.
She would cling to him through the bittersweet hours until dawn, memorizing every touch. Tomorrow they would go back to their corners, and the turmoil would start again. It would be worse because she would know exactly how good it felt to be in his arms. But their passion could only be temporary because he was right, any chance they’d had at a future had died the day Joy had. After her murder and three long years, how could they ever hope for more?
“I’m sure,” she murmured. “I want everything you have to give me tonight.”
He released her hand to grip her waist. Immediately, he dragged her against his body. His free hand found her hair and sank in, tugging her head back. “I’ve waited forever for this.”
His thick whisper sent a tremor through her. “Me, too.”
Silently, Liz mourned the loss of their idyllic vow in Memphis that when they finally kissed for the first time, it would only be when they’d never have to stop. But she couldn’t worry about the future when she and Zack only had right now.
He angled her face under his and her heart began to careen. He bent, crushed her lips under his, and groaned into their kiss. She could feel the moment he let go of his iron will.
“It’s not going to last nearly as long as I want it to,” he muttered against her mouth. “At least not this first time…”
Liz expected it to be fast and furious because neither of them could deny their desire a second longer. He needed her; she could feel it. Another reason she couldn’t walk away. If he had merely sought sex, she might have found the will, but even if this wasn’t a tender joining, it was about connection. They were both starving for it.
Again, he swept his lips over hers and devoured her. There was no other way to describe the way he clutched her against every muscle and bulge of his lean body and took her mouth captive. She wrapped her arms around him and lost herself in passion.
He didn’t waste time. With his tongue, he urged her mouth open, then he tugged on her hair again in sharp demand. She opened her mouth and welcomed him inside. Her body felt taut, like an arrow about to be loosed. While his tongue dominated hers, she explored the hard planes of his body with eager hands, wishing so badly that nothing came between them. The clothes she’d worn all day were now far too tight. She wouldn’t be able to breathe if she couldn’t feel his naked skin against hers soon.
Zack was already working on the problem. He didn’t miss a beat, just wrapped his hands around the neckline of her blouse and yanked. In a single movement, the buttons gave way. Cool air and his hot stare stroked her skin.
She didn’t have a handy set of clothes to change into tomorrow, but her protest drifted away as Zack stripped the crisp white blouse from her torso and stared.
His burning gaze inspired a wave of goose bumps all over her body.
“Take off your bra.”
His rough voice urged her to stand in front of him, unclasp the garment, and let it fall between them. She did. He watched, sucking in a sharp breath as she revealed her breasts to him. His eyes heated, darkened. He didn’t have to say a word for Liz to feel adored.
“Come here.” He reached for her.
She was already so close that she could feel his hot breath and electric impatience. “If I come any closer, I’ll be pressed against you.”
He merely smiled as he caressed up her arm, then wrapped his
fingers around it to draw her in. “Now that I’ve seen how gorgeous you are, I want to feel you.”
His words were melting her when he spun her away and dragged her bare back against his chest.
“Zack?”
