He stopped stroking her fingers and removed his hands. Her heart dipped. “I keep everything bottled up,” he said. “Never talk about anything. I can tell you from experience, it’s gonna come out. For me, it’s those damned headaches.” He opened his palms, raised his brows. “If you can’t trust your assistant, who can you trust?”
Her beautiful stepbrother had turned up the charm. Way, way up. She hoped his intentions were true. For a brief moment, she studied his face.
“Debby is tight on cash. I want to help her out if she’s about to get evicted or she doesn’t have any food.” Savannah exhaled a sigh. “But she’s all about buying something flashy or gambling it away.”
“I understand. You question whether she’s in a real bind or taking advantage of you. That’s a tough spot to be in.”
She appreciated his compassion. “It is. I offered to buy her grocery store gift cards, but she hung up on me.” She shrugged a shoulder.
“You made a nice gesture, Savannah. That’s all you can do. Most people have their own agendas. I know I did.”
A shiver skirted down her spine. “And now what? You don’t want to change my mind about Starry Cove?”
“No, I don’t. All I ever do is push to win. I came here with that goal in mind.” His gaze floated over her face. “One day didn’t change me, but stepping away from the constant grind helped put things in perspective. Kent’s heart attack has finally sunk in. I’m confident another opportunity will come along.”
She liked this laid-back man who’d ditched the suit and had slowed down enough to be present and in the moment. The band started playing on the cozy stage behind her and she twisted around to see them.
“Come sit next to me,” he said.
As soon as she slid in beside him, everything changed. His close proximity sent energy racing through her. His broad shoulders and hard chest filled the tight space. She soaked up his features, studied every detail. His dark, mussed hair made his light eyes pop. Those luscious lips were framed in a light sprinkling of facial hair. Eyeing his whiskered jawline had lust tumbling through her. But it was the intensity pouring from him that sent her pulse skyrocketing. Being around this sexy man was crazy addictive.
Beyond the handsome face and strong body was a man who’d walled himself off so he wouldn’t get hurt. His vulnerability touched her soul. He used his suit as a protective armor, like she relied on the camera to shield her from others. Their porcupine exteriors made them more alike then she’d realized.
She understood him and longed to get closer.
While the slow beat of the music vibrated through her, she flicked her gaze from his mouth back into his eyes. She desperately wanted to kiss him.Don’t go there. Refusing to give in, she severed their connection to check out the band.
The lead singer cranked out a tune with a southern rock beat. Zander dropped his arm on the back of the booth behind her, but he didn’t touch her. She dug her heels into the floor to stop herself from nestling into the crook of his arm.Resist, resist, resist.
Despite closing her eyes and swaying to the slow, soulful beat, her thoughts stayed anchored on her stepbrother.
He was inches away, but she couldn’t touch him. All she had to do was tilt her face toward him and he could kiss her. She set her sights on the band, refusing to surrender to the constant desire charging through her.
The song ended and the room broke out in applause and cheers.
“Savannah.”
She peered into his eyes. Her heart pounded, her breath caught. And her defenses crumbled. Damn this man. Damn his fiery energy, his brooding nature, and his sexy transformation.
“I can’t hold back anymore. I have to kiss you.”
Yes, finally.She moistened her lips. “If you must.”
The corners of his lips quirked as their lips melded, desire surging through her. Her pulse quickened, her insides hummed. The kiss was soft, yet powerful. Bursting with passion and promise. She ran the pads of her fingers down his prickly cheeks. One soft peck blossomed into several, but his tongue never swept inside her mouth. She melted from the tenderness of his touch.
“Oh, guys, sorry to interrupt.” Their waiter set down the plate of fried pastry. “Piping hot sopapillas.”
Despite ending the kiss, Zander palmed her shoulder and pulled her flush against him. She struggled to steady her breathing. His gentle kisses had left her dizzy and starving for more.
“I brought you guys the works. Honey, along with our homemade sugar and cinnamon mix.” He set everything on the table. “Isn’t the band great?”
Savannah tried paying attention to the conversation between Zander and the friendly employee, but she couldn’t. The hold her stepbrother had over her seemed surreal. She’d abided by their rule until he’d kissed her. And now, all she wanted to do was kiss him again.
Then, tear off his clothes and ravage the hell out of him.
They’d stepped into forbidden territory. Forbidden territory that would taste sweeter than the dessert she was about to devour.
When the waiter left, Zander murmured, “Now, where were we?”
