Page 30 of Calling a Cease-Fire

He nodded and picked up the glass, taking a large swig. “Yup. Served him up on a silver platter. Right back to his abusive dad.”

My stomach revolted at his words. “What?”

“The kid was afraid to come down because his dad would be mad at him.” Zack roughed a hand over his face. “At first, none of us thought anything of it. Then Jay spotted a bruise on the kid’s arm distinctly shaped like a hand. We watched the dad drag him back inside by grabbing him in the same spot.”

I swallowed. “Maybe that’s all it is.”

Zack’s gaze, now full of pain, found mine again. “This kid was scared to death of him.” He lifted the glass and finished the liquid in one large gulp. “Shitty thing is, apparently Dylan has tried to get the kid removed before with no luck. They haven’t been able to find proof of the abuse, and the kid won’t talk to anyone. Says his dad doesn’t hurt him.”

I pulled out my phone and brought up my texts, letting my fingers fly across the screen.

“What are you doing?” Zack asked.

“Canceling my date.” I hit the arrow, sending the text.

A growl hit my ears and I whipped my gaze up. Did that come from Zack?

“Date?”

“Yeah. You obviously shouldn’t be alone tonight.” I threw my phone back into my purse and studied the weird expression he had aimed at me. “Want to hit up the rage room after this?”

“You had a date tonight?” Confusion marred his features. Did he not understand the concept of dating, or was he just surprised I had one?

I nodded. “Was supposed to meet him after we were done here.” I waved the bartender over and ordered myself a drink.

“And you just canceled on him?”

I shrugged at the concern in his voice. “Yeah, it’s not a big deal. I don’t really care. We’ll just meet up at a different time.”

Zack shook his head. “Well, he probably cares.”

I thought about that, hoping he didn’t. I hadn’t gotten that vibe yet. But then again, he was slow to move things along physically. If tonight ended with another chaste kiss, I was going to scream. Frankly, canceling was probably for the best. “If he cares, then that’s a problem. It means he’s way too attached.”

Zack glanced back over at me, studying me like I was some puzzle he was trying to figure out. “And you’re not.” He said it as a statement, not a question, but I planned on answering anyway.

I brought my Long Island iced tea to my lips, taking a slow sip before answering. “I don’t get attached, so no.”

He hummed. “So…why date?”

I chuckled. “Um, I still have needs.”

His eyes pinched shut and I swore he cursed under his breath. The heated stare he pinned me with caused liquid heat to pool in my belly. “I’m not in the right headspace tonight to talk about your sexual needs.”

I smirked. This Zack was fun. I traced one finger up his bicep and over his shoulder. “Oh? Afraid of what you might do?” I purred.

He spun suddenly, and I gasped as he yanked my stool between his legs. His arm draped over my shoulders, and his breath ghosted along the skin of my ear as he lowered down to whisper. “Very much so, my little vixen.”

I turned my face slightly toward him, our lips mere inches apart. The urge to lean in and kiss him was overpowering. The kiss we’d shared that night in the bar was slightly hazy, and I wanted to be reminded of what his lips tasted like. Find out if he’d take control or let me?

His hand landed on my bare knee. “This dress was for him? Your date?”

I nodded, fully tuned in to the feeling of his thumb moving slowly over my skin. My panties were soaked, and I resisted the urge to squeeze my legs together, knowing he would sense it with his hand on my leg. And there was no way I was giving him the satisfaction of knowing he turned me on that much. Although a small part of me was desperate to find out what being with him would feel like.

Our lips seemed to be moving closer to each other’s. I knew I should stop it. Pull away. But I didn’t think I was going to.

We both stiffened as a familiar voice broke through the spell. I turned away from Zack and hopped off my stool, needing space before I did something that would cause me to lose a friend.

Following the sounds of the familiar voices, I met Lyla’s disappointed look. Luckily, Nicole’s back was to us.