Page 11 of Protecting my Zinnia

Zinnia looks up at me with such sorrow that it breaks my heart. "I'd really love to. But it's the final day with Dad's credit card, so my sisters and I are going out for a big dinner to celebrate the apartment being finished. I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry, baby. That's important." I smile, caressing her shoulders. "What about tomorrow night instead?"

Her chin tips up and down eagerly. "Yes please."

I drive her home, then drive us both half crazy with a goodbye kiss that leaves us breathless in the stairwell of her apartment. "How am I supposed to go back to normal life after this?" she giggles.

"Normal life? How am I supposed to walk around after this?"

I groan in shock as her hand skims down the front of my jeans, taking a firm hold of my shaft. "Is this the problem?" she asks innocently. "Should I pay more attention to it tomorrow night?"

Flattening her against the wall, I kiss Zinnia so hard I worry I'll bruise her. Then I step back just as suddenly. "You have to get ready for your fancy dinner. I have to get out of here before I do something seriously inappropriate."

She reaches up to trail her fingertips along side of my face. "I think I'd like it when you're inappropriate. Almost out of control. It's sexy."

"Grrrr." I love the way Zinnia's eyes light up whenever I make that growling sound. Whenever I say anything dirty, or give her a command.

I love the way her perfect ass shimmies up the stairs. I love the way—

I love her.

My mind has checked out. All that's left is emotion, and physical need.

I love her. And she's mine.

5

ZINNIA

Slipping the delivery man ten bucks, I stare in delight at the pile of computer boxes in the center of what's really now our office.

Even though I am dying to start unpacking everything, I open my old laptop and check to see if there's been any response to the ad I placed yesterday. Two messages already!

Okay, this has been the most ridiculously wonderful week ever.

Our dinner last night was stupendous, and even though Rose pulled out a notepad over dessert to jot down a few basic house rules, it was a good chance to relax and unwind.

It probably helped me sleep, because Evan got me so wound up yesterday I thought I was going to explode. How does he know exactly how to press all of my buttons so quickly?

I respond to one of the messages asking for more information. The second one is straightforward, asking to get together this afternoon to go over ideas.

After setting up a coffee meeting for four o'clock, I get a message.

Evan: I'm working a job that will probably take me till 5:30 or so. Shall I pick you up at your apartment?

Me: I'll either be home by then, or at The Tiny Goat.

Evan: Okay. I'll check there first. Can't wait to see you, gorgeous.

Me: Me too.

The day flies by as I set up all of the computer stuff, then bounce to the café and my first real client meeting. As soon as I shake hands with Angus, the owner of the local movie theater, I know this is going to be a fun job.

Even with only a couple of hours brainstorming ideas, he loves everything I propose.

Partnering with local restaurants so customers get a discount on their meal for showing the movie ticket, or a discount on the movie ticket if they eat nearby beforehand and show the receipt. A quirky illustrated map to be thrown up on the screen right before the movie previews, showing all of the participating restaurants. Starting a "Sandersville Hangouts" community of Saturday night entertainment-related businesses.

A blog where his staff can review movies every week. Not just what they thought themselves, but how the audiences reacted. Did they leave the theater dazzled? Laughing? Dabbing away tears?