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Sliding his thumbs along her jawline, he watched as her lids lowered and her lips parted. Unable to help himself, he covered her mouth with his again.
He’d never taken such time with kissing a woman before, but he wanted to know Sophie’s touch, taste. He wanted to know every bit of her, but he still couldn’t let himself get beyond that last hurdle.
Because nobody had ever mattered as much as Sophie. There were other women, too many women, but they weren’t Sophie. She’d always been special, always been on a higher level. And the fact that she made him face his feelings scared the hell out of him.
Pulling away, he stared down at her. Flushed from his kisses, robe falling off her shoulder again to tempt him with all that exposed skin, and her eyes filled with passion, Sophie was the most tempting woman he’d ever known, and she wasn’t even trying.
“I’m going to go,” he told her, using every bit of his willpower not to take what she was offering. “I’m not leaving because I don’t want you, I’m leaving because I do. I’m giving us both time to figure this out.”
Giving her time to change her mind and come to her senses.
“Ten years hasn’t been enough?” she asked with a smile. “Don’t make this more complicated than it needs to be.”
“For the first time in my life, I’m thinking something through.” Reaching out, Zach slid a finger over her forehead and pushed her hair away from her face. “Trust me, next time we’re alone, if you still want this, you better be ready. It’s all I have to give, and you need to be fully aware nothing could happen beyond the bedroom.”
“You better keep that promise, Zach, because I’ve been ready for you for years.”
Sophie’s bold statement had him fighting to walk out her door and do the right thing. Now that she was fully aware that he was on board, she needed to think about this. Hell, he needed to process it fully himself.
Was he really going to get involved with Sophie? Did she really believe that this was not complicated? How could it not be complicated? Their twisted past had so many curves and highs and lows, he never knew what life was going to throw at them next.
But he knew one thing: He deserved a damn medal for walking out of her house knowing full well she was aching for him as much as he was for her.
* * *
“Are you sure you have time for this?”
Macy sat at the island in Zach’s kitchen with a worried look on her face.
“I’m positive,” he assured her as he pulled out the takeout she’d brought. “If you feed me each time we get together to discuss your house plans, the process may even go faster.”
Laughing, Macy pulled out her phone. “Well, I have several pictures, and I’m afraid they’re all different designs, so you may change your mind.”
The puppies in the next room were yipping louder than usual. Most likely they smelled the takeout.
“Your friends in there want attention,” Macy stated.
“They’re fine. They just like to make noise and they never seem to care what time it is. Feel free to take them when you leave.”
Macy laughed. “Poor baby. Are they keeping you up?”
He glared back. “Shut up or I’ll drop them all off at your place.”
“Speaking of my house, the pictures I have for you to look at are all over the place in regards to design.”
“I’m sure they have some features in common.” He pulled out two plates and started filling them with rice and chicken. “Most people won’t see that, but if they’re all your style, then there’s usually a common thread.”
He handed Macy a glass of tea and her plate before settling next to her on the other bar stool.
“You gonna tell me about that shiner?” she asked as she scooped up a healthy forkful of rice.
“My brother.”
Her brow quirked. “Liam? You tell him about the house?”
Shaking his head, Zach cut into his chicken. “Braxton took out some frustration. I deserved it, so I let it slide.”
Macy laughed. “So you haven’t
