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“Some more than others.” Zach cocks his head toward me.
Gosh, why doesn’t he post an announcement on social media!
“Drink this before coffee, Mrs. Teager. You’ll feel better.” William hands me a glass of something green, which I take without argument.
If there’s one thing I have learned so far in this house, it’s that Will knows everything.
I drink the bitter-tasting concoction while Zach helps himself to coffee. After setting food suited for more than ten people on the table, fried eggs, bacon, hash browns, toast among other things, William leaves the kitchen.
There’s a moment of silence after his departure and then Zach turns to me.
“You said something yesterday.” He doesn’t beat around the bush as usual. “I want to talk about it.”
My hand holding the fork halts. “I don’t remember much from last night.” And that’s the truth.
“I have no problem reminding you.” I jerk my head toward him at his serious voice. “You said your dad didn’t fulfill his promise. You lost yourself under the responsibilities of being a mom and caretaker of the family at a young age and you missed a lot of things in life.”
My back goes ramrod straight.
God, I blurted all that?
“It must be the alcohol. Though I’m not happy with everything in my life, I don’t have any regrets.”
“It didn’t sound so yesterday. You were regretful that you never had so much as a proper kiss. You even went so far that you asked me to kiss you.”
The coffee mug shakes in my trembling hand as my face heats with humiliation. “I was wasted, you yourself said so a few moments ago. I’m already embarrassed enough. Do you really need to cause me more mortification?”
He looks at me for a beat and then says slowly, “Why would I mortify you?”
“Then, what are you trying to achieve?” I turn to face him, feeling like it’s my turn to demand some answers.
“I’m trying to make sense of you.” My heart skips a beat when he gazes at me in confusion as if I am one big mystery. I shy away from his imploring eyes. “Hope, look at me. Help me understand.”
“There’s nothing to understand.” I stand, leaving my tasty breakfast untouched.
Maybe I should just close my eyes and think about what all I have done wrong. But Zach catches my hand, halting my retreat. When I don’t turn, he pulls me and unsteadily I fall into his arms.
“Don’t go.”
“What are you doing?” My hands press on the soft fabric of his shirt.
“What you asked.”
And just like that his lips are on mine.
My breath catches in my throat. The shivers that usually course through my body at Zach’s touch have escalated and they explode like New Year’s fireworks.
My body and mind are in a heady combination of hot and cold as his soft lips suck on mine.
My hands clutching his shirt flatten over his broad chest as he continues to kiss me. Unlike him, his kiss isn’t hasty, but rather like a slow-burning fire which starts with a spark, and you just don’t know if it will extinguish or continue until the roaring flames crack.
Zach doesn’t try to push anything, as if just enjoying the taste of my lips. My mind screams from someplace far to run away, but my traitorous heart and my attraction for my husband holds me captive in his arms. As if possessed, I lean into his solid warm body, seeking his warmth, and his hands tighten around me like he doesn’t want me to leave either. When his tongue hesitantly crawls into my mouth, I surrender.
He gives and I take everything he is offering.
“Zach,” I whisper when we pull apart for some air. My coarse, dry voice is foreign to my own ears.
He rests his head against my neck, and I shudder at the first touch of his lips there. I feel numb in his arms as if all my blood has gone to my belly and beneath.
