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Unfortunately, you have turned this into a war
I’m disappointed she turned this all around to make me look like the bad guy. Can we just agree to disagree? Isn’t that what makes the world so interesting? How boring would it be if we all thought alike? As far as I’m concerned, there’s no right or wrong—just a difference of opinion.
I wait a few minutes for her response and when it doesn’t come, I move on.
After snuffing out the remainder of my cig, I cautiously slip through the slider. And I’m truly astonished when I see Lili still sound asleep. I have two options. One, I can wake her up by coaxing her legs apart and devouring her for brunch. Or, I can take a quick shower and make us something to eat. It’s a no-brainer when I realize I smell like sex and an ashtray, so I march myself right into the bathroom. Shower first, devour her later.
The scent of freshly brewed coffee fills my senses as soon as I walk downstairs. A tell-tale sign that Lili’s awake. She’s sitting at the island with her feet propped up on the vacant stool, cradling the mug in her hands. My heart picks up a notch at the sight of her. I could so get used to this scenario first thing in the morning. I shake off the thought when her gaze meets mine. Yeah, because we both know it’s short lived and she’ll soon be gone.
“I hope you don’t mind that I made a whole pot instead of just one cup at a time. I think I’d use up your whole box in one day.” I’d like to think she’s feeling this way because I fucked her so good last night. But I know she’s had a rough three months living on the road.
She’s too delectable to pass up, so I stride over and kiss her pouty lips before whispering, “Rough morning?”
“No, just the opposite. Last night was the first time I’ve slept like a baby in ages.” And I think we both know why. It wasn’t just the amazing sex, it was the fact that she felt safe and secure in my arms. Her pink cheeks tell me all I need to know. “I’ll get going after some much needed coffee so you can get ready for work.”
“You’re not going anywhere, and neither am I. Club Syn can survive one day without me. Today I’m all yours.” When she tries to protest, I cover her mouth with mine. Lili tastes like coffee, sin and contentment all rolled into one. Which makes me want to climb inside this woman and never let go. When she parts her lips, moans and searches for my tongue, I’ve died and gone to heaven because this woman will certainly be the death of me. In a good way.
I love the way she’s looking at me when she breaks our kiss. Flushed and sexy with a hint of adoration in those all-encompassing eyes. “Sorry I couldn’t resist, but I feel terrible that I haven’t showered or brushed my teeth yet.” My cock suddenly jolts to life when her thumb swipes over my bottom lip. “Everything is in the trunk of my car. I’ll go get some fresh clothes and…”
“Don’t ever apologize because you’re perfect, Lili. Now, if you insist on taking a shower, give me your keys and everything will be waiting for you in the bedroom.”
“That’s sweet of you, Zane, but I can…”
Maybe she’s forgotten what happens when she leaves my house, but I haven’t. There’s no way in hell I’m letting Lili escape this time around. “Give me your keys before I rummage through your purse.”
“You wouldn’t.” One look at my face and she jumps off the stool, sprinting to find her purse. Damn straight, because I have no qualms about finding them myself. “All I need is my patchwork suitcase and my carry-on,” she quips before running upstairs. Mm, I do like this sassy little spitfire side of her.
Even though I’ve already showered, I’m so tempted to join her after placing her luggage on my bed. But, I refrain and give her some privacy. I’ll let her do her thing, but one day soon I’m going to wash every inch of her curvaceous body. From the tip of her head to her toes and everything in between.
I pour myself a coffee, sit back and wait for my… what do I call her? Girlfriend, lover, woman? Hell if I know since she surprised me late last night. Maybe it’s best if I don’t put a label on it quite yet. For now, I’m going to just kick back and see how this plays out.
She’s a vision walking downstairs with her eyes trained on me. Mine follow her every move as she heads straight into the kitchen. I’m guessing her shower wasn’t enough to erase the cobwebs, so she needed another coffee. I take a sip of mine as an electric current surges through the air when she saunters back into the room. Lili might be the innocent one here, but she looks guilty as sin when she slides in next to me.
I brace myself for what’s to come.
LILIANNA
“Are you up for a game of twenty questions today, Zane?” I’m hoping he is because I want to know everything about the man I’m going to spend the rest of my life with. He doesn’t know it yet, but he will soon enough.
He casually lays his arm across my shoulder and pulls me close. I blow out a pent-up breath as his gaze meets mine. I turn into a pile of mush every time he looks at me that way. Like I’m the air he breathes, the beat of his heart, the reason he exists.
“I’m tired of playing games, Lili. More than you’ll ever know. Especially now that I know you’ll be gone in a few weeks’ time. I don’t want to flip a coin and leave everything to chance anymore. Let’s talk about whatever comes up, instead of putting each other on the spot.”
Of course he’d be the one to lay it all out on the table. Just because I’m on a mini vacation, Zane still needs to go to work. Allowing us only a small window of opportunity to get to really know each other. We need to embrace every moment and make it count.
“Well, I grew up in a small town in Northeastern Connecticut. I have two amazing sisters who are married, two nieces and one nephew. I don’t see them nearly enough, but life goes on and we make the best of it when we do get together. My parents have been happily married for thirty-five years and I’m hopeful that I’ll find my kindred spirit someday.” I swallow down the lump in my throat and I know it’s inevitable that one day I’ll have to come clean about Ryder. For now, I’d like to stick with just family.
I’m stunned when Zane fills the silence. “As I’ve mentioned before, I have one brother and sister. But, what I didn’t elaborate on was the fact that Zoe’s my twin. Growing up, we were all close, but we started falling apart when we went to college. Zack’s two years older and chose to forego college, which started the rift in our family. I wanted so much more out of life. I was always focused with my nose to the grindstone. Succeeding was the most important thing in the world to me, whereas experiencing life to its fullest was all encompassing to Zoe. She was a free spirit and really just wanted to enjoy life. Sometimes I feel like her and Zack were better suited to be twins, instead of us two.”
I’m not sure if I should ask questions or just let it go. So I decide to break the ice and talk about my parents. “Mom and Dad began dating when they were sixteen. They can attest that it wasn’t love at first sight, but they were drawn to one another. Whatever powers that be pulled them together must have worked since they’ve been together for so long.”
“I really envy you,” Zane begins. “My parents are miserable and should be divorced, but I guess old habits are hard to break. Perhaps they keep hoping for one more family reunion before they pull the plug on their unhappily-ever-after. Which is never going to happen since I will not be in the same room as my brother for any length of time. Besides, Zoe is too busy down in South Carolina with her family and friends to even give us the time of day.”
Without a doubt, Zane is bitter. I’m not sure if he’ll open up to me today about what’s happened in his past to make him feel this way. I decide not to pry. Baby steps. I won’t push him because I wouldn’t want him doing the same to me.
“Funny you should mention South Carolina, since it was the last stop on my book tour. I spent the last day soaking up the sun at Myrtle Beach and witnessed a dad and his daughter having a very private conversation. Perhaps I shouldn’t have eavesdropped, but she was so precious sitting on her daddy’s lap, listening to every word with bated breath. I could have watched them for hours but then someone called out to Hunter and he had to go back to work."
I stop midsentence when he snickers. “Wow, it’s a small world isn’t it? Given that Zoe and Hunter work together as lifeguards on Myrtle Beach. I can’t help wondering if it’s the same stretch of beach you were sunbathing on. I remember hearing he was hitched, but had no clue he had a daughter.”
