AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I’m miles away when her arms suddenly snake around my waist and her lips press tiny little kisses along the length of my spine. I must have been so deep in thought, I never heard her approach. My body relaxes into her touch and my heart swells with how tender she’s being after everything I told her. Lili is my saving grace and sometimes I can’t help wondering why she’s drawn to me.
“Take my word for it,” she whispers against my ear, “I’ve known my share of players back in college. But I’d be willing to bet they haven’t changed one iota. Whereas you own a successful club and your desire and dedication know no bounds. You’re living proof that people can change and just because you made a bad judgment call in the past doesn’t define who you are today, Z. Pick up the phone and call her. What do you have to lose?”
Everything. But I won’t say it out loud because Lili doesn’t know I went to visit Zoe in South Carolina and she shut me down.
I drop my cig in the tureen, spin around and envelop her in my arms. Lili is the only one who can keep me grounded in this fucked-up world full of pain and sorrow. And since I’ve met her, she’s the only one who can bring out emotions I haven’t felt in years. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing, but I do know it makes me feel alive inside instead of just going through the motions.
I’m desperately trying to distract her so I won’t have to answer any more of her questions. And I think I’m doing a great job when my lips trace the contour of her neck and she whimpers. But, there’s something I need to know.
“Have you ever felt like throwing in the towel, Lili? Like life isn’t worth the effort—”
Immediately, her hands frame my face and her frightened gaze searches mine. “After Ryder’s death I questioned everything, and I knew I had two choices. One, I could give in to the despair I was feeling, or, two, I could scramble to the surface and dig my way out. I had my answer when he came to me in a dream one night. Skeptics don’t believe in that crap and neither did I, until then. Suffice it to say, he made me realize that life is a precious gift and no one is worth letting go of. That I still had my family that loved me very much and I wasn’t alone. He said, “Words will help you heal.” And he was adamant about me pouring my heart and soul into my writing. Which was easy for me since I’m a writer. If I hadn’t been, I could have easily used a journal or a diary.”
“I believe you, and that’s all that matters. I’m glad you’re able to find peace with your writing.” She shudders as I kiss her parted lips to assure her that I’m right here and don’t plan on leaving anytime soon. I could seriously kick myself in the ass for thinking out loud, but I had to ask. I literally suck as a boyfriend or whatever the fuck I am. No wonder Zoe doesn’t want anything to do with me.
“I know I sound like a broken record but please call her. One of you has to break the silence and that might be all she needs for you two to get together again.”
She squeals when I pick her up by the ass and carry her upstairs. I fucking love the way her legs wrap around my waist, so inviting and ready for penetration. God, if only we were naked. But before I throw her on the bed and make love to her, yes, I did say make love and not fuck, I need to end this hell once and for all. “I missed you so damn much when you left that I decided to go see the other woman in my life. Yeah, you guessed it. I went to South Carolina to see Zoe and it was a bust. Some wrongs just can’t be made right again. I’ve had time to accept it and I think you should too.”
LILIANNA
The view from up here is simply breathtaking in more ways than I could have ever imagined. I can either stare at the sun kissing the horizon or at Zane’s breathtakingly beautiful face while he sleeps. As far as I’m concerned, I can always catch another sunrise, but I won’t be able to drink him in for much longer. Two weeks will fly by and before we know it, I’ll be leaving again. I know it’s only for a month, but after giving him my heart it will feel like an eternity.
Once he came clean yesterday, he stripped me down and we’ve been touching, kissing and getting reacquainted with each other’s bodies ever since. Making love until the wee hours of the morning. Only coming up for air when we desperately needed a bathroom break or nourishment, so we could continue with our ministrations. Every whispered moan and every breath felt like our first. Zane took his time and indulged me in pure carnal pleasure which brought me to heights I had never experienced before. My body’s still humming from the afterglow and my heart’s full to bursting as I commit him to memory. And he doesn’t even stir when I brush a lock of hair away from his face.
I can’t help wondering how he can sleep so deeply when his heart has been broken. I know he’d never admit it, but he must be devastated that Zoe didn’t accept his apology. As far as I’m concerned, it’s her loss. Zane might be a lot of things but when he cares about someone he wears his heart on his sleeve. My heart truly bleeds for them both. I know all too well that regret is a bitter pill to swallow. And that’s the only reason why I begged Zane to call his sister. I must admit, I was caught off guard when he admitted he’d gone to South Carolina because he’d been missing me. How sweet is that? Life is such a precious gift. I wish with everything I am that they can one day work out their differences.
I’m so wrapped up in watching him that I startle when his alarm goes off. His eyes snap open immediately and when he catches me watching him, he breaks out in a sexy grin. In a beat, his alarm is silenced and I’m lost in his embrace. Nuzzling my neck, he leaves a tender kiss and whispers, “Morning, beautiful.”
“Morning.” I feel his smile before a big sigh escapes him in one fell swoop.
“The last thing I want is to leave you in this great big bed all alone. Unfortunately, I can’t play hooky today since I need to get all the last-minute details done for the afterparty on Saturday. It’s a shame you won’t be there. I’d love to be your escort for the evening.”
Hmm, I’d love to be on his arm for the event. I just might run it by Nat and see if it would be a great publicity surprise. It would certainly help with my new release that will be coming out next month. “You would do that for me?”
When his gaze meets mine all I can see is sincerity wrapped up with affection. “I’d do anything for you, baby.” A slight sweep of his thumb across my cheek and I’m a goner. I so wish everyone could see Zane through my eyes.
“I’ll call Natalie and see what I can do. I’m sure the only reason she didn’t schedule me for the event was because I’m on vacation. Still, I think it would be loads of fun if I went with you this time around.”
His lips crash into mine and I’m swept away with need once again. Zane is like an adrenaline rush and a slow burn all rolled into one and when his body presses against mine, I’m ready for so much more.
“See what you do to me?” he growls. “If I don’t leave now, I never will.” With one more passionate kiss, he quickly pushes off the bed and adjusts himself. I won’t hide my smile since I love knowing I have that effect on him. “What’s on your agenda today?”
I sit up, tuck my legs against my chest and carefully secure the sheet around me so Zane doesn’t get too distracted. Hugging my knees, I contemplate his question. “Well, I’m definitely going to call Nat first and then I need to go home so I can weed through all of my junk mail. After that, I guess I’ll catch up on some e-mails and do some writing. Why?”
The mattress dips ever so slightly when he places his fists on each side of me and leans in so we’re eye to eye. “I want you here when I get home, Lili. We have so few nights left together, I’d love to spend all of them with you.”
Be still my heart. “Okay, but I really need to go home for a bit and check on everything. I promise I’ll be here when you get back.”
“That’s my girl. Mike’s working all week so I’m sure he won’t mind locking up. And I promise to leave by ten at the latest. Now, I need to take a quick shower. Care to join me?”
Gliding my hand over his cheek, I whisper, “I’d love to. But if I do, you won’t be going to work today.” There’s a challenge in his eyes but he gently kisses the corner of my mouth before stalking off. That’s my cue to get out of bed and head in the opposite direction. Otherwise, he’ll be late for work and I’ll never go home.
I rush downstairs so I can take my shower before I change my mind. Showering with Zane is definitely on my bucket list, but I don’t want him to have to choose between me and his job. Not today and not ever.
There’s something so intimate when we kiss goodbye that has my head spinning. It’s nothing I can explain, it’s just a feeling. Contentment, perhaps. Or a feeling of utter bliss that I’ve found someone who is willing to wait for me. Someone who doesn’t want to conceal my success but wants to shout it from the rooftops. Zane is a keeper and I’m so glad I realized it before it was too late.
I must admit I get a little teary eyed when I pull into my parking spot. It’s been so long since I’ve been here, and I never realized how homesick I was until this very minute. There’s no doubt in my mind I have my work cut out for me in the next few weeks, but I’m sure Zane will help me every step of the way. He’s proven to me time and time again that he’s in it for the long haul and I couldn’t be happier.
