Time For Love Box Set

by Karen Deen

  “Zoe, are you okay?”

  “Umm, sure, yes,” I mumbled.

  “Great. Do you want to drop your car off at your place on the way and then I can pick you up? That way you can drink, and we will put you in a cab or drop you home later?”

  Shit, I wasn’t saying yes to going for drinks. I just meant, yes, I was okay. Now I couldn’t back out. What the hell was I going to do? There was no way Luke wouldn’t be going. I could be so stupid sometimes.

  “Hurry up, people. I’m in need of a nice glass of bubbles. What’s taking you two so long?” Lilly stuck her head through the door, looking like she was definitely ready to hit the town and party.

  “Uh, maybe I should just head home and let you all have a family night.” I fumbled trying to work out how to get out of the situation.

  “Pfft, nonsense. I can see these people anytime. You’re coming with us, girlfriend, even if you try to get out of it. It will be fun. You can help us gang up on the boys and we can all get to know you better. Now hustle, people, time is wasting.” Lilly wasn’t taking no for an answer. I had a feeling she had a little of Grant in her. She may have been the youngest, but she knew how to get her way. In a different way to Grant, but just as effective. Zach and I followed her out the door, my stomach churning with anxiety.

  There was no turning back.

  I would either survive the night and life would move on, or, it would become my farewell drinks.

  Luke

  When Lilly suggested drinks at Stonewall Bar, I was first to stick my hand up. It had been a long fucking week and a few beers to blow off steam was just what I needed.

  Between the weird drama with Zach at the start of the week, that I still hadn’t gotten to the bottom of, to the interviewing and hiring of new staff, which in turn, put me in the middle of another shit fight with Grant. Nothing new, really. Then of course, meeting Zoe. Of all the things that had made my week a long one, she was the main reason.

  It had left me with a strange feeling. Not a bad one, just one I didn’t understand. That was the most frustrating thing of all.

  While I closed up my office, I put away my files for next week. There was no way I was working over the weekend. I needed a break and I sure as hell wasn’t going to turn into Grant who couldn’t seem to stay away from work. I knew it benefited us all, but man, he really needed to break out into the real world for a change.

  Closing my door, I heard Alesha and Lilly heading to the lift, chatting and giggling. Once the meeting had finished, it was like we took our business hats off and we were just brothers and sisters. That was the best part of the day for me. We were all back on equal footing, just siblings loving each other. Some days I forgot that in the heat of the moment.

  Then she appeared. Walking from the office with Zach. Again, my heart fluttered, the hairs on my body standing on end, an electricity in the air. What the hell was this?

  I stood, watching her from behind. They all walked toward the lift chatting freely. Her beauty certainly caught my attention. It wasn’t that she was all glammed up like a cover-page model, she just had that natural glow about her. I imagined waking up next to her and she’d look just the same. Stunning.

  “Stop daydreaming, little brother. You owe me a beer for being a little shit this week.” I felt a hand rest on my shoulder, Grant’s voice strong in my ear. That was enough to get me moving.

  “Like hell. You owe me one for being a controlling asshole.” We both chuckled and followed the rest to start our weekend.

  I was on alert when I entered the bar, but headed straight over to order the first round of beers for the boys and carried them to the table where everyone was getting settled in their seats.

  Driving here, I decided I needed to move past the weirdness with Zoe and stop avoiding her. We were going to be working together so maybe if I got to know her better, then it wouldn’t be so weird. We would just be work mates. That was all we could ever be.

  “Now, girls, I’ll get your order. I can guess what my sisters want but what can I get you, Zoe?” I asked, trying to sound as light-hearted as possible. She looked up through her eyelashes but couldn’t meet my gaze.

  “I’m easy. Just a beer is fine,” she said and I smiled at her nervousness.

  “Ahh, a woman after my own heart.”

  That got her attention, her head jolting up, now taking notice.

  “I love a woman who’s not afraid to drink a good beer, instead of all that bubbly and colored lolly water. I think you and I are going to get on just fine and be great mates, Zoe.”

  Her shoulders finally relaxed for the first time since I’d met her, realizing I was no longer a threat. Not that I ever was, but she must have felt uneasy around me for some reason.

  “I think I will like that too, Luke. You can never have enough mates,” she agreed in a small voice.

  And there it was. No matter what weirdness was buzzing around us, we both just friend-zoned each other. That would make life a lot easier in the office. Friends was better than trying to ignore her.

  The more drinks we consumed, the more the party started happening. There were a lot of laughs, joking, and poking fun at each other. We all dragged out secret stories to share with Zoe. The more the night progressed, the more she seemed to finally relax and join in conversation. Even though my sisters planned a girls-only night, that now wasn’t happening. Instead, we all opted for burgers and fries at the bar to soak up the alcohol.

  I managed to have a small private conversation with Zoe while the girls went to the toilet and the boys ordered more drinks. She was still nervous at being alone with me. When the others were there, she talked freely and didn’t once look down, but when she was with me, she kept dropping her eyes, cheeks flushed. That made me think things I shouldn’t. I kept telling myself it was just from all the alcohol. My dick, however, wasn’t listening. The word ‘friend’ was on repeat.

  As the night drew to a close, Zach stood and announced he was officially welcoming Zoe to the family. He proclaimed she was going to be more than just an employee with the ease she fit in with us. The girls giggled, all three of them. They were so similar.

  “Yes, she is another sister. You boys are all going to have to put up with that,” Alesha laughed.

  “Cheers to that,” Lilly agreed, raising her glass.

  Even Grant softened as the night went on.

  Whatever feelings I had for Zoe being more than a friend, had just been squashed officially by my family adopting her as another sibling. That was enough to make your dick go limp. Well, temporarily anyway.

  Zoe

  In bed later that night, I finally took a relaxing breath. I wasn’t sure how, but I had managed not to trigger Luke’s memory in any way. It was obvious he had no idea who I was, and in turn, I was overjoyed and thankful that I could finally start living a life just being Zoe.

  Part of me, however, was saddened that Luke would never really get to know the real me. It wasn’t like he knew Cassie, the alias I’d used on nights like that. Not in the way I knew him, anyway.

  Luke

  I left the bar that night relieved I’d managed to start a good friendship and working relationship with Zoe, even if a part of me was still restless.

  There was just something about that woman that I couldn’t pinpoint. It was like she owned a part of me. How that could be, I’d never understand.

  Chapter Six

  Four years later

  Zoe

  The last four years working for Zach flew by. With a great job, and great friends who were now like family, I’d never been happier. My savings account balance was growing, and I was getting closer to my dream of owning my own place. To celebrate my fourth anniversary at Stevenson Developments and Constructions, we’d had cake and coffee together in the office for morning tea. I loved how close we all were. I got on really well with all the other PAs but none fit into the family like I did. Some days, I saw their jealousy, but it wasn’t my fault they just didn’t fit into the group.
They were either too old, too young, married, or their conversation was about their kids and nothing else. I learned a long time ago to only worry about myself and let everyone else pave their own way in life.

  Walking out of work on Friday afternoon always felt great. I loved my job even if some weeks were just full-on and crazy. I was tired and just looking forward to a long hot bath, a nice glass of red wine, some burning candles, and curling up in my pink onesie on the couch with my current book boyfriend. It was the most action I’d be getting this weekend, but I didn’t mind. Secretly, it was what I loved to do, escaping into a world of imagination, hot sex scenes and hopefully a happily ever after. What more could a girl wish for?

  Well, besides a hot man and the even hotter sex scene to happen in real life? Now that was my dream, especially the happily ever after.

  My car had given up on me, the heap of junk I couldn’t afford to replace. I’d been saving and budgeting for the last four years, hoping to finally be able to buy my own home so I didn’t have to rent anymore. Zach offered to help me look for a place when I was ready, since he was so good at looking for bargain properties. He’d purchased a beautiful farm a few years ago which he was now restoring. It was run down when he bought it and needed a lot of work. He’d spent all his spare time bringing it back to its former glory. I didn’t mind if what I bought needed work because I didn’t have much of a social life anyway. I’d be happy to spend time slowly fixing it up. As long as it was mine, and I never had to worry about moving again.

  Everyone at work thought I lived the great social life, catching up with my friends on a weekend, but to be honest, the only time I went out was with them. I spent too many years drinking away my problems and sleeping with faceless men to numb my pain. All I wanted now were my friends who’d become the family I never really had. They knew me pretty well but I still held a few secrets close to my chest, including what my life was like before I moved and how boring my life was outside of work hours. I had to tell a few lies and stories to do that. I always felt bad about it, but it was something I felt necessary.

  I headed for the bus, still dreaming of the hot bath when I got home.

  “Hey, Zoe. Where you off to? I didn’t see your car in the carpark today,” Luke yelled out the window of his truck.

  “No, stupid Lola didn’t want to start this morning. So, she had a sleep in and I caught the bus instead. I’m on my way to the bus now to go home, have a good weekend.”

  “That stupid car. I wish you’d get a new one. She’s always letting you down. Let me give you a lift home and I can have a look at her. Maybe it’s something simple like a flat battery.”

  “Thanks, Luke, but it’s okay. You’re probably tired and ready just to head home. I’ll be fine on the bus.”

  My mind drifted to that night four years ago in the bar. I finally realized after the first couple of weeks working with Zach, that Luke couldn’t place where he knew me from. He had a feeling there was a connection of some sort, but he couldn’t work it out. Thankfully for me, he decided to work on a friendship instead, which meant I kept my job and lost my chance at anything more.

  During that time, we developed a special friendship and had gotten quite close. It was the type of friendship that was frustrating. We both wanted so much more. I knew all there was to know about Luke. Unfortunately, it stayed just as a friendship. I ached at times for him. For years, he had been my constant dream that played on repeat during lonely nights. Which I could admit, were most nights.

  Luke’s voice stopped the daydream. “Don’t be silly, woman. Get in the truck and I’ll drop you home. You know I hate you catching the bus on your own when it’s getting dark. Now you either get in the truck on your own or I will get out, pick you up, put you over my shoulder and put you in here myself. What’s it going to be?” He chuckled to himself knowing I didn’t really have a chance.

  My body reacted to the vision of me being thrown over his shoulder. It certainly wasn’t the vision of a friend picking up another friend, that was for sure. My lower region became a little tingly when she should be completely shut down when Luke was around.

  “All right, you win. I don’t want you to cause a scene. I know you love to look like the big macho man. I can’t let that happen. There will be women passing out all over the place. I’ll just get in myself.” I would be among those women who’d pass out from his sexiness.

  “I knew you were smart enough to see it my way. Now get that ass in the truck so we can get out of here. Thank God it’s Friday. Bring on the first beer and the weekend.”

  Heading out of the carpark, my heart started to race, just like it always did when Luke was close by. I’d tried so hard to ignore and squash this feeling over the years, but it just wouldn’t go away. Some days it looked like he had the same problem, then other days he was cold and distant toward me. It confused me. Yet the only thing that I wasn’t confused about was how I really felt deep down for Luke. That hadn’t changed since the first night I met him. If anything, it had just grown deeper the more I got to know him.

  We drove in silence for most of the trip, that was how easy our friendship was. We both felt comfortable around each other, and sometimes a little too much so.

  Turning into the street of my unit complex, Luke looked across at me. He had that look in his eyes. The one you saw when a guy looks like he was trying to undress a woman with his eyes. It caused my stomach to flutter.

  I needed to break the tension, otherwise it was going to turn illicit.

  Pulling into the parking spot next to Lola, Luke shut down the engine and placed his hand on my leg sending electric currents zinging through my body.

  “Just wait until I open the door for you. You know the rules.” Jumping out, he rounded the truck to my side. I smiled thinking of all the Stevenson men. Every single one of them opened doors for any woman they had around them. Mitch, their father, would be horrified if they didn’t. He always taught them to treat a woman like she was someone special, no matter what. I loved Mitch and Sophia. They had become like parents to me. Lord knew, they were the only ones I would ever acknowledge.

  Luke opened the door, his hands rested on my waist and he lifted me down. My breath hitched, feeling like the air around me had gone. I was trapped between the side of the truck and Luke’s hard chest, with my body going crazy, all its senses on overload.

  We both froze. I couldn’t function being this close to the man I’d lusted after for so long.

  Luke was taller, leaving me staring into his chest. With a hand under my chin, he tilted my face to meet his beautiful blue eyes. The ones that made me weak at the knees.

  “You know you look good in my truck, like you belong there.” His voice rumbled through my body.

  “Luke,” I whispered, his hands grasping tighter at the sound of his name rolling off my tongue. His face lowered, the distance between us was getting dangerously close.

  “Everything okay out there, Miss Zoe?” Mr. Jefferson yelled out. “Is that man bothering you?” It was enough to startle both of us, our bodies jumping apart.

  Taking a deep breath to calm myself, my heart pounded.

  “I am perfectly fine thanks, Mr. Jefferson. This is Luke, a friend I work with. He just gave me a lift home. Thanks for looking out for me.” I couldn’t help it. Laughter just started coming from deep inside me. For the first time in my life, I felt like a high school girl on the front porch, my date trying to give me a kiss goodnight only to be ambushed by my father.

  The reason I laughed was because I’d never had that experience. My childhood had been taken away from me. But I was no longer in high school and Mr. Jefferson was not my father, rather a nosey old neighbour who meant well but just sometimes creeped me out with how much he watched me.

  Luke definitely was no teenage boy. He was all man. Every single part of him and I could vouch for that.

  Trying to get myself under control, I looked to a confused Luke.

  “It’s okay, he’s my neighbour who�
�s taken it upon himself to keep a watch over me. The silly thing is, by the time I get home, I’m probably far safer than what my trip was to get here. He means well but sometimes he just gets a bit much.” Luke checked out Mr. Jefferson who was still standing on the front porch.

  “Zoe, how often are you catching the bus? Honestly. I want the truth, not what you think I want to hear.”

  “Well, it depends,” I reply hesitantly.

  “Zoe,” Luke’s voice became low and demanding. He had never used that tone with me before. I’d heard it plenty of times toward Grant, but never at me.

  “Okay, not that it matters but I’ve been catching the bus every day for the last month. Lola gave up the ghost and she can’t be fixed. I just can’t afford to replace her. I am so close to my deposit for a home. It’s easier to just use the bus. I don’t mind. The stop is just down the road and the one in town is around the corner from the office. It’s simple.”

  “Geez, Zoe, why didn’t you say something? I’m really annoyed that you’ve been doing this when I have three cars sitting in the garage at home. That is not happening anymore. From tomorrow, you will drive one of my cars.”

  “No, don’t be silly. I’m fine. I don’t mind the bus. It gives me time to read and relax after work. I don’t need your kind offer. Thank you anyway.” His face told me I was not getting anywhere.

  “It isn’t an offer, Zoe. It’s what’s happening. The family would be the same. When they find out you’ve been taking the bus and they have plenty of cars each, they won’t be impressed. Just take it as a pay rise. Effective immediately. You now have a car as part of your package.”

  “Luke! You can’t just do that. I don’t need your special treatment. What about the other assistants? They all work as hard as I do. You can’t give me something they don’t have. I’ll feel guilty.” My temper overtook the fuzzy feeling from only minutes ago.