The nurse came in carrying a plastic bag printed with the hospital’s logo. “Sorry we couldn’t save the tuxedo, Mr. Jones.”
“Under the circumstances, darlin’, I didn’t give the poor thing much hope.”
Zee’s eyes flew to Jagger’s face. His eyes were open. He stared at her intently and gave her hand a mighty squeeze. She gasped. “You’re alive?”
“Of course, he’s alive,” chuckled the nurse. “You don’t expire from a few stitches and a broken arm.”
Jagger shot a wink at the nurse. “Just playing possum with her. Got her to finally tell me she loves me.”
The nurse laughed. “Watch out, she just may kill you yet.” She looked at Zee. “You’re the girlfriend, I gather. The doctor will be in shortly. Are you all right?”
Zee’s head spun. She felt the color draining from her face.
“You may have done her in, Mr. Jones. Here, dear, sit here.” She led Zee to a chair, sat her down and pushed at the back of her head. “Put your head between your knees. I’ll get you some water.” The nurse hurried out.
“Zee. Are you all right?”
Zee slowly lifted her head. “Did she say tuxedo?”
“A man can’t attend a fancy gallery opening naked, can he?”
“You were coming to the opening?”
“I couldn’t miss your big night. In fact, why aren’t you there looking as gorgeous as you do? And you do look especially gorgeous, if you don’t mind me saying.”
“None of that matters now. It’s over. When I heard you were here, I couldn’t think of anything but getting to you. I had to know you were okay. And I wanted—needed to ask you something.” She rose on shaky knees and moved to his side.
“What did you want to ask?” His healthy arm snaked around her waist.
Zee leaned over him. She brushed at his hair and laid gentle fingertips along his bruised face. Her gaze fell to his lips. “May I kiss you?”
He whispered, “That’s always a yes.”
She lowered her mouth to his and kissed him with great tenderness. Jagger’s hand slid down past her hip to the hem of her dress and swept up her stocking clad thigh. When his fingers reached the band of lace captured in the clip of her garter belt, he moaned into her mouth and broke the kiss.
“So, you knew I was coming.” He slipped a teasing finger under the strap of the garter.
“I hoped.” She trembled as his hand slipped over her skin.
His touch rose boldly to the fullness of her bottom as she kissed him again.
The cool air of the room tickled the warm flesh of her behind.
A quick knock gave them little warning of the doctor’s arrival. Zee jumped back and tried to straighten her skirt with as much grace as she could muster.
The doctor’s eyebrows rose toward his hairline.
Jagger growled. “We really need to start locking the damn doors.”
“Well, Mr. Jones, it appears you’re no longer feeling as much pain as before.”
Zee shot a look at Jagger and reached out to wipe the lipstick smudge off his mouth while wiping at her own.
“The tests results don’t indicate any internal injuries. Frankly, I’m amazed. You’re a lucky man. If not for your seatbelt, you’d never have survived a crash like that. I was going to keep you overnight for observation, but it seems to me you’re in, um…capable hands. I’ll see if the nurse can round you up some clothing and you’ll be free to go home. If you feel nauseous or lightheaded, come straight back here. Agreed?”
“That’s a promise.”
Zee felt a cool breeze across her buttock just before Jagger gently tugged the back of her skirt back into place. Her cheeks blazed just as the nurse returned.
“You were white as a sheet when I left; now, you’re practically purple. You need to sit down.”
“I’m fine. Really. I just felt a draft.”
Jagger laughed, then winced.
“I wouldn’t suggest anything too strenuous for the next couple of days,” the doctor continued. “I’ll want to see you in my office in a week so I can take out those stitches, and we’ll run another x-ray on that wrist in about six weeks. Take it easy with your ribs. They may not be broken, but they are going to cause you some discomfort for the next few days.” He scribbled on a square pad. “I’m giving you a prescription for pain meds.”
“I’ll make sure he rests,” Zee offered.
“Nurse, could we get Mr. Jones a pair of scrubs or something to wear out of here other than the ventilated scrap he has on now?”
“Certainly, doctor.” The nurse was eyeing Zee as if she expected her to keel over at any moment.
“Good. My office will call tomorrow to set up your appointments.” Both the doctor and the nurse went their separate ways.
“You’ll come home with me. Oh, wait, the damn stairs. You can’t climb all those stairs like this. We’ll have to use the elevator.”
“You need to go back to your party.”
“The party’s over.” She’d tell him about the scene with Daniel Bruce eventually, but not now. “I’ve had enough party. There were too many people. I’m no good with crowds. Besides you weren’t there.” Zee picked up his hand. “I want to ask you another question.”
“Yes, you can kiss me again, but lock that door first.”
Zee smiled. “No, not that question. This one’s bigger. It’s one I shouldn’t be asking. One I have no right to ask.” She looked into his eyes. “Stay?”
When he didn’t answer right away, Zee felt the panic she’d felt all week rise up her spine. “I know, I’m a crazy sheila. I know I hurt you. I shouldn’t even ask you, but I-I don’t think I can live without you. When school finishes, will you take me to Paris? Make love to me in Paris?” A sob caught in her throat. “W-we can go to London and we can see the rest of the world, and maybe you could take me back to Australia. I’ll make sure your mum doesn’t shoot you. Then we could go to China or Japan maybe and, and India or Africa. Timbuktu. Wherever you want to go, I’ll go. Just right now, will you stay? With me?”
Jagger was quiet for a moment. His thumb rubbed over her chilled fingers. “May I ask you a question?”
“Anything.”
“Didn’t you find the little box behind the ice bucket?”
Chapter Forty
“Stuck?” Zee looked panicked. “We can’t be stuck. I knew we shouldn’t have tried this damn elevator.” She pounded her fist on the scared gray doors.
“That’s one way to lock the door.” He smirked at her.
“This isn’t funny. Who knows how long we’ll be in here.”
“We can survive three days without water.”
“Don’t say things like that.” Zee punched frantically at the buttons on the panel.
Jagger leaned into the corner. The meds they’d given him in the hospital gave the world fuzzy edges, and the cast on his arm weighed a ton. “If I wasn’t so banged up, this could be fun.” Jagger slid slowly to the floor. “Come here.”
Zee shook her head at him, and knelt next to him. She wiped at his damp forehead. “You’re half dead and all you can think of is seducing me in an old rusty elevator?”
He ran his fingers down her smooth, shining hair. He missed her curls. “I can’t help it. It’s been five days since I’ve seen your beautiful face.”
“Five horrible days.” She sat beside him and leaned her head on his shoulder. Her fingers laced with his.
“It’s been a hell of a week.” Jagger leaned his head back against the wall and closed his eyes.
“You quit class,” she whispered. “You quit being groundskeeper.”
He squeezed her hand. “Everywhere I went reminded me of you. I couldn’t take it. I figured I’d head down to New York again. But the further away I got, the worse I felt. I didn’t know how I was going to fix us, but I knew I had to come back and try.”
Zee’s hand stroked his arm. “I looked everywhere for you.”
“You did?”
She raised her head and looked at him. “Of course. I knew I’d made the biggest mistake of my life when you left. I looked for you all that night…all the next day. You vanished. When I heard you gave up your job at the estate, I never thought I’d see you again.”
He pulled her to him. “All that’s over. We’re together now, and as soon as we get out of this elevator, I’m getting down on one knee and making sure we’re together for the rest of our lives.” He lifted her hand and kissed the backs of her fingers. “And then, I’m taking you to bed.”
“The doctor said—”
“To hell with him.” Jagger released her hand and found his way to the lacy top of one stocking. “We’ve got five days to make up for, and there’s a garter belt calling my name.” His hand moved higher across silky skin, past a thin barrier of lace.
“Jagger,” Zee whimpered seconds before she gave a little gasp.
“That’s the name.”
****
The night’s rain had stopped, but water still sparkled in the leaves of the trees and shimmered on the surface of the roof. A thousand tiny lights glittered against the darkness taking the place of the stars.
The champagne sat exactly where he’d left it. Its label floated in a watery bath. How had she not seen the ring box?
Jagger lowered himself to one knee before the woman he loved with all his heart and took her hand.
“Z. Z. Lambert.” He watched tears well in her eyes. “I’ve been traveling halfway around the world. Not just for my father, for me, too. I left Australia a stupid kid and I’ve been trying to find myself along the way. Find out what kind of man I am. What I found was you. You’ve shown me the man I want to be. You asked me once, why? Why you? For the last three years, I’ve only thought about where I would be next. Next month, next year. Now, every time I try to picture where I’m going to be, you’re there. I can’t imagine a future where you’re not with me.”
He pulled in a long breath. “You loved me so much you were willing to let me go. Tell me you still love me enough to let me stay with you for the rest of my life.” He opened the soggy ring box. “Good thing diamonds are waterproof.” He held it up to her.
Zee took the box with a shaky hand. She dropped to her knees and laid a hand on his cheek. He looked deep into her shimmering eyes. “If you’ll have me, I’ll never take another step without you next to me. I love you.”
“I love you, too,” she whispered. Tears ran down her cheeks. “Ask me.”
“Zee, will you marry me?”
****
Zee stood naked on her roof. Well, nearly naked. Does jewelry count? She lifted her hand and looked for the hundredth time at the lovely ring on the third finger of her left hand. It was perfect; a single oval diamond …beautiful.
Bathed in the morning light, the sun kissed each pale inch of her skin. A gentle breeze tickled her. Zee realized that this roof was like being with Jagger. She was free out here, yet perfectly sheltered and protected. In this private garden she could strip away all the walls. She was safe. Loved. Neither self-conscious or shy. She felt empowered and liberated, uninhibited…released.
Jagger came up behind her and slipped an arm about her waist. His skin against hers, his hand caressing her, warming her as his mouth teased the side of her neck. His morning’s beard rasped against the sensitive crook between neck and shoulder. A delicious shiver ran through her.
“Good morning, beautiful.”
“You should be in bed.”
“You weren’t there. Besides, I’m feeling better.”
“But the doctor…” She turned into his embrace.
“Doesn’t know you’re all the medicine I need.” He gave a low growl as his hand swept over her. “You do realize you’re standing out here bare-ass naked?”
“I’m wearing my ring. See?” She held up her hand and watched the stone sparkle in the sunlight. “Besides, you’re naked, too.”
“That doesn’t count. I’m always naked.” The faint roar of a passenger jet drove home his point.
Zee stepped away from him, threw open her arms and did a sassy little spin.
“I’m coming to understand what you feel in just your skin. There’s this thrilling little zing at first, then the ultimate feeling of freedom.” Zee returned to his arms. “You gave me this. This piece of heaven where I feel safe and loved, just as I am.”
“I do love you. You’re beautiful and sexy and mine.”
Zee kissed him then. Her fingertips skimmed his bandage. She kissed the swollen fingers of his injured arm. “When Leah told me you were in the hospital, nothing else mattered. Not the show, not Daniel, not Madeline…nothing but getting to you.”
“It’s over. I’m fine. A bit banged up, but nothing that will keep me down long. You can stop worrying.”
“Do you think they’ve charged Ed?”
“I left the police this number. They said they’d call.”
“You gave them this number?”
“Is that a problem?”
“No, not unless your fiancée decides to shut off the ringer of the phone so you won’t be disturbed.”
“Say that again.”
“I shut off the ringer so we wouldn’t be disturbed.”
“Not that part.” He heated a trail of blazing kisses across her shoulder. Zee’s knees weakened. “The your fiancée part. Say that again.”
“Oh, that part. Jagger, when you kiss me like that…”
“Say it.” He growled against her skin.
“Y-your fiancée. I am your fi— Oh God, Jagger. I am your fiancée. W-we’re getting mmmmmmarried. I’m going to be your…WIFE!” Zee shrieked with delight as he nipped at a sensitive rosy tip.
****
In the kitchen the answering machine flashed. Zee was able to push the button before Jagger pinned her against the counter. His mouth captured hers as bold fingers left fiery paths upon her skin. He pushed a knee between her thighs.
“You have five new messages.”
BEEEEP
“Mr. Jones, this is Sergeant Wilson. We have Mr. Edward Zeigler in custody. There is no question he is the man responsible for cutting your brake line. When we questioned him, he crumbled like week-old bread. He confessed to following you for the last five days, tampering with your vehicle as well as the vehicle of a Ms. Lambert. He keeps mentioning someone named George. We need you to you come down to the station and sign a statement. Ms. Lambert should sign one as well. The DA is pushing for attempted murder, and the way this Zeigler guy is spillng his guts, he won’t be bothering you or Ms. Lambert for a very long time. I gotta say, you are one damn lucky man. We don’t usually see a crash scene like yours without dragging out a body bag. Yep, you are damn lucky.”
BEEEEP
“Zee. It’s me. Are you okay? Ted and I were heading over to the hospital, but they said Jagger had been released. I hope you two are together. I really don’t want to trudge up all those stairs and find you on the living room floor again, but if I don’t hear from you by tomorrow, that’s what I’m doing. By the way, what the hell happened with you and Bruce? When you took off he looked like he was going to shut down the place. Next thing I know, he and Madeline had their heads together, then some guy in Armani showed up and Daniel lit up like a disco ball. Needless to say, your show was a hit. Now you’re going to be famous, and I’ll have to hate you. Oh, and who the hell was that short guy with your mother? Call me.”
BEEEEP
“Zee, my dear, this is Daniel Bruce. I’ve given a great deal of thought to our unfortunate conversation. Madeline explained everything to me. Why didn’t you tell me this friend of yours was your lover? I’m not made of stone, you know. Your contract with me still stands. You’re a sensation. I can hear the buzz about you over martinis as we speak. In fact, one of our guests owns a small gallery just outside London. He screams money. He was very impressed and bought three pieces. It wouldn’t surprise me if he doesn’t want some of your work over in London. We’ll talk soon.”
BE
EEEP
“Zee? This is Madeline. I just checked with the hospital, and they told me Jagger was released. I’m so relieved. Listen, I’m sorry I’ve been in such a state over the school. I put you in a horrible position, and I feel just terrible. I hope you’ll accept my apology. If it will make you feel any better, I’m sitting here looking at the three prettiest checks I’ve ever seen, thanks to you. The alums loved you. Loved your work. You saved us, Zee. I’m so grateful. Anyway, I really called to apologize and check on Jagger. Tell him he still has a job at Stoddard if he wants it, and I intend on paying him what he’s owed whether he likes it or not. You two really didn’t think you were fooling anyone, did you? So, will I see you both in class on Monday?”
BEEEEP
“Z. Z. Don’t you know it’s rude to leave your own party? Where are you? I just saw on the news that Ed Zeigler was arrested for attempted murder! Gerald is out sage-smudging my car right now to get rid of the negative energy. Good Lord, Zee, what could have possessed you to get involved with a man like that? Well, Gerald and I had a wonderful time last night. It was the oddest thing, though. I kept smelling Chanel No. 5. Truly bizarre. You really are an amazing artist, Zee. I know I don’t say it enough, but I am so proud of you.”
BEEEEP
“End of messages.”
Jagger intently followed Zee’s number one rule concerning naked men in her kitchen as the sunshine of a new day shone through the window and bathed their bodies.
Zee was sure they would have to listen to those messages again…later.
A word about the author…
Lisa is an artist/writer who lives in her dream house nestled among the lakes in New England. She is married to her best friend and is thankful to him for putting up with all her craziness and for giving her the chance to be who she’s called to be.
She loves getting lost in a good book, finding the perfect pair of fabulous shoes, and hearing the laughter of her sons. Her faith in love and grace has carried her through many things. Her deep spirituality shines through in her work, and she believes in ghosts, silver linings, and happily ever afters.
Picture Me Naked (Stoddard Art School Series) Page 26