Zander_Heroes at Heart

by Maryann Jordan

  29

  “You ready?”

  Zander stood on the bottom of Miss Ethel’s porch step, his eyes to the top where Rosalie was bent over, stretching her calves. Limber, she was able to bend her leg in a position that he was sure was impossible. But it afforded him a view of her perfect ass, lovingly caressed by a pair of tight, running pants. Oh, I’m ready, but maybe not for running.

  She jogged down the steps to him, a wide smile on her face. Her long hair was pulled up into a ponytail and he was taken back to the dream he had of seeing her running after seeing her toned legs in the hospital. Staring at her upturned face, blue eyes twinkling, he had to admit, the reality was better than any dream he could have conjured in his mind.

  Her fingers plucked at the sleeve of his t-shirt, a concerned wrinkle creasing her brow. “How can you be wearing just a t-shirt and shorts on this chilly morning?”

  Bending to place a chaste kiss on her lips, he grinned. “ ‘Cause when I’m around you, I’m always overheated, princess.”

  She threw her head back, laughter ringing out, the sound melting his early morning grumps.

  “Come on,” she said, rolling her eyes.

  The run today was just one of the many ideas she had come up with for their dates over the past few weeks. They began to jog down the street toward the park where they had enjoyed a picnic last week, complete with a red-checkered tablecloth on the ground and a basket loaded with fried chicken that Miss Ethel had taught her to make. Last weekend, she managed to get him into a movie theater after wrangling an admission from him that he had not been in one since he was a teenager.

  A few delivery trucks and early commuters passed them by, but for the most part, the world had not woken yet. The sun painted the sky in yellows and oranges as it peeked over the horizon. Puffs of air left their lungs as they began to run in unison. He shortened his stride to match hers, finding the run to be invigorating, though effortless.

  They jogged companionably as they made their way around the small lake in the center of the park and he confessed, “The first time I saw your legs, you were still in a coma, but I remember thinking at the time that you must have been a runner.”

  Smiling up at him, she said, “I discovered my running shoes packed in one of my suitcases and the memories flooded back. I ran in high school, both cross country and track. I didn’t have time to run competitively in college, but continued to run for the exercise. It’s freeing, don’t you think?”

  “Freeing?” he barked. Shaking his head, he thought of the Army’s boot camp runs. Hardly freeing…more like forced runs until everyone dropped. Looking down at her upturned face, blue eyes full of life as they stared into his, he grinned. “Yeah, as long as I’m running with you it’s…freeing.”

  Punching his shoulder, she argued, “You just agree to be nice. You can disagree, you know.”

  He pondered her statement, knowing they were supposed to be getting to know each other better. “Well, I have to admit that when I was in the Army, forced runs at all hours of the day…running till we puked our guts up…having to run more if one of us dropped back…well, I guess freeing isn’t the word I would have used.”

  “Oh, Zander,” she rushed, her brows drawn down. “I never thought about being forced to run. For me, it was always something I did out of pleasure.”

  “That’s exactly what I want running to be for you…pleasure.” He watched her lips curve slightly and grinned in response. The dawn’s light caught her hair, spinning the blonde into gold. “I gotta tell you, if I had your image to focus on when I was in the Army, I would have been the fastest fucker on the trail.”

  Another giggle slipped out and they continued along the path. This was the time of day he was usually ensconced in bed, but an early night at Grimm’s last night afforded him the opportunity to take her up on her offer of a run. “You seem to know this trail,” he commented, seeing her feet sure and steady on the mulched running trail.

  “I’ve come here a couple of times,” she confessed, “but just walking. This is the farthest I’ve been able to run. I think it helps to have a partner.”

  “I think a partner in all things is good,” he said, winking at her, unable to keep the smile from his face as she laughed.

  Rounding a curve in the trail, he noticed her pace slowing. Ever conscious of her former injuries, he asked, “You okay? Why don’t we stop and walk for a bit?”

  “Oh, I hate this,” she moaned, her hand pressing into her side.

  “Runner’s cramp?”

  She nodded, but a grimace crossed her face. “I’m sorry,” she said, “I thought I was ready for this.”

  Concern was etched on his face as he leaned over, his hands on her shoulders, halting her steps. “You don’t have anything to prove to me, babe. Walking with you is just a good as jogging.” He noted her curt nod, but his heart stumbled at the way she kept her head down as they continued along the path, the smile gone from her face.

  Snagging her hand, he led them to a bench before gently pushing on her shoulders to have her sit. Kneeling, he massaged her tight legs while she drank from their shared bottle of water.

  “You don’t gotta prove anything to me, Rosalie. You’ve come so far in your recovery…it’s fucking amazing.” She sucked in her lips, a sigh heaving from her body. He lifted her chin with his knuckle, peering deeply into her eyes. “Come on, princess. What’s going on here? This is the time when we’re supposed to be getting to know each other, right?” He knew it was uncool to use her words against her, but was desperate to know the reason behind her hesitation.

  “I found my running shoes, like I told you, and remembered how I felt when running. I just thought that you’d see me as strong…you know, if we were out doing something physical. Not some patient trying to heal, but as a strong woman.” Lifting her shoulders, she sighed again. “I’m tired of being weak. I want to come to you whole, so I guess I’ve pushed it a little too much.”

  “Oh, babe,” he said, pulling her forward until her head was tucked under his chin, his arms wrapped around her back. For a moment, he said nothing, simply allowing their hearts to beat as one. Feeling the tension sliding from her body, he said, “Rosalie Noble…you are the strongest person I know.” He felt her shake her head and loosened his embrace just enough to allow her to lean back so she could see his face.

  At the confusion in her eyes, he continued, “Don’t you see? You were beaten, but not broken. With every step that you’ve taken in your recovery, you’ve shown your strength.”

  “Zander, I couldn’t have done this without you. We don’t even know if I would have woken up in the hospital if you hadn’t been there talking and reading to me every day.”

  Cupping her cheek in his large, rough palm, he stared into her eyes, so full of doubt. “You didn’t need me to slay your dragon…your strength comes from within. We did it together, princess.”

  A slow smile curved her lips until her whole face beamed with the pleasure of his words. “Together,” she whispered.

  A breath apart, they moved toward each other until the touch of lips flamed into a kiss. His thumb caressed her cool cheek as her arms snaked around his waist. Pulling back slightly, his breath ragged, he said, “I need to get you fed before I forget we’re in the middle of a public park. Come on, I saw a food truck over there.”

  A few minutes later, continuing their walk, breakfast burritos in their hands, they laughed and talked, the worry disappearing. Ending at Miss Ethel’s front porch, he bent to take her lips once more. As he reluctantly ended the kiss, she waved, her heart soaring at the thought of going home with Zander. For now though, her home was with Miss Ethel. But soon...

  30

  “So, let me get this straight,” Cael began, sitting on Zander’s sofa, his eyes pinned to the man in front of him wearing dark jeans and a navy, button-up shirt. “You’re dating the woman you were living with?”

  “Isn’t that backward?” Jaxon queried, stuffing Doritos in his mouth, umphin
g as Jayden elbowed him in the arm.

  “I get it,” Asher said, bringing a fresh beer into the room before settling down in one of the chairs. “You gotta know if she wants you or was just with you ‘cause of the fucked-up situation.”

  “Her stayin’ with Miss Ethel is a good thing,” Jayden stated. “Miss Ethel could use some company—”

  “Agreed, but we’ve been dating for weeks now and if I have anything to do with it, she won’t be there for much longer,” Zander quipped.

  Jaxon stopped eating long enough to ask, “She still like the car?”

  He had an old car at his shop and had it running perfectly. Zander had wanted her to buy a sturdy SUV and she had insisted on a small hybrid. In the meantime, Jaxon had suggested she drive his extra car until they could decide.

  “It’s perfect, man,” he replied. While not an SUV, the older, heavier automobile was safe, in his opinion. “She’s appreciated having a set of wheels to run around in. And with her substitute teaching, it gives her something reliable.” Running his hands through his hair, he stood. “I’m heading out…y’all can hang and watch the game from here if you want.”

  As the door closed behind him, he heard a call of, “Don’t be late, son.” Laughing, he knew they could not see the middle finger salute he flipped, but it made him feel better to offer it anyway.

  Last week he took Rosalie to a ball game and was pleasantly surprised when, dressed in the team sweatshirt, she had cheered as loudly as the rest of the spectators. He also remembered glaring at a few men whose attention had been snagged by the beautiful woman next to him.

  They had continued with a few, early morning runs, her strength gaining with each. Dinner dates ending with him kissing her on the front porch of Miss Ethel’s house had him wondering if he had taken a trip back in time to his teenage years. Although, with Rosalie’s body pressed against his, he knew she was no fumbling teen, but a fully grown woman. His cock twitched at the memory.

  Parking outside Miss Ethel’s house, nerves hit while he sat, staring at the large, old house he always considered home. Sucking in a deep breath, he left the safety of his truck and walked up the front walk approaching the porch. The door swung open, Rosalie appearing.

  He stared, as though seeing her for the first time. Gorgeous in a floral dress and with heels encasing her feet, she had more height, but still much shorter than he. Noting she had a sweater hanging about her shoulders, he was glad it would keep away the chill, observing it also made her blue eyes shine. He felt lightheaded and realized he had forgotten to breathe.

  “You shouldn’t be here,” he blurted.

  Rosalie stared down at him, her brow furrowing at his words. Tilting her head, she stared at him in question.

  “I mean,” he corrected, “you should be waiting inside for me to ring the bell.”

  A smile spread across her lips, brightening the evening sky. “Should I let you come in and tell Miss Ethel how honorable your intentions are?” she teased.

  Hoping the evidence of his intentions were not showing, he shifted his stance and rethought saying hello to Miss Ethel. Before he could make that decision, she appeared behind Rosalie, her smile beaming at him as well.

  Startled out of his appreciative perusal of Rosalie, who had moved to the side when Miss Ethel came out, he jogged up the steps to place a kiss on the older woman’s soft cheek. She reached up and squeezed his arm, her affection warm.

  “Have fun, you two,” she called out, giving them a little wave.

  After goodbyes, he stuck out his elbow for Rosalie to slip her hand through. With a huge smile still on her face, she allowed him to escort her to his truck. When they reached it, she blinked.

  “You washed your truck?”

  “Hey, don’t be so astonished,” he laughed. “Wait till you see the inside.”

  As he assisted her into the seat, Rosalie observed the cleaned seats, dashboard, and floor mats. “Oh my!” she exclaimed, laughing. As he climbed into the driver’s seat, she turned to him, asking, “So, are you trying to impress some girl?”

  Leaning forward, he placed a soft kiss on her lips, his smile matching hers. “Not just some girl…but one, very special girl.”

  The drive to the restaurant was short and once inside, Zander walked with his hand on Rosalie’s lower back as they followed the hostess to the corner table in the back, next to a window overlooking a nearby park. He fiddled with his napkin after the server took their orders. She watched him for a moment before sliding her hand across the top of the table, placing it on his.

  “Hey,” she said, “Don’t be nervous. It’s just me.”

  His eyes jumped to hers and he offered a slight nod as he flipped his hand palm up, linking fingers with hers. “I know…but I don’t want to fuck this up. It’s been a while since I’ve been in a really nice restaurant.”

  “Oh, Zander, you’re not going to mess anything up. Anyway, that’s part of being a couple. Good times mixed with some not so good.”

  “We’ve already had our not so good,” he quipped.

  Nodding, she agreed. “Don’t worry. I’m just taking time to get my feet under me.”

  “So, how’s the substituting going?”

  Her smile brightened, as she said, “You know, up till now, I’ve been all over the school, often just being a glorified study-hall teacher. Yesterday, I actually substituted in an English class.”

  “Really? How was it?” His eyes twinkled as he watched her face become more animated.

  Laughing, she said, “I was so nervous. It was at one of the high schools in the area, in the English department. They were seniors, which I was really grateful for. I know ninth graders can be more difficult. But anyway, most of the day went really well. One class wanted a substitute to do nothing, so I had to really work to get them to do the assignment, but the other classes had no problem following directions.”

  Her excitement was evident and he finally understood why she wanted some independence. Isn’t that what I wanted when I joined the military? And then again, when I was discharged, and bought Grimm’s? “So, do you know when you go back?”

  “Usually I just get a call early in the morning when they need me, if it’s for a teacher who has called in sick. But, they’ve got an English teacher who will be out for a whole week for a conference and at the end of yesterday, the principal asked if I would be available. I jumped at the chance. He also hinted that another English teacher will be having a baby in a couple of months and, if I wanted, they would offer the full-time sub position to me.”

  “Would that be better?”

  “Absolutely!” she enthused, a confident smile firmly in place while her fingers absently rubbed his hand. “I’d get to know the kids instead of just being in a different class every day. I could work with the teacher and actually do lesson plans. And, the pay is significantly higher if you have a long-term sub contract.”

  He watched her blue eyes twinkle in the candlelight, the feel of her fingers on his hand zinging straight to his cock, while the warmth spread to his heart.

  “In fact, I might be busier than ever. One of the teachers suggested I put my name on the school’s website as an English tutor. That way, I could have some students to tutor in the afternoons or evenings when you’re at work.” After a moment, she confessed, “I like this,” her voice barely above a whisper. Recognizing his unstated question, she added, “This. Feeling like I’m an equal partner and not just some poor waif needing to be rescued.”

  “I never wanted to make you feel less,” he said, his hand clutching hers.

  Her smile warm, she shook her head. “You never did, Zander. You always made me feel like the center of your world. But, it was me. And, don’t blame Rafe. He just said what I knew in my head but didn’t want to admit in my heart. I now feel like I’m more of a true partner in our relationship.”

  Before Zander had a chance to respond, their food arrived, the scent tantalizing. As they ate, the conversations turned lighter, enjoying eac
h other’s company. Her teaching plans and his thoughts about finally expanding the bar filled their evening, right through dessert.

  Standing on Miss Ethel’s front porch at the end of the date, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. Lowering his head, his lips teased hers. What began as a slow smolder soon flamed into intense passion. Angling his head, he delved deep into her mouth, his tongue devouring her flavors. Tasting the spices, wine, and chocolate from dinner, mixed with the essence of her, intoxicated him more than any alcohol. With one hand anchoring against her back, the other slid upward, tangling in her long hair, the silken tresses teasing his fingers as he gripped them gently.

  Lost in the sensations that narrowed her world down to Zander and his sensual assault, Rosalie’s knees weakened and she wondered, fleetingly, if she could stand on her own if his arms were not holding her up. The sounds of the street faded away as all thoughts centered on the feel of his firm lips moving against hers. She faintly heard a moan, but had no idea if it came from her or him. Eyes tightly closed, she felt him lift away from her and she mewled in discontent. Opening her eyes, she stared into his intense gaze.

  With his cock painfully straining against his pants, Zander lifted away, his eyes memorizing every facet of her face for the hundredth time. Her lips, now plump and slick. Her cheeks, rosy with arousal. Her eyes peering back, their brightness now intensified with a hungry need.

  Sucking in a shuddering breath, he groaned, “I want you, princess. More than you can know. But, I’m going to see you inside now, before I give in to the urge to toss you over my shoulder and carry you back to my lair.”

  A delightful laugh escaped her kiss-swollen lips. “Lair?”

  Grinning, he pressed her tightly to his chest. “What else would I call a place where I dwell, lost in my thoughts of possessing you?”

  Whispering against his shirt, she nodded, “I guess lair is the perfect word.”