“We don’t see many deer in LA, do we?” he said. He ran his gloved hands up her arms before wrapping his arms around her shoulders, pulling her back against him. For the second time in as many days, he marveled at how well they fit together.
She didn’t reject him, but she didn’t relax either.
“Relax,” he whispered in her ear. “I made a promise I wouldn’t kiss you unless you asked, remember?” At her nod, she hooked her hand around his arm as he held her close. “And remember how you said you’d never ask me again?”
She nodded.
“I think you’re safe from the big bad wolf.”
Deb giggled, and he grinned too. Then, she leaned into him. Zach held her tight, closing his eyes against her softness and loving how intimate it felt to just stand there behind her, looking out over the snowy landscape and feeling each prick of a snowflake as it touched his face.
At her soft sigh, he realized while he’d had many relationships over the years, none had been like this. He wouldn’t necessarily categorize their marriage as an actual relationship, but if he closed his eyes and erased the past week of differences between them, this moment made him feel like he was in on a special secret… the one everyone spoke of when they talked about love.
But he didn’t want to love her. He didn’t really know her, except that she could kiss better than anyone he’d ever locked lips with. It didn’t make for a substantial connection, despite the rings or the vows they had uttered.
Shaking his head slightly and leaning down to rest his head on her shoulder, he dropped his arms to wrap them around her waist.
“You smell so good,” he murmured in her ear.
She grinned against his cold face. “The first thing you should know about me is you never tell me to stop doing something. I always find a way to do it.”
He laughed and kissed her cheek. “Don’t ever kiss me again.”
Her laughter joined his. “Except kissing you. That, Zach, is the one thing I know you want, so I intend to drive you crazy.”
He rolled his eyes and let her go. “You already are, woman. If I go any crazier, they’re going to have to put me in a nuthouse.” She laughed again, and he felt her gaze on him as he turned to pace. “I mean, you’re doing a really good job of it.” He pumped his fist in the air to emphasize his words.
“Good.” She threw back her head and laughed.
Zach stood there, mesmerized.
He realized then he was lost. Sure, he’d thought it before, but this time tears welled in his eyes at the powerful emotion he felt.
“I’m sorry!” She laughed. “The look on your face is priceless!” Bending forward at the waist, she slapped her knee, her shiny, flaxen hair spilling over her shoulders.
“If I wasn’t such a gentleman, I’d be kissing you senseless right now.” He placed his hands on his waist and watched as she sobered.
“What?”
“You heard me. There’s nothing more I want to do during a moment like this than be close to you and kiss you. You’re lucky I made a promise I intend to keep.”
Deb swallowed deeply and looked away from him. He took that as his cue to leave.
The last thing he wanted was to scare her. He was terrified enough for the both of them.
Chapter 6
The next morning, after another near sleepless night, Deb felt like death. She had a sore throat and felt achy, exactly how she felt when a cold came on. Just as she was about to get up, she heard a knock on the door.
“Come in.” She moaned, flopping back down and throwing her arm over her eyes.
“I see you’re awake,” Zach said.
“Yes, and I’m sick.”
“What’s the matter?” he asked, concern filling his tone. A few seconds later, the bed dipped under his weight and she felt his warm hands on her chilled face.
“Just a cold,” she whined. “I always do this when I come up here. I guess it’s the temperature change.”
“Probably. Want me to bring you breakfast? You should stay in bed and rest today.”
Deb eyed him curiously then grinned at the sweetness of his concern. After last night, she wasn’t sure how he would react around her today.
“Sounds great. Thank you.”
Before she could register what he intended to do, he bent and touched his lips to her forehead. He smelled like pine needles, and his hair was still wet at his temples from his shower. His copper eyes shone with concern.
She touched his cheek and smiled at him, thinking how his tenderness tugged at her heart. He kept his promise and, little by little, Deb saw he was trying to make this work more than she was. In fact, each thing he did for her, whether he held her close as snow fell around them or brought her breakfast in bed, all the way to kissing her senseless left her feeling… complete.
Deb could tell he wanted to kiss her. Zach gazed deeply into her eyes. His hand smoothed her hair. But she knew the rules. He wouldn’t touch her unless she asked, and if she hadn’t had horrible morning breath and felt like her head might explode, she could have been tempted.
He must have read the resignation in her eyes because he sat up, pushing himself off the bed and walking to the door. “I think your mom is making waffles. Does that sound good or would you like me to go out and get you something?”
For unexplained reasons, a lump formed in her throat. “Waffles are great. Thank you, Zach.”
Despite feeling so rotten, Deb got up and brushed her teeth and combed her hair. Maybe, if the opportunity presented itself, when he returned she would ask him to kiss her. She felt desperate for his kiss, despite her claim otherwise. Usually in relationships, she could take or leave spending time together. She wasn’t normally needy.
She chalked it up to being sick. Yes, that had to be it.
Thoroughly disappointed when her father returned with her food, Deb smiled and thanked him, trying to hide her emotions.
“Sorry you’re not feeling well, sweetheart.”
“Where’s Zach?” she asked, trying to look uninterested.
“Oh, he’s downstairs setting up for a game of chess. I convinced my son-in-law to let me bring your breakfast up.” Her father eyed her for a moment. “He sure is crazy about you.”
Deb smiled, a little giddy. “So Mom told you we’re married. It didn’t go exactly the way I planned, Daddy. I wanted you to walk me down the aisle and everything.”
He placed a soothing palm on her forehead and shushed her when tears gathered in her eyes. “Your mom told me the circumstances behind it. Does he come from a nice family?”
Her father’s kind eyes told her he was merely curious instead of drilling her.
“He doesn’t talk much about his family. We’re really just at the beginning of this relationship, so I can’t really say I know much about him yet.”
He smiled. “I know it’s hard during filming to get to know someone. You both have to concentrate on your work, so I’m sure once filming is over, you’ll be able to direct your attention to each other.”
“Yeah, I’m sure we will.” But Deb wasn’t sure at all.
“Maybe you can while you’re here too. Once Eric and the kids get here, we have some things planned. Jesse and Elizabeth want to go ice-skating and do a few other things. Then we’ll have some of your mother’s eggnog and cookies. Any man who doesn’t fall in love over those isn’t a man worth keeping.”
Deb laughed and nodded. “I agree.”
“Can I tell you congratulations?”
“I guess. I just don’t know if it should be congratulations or condolences at this point.”
“You’ll figure it out.” He gave her a quick kiss on the forehead. “Feel better, sweetheart.”
“Thanks, Dad.” As he shut the door behind him, Deb tried to ignore the sense of loneliness and grabbed the TV remote. Settling in, she flipped until she found something of interest and ate her breakfast.
Afterward, Deb snuggled in her bed, dozing peacefully for a while. Dreams of Zach te
ased her mind, centering on his smile. She hadn’t seen him laugh a lot since they had arrived in New York, but she knew when he did, it held the power to stop a beating heart right in its tracks. It was such a cliché to say he had movie star looks, but quite simply he did. His dark hair falling just above his brow combined with his intense golden eyes gave him a sex appeal most actors in Hollywood couldn’t achieve. Those golden eyes could burn a hole right through her.
As noon approached, Deb watched another lame TV program. Footsteps came up the steps. Hopeful it was Zach, she ran her fingers through her hair and swiped her hand over her lips. She might feel like crap but it didn’t mean she had to look like it too.
She wasn’t disappointed this time. Zach peeked in quietly and grinned when he saw she was awake. It was still one of those guarded smiles she hated, as if he wasn’t sure if they were really friends.
“Hey.” She offered him a genuine smile.
“Hey. How are you feeling?” He stepped in and shut the door behind him.
Deb rolled her eyes. “A little worse by the hour, but I’ll be fine.”
“Man, I’m sorry. Anything you need? Your mom is making lunch downstairs if you’re feeling up to a sandwich and some chips. Salt might make your throat feel better.”
She frowned. “How did you know my throat was sore?”
Zach shrugged. “Not only does it usually come with the territory when you’re getting a cold, you’re also talking like you’ve got a cotton ball stuck in your throat.”
“Ha! Thanks a lot.”
He came forward a few more steps. “So you need anything?”
Deb shrugged. “Not at the moment. Tell Mom to hold off on the food for me for another hour or so. I’m not very hungry right now.”
“Sure.”
Deb watched him standing there with such uncertainty in his eyes. Her heart lurched. Zach Sparks was a man who knew himself and wasn’t unsure of anything. It made her relax somewhat, since he appeared to feel much the way she did.
He shuffled his feet. His eyes darted away from her as he sucked in his breath to speak then apparently thought better of it. A few moments later he finally said, “I’ll let you rest some more. I’ll bring up your lunch in about an hour.”
“Thanks. By the way, are my parents behaving themselves? I didn’t mean to leave you to the wolves after telling my mom about our marriage. They’re making you feel welcomed, right?”
With a nod, he said, “Absolutely. You’ve got some nice folks, Deb. You’re really lucky.”
She smiled. “I know. They’re the best… I’d love to hear about your family some time.”
At the mention of his family, an invisible wall shot up behind his eyes, just like on the plane when she’d asked about them.
“Not much to tell, especially compared to your picture-perfect family.”
Deb tilted her head to the side a bit, trying to read him, but found it was impossible. “I’d still like to hear about them. They made you who you are, Zach. They must be special people.” That sounded a little corny, even to her ears, but it was true.
His focus was on the wall behind her, on a landscape photograph her father had taken years ago. “I’ll come back up in an hour and bring lunch. Get some rest.”
Without saying anything else, he turned and left the room. Deb couldn’t help but feel cheated. Maybe later, when their relationship was on a more solid ground, she’d press him further. But for now, she made a mental note to leave him alone. It was obviously a sore subject, and he didn’t trust her enough yet to talk about it.
She could respect that… for now.
* * * *
Zach wandered through the massive Atkins home and came to the library. Since he and Deb’s father had forged a bond of some sort, he knew he wouldn’t mind if he stepped inside, maybe to find Deb some reading material. The thing was, he had no clue what Deb might like to read… or even if she read. Some husband he was. But someone in their profession had to have some sort of appreciation for the arts. Half of the movies made were based on novels.
Scouring the titles lining the wall from floor to ceiling, set in mahogany shelving, he liked the family’s taste. Most were classics, but there were a few newer mysteries and thrillers, and a small section of romance novels, which he prayed belonged to Deb’s mother. Grinning, he pictured his father-in-law curled up in front of the fireplace, reading Danielle Steel.
At the end of the room was a large L-shaped desk, complete with a computer and printer. The dark wood of the desk and the matching leather of the chair gave this room an elegant, classic feel. Even though this house was much bigger than he’d ever want for himself, the decoration was impeccable.
Coming to the far wall beside the desk, he found an extensive collection of DVDs, and an idea jumped into his head. When he’d entered Deb’s room, she had been watching some boring news channel. He was sure she would appreciate a movie or two. He grabbed two of each genre, realizing he didn’t know what she liked.
“Here, let me give you some pointers.” Marie walked in, smiling in a motherly way. “She’s mostly into classics.”
“Thanks,” he said, relieved yet cautious at her unwavering gaze. “I just realized we haven’t really talked about our favorite movies yet.”
“Funny since you make movies, huh? Oh, yeah.” She chuckled daintily. “And you’re married. How long did you two see each other before getting married?”
“Uh…” He tried to think. His days had been running together lately. He decided to keep it real. “Not long. A few weeks. Mainly just hanging out after work when we weren’t exhausted.”
“And you never got around to talking about your favorite movies?” Marie’s gentle eyes showed genuine surprise, but she looked away from him and picked up Casablanca. “Here, this is one of her favorites.”
He liked the movie but second-guessed his idea to stay and watch them now.
“Thanks.”
“This one, too.” She handed her the newer version of The Count of Monte Cristo starring Jim Caviezel.
“Really? What a surprise.”
“She’s full of them,” Marie said. “But I think it’s because she’s always had a thing for the actor.”
“Really?” He grinned. “I’ll have to give her a hard time about it.”
“My work here is done. I came looking for you to tell you her lunch is on the counter in the kitchen, if you’d like to take it up. Tell her I’ll be up to check on her a little later. I haven’t wanted to disturb her all day so I’ve kept away.”
“Sure.”
Marie turned to go but Zach called out to her. “Thanks, ma’am.”
“Call me Marie. I have a feeling you’d better get comfortable around us. You’ll be staying a while.” Casting a knowing look in his direction, she exited the room.
Even having Deb’s mother, the person who knew her better than anyone, insinuate they would make it didn’t help him feel better about their situation. Deb was a million miles away from him. He wasn’t sure how to bring her any closer without scaring her, either.
Shaking his head and taking a deep breath, he clutched the movies close, grabbed the food from the kitchen, and headed up the stairs to do some bonding with his favorite actress.
Inside was a pitiful sight. Deb perched on top of the bed, leaning against a mountain of pillows. Around her, a blanket of used tissues littered the bed, and her hair was starting to look greasy. Her eyes were watery when she looked at him as he walked in. At first, he thought she had been crying, but he quickly realized her cold had set in full force.
“I think the congestion has arrived,” she said nasally, an endearing grin lighting her face.
“I’d say so.”
Zach set her food on the coffee table and grabbed the trash bin across the room. He picked up a few of the tissues she had obviously tried to throw in and missed by a good foot. Without hesitation, he walked over to the bed and put all the tissues, what seemed like hundreds of them, in the trash can and se
t it next to the bed.
When he looked up at her, she stared at him with a blank expression.
“What?”
“You just picked up my snot rags.”
“Yeah, so?”
“No one’s ever picked up my snot rags, not even my mother.”
He grinned. “I’m just trying to help.” He left out the part where he’d had to clean up after his parents, day in and day out, because of their sloppiness. It just came as second nature to him to keep things tidy.
“Thank you,” she whispered. This time tears did come to her eyes. “Man, these watery eyes are the pits. I feel like I’ve been crying all day.”
She didn’t fool him. Those watery eyes really were from emotional tears, but he let it slide. “Here.” He moved her food over to the bed. “Eat up. I’ll be right back.”
He raced down the stairs and asked Marie for some cold medicine. There was no way Deb could rest tonight without any. When he got a cold, he drugged himself up so he could get a good night’s rest.
Once the medication was in his hand, Marie squeezed his arm and told him how hard it was to get medicine down Deb. “She won’t take it,” she warned. “Deb has been stubborn about medicine, since the day she was born. She says she doesn’t want to put anything in her body unless it’s necessary.”
Zach grinned. “I’m pretty stubborn too, and she needs it. We’ll see who wins.”
And Zach intended to. When he entered, he extended the pills in front of him, palm up. “Take ’em.”
“You got me cold medicine?” There was the watery eye business again. Man, either he was doing something really right or really wrong. Now if could just figure out which.
“Yeah. You’re miserable so… down the hatch.”
Deb looked at the pills as if she was terrified of them. “I don’t usually take medicine when I’m sick unless I have to.”
“I consider this a ‘have to’ situation. Here.” He took a step closer and held them under her nose.
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