That’s because you’re attracted to him.
Yep. There was no denying that.
Yep. There was no denying that.
Zanaa splashed her face one last time just as the phone rang. Oh no! Henric! Blindly, she moved over to the towel rack, searching for a hand towel, dried her face and hurried back into the living room. She froze when she discovered Scott had the receiver to his ear, chuckling.
“She’s in the other room,” she heard him say.
She rushed over to Scott and tried to snatch the receiver but he playfully jumped out of her reach.
“Yes, Ma’am, I am. How did you know that?” Scott replied as he held the phone too high for her to grab. “Really? Zanaa told you all about me? Yes…well…she told me a lot about all of you as well.”
Goodness. Please, Lord, just take me now.
When Scott strolled over to the other side of the room with the cordless cradled to his ear, Zanaa finally stopped struggling to retrieve the phone. All she could do was flopped down onto the couch and lower her head to her hands.
“Yes, Ma’am. I would love to. Absolutely. Take care.” Scott ended the call then moved over to an oak end table and returned the phone to its base. “Sorry, Henric knocked the phone off the hook so I went ahead and took the call for you,” he explained with a silly smirk on his gorgeous face.
“That was your mother.”
Zanaa groaned. It was as bad as she thought. “What did you tell her?”
“I told her I was your fiancé.”
She sprung from her seat. “How could you tell my mother we’re engaged?”
“According to your mother, she already knew who I was because you already told Madea.”
She watched Scott’s reaction. He was clearly amused. “This is a nightmare.” How in the world could she have been stupid enough to blurt out Scott’s name? “Now what am I going to do?”
Clearly amused, Scott reached over, stroked one finger down the side of her face, running lightly over a cheekbone and causing her to shiver beneath his sensual touch. “Just as you suggested early…pretend we’re engaged until the Christmas season is over then fake a break up.”
engaged until the Christmas season is over then fake a break up.”
“That was the stupidest idea I’ve ever come up with.” Zanaa groaned as she lowered onto the couch again and shook her head. “This is a big mess. What was I thinking?”
Scott took a seat beside her. “Seeing this handsome face, thinking was probably impossible, huh?”
Zanaa pretended to be annoyed and rolled her eyes. “Very funny.”
“Seriously,” he chuckled and scooted over on the cushions until he was close enough to drape an arm across her shoulders. “You helped me.
Now I want to help you.”
“There is a big difference between helping with a lost dog and faking an engagement,” she said, unable to believe he was seriously willing to help. “It’s just not that easy.”
”How hard could it be?”
His hand cupped her face and she caught her breath at the sensual way he touched her. Restlessly, she shifted on the couch, putting a little distance between them and was glad when he finally dropped his hand.
“You have no idea how hard it is being a Reynolds.”
“Hard how?”
There was something compelling about Scott Simmons that made her want to tell him all her secrets that she usually kept buried deep within her soul. “My grandfather comes from old money. His father was an oil tycoon from Texas. Grandpa moved to Virginia when he was in his thirties.
That’s when he met Madea. Grandpa said he didn’t stand a chance.” She paused to chuckle. “Madea was a twenty-year-old actress and the second he spotted her on stage, he refused to take no for an answer. Within a week, they were married.” Every time she thought about her grandparents meeting, it brought a smile to her lips.
“Madea must have thrown it on him,” Scott teased.
“Something like that.” Zanaa tried to resist another grin as she drew her knees to her chest. “My father was born three years later followed by two other sons. All my father ever wanted was to marry and have a big family.”
“Barefoot and pregnant…I like it.”
“Barefoot and pregnant…I like it.”
Zanaa groaned. “Men. Would you be quiet and let me finish?” she scolded. However, despite Scott’s poor jokes, she was actually started to enjoy his company. Not that she would ever share that bit of information.
His ego was way too big as it was. “Anyway, while my father was in college, he met a beautiful music student named Brenda Bishop. The two fell in love. They had three girls—Paulette, me, then Barbara. Mama groomed us so we would marry by the time we were twenty-five. Both of my sister’s are married and let’s just say, I’ll turn thirty on my next birthday.”
“Really?” Scott shook his head. “I would never guess you to be so old. Twenty-five maybe but definitely not thirty.”
She blushed. “Thanks…I think.”
“You’re welcomed.”
“Anyway, my family thinks there’s something wrong with me because I find a career more important than having a family.”
He quirked an eyebrow at her. “They’re right. Your priorities aren’t right.”
“Would you be serious for a moment?” she said with a playful swat at his arm.
Scott gave a hearty laugh. “Seriously, why don’t you just tell them you’ve got plenty of time for a family, but right now your career is more important?”
“I’ve tried, but Madea is old school. She thinks everyone needs a man to feel whole. Now every Christmas when I come home, Madea parades eligible bachelors through the house. She’s determined to get me married before she dies, which as active as my grandmother is, that’s a long time coming.” Zanaa should have explained further and told him about Cole, but the last thing she wanted was for Scott to think Cole was the real reason why she needed a fake fiancé. Part of that may be true, but Madea’s matchmaking was far worse.
Scott rose and quietly paced around the room for what felt like forever before he finally turned around and said, “I’ll help, but in return I want something from you.”
The look in his eyes made Zanaa’s mouth go dry. She knew what The look in his eyes made Zanaa’s mouth go dry. She knew what he wanted even before she asked. “What is it you want?”
“You. It’s no secret I’m attracted to you. If I’m going to be your fiancé then I want all the advantages.”
“You’re kidding, right?” He had to be kidding. There was no way she would be able to resist him if he was serious.
“Come here, Zanaa,” he commanded her gently while his eyes traveled the length of her body. Slowly, Zanaa rose and Scott started toward her. “I guess I’ll have to show you just how serious I really am.”
*
Zanaa stiffened. But instead of feeling annoyed, Scott took her lack of interest as a challenge. “I want to know everything there is to know about you.”
Zanaa guardedly stared over at him. “Why?”
“Because if you’re going to be my fiancée…if we’re going to be believable…I need to know as much as I can about you.”
She folded her arms underneath her large breasts. “What do you mean by everything?”
“I planned to get to know you as well as you’ll let me.” Scott smiled suggestively and he loved the way her cheeks darkened. “We both know how much I love a beautiful woman. If you’re going to be my fiancé, keeping my hands to myself will be impossible.”
She dropped her arms and his eyes were immediately drawn to her full round breasts. Her nipples had hardened and were visible even through her shirt. He was already hard and aching. When Zanaa noticed him watching, she sighed impatiently. His response was a hearty chuckle.
“We both know I’m no gentleman.”
“At least we agree on something,” she replied with a grin.
“Come on, you can’t tell me you’re not
a little bit attracted to me?” His gaze bored into hers.
“And blow up your big head? No way,” she replied with a twist of her lips.
He chuckled again. However, when she rolled her eyes and tried to walk away, he caught her around the waist and pressed her full length to walk away, he caught her around the waist and pressed her full length against his. He was hard and knew she could feel the evidence of his erection pressed against her stomach.
“What are you doing?” she asked. His face was inches from hers.
She took a breath—quick and shallow.
“I’m trying to get to know my fiancée better.” Scott captured her mouth with his and the second their lips touched, all he cared about was mating his tongue with hers again.
Fire stirred at his loins and made his entire body ache for so much more. He’d have no problem helping her as long as Zanaa agreed to his terms. He was attracted to her and had been since the day they first met.
Being her fiancé would definitely give him the excuse he needed to give “being neighborly” a new meaning. The mere thought of having her in his bed, making love, made him throb with anticipation. To hell with rules about dating women who were too close for comfort. Dammit, he wanted Zanaa and he sure in the hell planned to have her.
Reaching up, he freed the buttons of her shirt and was pleased that not only hadn’t she resisted, but she also wasn’t wearing a bra.
“Scott,” she moaned as his fingers swept over her large firm breasts. They were beautiful and heavy and her nipples were like dark chocolate Kisses. He dipped his head and took a nipple in his mouth and enjoyed the way her breasts rose and fell with every shaky breath. While he continued to lavish one, he lightly pinched the other nipple between his thumb and index finger. Zanaa arched her back, drawing closer and he marveled at the way her body responded to his touch.
“Scott,” she murmured him. “This is…a mistake. A big—” Then she moaned, “…mistake.”
“The only mistake is that it’s taken this long for me to taste you,”
he breathed between licks. “You like me sucking on your nipples, don’t you?”
She started to protest but when he nipped her with his teeth, she moaned with pleasure instead. “Yes, oh yes.”
Lifting his head, Scott stared down at her beautiful ripe breasts, erected and begging to be sucked. His hand skimmed her from the erect tip all the way down to her small narrow waist. “You are so beautiful.”
all the way down to her small narrow waist. “You are so beautiful.”
Zanaa gasped and stared up at him with her lips slightly parted.
Leaning in, he cupped her chin then lowered his lips to hers again and slipped his tongue inside. The way she met his strokes left little doubt in his mind she was enjoying the attention. Zanaa was just too stubborn to admit it and knowing that made him itch to sample more.
“I want to taste you,” he whispered as he suckled on her bottom lip. Reaching down, he slipped his hand beneath her skirt. Zanaa pushed her hand against his but gave up resisting as his fingers stroked her inner thighs. When he reached the apex between her legs, she cried out against his mouth.
“Scott!’
“I’m right here, sweetheart. Open your legs.” Leaning back against the nearby wall, she parted her thighs and he reached up, slipped her panties down to her knees then slid one long finger into her sweet honey.
Zanaa released a long moan. “Yes.” She was so wet, he was throbbing now.
“You like me touching you, don’t you?”
“Yes…yes…I like it.”
Scott ran his tongue across her cheek and neck, feeling her rock against his finger as he continued to thrust gently. “That’s it, baby.” With his thumb, he found her clit, the center of her pleasure and stroked her gently
“Oooh,” she moaned. The sound was so arousing Scott had to fight the need to be buried inside her. Not yet. He had plenty of time for that later, he told himself, although his mind and body were currently at war with each other. He continued to stroke her clit while his fingers dipped and explored, bringing her pleasure.
“Scott…please,” Zanaa gasped, squirming restlessly under his skillful fingers.
“Please what? Tell me,” he demanded.
“Please… ooh, yesss…yesss!” she cried out and he continued to play with her clit while she rocked her hips and road out the orgasm. With a final whimper, she collapsed against him.
a final whimper, she collapsed against him.
Scott scooped Zanaa in his arms and carried her over to the couch with her head cradled against his chest. Her feminine aroma teased his nostrils and made his penis throb. Closing his eyes, Scott took a deep breath, trying to calm his own arousal. He wasn’t sure when he’d ever wanted a woman as badly as he wanted Zanaa.
“You can let me go now,” he heard her say.
Leaning back slightly, he stared into her questioning eyes. She had the soft faraway look of a woman who had just been made love to.
“What if I don’t want to?”
She gasped, stared up at Scott, searching his eyes then gave an impatient sigh and rose. An angry muscle twitched at her cheek. “You’re impossible,” she muttered then started fixing her clothes.
“And you’re beautiful. I love it when you’re angry,” he added with a chuckle.
“Who says I’m angry?” she snapped.
Scott stood to his full height and gazed down at her lovely face.
“No, just stubborn.” He pulled her flushed against him again then pressed his mouth to Zanaa’s for a searing kiss. Her lips softened just before she placed a hand to his chest and pushed away. Scott tossed his head back with laughter.
“Sweetheart, remember you started this game not me,” he reminded. “However, trust me when I tell you, I plan to finish it. Before the holiday season is over, I have every intention of making love to my fiancée.” He winked then turned and walked out the condo with Henric at his heels.
Scott strolled next door, smiling, and stuck the key in the lock. He hadn’t missed the fear in Zanaa’s eyes. Unfortunately, what she didn’t know was that what he said wasn’t a threat…it was a promise.
Chapter Six
Zanaa’s eyes traveled around the elegant ballroom of the most fashionable hotel in southern Delaware—The Beaumont Hotel. In a few moments, the best man would be standing to toast Gina and Christopher McBride. It had taken Zanaa three days to write his speech, and an entire afternoon ensuring he had all the words memorized.
The afternoon had been another success for Proposals, and she felt an overwhelming sense of pride. The Winter Wonderland wedding had it all: fantasy, drama, even a strong underlying mood that swept up the guests and carried them along. There were glass ornaments and angels hanging from the ceiling, artificial snowflakes covering the floor, ice sculptures, bridesmaids and groomsmen dressed like elves, and, of course, a non-denominational minister, impersonating Santa Claus. She and her assistant had planned everything down to a single napkin.
She glanced to the left to make sure the videographer was still hard at work and was pleased to see he was. The lighting was perfect, and so was the music. She couldn’t be happier. The only mishap was that the father of the bride had been running late, but Zanaa had the soloist sing an additional song while she kept the bride-to-be calm and tear free so her make-up stayed fresh until the father arrived. A job well done.
A waiter strolled by and handed her a glass of champagne. “Thank you,” she said then for the next few minutes she listened as the best man and the matron of honor each gave their toasts to the bride and groom.
There wasn’t a dry eye in the house. She reached for a Kleenex from her small satin bag. Zanaa never attended a wedding without a package handy.
If not for herself, she liked to have them readily available for one of the guests.
“Wow! You are definitely good at what you do.”
Zanaa went rigid, her eyes widening with surprise. “Scott…what Zanaa
went rigid, her eyes widening with surprise. “Scott…what are you doing here?” Every since the kiss they shared in her living room, she had been avoiding him. She knew it was because the experience had been everything she had ever dreamed of and more, and because she had lost control.
A sexy grin curved his delicious mouth. “Sheyna mentioned you had a wedding here this weekend so I thought I’d drop in and see you in action.”
She allowed her eyes to travel slowly over him. Scott was dressed in black pleated slack, a starched white shirt and a striped tie. Even his hair had been freshly twisted. There was no denying he looked suave and extraordinarily handsome. “You look nice.”
“And you, sweetheart, look sexy as hell.”
“Thanks.” Feeling self-continuous, she smoothed the front of her form-fitting little black dress and tried to ignore the way he used the term of endearment. She told herself it was something Scott probably did with all of his females so he wouldn’t accidently call out the wrong name, but that didn’t stop the rush of heat she felt every time he said it.
The band was playing a soft ballad. Scott reached out for her hand.
“How about a dance?” he asked with a wicked gleam in his eyes.
“A dance?” She rarely danced at her client’s weddings. “I can’t. I’m working.”
“Everyone else is dancing. Come on. One song.” Not taking no for an answer, he took her hand and lead her out onto the center of the crowded dance floor and into his arms. He was a good dancer, which came as no surprise. All the women he was juggling, he was probably good at a lot of things. Thinking about one thing he was particularly quite good at sent heat straight down between her thighs. Why was she even thinking about that?
Why else? You’re attracted to him.
“I haven’t seen you around the complex lately. I think you’ve been avoiding me,” Scott whispered close to her ear. Before she could answer, he smoothed his hands down her back, resting them just above the curve of her butt.
In Her Neighbor's Bed (The Beaumont Series) Page 5