Zanaa stared down at the diamonds, gleaming on her left hand.
Self-consciously, she ran her index finger across the gems.
Engaged.
Her heart began beating rapidly the way it always did whenever she seriously thought about what she was doing. A mixture of anticipation and uneasiness soared through her upon realizing she was about to embark upon another exciting week. For a second, a ridiculous second, she almost wished the engagement were real.
During the week since he bought the ring, she and Scott had been spending a lot of time together. Every evening, Scott made it a point to knock on her door for Henric’s walk. She would fall into step beside him and was intently aware of Scott at her side, his arm brushing against her.
While they strolled around the Brandywine Zoo, they talked and laughed.
What amazed Zanaa was that unlike the other men she’d dated, when she spoke, Scott gave her his whole, undivided attention, hanging on every word she said as if she was special and what she had to say was important.
Zanaa tried to tell herself she was spending time with him just so they knew enough about each other to pull off the engagement, but she knew it was more than that. With every evening they shared, Zanaa found herself falling for him. All she seemed to think about was his kiss. His touch. But then she would quickly remind herself Scott didn’t believe in commitments. As a result, she never let the conversation last more than a cup of cocoa at her kitchen table and a brief kiss good night at the door.
Leaning back on her favorite recliner, Zanaa stared into a roaring fireplace while tapping a fingertip against her bottom lip. They were leaving for Virginia the day after tomorrow. But before they left, she needed to sort out her feelings for her next door neighbor.
The man was almost too hot to handle. Zanaa had known from the The man was almost too hot to handle. Zanaa had known from the beginning Scott was dripping with sexy appeal and was too cocky for his own good. When she’d asked him to pretend to be her fiancé, she thought she could handle it, but what she hadn’t considered was possibly falling for him. She hadn’t counted on loving his personality and crazy sense of humor. She hadn’t expected the undeniable sexual chemistry between them to explode. Every time she closed her eyes, Zanaa could feel his fingers between her legs, buried deep inside her body. Goodness, just thinking about it caused her clit to pulse. One thing for sure, she had to pull herself together before things between them spiraled out of her control.
The doorbell rang, startling her. Zanaa sat her mug down on the coffee table then padded down the hall to the front door where she found Scott standing on the other side. Swinging it open, she met his amazing smile.
“Good evening.”
She swallowed deeply as heat stirred at the pit of her stomach.
How was it possible for this man to look even sexier today than the day before? He was dressed in navy slacks and a black leather jacket that hung open revealing a cream button down shirt. Perfect abs. Well-proportioned.
Physically fit. He was truly a handsome man.
“Hello, you look nice this evening.” She heard herself say then stepped aside so he could enter. “Are you on your way out?”
“No, I’m just getting home.”
She couldn’t help wondering if he had a date tonight. She knew it wasn’t any of her business. Their engagement was a fake. He’d made no promises to her. In fact, he had been completely honest about his intentions, yet she felt a tinge of jealous at the thought of Scott sharing his time with someone else. She knew why. It was because she was wearing his engagement ring. It wasn’t supposed to mean anything yet deep down she wished it did.
“Please, come on back and take a load off.” Scott followed her to the family room in back. She loved the layout of her condo. With only a half wall separating it from the kitchen, she could cook and watch television at the same time. “I was just sitting here drinking a cup of cocoa.
You want some?”
You want some?”
Nodding, he moved his leather jacket and hung it on the arm of her couch then took a seat. “That would be great. It’s gotten pretty chilly out there.”
She offered him a smile. “Four more days before Christmas. It’s expected.”
“Yes, and it hasn’t even snowed yet. Not that I’m complaining.”
“The weather man has reported snow for Christmas.” Zanaa filled a glass with milk and popped it into the microwave then reached for a package of premium cocoa from the pantry. “Are you planning to spend any time with your family before we leave for Virginia?”
Scott nodded. “We’re having Christmas at my father’s. But since I’m not going to be here I’m going to go down tomorrow, do some quick shopping and take gifts to my family. I still need to visit the toy store for my nephew.”
Her face lit up as she thought about her own. “My sister Paulette has two. I adore them. Eva’s two and Kyle is eight. I’m one of those who starts shopping in October so I’m already done.” The timer on the microwave went off and she reached inside for the mug then poured in the hot chocolate. “You want marshmallows?”
“Absolutely,” Scott replied with a boyish grin that made heat stir through her veins and a number of other places she didn’t want to think about.
Zanaa carried the cup into the family room and sat it on the coffee table in front of him.
“Thanks,” he replied and brought the mug to his lips.
“You’re welcomed.” Zanaa lowered onto the recliner and reached for her mug. There was a long silence, both of them sipping their cocoa and staring off into the roaring fire. It was a bit too intimate.
“How’s Henric this evening?” She couldn’t think what else to say.
“Probably chewing on his bone. I took him for a walk before I knocked on your door.”
She actually felt disappointed he hadn’t asked her to join him, but she pushed that ridiculous thought aside. Zanaa brought the mug to her lips and as she sipped, her eyes traveled around the room she had lips and as she sipped, her eyes traveled around the room she had decorated in sage and gold. “I was thinking about questions my family might ask and it dawned on me that other than Sheyna, I know hardly anything about your family. It seems I’ve been doing most of the talking this past week.”
Scott nodded. “Well,” he began between sips, “my father is still alive and kicking. He’s a retired school bus driver who owns a farm south of Rehoboth Beach. Last year, he married the woman of his dreams, Jennifer.” He shook his head then laughed.
“What?” Zanaa asked, wondering why he was suddenly amused.
“She’s half his age. It took us awhile to adjust to that but she’s a sweet woman and she’s good for my father.”
“Where’s your mother?”
Scott breathed in deeply before answering. “My mother died from a brain aneurism when I was fifteen.”
Zanaa couldn’t imagine living a life without her parents. “I’m so sorry to hear that.”
“Yeah, it was hard back then. My mother was the one who kept us all in line. After she was gone my father pretty much gave up for a long time and I had to step up to the plate and keep Darnell and Sheyna in line.”
“Is Darnell your brother?”
He nodded. “Yes, he’s two years younger and thinks he’s God’s gift to women.”
“Really?” If he looked anything like his older brother, then she could see why. Scott was leaning forward on the chair, with his legs apart, making her conscious of his fine physique. Her gaze automatically shifted to his crotch where a bulge was evident before she dragged them back to his face. “Sounds like the two of you have a lot in common.”
“Why do you say that?” he asked with a curious expression.
She waited until taking a sip of cocoa before answering. “Because you’re the same way. Come on, I’ve seen the women who parade in and out of your condo. I know you keep late hours and entertain a lot.”
“You’ve been checking up on me?” he teased.<
br />
She rolled her eyes and suddenly regretted saying so much. “Not at all. But I’m your neighbor and it’s my responsibility to know what’s at all. But I’m your neighbor and it’s my responsibility to know what’s going on in my neighborhood. You never know what might happen.”
Scott chuckled at her answer. “I love women, what can I say? And since I’m not interested in a commitment, I enjoy single life. What’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing, I guess. I’m single, too, but I want more someday. What about you? You’re telling me you never think about settling down?”
His voice hardened. “I did once and it wasn’t good.”
Her brow rose. “You were married?”
Shaking his head, he replied, “Engaged. It’s a time I rather forget.
My ex didn’t care about anyone but herself.”
“Ouch. Sounds like I wasn’t the only one who got burned.”
“What happened to you?”
Zanaa tucked her legs beneath her then pulled in a rather shaky breath. “I fell hard for a man. Cole’s family and mine have been friends forever. He’s an architect and I thought the sun rose and set on his ass. I supported him in everything that he did and when he proposed, I accepted.
I wanted to go to college and get an education first and he wanted to get married. When I left for college, he felt betrayed.”
“Sounds like he’s selfish. What man wouldn’t want a woman who’s trying to do something with her life?”
“Exactly.”
“Anyway we had a long distance relationship for almost three years when I decided it was time to start planning our wedding and the rest of our lives together. I came home on spring break to talk and walked in on him in bed with my cousin Monica.”
Scott gave her a sympathetic look. “Damn. With cousins like that who needs enemies?”
While gazing down at her half empty mug, she replied, “I knew she always had a thing for Cole, but I never guessed she would stoop that low. Anyway, we broke up and now the two of them are married.”
The look on his face said he was starting to put two and two together. “Now he’s a part of the family which means he’ll be at your parents’ for Christmas dinner.”
“I’m afraid so.” She was amazed at how easy it was talking to him.
“I’m afraid so.” She was amazed at how easy it was talking to him.
“Monica’s pregnant now and they just built this big home in Philadelphia.
She’s going to spend the entire weekend bragging about her wonderful life.”
“And you didn’t want to show up single,” he said, finally understanding the real reason for a staged engagement.
She sadly shook her head. “Not only am I dreading watching Monica and Cole, but if I came alone, Madea would have spent the entire weekend trying to hook me up and it would have made me look that much more pathetic.” It wasn’t long before she found herself curling up on the chair and talking comfortably about how devastated she had been after her engagement. Moving to Wilmington had been the new start she so desperately needed. Her mood lightened while they discussed opening Proposals and the clientele she had acquired over the years.
An hour had passed before she finally rose and carried their mugs into the kitchen, rinsed then drained them in the dishwasher. When Zanaa swung around, she found Scott standing behind her. She gasped at the savage look in his eyes.
“I think we’re all set to visit your family. What do you think?”
Reaching up, Scott caressed the side of her face with his hand, causing her stomach to lurch with heated lust. She tried not to focus on how near he was standing, but the second his tongue darted out to lick his upper lips, she realized resisting wasn’t an option.
Unconsciously, she tilted her chin. “I believe we are.” They were standing so close their lips were mere inches away. An arm snaked around her waist just as his mouth captured hers. Hot and hungry. Scott lowered a hand to her butt, grinding her against his erection.
“You are so beautiful,” he whispered against her lips and for once, Zanaa could honestly say she felt as gorgeous as he was making her feel. She wanted him. There was no denying it. Even if it was for a short time, she wanted everything Scott was willing to give.
With bold yet shaky hands, Zanaa tugged the shirt from his slacks then fumbled with the buttons. His bare skin was hot as she slid the material down his arms. It fell on her wood floor.
“Mmmm,” she murmured then rained open-mouth kisses along “Mmmm,” she murmured then rained open-mouth kisses along his smooth, muscled chest. She wasn’t sure what had gotten in to her. She didn’t care about anything except what she wanted…needed. One hand slid down across his flat, hard abdomen. There was nothing soft on this body.
Nothing. The hard-on resting against his thigh was proof of that.
“My turn,” Scott said in what she considered a groan. In one fluid move, he grabbed the band of her sweatshirt and sent it over her head. She wasn’t wearing anything underneath and had to resist the urge to cover herself.
“You are so beautiful,” he murmured.
Scott grabbed onto her waist, his hands hot against her bare skin.
She led as he backed her down the hall to the master bedroom. Once in her room, Scott took a seat on the end of her queen size sleigh bed then opened his legs so she could stand between them. Her knees nearly buckled when she realized her breasts were even with his mouth. He fastened his gaze on hers and slowly licked his lips. Her nipples hardened. Scott held onto her waist, tugged her close then took her left breast into in his mouth.
Pleasure raced through her body and Zanaa arched her back while Scott sucked deeply, drawing a nipple between his teeth. Her legs shook and she held on to keep from falling. There was a throbbing between her thighs greater than she’d ever experienced before and her panties were wet. What Scott was doing, felt so good, he could have kept on sampling her for the rest of her life.
When he released her nipple she almost cried out. “You enjoy me tasting you, don’t you?” His eyes sparkled but he was breathing as heavily as she was.
“Yes.”
“Good.” Scott growled then pulled her, laughing, onto the bed with him. Zanaa rolled onto her back, her head falling back onto the pillow. Scott straddled her with his thighs on either side of her hips. The throbbing at her apex grew stronger.
“I love your breasts.” Scott’s hands latched on. He squeezed their fullness and rolled her sensitive nipples between his fingers. She moaned in delight and arched up against him. “You like that, don’t you?” he asked and Zanaa could hear the humor in his voice. “How do you like this?”He and Zanaa could hear the humor in his voice. “How do you like this?”He took a nipple between his teeth and gently suckled the pebbled peak. An electric charge seemed to run from her nipple to her clit and the pulsing power increased with each suck.
“Oh, Scott!” she cried. She raised her hips, pressing against his hard arousal. Unconsciously she rubbed her satin covered mound along the length of his zipper.
Zanaa’s sweatpants were in the way. Panties too, for that matter.
She ached down there and she didn’t want any barriers. Frantically, she struggled to yank her sweats down over her hips without interrupting the exquisite torture Scott was performing on her nipples.
Scott sensed her struggles and released her, causing Zanaa to cry out with disappointment. “Don’t worry, sweetheart, I’m just getting started.”
He removed her sweats and tossed them somewhere on the other side of her bedroom. But instead of stripping her lacy white panties, he trailed his index finger along the damp crotch, tickling her aroused flesh, teasing her. “You like this, too, don’t you?”
“Yes,” she moaned. “Yes, I like it a lot.” Zanaa grabbed his belt buckle, released it, and reached for his zipper. “Please, take these off.”
“I’ll be glad to.” He rose and she watched him stepped out of his pants. Her eyes lowered to the black boxers where his
erection was obvious. When he finally slid them down over his hips, Zanaa expelled a long breath at his size. Scott was large and beautifully erect.
“See how hard you’ve made me. There should be no doubt in your mind how much I want you,” Scott said, climbing back onto the bed. “But I’m going to warn you, the first time is going to be quick.”
The first time? Did that mean he had every intention of making love to her again? “Oh yeah?” She had him turned on. No one had ever told her that before. She took his penis, hard and smooth, into her hand.
“You’re bigger than I thought. I don’t know if you’ll fit.”
“Trust me, it will fit.” He moaned and rolled on top of her. “We’ll just take things slow. I plan to make you so wet there will be no doubt in your mind that you can accommodate me.” When he ran his tongue along her neck and down to her nipples, the delightful pulses of need started her neck and down to her nipples, the delightful pulses of need started again. As desire throbbed through her body, Scott traveled downward.
“Open for me, Zanaa,” he said in that sexy voice of his. She did as he asked while he dropped down off the edge of the bed and knelt on the floor. He then grabbed her ankles and pulled her down to meet him. Scott stroked her trembling thighs and pulled her into position.
The first long lick from that smooth tongue had her nearly going through the ceiling. It was warm, and wet, and controlled. Scott definitely wasn’t her first but no one came close to comparison. Sensations drummed through her veins, beginning at the very core of her, touching every part of her body. Waves of excitement built within her, growing more intense with each stroke of Scott’s tongue.
Oh, God, she never imagined it could feel this good. She grabbed his head, holding onto his locs. Her hips began to move in a frantic rhythm, rubbing against his experienced tongue. When she shattered into a million pieces, a screamed ripped from her mouth. She didn’t care who heard her. All that matter was how good he made her feel. Incredible waves of sensation pulsed through her, making her body move in ways it never had before. Scott’s tongue continued to stroke her gently as the waves calmed and she pulled herself back together again.
In Her Neighbor's Bed (The Beaumont Series) Page 8