"Always." Zane's comment brought her head up, and she popped her gaze toward him. His eyes connected with hers. He bent around her to open the door. His hand brushed hers where she held the door, and a thrill went through her at the contact. "I'll always protect you." Zane's words were whispered and for her ears only. Jewell swallowed hard and cast a quick look toward her brothers. They might not have heard the words, but from their expressions, they knew what he said.
Chapter Seventeen
"Do you want to call out for dinner?" Jewell asked as she watched Zane clear the apartment even though the alarms had been activated while they were gone.
"I'll cook." His voice carried from her bedroom.
Of course, he'd cook . Jewell wandered into the kitchen and retrieved a bottle of Chardonnay. She wanted a small drink tonight. The events of the last forty-eight hours spun through her mind like a movie that was stuck on repeat. She wanted to turn off the noise, just for a moment, but every time she tried, she ended up processing the same information. The variables were limited. Either Vista was dead, which meant they were spinning their wheels, or he wasn't, and they were wasting time. And then there was the stress-filled situation in Jason's conference room this afternoon. She'd been slammed with work as soon as she left the meeting and hadn't had a chance to think about that mess. Her gut told her she'd screwed up, but Zane promised he'd explain and she'd trusted him to do so.
Jewell reached into the cabinet for a corkscrew and felt his warm chest press up against her back. "I'll get that for you if you get us two glasses." Zane's lips brushed her temple as his arms encircled her.
She leaned back against him and felt his arms tighten. "I don't want to move."
"Mmm." His chest rumbled against her back. He turned her in his arms and brought her against him. She tucked her head under his chin and melted into his solid body. She sighed. It felt so damn good to let him hold her up, but the worry that she'd been trying to process prevented her from relaxing completely. "What did I do wrong today?"
Zane stopped nuzzling her neck and leaned back so she could see his face. His brow was creased as if he was perplexed. Damn it, why couldn't she ever talk without confusing people. "About Nicolas." She clarified.
"Oh, sweetheart you didn't do anything wrong." He kissed her soundly then reached around her and grabbed the wine. A couple seconds later the cork popped out of the top of the bottle. "Here, you fill our wine glasses, and I'll bring some meat, cheese, and fruit to the living room. We can talk about it out there." Zane kissed her softly before he released her and popped her on the ass with his hand. She couldn't help the laugh that bubbled up at his playful actions. Thank God she hadn't messed something up. Jewell put down his wine glass on the coffee table and kicked off her shoes before she crawled back into the corner of her sectional with her wine. The soft cushions were heaven after a day of hunching over a keyboard. Jewell took a long sip of her wine and watched Zane in the kitchen. His movements were easy and natural as if he belonged here in her world. More and more she was beginning to believe he not only belonged here but was a central piece of her reality.
Zane made quick work of chopping some cheese, ham, salami and piling on grapes, a sliced apple and a sleeve of crackers. He put the tray between them on the couch and grabbed his wine glass.
"So?" Jewell took a bite of a piece of cheese. It paired well with the bright bite of the wine. She popped the rest into her mouth and waited for Zane to respond. He seemed to gauge his response before he spoke. Maybe he was picking up some of her traits? She gave an internal groan at the thought. Poor man, if he was picking up any of her habits, he was in poor company.
"So… It would be my assumption that Nicolas has been interested in you for some time." Zane took a drink and waited.
She really appreciated the way he gave her time to process what she heard against what she wanted to say. Her mother and her sister Jade did the same thing. It was considerate and kind. When the rest of the world wanted instantaneous personal interaction, Jewell shied away from it. She wasn't the best at subtextual clues, as evidenced by Nicolas being upset.
"I know that, but I told him I wasn't interested in him that way."
"True, but you agreed to go to his house for dinner even after you told him you weren't interested. He may have inferred that you were playing coy."
Jewell's glass stopped halfway to her mouth. "What?"
"Sometimes one of the two people in a relationship play hard to get," Zane explained.
"I… I understand, but I wasn't doing that. I told him point blank I wasn't interested."
"And then you agreed to go to his house for dinner."
Jewell sucked her bottom lip into her mouth and worried it while she turned her wineglass by the stem. Her eyes jumped up to his. "How did you know that?"
"What?" Zane wrapped a piece of cheese in a slice of salami as he asked.
"That I agreed to go to his house." Jewell cocked her head at him. "You weren't out here when we had that conversation. You were in your bedroom."
Zane shrugged and ate the cheese and meat wrap in one bite. "I may have overheard your conversation."
"May have?" Jewell's eyebrow's rose and a smile played at the corner of her lips.
"Did." Zane acknowledged.
"If you were in Nicolas's position would you have thought that I was playing… coy?" Jewell sat down her wine glass and waited for his response.
Zane once again considered his words carefully before he spoke, "I can't honestly say. But, if you'd agreed to go out with me, I never would have let you cancel without finding out why, nor would I have assumed that there was no competition for your attention."
"You wouldn't have?"
Zane sat his glass down and moved the tray to the table. He reached for her, bringing her onto his lap so she straddled his hips while she faced him. "No, you are far too beautiful and smart."
"You think I'm beautiful?" Jewell felt heat rise to her cheeks. She was fishing for a compliment, and she'd admit it. It made her feel so… wanted when Zane said things like that. He smiled and pushed her fall of dark hair away from her face, cupping her cheek against his hand. The warmth and slight scratch of his calluses made her nerves tingle and come alive.
"I think you're stunning and irresistible." He moved her closer and touched his lips to hers. She softened into him for a moment before she gently pushed away because a thought had wedged itself between her and her desires.
"Wait… Nic didn't ask why I was canceling. Does that mean he didn't think anyone else could be interested in me?"
Zane shook his head and reached up to draw a thick strand of hair through his hand. "I think Nic thought he was the only person who was interested in you and that he was the only one that had access to you. I also think he thought he had the time to get you to see he was actually very interested in you. But now he knows someone else is in the picture."
Jewell lay down on his chest and tucked her head under his chin again. The way they fit together was heavenly. "I don't want anyone but you. Is that wrong of me to tell you? Should I pretend that I'm on the fence about that?"
Zane stroked her hair and leaned down to kiss her forehead. "No. Neither one of us likes to play games. We are both literal people."
"We are."
"Telling your brothers we are in an intimate relationship the way you did was… interesting."
"Yeah, I got that when they both yelled at me. I don't give a shit. I don't have a say in who they sleep with. Why should they care who I'm involved with?"
"Because they are overprotective brothers who are trying to guard you against a very real threat."
Jewell closed her eyes and drew a deep breath before she responded. "That is why you were assigned to me. Just because we are together doesn't mean you are less effective at your job, or is that an assumption I've made in error?"
He
chuckled. His chest lifted with each rumble under her ear. "I would say it has made me hyper vigilant. I won't let anyone harm you."
Jewell raised up and smiled at him. "I know you wouldn't. Would you object to me telling you that I'm not hungry?"
Zane moved his head slowly from side to side. "I'd be concerned, but I wouldn't object."
"Would you object to me telling you that I'm horny as fuck and I want you inside me?" Jewell's eyebrow rose with the question.
Zane immediately stood while holding her legs. His move was so sudden she let out an undignified squeak and grabbed at his shoulders to keep herself upright. She barely heard his growled reply, "I wouldn't object. On the contrary, I'd insist on taking action."
Zane gripped her ass with one hand and lifted her so she could wrap her legs around his waist. He didn't stop at his room but carried her down the hall to hers. Jewell found her way to the juncture of Zane's neck and shoulder. She moved the collar of his shirt away and began to suck up a bruise. She wanted everyone to know that he was a taken man, even if marking him like this was a juvenile thought. Zane's chest rumbled with a deep sound. He put his hand on her head and held her to the spot as he walked. Jewell doubled her effort and was rewarded with a tightened grip. She felt him let go of her legs and found her feet beneath her.
Jewell released the suction from his neck and licked the red spot she'd created several times. She leaned away and looked up locking stare with his. "I want you." Her whispered words seemed to break his trance.
If asked, Jewell couldn't have articulated how they became naked, nor when Zane had settled between her legs. She would've had to have been cognizant of outside factors to have that knowledge. The only thing that registered in her mind was the feel of his lips and hands on her body—the way this insanely strong man held her as if she was fragile and precious. Jewell felt tears build behind her lashes when what was happening registered. Zane wasn't fucking her. He was making love to her. Every tender touch and kiss held that promise and so much more.
Zane's thumb wiped a trail of tears from her cheek. "Why are you crying?" His voice held an uncertainty that Jewell couldn't let linger.
"Because you make me feel special." She ran her hands up his biceps and shoulders to lock them behind his neck.
"Of course you're special. I love you." He lowered to claim her lips. Jewell responded, not caring if it was illogical to feel the depth of emotion she felt for Zane. Two weeks ago he'd been a missing piece of her life, something that had been taken from her and made her feel incomplete. Now? Now the man was wound through literally everything in her life. But the feeling wasn't restrictive. No, it was as freeing as it was foreign.
Zane's mouth traveled lower, down her neck and further. Jewell's brain fritzed out again. Her body took over. Zane lifted her legs as he entered her. His size and girth contacted every possible nerve ending. Her moan consisted of nothing but bliss. He withdrew and held, not filling her again.
She opened her eyes, ready to beg him not to stop. His blond hair was mussed. His dark brown irises were blown wide so they appeared almost black. He entered her as they stared at each other. Jewell could no more pull her gaze away than she could stop the earth from rotating.
"I love you." Zane reaffirmed his profession as he lowered to kiss her. Her hands traveled down his back and rested at the dip of his waist. His hips' steady thrust matched his tongues' dominance of her mouth. Jewell lifted slightly to breathe. They stayed like that, millimeters apart consuming each other's air as they became one. Jewell's body tightened; she was so close. She wrapped her feet around Zane's thighs and arched her back begging for the release her body craved. Zane shifted a leg giving him more leverage and thrust again. Her world exploded into a canvas of white punctuated with intense red spots. She vaguely heard Zane shout her name as he climaxed.
The air in her lungs exploded outward as Zane collapsed on top of her. She panted with tiny shallow breaths not wanting to disturb him. He lifted onto his elbows, and she drew a deep refreshing breath. She started to notice small things, like how much they'd both sweated, the coolness of the air conditioning hitting her skin, the slight scrape of his chest hair against her. Jewell ran her hands through his damp hair and blinked as another sensation registered.
She put both hands on Zane's chest and pushed him up. His eyes popped open at the same time, and she knew he knew. "Fuck." His exclamation confirmed the look that crossed his face. It would have been funny in any other context.
"Condom?" She asked the question. She had to because she wasn't on birth control. Hell, there hadn't been any need for her to be on the pill.
He nodded and lifted away from her. Jewell looked down, yes he had worn one, but it had broken. Zane ripped the remainder of the latex off before he stood and walked into the bathroom.
Jewell threw an arm over her eyes. She had to think. There were options. Her mind raced through as many as she could think of, several of which she instantaneously disregarded. Personally, she could never abort, nor could she bring herself to use a morning after pill. Her beliefs were rooted in her upbringing. She didn't judge anyone for their beliefs, and she refused to let anyone judge her for hers.
"Hey."
She lifted her arm and looked up at him. He'd wrapped a towel around his waist. "Hey." She responded in kind only because she had no idea where Zane's thoughts were. If they were racing like hers…
"Come on. We should probably talk." He held out his hand to her. Jewell nodded and reached for his hand. When she stood, he brought her close to him and rocked back and forth with her for a while. Finally, he moved away and led her into her bathroom.
The huge Jacuzzi tub was almost full. Zane tested the water temperature and then turned off the taps. He dropped his towel and got into the tub extending a hand to her before he settled down into the warm water. Once he had her sitting down between his legs, he encouraged her to lie back on his chest. He turned the jets on and let the water bubble around them.
"What are you thinking?" He needed to understand what was going on in her mind. He had his own demons to chase, but right now they were unimportant. Jewell's wellbeing was paramount.
"I'm trying to figure out what the chances are of me becoming pregnant and of course what I will do if I am." Jewell's voice floated to him above the noise of the jets.
"We."
"What?" She turned slightly in his arms as if to hear him better.
"What we will do if we are pregnant." Zane felt her stiffen in his arms.
"You'd want to be a part of it?"
Zane knew this question would make or break everything he was trying to have with this woman. "Absolutely. It is your body, and I'll support whatever you decide, but if we created a baby, then we shouldn't make any decisions in a vacuum."
Jewell nodded. "Well, I guess we should wait to see."
"I wasn't just saying the words to hear myself speak." Zane wanted her to know that he meant it when he said he loved her.
"What?" Obviously, Jewell's mind wasn't tracking or rather it was working overtime tracking down countless avenues of possibilities. He could only imagine in how many directions her thoughts were racing now.
He pushed her away enough to turn her around to face him. "I love you. I know you don't believe me yet. That is something that will change with time. I've been in love with you for months. I fell in love with the snarky computer genius who was overworked, underappreciated and hell on wheels when people do stupid shit or get in her way. I love how you drive yourself until you drop, how you sacrifice for your brothers and our organization without them asking you to do it. I love the compassion I see when I'm melted into the background of your office, and you've forgotten I'm there. I watched as you took five extra shifts in one month so your people could go home when they had special events like a birthday or anniversary. Sweetheart, I love all of you, and if we are pregnant, I
'd love our child, too. I see all of you, Jewell, and you are absolutely beautiful to me."
He watched as she took in the words he forced her to hear. She nodded and closed her eyes. Zane stroked her thigh under the bubbling water. He waited patiently for her to compose a response.
"I don't know if what I feel for you is love. I'd like to believe it is, but I've never been in love, so I don't know. I have nothing to compare these feelings against. When you weren't with me, there was a hole in my life, and it felt horrible. You are an amazing man, and I believe you see me. I believe you believe you love me."
Zane leaned forward and brushed his lips against hers. "I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"The condom breaking."
"That wasn't your fault. I don't blame you." Jewell spun around and leaned back on his chest. She entwined her fingers with his and raised his hand to her mouth placing a kiss on his knuckles. "I really want to love you, too."
Chapter Eighteen
Zane glanced down at the information that had been uploaded to his tablet. He was following the investigation in damn near real time thanks to Jewell. Since Wi-Fi wasn't authorized in her section, the tablet was docked and updated at the same time as the mainframes. The only time he was behind was overnight when he insisted Jewell leave.
For the last two weeks, Zane had sat on his fucking hands while others ran with the leads they had garnered. He'd always worked alone so watching the slow-moving, and at times stalled, investigation had driven him insane. The only thing that kept him from losing his calm was the woman sitting next to him. She spun the bottle of orange juice on the high glossed conference table. Zane had been more insistent that she eat regularly and healthy. If she was pregnant, the baby needed nutrients, not junk food and caffeine. If she wasn't then he was just as pleased in making sure she remained healthy.
Jewell glanced over at him and smiled. She gave him a long slow once over, sparking his well-sated lust. She'd ridden him hard and fast this morning before they headed into work. Jewell initiated sex every morning. Who was he to deny her? She told him about a week ago she wanted to feel him throughout the day. Fuck, his inner caveman loved that comment. He chuckled at his mental image of him with a club beating his chest grunting "my woman". Jewell glanced over at his low laugh. He winked at her and watched the blush rise from her chest to her cheeks. She had an idea of where his thoughts had gone. Not that he'd ever share the "me-man, you-woman" mentality with her or anyone else.
Jewell (The Kings of Guardian Book 8) Page 13