“You can move faster, babe. I can feel that you need it. I need it, too. It feels so damn good to be inside you with nothing between us.”
I put down the fork I was holding and start to move faster as I place my hands on his shoulders. Zack nuzzles my neck, while whispering sexy things in my ear. When he pushes my dress down and starts pinching my nipples through my bra, I nearly fly off of him. He chuckles, kissing me hard. It’s too much all at once, and I go over the edge as I scream into his mouth. He moves his hands to my hips to hold me as he thrusts into me, taking an active part, now that I’ve found my release. A few pumps later, he’s shaking beneath me.
“Wow,” I tell him as he wraps me in his arms.
“More ‘wow’ than usual is what I hope you mean.”
“Can you put aside the cocky for a minute?”
“My ‘cocky’ is still inside you and getting hard again.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really. I know you can feel it. But we should finish breakfast.”
He lifts me off of him, holding me with one arm as he tucks himself back into his briefs. Then he turns me sideways on his lap and picks up our plate. I get a kiss in between every bite he feeds me.
“Thanks for spoiling me this morning, Zack.”
“You like it all?”
“I love it.”
“I wanted to show you how much you mean to me. I didn’t want you to leave.”
“I didn’t want to leave, but I thought I had to.”
He’s quiet for almost a minute. “This is good, right? What we have, it’s good?”
“I think so. I want it to be.”
“Me too. I want it more than anything. But is it really supposed to be this hard? I don’t want to fight all the time.”
“I don’t want to fight either. I know I react too fast sometimes, but I promise to try and take a step back to look at the situation first.”
“And I’m happy with the part of you that you can give me. I hope one day you can tell me all your secrets, but I love you enough to want to be with you regardless. Since you’re not lying to me about anything important it’s okay for now.”
“You’ll have to tell me all your secrets, too.”
“You know everything.”
“Every single thing?”
“Yes. If you think I haven’t told you something, just ask. I’ll tell you whatever you want to know.”
I decide to just go for it. “Who do you think is trying to sabotage the team?”
“I have no clue. I wish I did because I’d like to kick their ass. Well, maybe I’d thank them for shocking Donaldson since he’s such a jerk, but I could’ve been killed. And if I hadn’t sent you away…I can’t even think about anything happening to you. I just don’t know who would have anything to gain by destroying the team.”
“You could go play for the team you want if there’s no team here.”
He practically throws me off of him. “You think I’d do this shit? Put people in danger just to play somewhere else?”
“I hope not.”
“You hope not? Are you fucking kidding me?”
“I’m sorry, Zack. I just needed to be sure.”
“You should leave.”
“You told me to ask you anything.”
He turns and places his hands on the kitchen island. I see him physically trying to calm himself down. I wait, wanting him to say we’re okay, that he doesn’t want me to leave. I don’t think we can survive another break-up. If that’s even what these are. We haven’t even had our date today.
“I did tell you that. I didn’t expect you to accuse me of sabotaging the team, but I said anything, so I need to be okay with this.”
“I’m sorry. I just had to know.”
“Now you do. I mean, you do know, right?”
“Yes. I know you didn’t do those things.” And I do. He couldn’t fake his reaction. I’m not being naïve, he was really shocked.
“Okay. Let’s go get cleaned up and then we can meet in the living room to go on our date.”
“You don’t want to clean up together?”
“No. I need a few minutes alone right now.”
“Okay.”
I turn to go, but he grabs me and pulls me to him, hugging me tight. I wrap my arms around his waist and hold him back. “I love you, Ains.”
“I love you, too.”
“We’re fine, okay? I think this a good relationship thing. Being mature and taking a few minutes to calm down.”
“It probably is. I’ll see you in a few minutes.” He kisses the top of my head and lets me go.
Chapter 12
Zack
I hope Ainsley likes what I have planned for us. I changed it up a little after this morning because I thought of something perfect to do together. We can do everything I’d originally planned, after the first stop.
It got a little rocky this morning, but I think I handled it pretty well. I was shocked and really angry when she first asked me about the sabotage. When I thought about it, though, I realized that I did look a little suspicious. And that it’s better that she asked me instead of continuing to wonder if I was guilty.
I pull into a parking lot downtown near Main Street and pay the lot guy. I open Ainsley’s door and help her out of my SUV. “Our date is down here?”
“Part of it.”
“Okay. I’ve heard there are some cool places to eat down here.”
“There are. We’ll eat in a little while.”
I take her hand and lead her to the sidewalk. I stop in front of the first antique store we come to and start to open the door for us. “We’re antique shopping?”
“I was hoping you’d help me find some things for my place. I know it’s pretty barren, so I want to make it nicer for us.”
“I’d love to help you. You want antiques, though?”
“Not the fancy stuff, but I thought we could find a few cool pieces from the 50’s or 60’s. Then we can find a designer to take us to the interior design building over there.” I point behind us to the big World Market Center.
“Chloe Griffin is an awesome designer. You should hire her if she has time.”
“Maybe I will. Let’s see what we can find in the shops here first.”
We find some pretty cool stuff at the first couple of stores. It’s the third store that we go into that we make our biggest purchase at. We wander separately for a few minutes, and I find Ainsley running her hand along a very elaborate antique canopy bed. There are curved, gold bedposts and a padded headboard. I’ve never thought of an antique bed as sexy before, but there’s no other word for this one.
“You want this bed, babe?”
“It’s so beautiful, romantic, and, well, sexy. But you have a bed already.”
“It’s just a bed. I’m not attached to it.” I lean down because the salesperson is hovering. “This one is sexy, and I can just imagine all the ways I would take you on it. I’m buying it for us.”
“Can we change the padding from pink to dark purple?”
“Whatever you want. Pink isn’t exactly my color. Purple isn’t either, but I know you love it, so we can make the bedroom purple.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really. I want you to think of my house as yours too.”
“Maybe we can have a housewarming party when we’re done decorating it.”
“I don’t entertain, Ains. It’s not my thing. It’s just for us.”
“Oh. Okay.”
“You really want a party?”
“I’d like to have my friends over and maybe some of the guys from the team.”
“Let’s talk about it again when we’re done, okay?” I don’t want a party. At all. But I do want her to be happy, so I’ll consider it.
“I don’t want you to do something you’re not comfortable with. It’s not my house, and you don’t want a party. So consider the conversation over.”
“I just told you it’s now our house. But thank you for understandin
g. Your friends can come over whenever you want.”
I give her a little kiss and then motion the salesperson over. I buy the bed and some matching items they also had for the bedroom. I wasn’t expecting to have a romantic bedroom, but it’s turning out that way. And I really can’t wait to make love to her on that bed.
We walk back to the car, and then I drive us to the East Fremont area. It’s got some great restaurants and businesses. I want to take her to lunch at Carson Kitchen. I’ve heard that the food and drinks there are really good. I park close to the restaurant and take her hand again as we walk. I tell her where we’re having lunch, and I’m happy that she likes the choice.
“I’ve heard this place is good. I wanted to try it.”
“So, my date planning is going well so far?”
“You just bought the bed I liked. I’d say it’s going very well.”
“The bed was for both of us. And I liked all the things you picked out. Thanks for doing that with me.”
“You’re welcome. I like that you thought of something different for us to do.”
“I’ve got a few more surprises.”
“Good.”
We go inside and have a really good lunch. I have the Fried Green Tomato sandwich, and she has the Short Rib Sliders. We share a plate of baked mac and cheese. They have a nice selection of beers and mixed drinks. I tell her we’ve still got some more walking to do, so we only stick to one each.
I walk us into the Container Park. We look through the shops where she lets me buy her a few little things, but not everything I want. “Zack, you can’t just buy me things. I’m not wired that way.”
“I know. I’ve never wanted to buy things for a woman before, and I didn’t really plan on it today. Well, I mean, I do have something here I ordered for you, but I wasn’t bringing you here to spend money. I just thought it would be fun. Getting you things that you like is just a bonus.”
“I can buy my own things, though.”
“I know. I’m not doing this to try and show off my wealth. I promise you that.”
“You have to let me buy you things, too.”
“Okay. You can buy me whatever you want.”
I’m not sure what she’ll find for me, but then we walk into a shop that repurposes liquor bottles into home decor and jewelry. They have some pretty cool stuff. Ainsley buys me an awesome lighting thing—I guess it’s a kind of chandelier made from bottles—for my foyer and some other lights and décor items. She won’t let me hear the total, but I know it’s high. I loved quite a few things. I like it though, having her buy me things. It’s pretty hot.
“Thank you, Ains. Those things are going to look so cool in the house.”
“You’re welcome. I saw your eyes light up when we walked in.”
“Are you ready for your surprise?” I ask as I open the door to the chocolate shop.
“Yes.”
I tell the employee at the front of the store that I have a custom order to pick up. I give my name and she comes back with the box. I open it and show Ainsley the purple chocolate necklace and earrings that I ordered for her. Her mouth drops open.
“This is chocolate?”
“Yeah. Do you like it?”
“I love it. It’s so pretty.”
“I thought you could wear it to dinner later.”
“I’ll have to find something to wear it with, but I can’t wait to wear it, and eat it. I do get to eat it, right?”
“Yes. I think that’s the idea. Can I eat some, too?”
Her cheeks heat as she takes in my double meaning. “I think you know the answer to that.”
“Just checking.”
We walk out of the park and I stop at the heart on the corner. I reach into my pocket and pull out a lock with a piece of paper attached to it. “You brought a lock for the heart?”
“I did.”
She takes it from me and reads the message I wrote: Zack & Ainsley forever.
“I love it. And it’s true.”
“I know it’s basic, but I’m not poetic or any shit like that.”
“It’s perfect. Let’s put it on.”
We find a small spot and attach the lock together. I kiss her lightly and then steer us down the street a little further to where Quinn Wilson has her shop. I saw her talking to Ainsley at the Griffin party, and I thought hers would be the perfect place to get a dress for tonight.
“We’re going to Quinn’s shop?”
“Well, you need a dress.”
“I’ve been wanting one of her dresses. I always wear boring black or just something like this.” She motions to her short blue dress, which I think is smoking hot.
“There’s nothing boring about you in a dress, babe. Or jeans. Pretty much whatever you wear turns me on.”
“Good to know.”
We walk into the shop, and Quinn comes right over to us. “Hi, Ainsley.”
“Hi Quinn. Do you know Zack?”
“We haven’t met, no.”
I hold out my hand. “Nice to meet you, Quinn.” She looks at my hand for a moment before deciding to shake it.
“I’ll decide if I feel the same once I know what your plans with Ainsley are.”
“Quinn.”
“He was a jerk to you. I’m not going to just forget that.”
“I wouldn’t expect you to. I’m going to try to not be a jerk again.”
“What can I help you with today?”
“I need a dress for dinner. Zack had this chocolate necklace made for me, so I was hoping to find something that would match it.”
“You get points for that, Mr. Football,” she says when she sees the necklace. Then she turns to Ainsley. “I have the perfect dress for you. I haven’t put it out yet, so let’s go to the stockroom.”
Ainsley hands me the necklace and kisses me before following Quinn. Once they’re out of sight, I’m immediately approached by a brunette with a huge rack. “You’re Zack Taylor.”
“Yes. Are you a football fan?”
“I’m a Zack fan. You can teach me some plays anytime. Do you want to get out of here?”
“I’m here with my girlfriend.”
“You didn’t kiss her on Sunday, and she wasn’t wearing your jersey. What kind of woman fights with you?”
“The kind I love. If you’d like me to sign something I can, but otherwise I’d like some privacy please.”
“I have something for you to sign,” she says as she pushes her dress down.
“No.”
“What do you mean, no? Men fall to their feet when they see my boobs.”
“I’m sure they do, but it would be disrespectful to my girlfriend if I signed you there, so no.”
“You need to leave.”
I didn’t know Quinn and Ainsley were behind me, but I turn and see them both walking towards us. Ainsley’s smiling at me. Quinn looks pissed.
“You can’t kick me out.”
“Since I own this store, I definitely can. Put your boobs away and get out.”
The woman storms off as my girl wraps her arms around me. “Thank you for turning her down.”
“You don’t have to thank me. I really want to be the guy you deserve.”
“You are.” She goes up on her toes, and I lean down so she can kiss me.
“Does that happen often?” Quinn asks as we break apart.
“Yes.”
“Damn. I mean, my husband gets hit on all the time in his tattoo shop, but whipping out your breasts in the middle of a clothing store takes it to a whole new level.”
“You should see the women at the stadium,” Ainsley tells her.
“It’s partly my fault. I used to encourage it. And even when we were fighting on Sunday, I went along with it.”
“Even if you encouraged it, women need to have some self-respect. Especially when you came in here holding hands with Ainsley.”
“That’s why I said I was only partly at fault.”
“Keep turning down those women and we might
just be friends. Now let’s try on this dress. Are you wearing it out of here?”
“Umm, I guess. I don’t have shoes.”
“I might have had some delivered to our room.”
“Our room?”
“You’ll see.”
“I’m starting to like you even more, Zack.”
“And you used my name, Quinn.”
“That I did.”
“Um, excuse me, but I have a complaint.”
“What’s wrong, Ains?”
“You just assumed that I’d sleep with you again? I mean, you booked a room.”
“Actually, I hoped you’d sleep with me, but just in case you didn’t, I booked a suite with a couch. I’m happy to sleep there…well, not exactly happy, but I’ll sleep there if you want.”
“Oh. Well, thanks. I think you can maybe sleep in the bed with me. How did you get shoes for me? You don’t know my size.”
“I’m going to try really hard to turn your maybe into a yes. As for the shoes, I called your building and they got me in contact with your friend, Stella. She packed a bag for you and took it to the hotel.”
“Stella?” she asks and then shares a look with Quinn.
“Yeah. She said she was happy to help.”
“Which means I probably have the sluttiest lingerie imaginable along with a pair of heels I can’t walk in.”
“Or you have no underwear and the heels,” Quinn tells her.
“And that’s bad?”
I get hit with the dress in Ainsley’s hand as I laugh. “The maybe just got a little firmer.”
“So did I.”
“Zack!”
“What? Quinn’s a married woman. I’m sure she has sex.”
“You’re impossible.”
“You wouldn’t want me any other way.”
“Sadly, that’s true.”
“You two are too cute. Let’s get this dress tried on so you can go take care of your man, and his hard cock.”
“Oh my God. I thought Stella and Tegan were bad, but you two…”
“We’re not bad, we’re just comfortable with our sexuality. You’ll get there one day. Or not. I’ll tone it down for you, babe.”
“See? Cute. Totally cute,” Quinn tells Ainsley as she leads her into the dressing room.
Fielding Her SECRET (Corrigan & Co. Book 1) Page 11