“For the record, we didn’t know he would be here, but it doesn’t matter now. Your man is on his way over,” CJ whispered.
Jada’s pulse hammered in her chest when Zack stopped at their table. God, he looks good. She licked her lips at the way his navy blue, long-sleeved T-shirt hugged his wide chest and muscular arms. The dark jeans molded to his legs that went on forever were absolutely drool worthy. By the appreciative glances directed at him from other women in the room, she wasn’t the only one impressed with what she saw.
“Hello ladies.” Zack’s deep, baritone voice reverberated through Jada’s body, and it took everything she had not to leap from the table and jump into his arms. She held back a groan. His presence alone made her body hum.
I have it bad. I have it real bad.
“Hey, world’s greatest running back, it’s good seeing you again,” MJ said.
“Hi Zack,” Peyton and Christina said in unison.
“Jada, can I speak to you for a minute?”
Jada nodded afraid any words she spoke would sound like gibberish. Zack offered her his hand, and she grabbed hold, allowing him to help her stand. An electric charge shot up her arm, and a tremor gripped her body. His touch still had the ability to make her weak in the knees. He held onto her hand as he guided her outside and didn’t release her until they were several feet away from the entrance.
“Now that I have you out here, I’m not sure what to say.” He shoved his hands into his front pockets.
“Well, just so that you know, I had nothing to do with all of this – us meeting up here. I told you my family was nosy, and I think they roped poor Craig into playing along.”
Zack laughed. The rich timbre of the sound made her warm all over. It had been a long time since a man brought her happiness, but with Zack, he had already proven that he also had the power to break her heart too.
“Don’t feel too sorry for Craig. I just found out he was the mastermind behind this plan.” Zack’s dimples made an appearance, weakening Jada’s restraint. She so wanted to wrap her arms around his neck and taste his sweet lips.
He glanced down at his blue hiking boots and kicked a rock with his foot. “I have to say,” he met her gaze, “I’m glad they butted in. Otherwise, I don’t know if I would’ve had enough sense to contact you and tell you that I’m sorry.”
Jada leaned back and frowned. “You’re sorry? What do you have to be sorry about? I’m the one who wasn’t completely honest with you.” She toyed with her large, sparkly belt buckle trying to find the words to tell him how she felt. “I should have been straight with you, Zack.”
He grabbed hold of her hand, stopping her from fidgeting. “I have to ask, why did you tell me that you do volunteer work and enjoyed the outdoors if those things aren’t what you enjoy doing?”
She started to pull away, but he held her tight, halting her retreat.
“I guess I wanted to impress you.” She lowered her lashes.
“Jada?” He tugged on her hand.
“Huh? Oh sorry.” She paused, debating on what to say to him. “You … you were so fascinated that I worked in construction. And when you mentioned you enjoyed the outdoors and volunteering,” she gave a slight shrug, “I just went along with you. I guess I got carried away. I never expected I’d have to prove my love of those things. A date for me is an opportunity to wear a beautiful dress, enjoy a gourmet meal and an aged bottle of Merlot. And If I’m lucky an engaging conversation.”
He caressed her cheek and goose bumps skittered up and down her arms. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner that you hated that stuff?”
“You made our adventures fun. Besides, I wanted to be near you. I wanted to get to know you better, even if it meant ruining my clothes and wearing those ugly hiking boots.”
Zack grinned. “I take it you weren’t feeling the footwear.”
Jada fought a smile, and she shook her head. “They remind me too much of my steel-toe work boots.”
Framing her face with his large hands, Zack lowered his forehead to hers. He didn’t speak right away, and they stood that way for the longest, staring into each other’s eyes.
“I messed up. I allowed my trust issues to get in the way, without giving you a chance to explain. I’m also a jerk for not realizing sooner how selfish I was being.”
“Zack, this was not your fault.”
“Yeah, some of it was, but I’m asking you to give me one more chance to prove I’m not the bonehead that you probably think I am. Sweetheart, I’m crazy about you. I want to show you just how much you mean to me. Have dinner with me at my place tomorrow night.”
His lips touched hers, before she had a chance to respond, and liquid heat shot through her body. Jada had thought that the last time she saw him would be the last time she saw him. His kiss radiated heat throughout her body, setting fire to every nerve ending along its way. She loved him. Loved him more than she ever thought possible.
I am in so much trouble.
Chapter Ten
“Dinner was delicious.” Jada wiped her mouth and pushed away from the small, round table. “I can’t believe you went through all of this trouble.” Her gaze roamed around the intimate space of his sunroom and the wall-to-wall windows that overlooked his back yard. Lights hung from the multi-level deck, as well as every tree and a gazebo off in the distance, making the yard look like a winter wonderland without the snow. Even the in-ground pool, which was covered, had built in lights around its perimeter, shining brightly. “This is the most romantic dinner I’ve ever had. The candles,” she waved her arm around the room, “the wine, a meal befitting of a five-star restaurant, and great conversation – thank you. Everything was amazing.”
Zack scooted his chair closer, and his hand caressed the back of her neck. Her eyes drifted shut. If he was trying to seduce her, it was working. He had been touching her with such gentleness all night, and Jada knew that if he kept up the sweet torture, she was going to embarrass herself by begging him to take her right then, and there.
“I have a few more surprises for you tonight,” he whispered close to her ear, placing a soft kiss on her neck.
A moan rose to her throat. Her eyelids fluttered, and she stared into his dreamy blue eyes, lost in their tenderness. Her heart did cartwheels inside her chest at his nearness, his lips only inches from hers.
“Zack you’re killing me here,” she said breathlessly, her body throbbing with need.
He grinned and stood, pulling her to her feet. His silence only amplified the desire flowing through her body, sending her heart rate to an immeasurable level. She watched as he blew out candles around the room, her gaze following every move of his tall, muscular body. The man oozed sex appeal, and Jada had to pinch herself to make sure the evening wasn’t a dream.
Her temperature rose with each step he took toward her. So much time had passed since she allowed a man near her heart. Yet Zack had somehow penetrated the security that she had placed around it.
He stopped in front of her, and his hands eased around her waist pulling her against his hard body. Jada knew at that moment that Zack could ask anything of her, and she would do it. Lips so soft touched hers, and it felt as if that was the first time she had ever been kissed. A quivering stomach, sweaty palms and weak knees, all made her powerless in his arms.
Oh, this man…
He nipped her top lip, and then her lower one. His tongue traced her lips before sliding in and claiming her mouth. His kiss sang through her veins and her insides turned to mush. Peace filled her soul. Oh, how I love this man. Sooner than she wanted him to, he lifted his head and stared into her eyes.
“I know we have moved past what happened the other day, but going forward, I need you to tell me when you don’t like something. You never have to settle for less than you want when you’re with me. Understood?”
She nodded, still staring into his eyes.
“I plan to prove to you just how special you are to me, and I plan to start now. Let me show you someth
ing.”
“Zack, you don’t have to do anything else for me. I’m just glad to be here with you.” He squeezed her hand without responding. They walked through the kitchen that would be any cook’s dream space and headed to the spiral staircase. Light emitted from the impressive crystal chandelier over the stairs like stars sparkling in the night. Jada had been to Zack’s house several times and each time she walked around in amazement of its magnificence.
Hand in hand, they made their way to the top landing and strolled down the extra-wide hallway, where four of the five bedrooms were located. Jada assumed they were going to Zack’s bedroom, but when they stopped in front of a closed door, she wondered what he was up to. Before she could ask, he pushed the door open and escorted her in. Her breath caught in her lungs.
“Oh. My. God.” Her hands hovered over her mouth, and tears welled up in her eyes. Seconds ticked by, as she stood stunned. “Who? When? How were you able to do all of this?”
Stepping into the room was like stepping into her own personal boutique with mirrors, racks of designer clothes, and tons of shoes and handbags perfectly displayed.
“I wasn’t totally sure what you would like, so I figured I’d have a little bit of everything you could possibly need … or want, delivered. I had to do something to make up for all of the clothes that were ruined during our adventures.”
“Zack,” she said wistfully, her voice trailing off as she perused the items in the room. The racks of clothes lined the perimeter of the large space, while every possible accessory was displayed on tall tables, with drawers, in the center of the room.
“How did you do all of this?”
“I’ll admit. I had some help. Okay, a lot of help.” He moved slowly across the room and stopped at a table loaded with earrings and necklaces. “My mother is the queen of shopping and has a personal shopper on speed dial. So I connected her with your cousins Christina and Toni late last night. They gave her your sizes, your favorite designers and what you don’t like,” he shrugged, “and my mother took over from there.”
Jada roamed around from one rack of clothes to the next awestruck. She didn’t know much about his mother, except what he’d told her – that she was a little eccentric and flighty. Based on what was in the room, Jada couldn’t wait to meet her. She would also have to thank her cousins. This was one time she was glad they knew her well.
There was something special about his attempt to make up for her ruined clothes and shoes. Each date they’d been on, he had made her feel as if she were the most important person in the world. Yet this felt different. He had gone out of his way to make things right and to please her as if she was much more than just someone he dated.
Jada shook her head in disbelief. Making her way to the far corner of the room, she saw the rows of boots in multiple colors and with various heel heights, but there was one pair that stood out. She picked up the boots and immediately recognized them as the pair of Marc Jacobs that she had been drooling over for the past couple of weeks.
Turning back to Zack, she held them up. Before she could say anything, he spoke.
“I hope those are the right ones. I was going by memory. You showed me an ad in that magazine the other week. I purchased them a few days later but hadn’t decided when to give them to you. I figured this was as good of a time as any. The matching handbag should be in here somewhere too.”
“You do know the real me,” she whispered, holding the boots against her body. Tears rolled down her cheeks, and she didn’t bother wiping them away. No one had ever done anything so thoughtful for her. She couldn’t believe that Zack would go through so much trouble.
“Aw, sweetheart, don’t cry.” He took the boots out of her hands and laid them back on the shelf. “Of course I know you.” He cradled her face with both of his hands, forcing her to meet his gaze. He wiped her tears away with the pad of his thumbs. “I know I goofed up these last couple of months, but don’t think that I don’t know you. I know that you are a passionate woman who loves her family. A woman who likes the finer things in life.” His lips quirked as if trying to hide a smile. “And you’re the woman that I love.”
He claimed her lips, crushing her to him. She gave herself freely to the passion of his kiss, wanting so much more as spirals of ecstasy swirled through her body. Jada tried to ignore the building heat between her thighs, but it was impossible. Her thirst for Zack grew stronger than a bird’s need to soar through the skies.
“Zack.” She mumbled when his lips seared a path down her neck only stopping when he reached the collar of her Givenchy dress. Unable to form words, a whimper snuck out.
Zack returned to her mouth and covered her lips. He lowered the zipper, opening the front of her dress, and the soft material fell open. It had been a long time since she had made love to a man, but Jada had a feeling this experience with Zack would be like no other.
When he stepped back, his gaze pinned her in place. Those sexy blue eyes glittered with desire and had her squeezing her thighs together. He reached up and with both hands, pushed the dress from her shoulders, allowing the garment to tumble to the floor. Left with wearing only a teal bra and panty set that matched the discarded dress and black stilettos, Jada thought she was going to spontaneously combust. Heat spread from the top of her head to the soles of her feet. If he kept looking at her with longing in his eyes, she was going to have to take matters into her own hands.
“I knew you’d be beautiful under those fancy clothes you wear,” a smile tipped the corner of his lips, “but you’re absolutely breathtaking.” The awe in his voice made her even more eager about what she knew was going to happen next. What she wanted to happen next.
Zack helped her out of her lacy undies. His skillful hands roamed slowly down the sides of her body until he reached the curve of her hip.
“I have to have you … now.”
Stooping slightly, he gripped the back of her thighs and lifted her. Jada wrapped her legs around his waist and didn’t have to ask where he was taking her as they left the room. She threw her arms around his head and held on, her bare breasts in his face.
“Mmm,” Zack moaned, placing a lingering kiss on the inside of both of her breasts, the scruff on his jaw tickling her. He took his time carrying her across the hall and into the master bedroom. She trembled against the ball of giddiness that settled in the pit of her stomach, the prolonged anticipation almost unbearable. Jada had thought about this moment for a long time but didn’t know when or if their relationship would make it to this level.
Zack didn’t stop until he reached the bed. He loosened his grip, and her body slid down his – passion igniting within her, sending jolts of pleasure to the tips of her toes. Her feet touched the floor, and she watched as Zack removed his clothes. Utter perfection. That was the only way she could describe his body. There was no fat anywhere on the man. All Jada could do was stare. An elaborate tattoo started on the right side of his chest and snaked up and over his shoulder. The intricate details, with a multitude of colors and shapes, made it hard for her to believe someone used that type of talent on skin instead of canvas.
“Wow,” she said, her voice filled with wonder. “This is remarkable.” She traced some of the colorful swirls with her fingertip.
“No, sweetie, you’re remarkable.” Zack grabbed her hands, ceasing her exploration of his tattoo. He kissed the inside of one of her wrists and brought her arms up to his shoulder where she wrapped them around his neck. An involuntary shiver gripped her. Feeling Zack’s hard body against hers, chest to chest, skin to skin, had her trembling with need. “I have wanted you from the moment I saw you walking down the aisle at Craig and Toni’s wedding.” Zack lifted her, gently easing her onto the bed, his strong, muscular body straddling her. “And finally…” His words trailed off as his lips connected with her neck, placing kisses along her collarbone and on down to her shoulder.
Jada drew in a breath against the delicious torment of his soft lips now searing a path down the center of
her body. He wasn’t the only one who had anticipated this moment, the time when they’d come together as one. Dreams of them making love had invaded her sleep more times than she could count.
He cupped one of her breasts in his large hand and his mouth covered her harden nipple. Licking, sucking, stroking, the flame burning inside her. The lust-arousing sensation he elicited had her core throbbing, eagerness built within her body. As he paid homage to her other breast, Jada squirmed beneath him, her fingers gripping his hair, waves of ecstasy whipping through her body. Oh yeah, this is what she wanted, what she craved.
Her body quivered everywhere he touched. His sinewy muscles contracted with every move he made. When Jada first met Zack, she never thought their initial attraction for each other would lead to the type of love that filled her heart. She was so glad he hadn’t taken no for an answer when he first asked her out.
Zack slowly lifted his head and placed a lingering kiss against her lips before pulling away. The urge to pull him back, to feel his body above hers was strong, but she waited. Patience had never been one of her strengths, especially when her body yearned for him.
Her gaze followed as Zack leaned over to grab a condom from the bedside table. She zoned in on his long, thick erection and her body pulsed with expectancy, eager to have him inside her.
Zack quickly sheathed himself and returned to her, picking up where he’d left off. Hovering above her, his hands on either side of her head, he reclaimed her lips, gently nudging her thighs apart.
“I want you so bad,” he mumbled against her mouth, his voice raspy with unrestricted passion. His tongue traced the fullness of her lips, and he kissed her tenderly as the engorged head of his shaft teased her opening. A fiery sensation flowed through Jada like warm honey, and she bucked against him, needing him inside her.
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