WindSwept Narrows: #6 Eve Hastings

by Diroll-Nichols, Karen

  “Hmm…I’ll have to work on that…” Zach was getting accustomed to their humor.

  “Do you really want to know what I was thinking?” She leaned up, staring at him in the darkness.

  “I sincerely, honestly want to know what you were thinking, Eve,” he answered, working to keep his laughter inside.

  “You’re much larger than I thought.” Eve blurted out and sighed.

  Zach reached for the light, his eyes still closed when it lit up the bedroom.

  “And you believe this is a problem?” He asked very slowly.

  Eve raised one finger, tapping her lip thoughtfully. “That’s what I have to research. I’m thinking if a baby can come out…surely…” she blinked into the sudden darkness around them. “You don’t think it could be a problem?”

  “I guess we’ll find out on my birthday,” he answered with a grin and shaking head. “However, feel free to conduct any research you want to on me…I am at your disposal.”

  “You are teasing me,” Eve said softly, sighing and laying her head on his arm.

  “I am…”

  “I’m really not worried, Zach,” Eve told him with a long sigh. “I do want to…well…let you know how much I appreciate your patience and…well, patience…I knew when you were shouting at me you would be the right one.”

  Zach brushed the top of her head with his lips, wide awake and staring at the clouds flying by outside the large window. There wasn’t supposed to be anything on his mind but this massive project he created. But somehow, Eve had woven her way into far more than his thoughts. He fell asleep thinking about the old man who had spoken to him.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Eve lay with her face toward the window, breathing evenly and purring softly when she felt the gentle, very warm kisses on her shoulder. Sleep filled lashes opened slowly to narrow slits.

  “It’s still dark outside,” she mumbled. “And it’s Sunday…go away…”

  “I’m going for a run around the neighborhood,” Zach whispered against her skin. “I didn’t want you to worry about me.”

  “I’d say be careful…but no one is awake yet, so you’re probably safe,” Eve pulled the blanket over her head, his soft laughter easing her back to sleep.

  Eve wandered into the kitchen after her shower, stopping and looking around the area by the fireplace. There were candles on the bricks at the outer edges, far from the heat that would be coming from inside. And the pallet of quilts had been neatly folded with the pillow at one end. She also saw a clean hand towel and a bottle of her oil. She went to the cabinet where she kept her oils, reading labels and closing her eyes. He found the single one she made of the amber.

  “Eve?” Zach came out of the back tucking a tee shirt into his jeans, a heavy sweater pulled over his head next. “I’m going to my apartment and get some personal things before the movers come in next week. Come with me,” he asked, accepting the mug of coffee held out to her. He’d seen her looking through the cabinet where she kept her herbal items, smiling at the scene he’d begun to lay out for her.

  “I’d like that,” she said easily, carrying two plates with eggs and toast to the table. She sipped her juice and ate slowly. “You’ve been busy…”

  “Oh, I’ve been plotting this since last night,” Zach assured her with a low chuckle. “Good eggs…cheese?”

  “Yes…ricotta cheese…there’s jam in the fridge if you want some,” Eve told him, making a toast and egg sandwich and biting down hungrily. “Plotting?” She repeated carefully, peeking up to see a smile that filled his eyes as well as his lips.

  “I have a feeling this could become a monthly event,” he told her with a wink, carrying his plate into the kitchen for the remainder of the eggs.

  “I saw you were in my oils,” she mentioned casually.

  “I selected one I found rather appealing,” Zach admitted, taking her fork and lifting a bite of eggs to her mouth. “You play with your food more than you eat it. Open.”

  Eve took the fork from him with a wrinkled nose and finished her eggs, taking the plate to the sink. “I’ll get some shoes and a sweater.”

  “Tell me about the scent I picked out,” Zach asked when they were in the SUV and headed north.

  “I mixed it up for me,” she said with an easy shrug. “It’s a kind of honey colored spice…a little musky. It’s lavender, bergamot and spice, with a floral heart and low notes of sandalwood and patchouli….what would be considered a dark or evening scent. I have a perfume I found a long time ago much like it…”

  “I noticed it on your dresser,” he told her. “I liked it, too.”

  “I think I would have had fun as a chemist,” Eve said with a smile, launching into all the possibilities in perfume making. She stopped after a short time, looking out over the expanse of grey skies as they entered downtown Seattle. “This was a very long drive to the project site.”

  “Some days it seemed that way,” he admitted, guiding the SUV through the security gates of a high rise complex.

  “How long have you lived here?” She squinted into the darkness of the underground garage spaces.

  “Over seven years,” he said after a few seconds of thought. “It’s mostly a singles sort of condo. Not a lot of families that I’ve ever seen living here. It was close to where I put my office at the time. I’ve since moved my office….and most of my projects have been towards Tacoma.”

  “You enjoy your work, even if your muscles protest,” she teased, sliding out of the SUV, her boots making a tapping noise on the concrete.

  “Ahh...but now I have a secret weapon…” Zach took her palm firmly, leading her to the block of elevators. He leaned against the stainless steel railing, pulling her between his parted feet, his hands firmly on her waist. “I got a girl with magic hands…”

  Eve let herself lean into his arms, her head tilted. “You do realize…I have a great deal more research to do…” She smiled at the open mouth that closed again when he caught the teasing in her eyes. “I do feel confident, though…”

  Zach was laughing when the elevator opened, Eve moving quickly to stand at his side. “Good morning, Mrs. Grendel.”

  “Zachary,” the older women walked into the elevator, looking over them both. “I haven’t seen you in several days.”

  “I’m in the process of moving. Mrs. Grendel, this is Eve, my wife. She has a house down in Tacoma. I’ll be putting the condo up for sale,” Zach explained easily, holding Eve’s palm tightly.

  “You’ve married? Congratulations to you both,” she looked Eve up and down. “My niece will be devastated.”

  “I don’t know your niece, Mrs. Grendel,” Zach said curiously.

  “I kept meaning to introduce you,” she said with a chuckle, winking at Eve. “He’s a prime catch, young lady,” she told Eve with a nod.

  “I agree with you, Mrs. Grendel. He’s smart and funny and quite handsome, don’t you think?” Eve peeked up to see him blush.

  “I would have given you a run for your money, Eve,” Mrs. Grendel agreed with a glance at Zach. “I’m off for a rousing card morning. Good luck to you both,” she stepped off the elevator on her floor, the doors closing quietly behind her.

  “Did you enjoy that?” Zach asked when the elevator continued up, wondering just when he began to feel self-conscious about compliments.

  “I actually did,” Eve said cheekily. “So what are we after today?”

  “The rest of my clothes and some books and things I should have moved to my office awhile ago,” Zach used his key, opening the door at the end of the wide, quiet hall.

  “Wow…” Eve wandered to the huge sheet of glass opening to a view over Elliott Bay. Large container ships, sparkling water, tug boats and ferries all dotting the expansive view for her. “It’s gorgeous…”

  “If it wasn’t so cloudy, you can see the mountains and a long way out into the Sound,” Zach commented, going into the large bedroom closet.

  Eve slipped her boots off and stretched out on
the large bed, straight across the middle, just staring out into the sky while he sorted. He noticed a steady, easy breathing when he came in from the living room, laying a light blanket over her. There was a warm glow inside him that she felt safe enough, comfortable enough with him to relax as much as she had over that last week.

  One week.

  Zach stared at the calendar, inhaling deeply and shaking his head. He sat at his desk for several long minutes, his gaze shifting from the calendar to the drops of rain smacking on the large window. His world had been turned upside down the minute he walked into Eve Hastings office. And yet it had been a week filled with experiences he would never have imagined or thought important.

  There was a frown on his face when he answered the light knock on his door. Thinking it was one of his neighbors, he opened it only to frown a little more.

  “Zach! I’m so glad I caught you!” Mallory West stepped forward, the dress she wore swirling around her ankles, the stylish heels bringing her to his height.

  “Mallory, it’s Sunday. What are you doing here?”

  “Obviously I came looking for you,” she said simply. “I thought I’d invite you out to lunch. It’s a positively dreary day…perfect for a lazy martini lunch.”

  “I’ve got other plans. If you don’t mind…”

  “Please tell me you aren’t seriously chasing that mousy little school teacher, Zach? I went to speak with her about the prenup,” she waved her palm when he opened his mouth to speak. “I know…you changed your mind…which I believe is a serious mistake on your part.”

  Zach stared at her, his frown deepening. Mousy? Eve?

  “Mallory, I really have other plans for my day. As for Eve…”

  “Did you know she has this romantic notion that a prenup is unnecessary? In this day and age?”

  “For Eve and I, it is unnecessary. Believe it or not, she trusts me. Now, if you’ll…”

  “Zach…you shouldn’t leave your new wife all alone…” Eve stood in the doorway to the bedroom. She had her panties on and one of his button down shirts. The sleeves were rolled to her forearms and the front hung open, covering the firm, round breasts, but open down the front. “Hello, Mallory…did you come to congratulate us?”

  The blonde looked from one to the other, unaware of the humor on Zach’s face as he studied his new wife.

  “Wife?”

  “Yes, we were married on Saturday morning,” Eve said with a smile.

  “Congratulations,” she said flatly, turning and leaving the apartment quickly.

  “Hmm…that didn’t quite feel sincere,” Eve said with a soft chuckle, teasing eyes widening when Zach closed the door and moved slowly in her direction. She backed up, matching his steps until he made a swift move forward. Her laughing yelp echoed in the apartment as she rounded the furniture, keeping something between them.

  “That’s my shirt…” Zach countered each of her moves, carefully maneuvering her into the corner.

  “It is…wonder how it got there…”

  “And you’re missing a few items of clothing…”

  “Oh…those…you noticed…” Eve teased, diving around the chair and sidling along the wall, squealing loudly when he snagged her around the middle and tossed her lightly to the bed, his body following to straddle her middle, holding her hands above her head. “Not fair…you weigh more than I do…”

  “Oh, believe me, Eve Covington…I noticed,” Zach assured her. He carefully shifted both her wrists to one of his hands, very aware of the wariness in her narrowed eyes, but no fear. No trepidation or terror. Somehow she managed to stay in their moment, keeping the past locked away from them.

  Zach drew one finger very slowly down the open front of his shirt, stopping at her naval.

  “I’ve made an executive decision,” Zach said softly, slowly moving the sides of his shirt wider.

  “No…it’s not…” Eve squirmed and scowled at him, meeting the dark smoldering look with narrowed eyes. “Alright…what’s the decision?”

  “I think this…thing…from last night…it should be extended for an entire day,” Zach told her with a nod. “From wake up until midnight.”

  Eve stopped moving, her breathing increasing as his fingers opened the shirt a little more. “That’s not fair…”

  “It would make for some interesting weekends…” Zach suggested with one brow arched. “I think you liked the power you had last night, Eve.” He had the edges of the shirt each resting just covering her nipples, his fingers tracing the full curve of each exposed breast.

  “It was…fun…warm…”

  “Arousing,” Zach supplied the word she was searching for, instant agreement in her eyes.

  “Yes,” she whispered, her eyes closing as the warmth began building from his touch.

  “I’ll share this evening with you, Eve,” Zach leaned over, his mouth brushing over the soft pink nipple he had exposed, taking it between his teeth with a tender nip. He listened to the low sound from her and realized there was no tension in the wrists he held in place.

  “Share?” Eve swallowed, too aware of the heat in her cheeks when she met his eyes, watching him drag his tongue over one nipple.

  “I have a feeling I’ll be in desperate need after this evening,” he whispered against her breast.

  “Well…” Eve brought her tongue out, drawing it slowly around her lips. “There are other things in the book…”

  Zach felt his mind and body groan as he stretched out at her side, his palm gently surrounding her breast. He saw her lower body wriggle when he pushed both sides of the shirt out of his way. He wasn’t sure he would survive until after dinner tomorrow night. He had never wanted a woman the way he wanted Eve right now! His body hardened with each new scent of her, each new sound that escaped when she tried keeping them contained. He let his palm glide down over the flat of her stomach, stopping only when her hands went to his shoulders.

  “No touching,” he told her, looking up to see her eyes tightly closed. “Isn’t that what you told me last night?”

  “Zach…I don’t…I’ve never…ohhh…”

  “But it’s a good feeling…”

  “Oh, god…yes…it’s like…like a stream of electricity…or an itch I can’t reach…” she said with a soft groan.

  “I think I can help with that,” he murmured against her stomach, his kiss soft and teasing. He moved his mouth to one breast as his palm slid inside the elastic of her panties, slowing when her breath caught and froze for a second. But it wasn’t fear he felt from her, but excitement, arousal. He couldn’t stop staring at her, the glow in her body radiating with heat they were building together and yet apart.

  Silken dark coils teased the center of his palm, his finger drawing a slow line along the leg edge of her panties, gliding over the swollen femininity before continuing the line on the other leg opening. His palm moved to cup the full lips, one finger drawing through the moist center. She was so small! He was used to her in bulky sweater and jeans. Without them she appeared delicate and almost fragile. When he thought about the situations she’d placed herself in…his mind reeled. Mousy….not his Eve.

  “Zach…what…” Eve moaned softly when she felt his palm cupping her, his fingers teasing through that most private part of her.

  “A kiss, Eve,” Zach raised his head and covered her mouth with his softly. “Just think of me…and our kiss…” She moaned against his mouth, her tongue thrust out to stroke over his lips. He felt her body moving against his hand. He could feel the heat of her on his fingers, his mouth trailing a series of soft kisses along her throat. Her head was back, her eyes closed tightly.

  “Just relax and let your body feel…” his mouth closed over one pert nipple, suckling and teasing at the same time his fingers stroked the hot moisture over the pulsing, swollen nub nestled in the dark coils.

  He continued to press and stroke the tiny nub now bursting from its cover while his fingers thrust rhythmically inside the tight channel. He angled his finge
rs slightly, probing and circling the opening when his fingers must have found the perfect spot for Eve. He flicked at her clit and pressed down.

  A sharp, abrupt cry left her lips, her hips pushing upward hard against his touch, his fingers continued thrusting inside her, her back arched suddenly. Zach held her close, raising his head and knowing instantly what fireworks would feel like to be so near. She called to him, clenching his shoulders as her body reacted to his touch, her toes pointed out and her thighs tightened around his palm.

  A soft, plaintive purr leaving her lips as she curled toward him, her palm slid into his hair to pull his mouth hungrily to hers. Zach wrapped her close to him, his palms stroking over the gentle curves pressing so close.

  “Eve?”

  “Yes?” She curled down against him, burying her face in his sweater. “That must be the very best ever feeling in the whole world,” came her husky whisper. She didn’t even mind his soft laughter near her ear. “Is it like that all the time?”

  “I think we’ll do our best to make it that way,” he promised, nudging her mouth up with a soft kiss. “Right now…I think we should get moving before the storm hits,” Zach raised his head, meeting the slowly opening dark eyes and knowing with male pride that those stars were for him and him alone.

  “Storm? We have a storm?” Eve leaned up, blinking as if to remember where she was, hastily pulling the shirt closed.

  “Hmmm…” A hard wince filled his features as he straightened up, bending down to lift a scrap of lace and sweater from the floor. “You’re missing a few things…” But he held them just outside her reach, leaning over until their lips were barely touching. “You’re going to have to get accustomed to being naked with me, Eve…”

  “It’s a process,” she returned, grabbing her clothes and making a dash to the bathroom, ignoring his laughter.

  Eve held a large arm load of clothing while Zach carried a large box. She watched him arrange things and take the clothes before she climbed into her seat, buckling the belt and settling down with a long, contented sigh.