I study the elegant length and beautiful copper skin of her neck and lean in ever so slightly, catching her sweet jasmine scent. A craving to trace my lips along her silky skin thrusts through me. A craving to see if she tastes as sweet as she smells.
I close my eyes, but it only boldens the craving. Heightens the way she penetrates my senses.
A memory taunts me of a time in college when Zara, Kenda, and I went dancing with our friends. It was before Kenda and I became an item. Zara had dragged me onto the dance floor, and her favorite song came on. She’d started to dance…
I swallow at the memory. She had turned her back to me and was dancing in a way that was so seductive, so hot, I was sure every guy watching her had cursed me for being the lucky bastard who got to be pressed against her like that.
I wanted Zara, my best friend, that night in a way I hadn’t wanted before. In a way that violated myNo hooking up with friendsrule.
A rule I later ignored when Kenda and I became involved. But that…that was different. If things had gone sour between us, it wouldn’t have been as bad as compared to if I lost Zara from my life.
Still kneading her muscles, I open my eyes and lean away. It doesn’t make a difference. My body still wants her. I clear my throat. Swallow harder. “Have you talked to Lucas? About your shoulders?”
“No. I talked to my physician a few months ago. She told me to take an NSAID, like ibuprofen, daily until it’s better.”
My hands stop moving but remain on her shoulders. “Have you been taking it regularly since she told you that?”
Zara nods, her coils brushing my hands.
“And it hasn’t improved?” I trace my finger along her shoulder, then catch myself. I jerk my hands away from her skin.
“Yes and no. It’s still there—so I probably did something again without realizing it. I’ve been careful not to aggravate it, but apparently not careful enough.”
“You should talk to your physician. Make sure it’s nothing serious.”
Zara straightens and turns to look over her shoulder. She winces once more.
“Dammit, Zara, talk to your physician.”
Zara goddamn freaking chuckles. “You’re gonna make a great father, Garrett. Always worrying…even when there’s nothing to worry about.” An emotion crosses her face, but it’s gone too quickly to pinpoint what it was.
“I just don’t like seeing you in pain.”
“I’ll be fine. I’m sure it will go away soon. It just means I can’t go running with you.” She snickers. “Oh, wait. I wasn’t going to anyway.” She shifts between my legs, her ass rubbing against my package once more, making it jerk in response.Down, boy.
She unfolds from the chair, using the armrests to help her to her feet.
I frown at the way she seems to need assistance to stand. “Well, in the meantime, I don’t think you should help me with painting Peony’s room tomorrow. It won’t do your shoulders any favors. And talk to Lucas. He might?—”
The staff-room door opens, and Troy enters, smiling like he and Jess had a great fuck before he came here. Which they probably did. “Ready to talk renovations?”
At least he’s getting some—one of the perks of being in a long-term relationship. The last time I saw any action was several months ago.
No wonder my cock came to life while I was massaging Zara’s shoulders. My reaction to her was nothing more than basic male instinct after going without for so long. A reminder my cock is tired of surviving on nothing but a hand job in the shower.
Now that I’m a father, and my daughter—plus, her nanny—will be moving in with me soon, jerking off in the shower will have to suffice. Screwing one-night stands at their houses or in hotel rooms isn’t possiblewhen I have to hammer out words the next day. And flings are no longer an option.
Or they won’t be for the immediate future.
Not until I’ve sentUntold Mercyto my editor.
Thoughts of abstaining for a while might be circling in my brain, but that doesn’t stop the craving to touch Zara’s soft skin again.
18
ZARA
Mr. Cartwright studiesthe proposal in front of him on my laptop. I try not to wipe my clammy palms on the fabric of my work pants.
