“What?”
“You can’t expect me not to touch you, then stare at me like I’m your next meal.” His voice may be low, but I don’t miss the way it strains as he speaks.
I open my mouth to sass him, but nothing comes out. I don’t want to rush things, but at the same time, he’s hard to resist. Clearing my throat, I shift my gaze, but before I get the chance to move on from the desire consuming me, we’re interrupted.
“Mr. Fitzpatrick, it’s nice to have you home.” A beautiful blonde with a headset and a peppy bounce in her step holds openthe door for us, her appraising gaze shifting my way. “Would you like me to arrange help with your bags?” She smiles, directing her question back to Zane.
“No, thank you, Kate. I’ve got this. But I’d love to have my car ready in an hour if that’s okay.”
“Of course. I’ll buzz you when it’s here.”
Zane nods, holding his arm out and gesturing for me to walk through the threshold. “Ladies first. The elevator is straight ahead.”
“Thank you.”
I smile as I pass Kate, but her fake grin barely reaches her eyes until her gaze moves behind me. To Zane.
“If you need anything else, you’ve got my number.” She speaks louder than necessary, and I hold back from rolling my eyes.
Zane doesn’t say anything, and it takes everything in my power not to look back to check his response. But instead, I pick up speed, reaching the elevator a few seconds ahead of him. It’s only when my jaw aches that I realize I’ve been clenching my teeth.Dammit.
Forcing a smile, I turn to look at Zane, and the second he sees me, his lips pull into a triumphant grin.
“Is that jealousy?”
“What? No. Do I have a reason to be jealous?”
“That depends. Would it bother you if one of our building concierges had a crush on me that I never reciprocated?”
“No.”
“Then you’re fine.”
My face scrunches of its own accord and I groan out loud. “She’s really beautiful, Zane.”
“She’s not you.” He’s so quick to respond that it momentarily stuns me. If it was anyone else, I’d assume that was a line, a well-practiced move to get the girl. Hell, if Nathan had said it, I’d probably cringe. Yet, I know with absolute certainty that’s notthe case with Zane. He means it. He’s never been one to mince his words.
Having said that, at some point we have to discuss his reputation as a ladies’ man, and there’s no time like the present.
The elevator arrives, so I wait until we’re inside before I hit him in the jugular. Metaphorically speaking, of course. “How many women have you slept with?
“What?” Zane chokes and I have to admit, it brings me joy. I actually don’t mind that he slept around while we were apart. I may have only had one boyfriend, but I wasn’t exactly celibate myself. And reconnecting with Zane was never on my radar.
But I am curious. I’ve seen the articles. I’ve got a fair idea.
“I… Ah…”
“Since when do you get tongue-tied?”
“I don’t.” He grips the back of his neck. “I’m just not sure what the right answer is here.”
“The truth. Always.”
“Well in that case, I never kept count, but it was a lot. Right up until you walked back into my life.”
“And then?”
“None.”
