“I don’t think you’re getting this. The warring clan believes that if you match, you mate for life. Forever. Get it? You’re tied to himforever,which is a lot more than a little piece of legal paper. You’ll never get rid of him. You won’t even want sex with anyone else for the rest of your life.” Olivia frowned and crossed her arms over her chest. “Are you okay with that?”
Forever. Instead of scaring her like Olivia intended, the thought warmed her insides. Would he really want to stay with her? She doubted it. She hadn’t ever had a relationship last more than a few months. There was still the little girl inside of her that wanted forever, that craved the happily ever after.
“I told Jack I’d try,” Zoe said, softly.
“Maybe you’re both more suited than I thought.” Olivia laughed, then grabbed her purse and makeup bag off the bed. “You’re both equally hardheaded.”
“Thanks,” Zoe grunted.
“Relax.” Olivia opened the bedroom door. “I’ve known Jack’s family for years. They are intense, but once you get to know them, you’ll really like them.”
“But will they like me?” Zoe muttered, gathering her courage, and descending the steep stairs. Thankfully, the first floor was empty, except for the kitchen help. She scooted by them, paused at the screened door, and froze. The backyard was already way too crowded.
Jack spotted her and his expression darkened. He stalked towards her and pulled her into the shadows.
“Are you purposefully torturing me, Zoe? These jeans are way too low, and this t-shirt has nothing to it.” Jack’s hands circled her waist.
Goose bumps raced up and down her arms, and heat sizzled where his skin touched hers.
He chuckled and whispered into her ear, “Every time I see you, you morph into a completely different creature, each one more beautiful than the last.”
“Would you rather have me dressed like last night, in sweats and fuzzy slippers?”
“No, I’d rather have you naked under me so I could sink into you all night.” His voice took on an edge, his eyes went dark and his brows furrowed. He cursed and stepped away, his fists clenched.
“This was a bad idea. I’ll go change…” Zoe swallowed hard.
“I’m sorry.” Jack grabbed her hand. “Don’t change a thing. I had no idea how tough this was going to be.” His fingers rasped across the stubble on his chin and a dazzling yet fake smile emerged. “Let me start over. Would you like a drink?”
She nodded and let him lead her through the maze of people.
Over fifty guests gathered. Torches were lit to keep the mosquitoes at bay, and twinkling lights wrapped the perimeter of the yard. Young teens in black jeans and white shirts appeared out of nowhere, passing plates of hors d’oeuvres.
In the center of the lawn, an ice sculpture of a dolphin, sweated on a long table, surrounded by geometric patterns of cheeses, seafood, and cold salads. It would be a crime to take anything and unbalance the perfection.
Near the front of the house, one of the caterers operated a gas fired grill. Parents with young children in tow, lined up for hot dogs and burgers.
After enduring their stares, and giving polite little nods, Zoe decided it was easier to focus on Jack. He was dressed in typical careless beachwear, ocean-weathered ripped jeans and a loose white shirt. Some kind of rune tats showed on his tanned, exposed shoulders and his still damp hair curled under at the nape of his neck. She reached to touch a lock, but then thought better of it.
“I watched you for a while with my sister from an upstairs window. You’re a natural.” He poured himself a foamy brew from a metal cylinder, then picked up a corkscrew. “White?”
She nodded and all but drooled over his bulging biceps.
He slowly pulled the cork out of the bottle, glanced up, and smirked. He did this muscle-man show by squeezing his biceps a couple more times until Zoe laughed aloud. “You want some of that?”
“Actually, I do.” She clamped her mouth shut, but it was too late, the words were already out. She looked down at the ground and chewed on the inside of her cheek.
He placed a finger under her chin and forced her to look up. “Don’t mess with me Zoe, unless you’re ready to go upstairs and finish what we started yesterday.”
“Sorry.” Why was she apologizing? For wanting the man, and being honest? She didn’t know who she was more frustrated with, herself or Jack.
He shifted back to a forced congeniality and said loudly enough so others could hear, “You ready to meet some more of my family?”
She chewed on her lip and nodded.
Jack led her towards a group of people waiting for introductions. Her hands got all sweaty. Everyone was staring. Watching. Panic clawed at her throat. She wasn’t good in large groups. They seemed to suffocate her.
The gate out of the yard was just a few feet away. She could run back into the house or back to Olivia’s.
